Outdoor Education
Our robust outdoor education program is a cornerstone of the MTS curriculum. Leaving the classroom for the natural world gives our students the tangible experience of being in nature, discovering ecosystems, seeing how things are interconnected, and understanding how the environment is influenced by humans. As our students develop an emotional connection to natural places, the opportunity for personal growth increases.
![Marin Headlands]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1720728917/mttamorg/pdcuggjpr683yuzcx9uq/MTS_OutdoorEd_5thGrade_NatureBridge_Headlands_FW.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1720728917/mttamorg/pdcuggjpr683yuzcx9uq/MTS_OutdoorEd_5thGrade_NatureBridge_Headlands_FW.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1720728917/mttamorg/pdcuggjpr683yuzcx9uq/MTS_OutdoorEd_5thGrade_NatureBridge_Headlands_FW.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1720728917/mttamorg/pdcuggjpr683yuzcx9uq/MTS_OutdoorEd_5thGrade_NatureBridge_Headlands_FW.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1720728917/mttamorg/pdcuggjpr683yuzcx9uq/MTS_OutdoorEd_5thGrade_NatureBridge_Headlands_FW.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1720728917/mttamorg/pdcuggjpr683yuzcx9uq/MTS_OutdoorEd_5thGrade_NatureBridge_Headlands_FW.jpg","width":2000}])
Fifth Grade
Fifth graders spend three days with NatureBridge, an acclaimed environmental organization, in the Marin Headlands, exploring the coastal hills, ponds, and tide-pools. They focus on science and how humans influenced the vast natural resources of the area.
![MTS 6th graders on an Outdoor Ed trip]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1720728659/mttamorg/oly1pentux1pnf7uyxzy/MTS_OutdoorEd_6thGrade_WestminsterWoods_FW.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1720728659/mttamorg/oly1pentux1pnf7uyxzy/MTS_OutdoorEd_6thGrade_WestminsterWoods_FW.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1720728659/mttamorg/oly1pentux1pnf7uyxzy/MTS_OutdoorEd_6thGrade_WestminsterWoods_FW.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1720728659/mttamorg/oly1pentux1pnf7uyxzy/MTS_OutdoorEd_6thGrade_WestminsterWoods_FW.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1720728659/mttamorg/oly1pentux1pnf7uyxzy/MTS_OutdoorEd_6thGrade_WestminsterWoods_FW.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1720728659/mttamorg/oly1pentux1pnf7uyxzy/MTS_OutdoorEd_6thGrade_WestminsterWoods_FW.jpg","width":2000}])
Sixth Grade
Sixth graders participate in a four-day outdoor education program at Westminster Woods, located in Occidental. The program includes activities designed to develop academic and social skills. Students experience a variety of habitats, including forest, ocean, grassland, and stream. Heavy emphasis is placed on ecology, geography, natural history, and team building. Students grow tremendously as they challenge themselves on the extensive ropes course.
![MTS 7th graders rafting on the American River for Outdoor Education]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1720728340/mttamorg/qc1gph20gbpfl1zuqyk2/MTS_OutdoorEd_7thGrade_MotherLode_FW_cr.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1720728340/mttamorg/qc1gph20gbpfl1zuqyk2/MTS_OutdoorEd_7thGrade_MotherLode_FW_cr.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1720728340/mttamorg/qc1gph20gbpfl1zuqyk2/MTS_OutdoorEd_7thGrade_MotherLode_FW_cr.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1720728340/mttamorg/qc1gph20gbpfl1zuqyk2/MTS_OutdoorEd_7thGrade_MotherLode_FW_cr.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1720728340/mttamorg/qc1gph20gbpfl1zuqyk2/MTS_OutdoorEd_7thGrade_MotherLode_FW_cr.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1720728340/mttamorg/qc1gph20gbpfl1zuqyk2/MTS_OutdoorEd_7thGrade_MotherLode_FW_cr.jpg","width":1817}])
Seventh Grade
Seventh grade students participate in a five-day environmental education program with the Mother Lode River Center, a 20-acre rustic camp located in the heart of the California Gold Country along the beautiful South Fork of the American River. Students camp on a spacious grassy beach, canopied by heritage oaks and towering pines. Under the guidance of highly trained instructors, students experience a rope challenge course, a science-based river study, and a full day of rafting along the American River.
![Yosemite]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1720729370/mttamorg/ptveycri8f1zn8ekhngk/MTS_OutdoorEd_8thGrade_Yosemite_2023-24_FW.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1720729370/mttamorg/ptveycri8f1zn8ekhngk/MTS_OutdoorEd_8thGrade_Yosemite_2023-24_FW.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1720729370/mttamorg/ptveycri8f1zn8ekhngk/MTS_OutdoorEd_8thGrade_Yosemite_2023-24_FW.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1720729370/mttamorg/ptveycri8f1zn8ekhngk/MTS_OutdoorEd_8thGrade_Yosemite_2023-24_FW.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1720729370/mttamorg/ptveycri8f1zn8ekhngk/MTS_OutdoorEd_8thGrade_Yosemite_2023-24_FW.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1720729370/mttamorg/ptveycri8f1zn8ekhngk/MTS_OutdoorEd_8thGrade_Yosemite_2023-24_FW.jpg","width":2000}])
Eighth Grade
The eighth graders travel to Yosemite National Forest with Sierra STEM. Throughout the program, students focus their learning on the ecological and political history of the most valuable natural resource in California: water. Over the course of the five-day, backcountry adventure in Yosemite National Park’s Hetch Hetchy region, the MTS eighth grade class will explore water resources and climate change through hands-on experiential learning activities while also practicing wilderness skills, engaging in environmental stewardship, developing leadership skills through communal living, participating in teambuilding and communication challenges, and reflecting on their personal growth through daily journaling. In addition, students work in teams to complete daily tasks (e.g., backcountry cooking, camp chores) and will build community with fellow students during this intensive, meaningful outdoor learning experience.