Outdoor Science School Funding

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This past spring, the Oregon Legislature reduced statewide outdoor school funding by 20% for the biennium. The decision, based on a recommendation from the Higher Education Coordinating Commission, was finalized late in the legislative session without input from school district leaders or outdoor school providers such as Northwest Regional Education Service District.

Oregon State University Extension (OSUE), which holds the statewide outdoor school contract, has now shared specific reduction levels for each participating district. The impact to individual schools varies, with districts facing cuts between 10–25% depending on student demographics. Large and small districts alike will feel the effects. For example, Beaverton School District’s maximum funding from OSUE for 2025-26 is $462,905 less than last year, while Claskanie School District will see a reduction of $8,379.

Our Response

To help ease the burden on schools, NWRESD is lowering the per-student outdoor school fee from $842 to $700, a 17% reduction. While this step reduces immediate costs for districts, it also means NWRESD must absorb significant losses. This will result in:

Reduced staff working hours between fall and spring outdoor school seasons
Lower program levels for students
Drawing down approximately $700,000 in one-time program reserves
- Without legislative action to restore funding, these reserves will not sustain outdoor school long-term, and the impact to school districts will be substantially more painful in future years.

Commitment to Student Safety

Despite these challenges, what we will not do is compromise on student safety. We remain committed to maintaining supervision ratios and other critical safety measures to ensure students continue to have a safe and meaningful outdoor school experience.

We will continue to advocate for the funding to be restored. But in the meantime, we are working with the 26 school districts that participate in our program, including 13 from our region, on how to navigate this funding reduction this year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Expand/Contract Questions and Answers

Why was outdoor school funding cut?
For the 2025–27 biennium, the Oregon Legislature reduced statewide Outdoor School funding by 20% — from $60 million to $48 million. This decision, made late in the legislative session at the recommendation of the Higher Education Coordinating Commission, came without input from school districts or Outdoor School providers like ours.
How will this affect the daily operations at outdoor school?
We do not anticipate substantial changes to the daily flow of camp or to the overall student experience.

Safety remains our top priority:
- Staff-to-student ratios will stay the same: 1 NWRESD staff to 10 students and 1 district staff member for every 40 students.
- Critical safety measures, including on-site nursing staff, trained supervisors and emergency protocols, will remain firmly in place.
- We are committed to ensuring that every student continues to have a safe, supported and meaningful outdoor school experience.
What is the new per-student cost?
We have lowered the per-student fee from $842 to $700—a 17% reduction from last year, even as inflation continues to rise (~2.6%). This step will ease the immediate shock to our districts, but it also means we are absorbing significant financial losses, including drawing down our Outdoor School reserves.
Are there other costs districts need to pay to participate?
Yes. The per-student fee is only one part of the total cost of sending students to outdoor school. Districts may also be responsible for:
- Transportation – including buses for general education, students with disabilities, or those attending on modified schedules (e.g., day-only or single-day participation)
- One-on-one aides or support staff for students
- Accessibility equipment or accommodations
- Language interpretation and translation services
- Substitute coverage for district staff attending camp
- Additional supplies or materials specific to student needs
Please note: We have all-terrain wheelchairs at each of our five sites for use with no-cost to schools.
Can our district secure additional funding?
Yes, but the funding is restricted to specific purposes. Oregon State University Extension offers supplemental “inclusion” funding to ensure all students can fully participate in outdoor school, regardless of language, disability or other needs.

This funding is not designated to replace the 2025-26 funding reductions. Instead, it helps cover the added costs of supporting students with higher needs, such as:
- specialized transportation (e.g., wheelchair-accessible buses or buses for students attending just during the day)
- one-on-one aides or interpreters (including ASL)
- accessibility equipment (e.g., adaptive seating, mobility supports, assistive technology)
In addition, OSUE allows for school- or district-level funding corrections and exception requests if:
- Enrollment increases after initial allocations are made.
- Errors or discrepancies are found in funding calculations.
- Districts need to move funds between schools.
To learn more and request funding or funding corrections, go to the OSUE Outdoor School funding updates page.
What are other ways our district can mitigate the cost?
There are several steps your district can take to reduce outdoor school expenses this year.
- Maximize transportation reimbursements. The State School Fund outdoor school transportation grant covers 70-90% of outdoor school busing costs. Be sure to claim the full reimbursement for student transportation.
- Skip vehicle rentals. Renting vans or trucks to transport student luggage is unnecessary. Buses have both under-seat and below-bus storage to accommodate student belongings.
- Follow the 1:40 staff-to-student ratio. For general education students, (see question #5 above for funding options for students with exceptional needs) only 1 district staff member per 40 students is required. Sending additional staff significantly increases costs. Outdoor school staff manage student supervision for the majority of the day. There is only a one-hour period when school staff are responsible for supervising students. Although your district is welcome to bring more staff than the 1:40 ratio requirement, please know that this is currently one of the largest costs to participating schools.
- Don’t purchase extra gear. We can provide gear for students at no cost, including:
  - sleeping bags
  - rain gear
  - warm clothing
  - water bottles
  Please note: Every outdoor school site has all-terrain wheelchairs available for student use at no cost.
Please email our team at odsofficeadmin@nwresd.k12.or.us before purchasing any items.

Our Response

Commitment to Student Safety

Frequently Asked Questions

Why was outdoor school funding cut?

How will this affect the daily operations at outdoor school?

What is the new per-student cost?

Are there other costs districts need to pay to participate?

Can our district secure additional funding?

What are other ways our district can mitigate the cost?