All Student Leader buses depart for sites on Mondays and return on Fridays with one exception during Fall Week 3, which will be operating on a Sunday - Thursday schedule. See below for details.

Fall 2025

Fall Week 1: Sept 29 - Oct 3 (Mon. - Fri.)

Fall Week 2: Oct 5 - 9 (Sun - Thurs)

Fall Week 3: Oct 13 - 17 (Mon - Fri)

Fall Week 4: Oct 20 - 24 (Mon-Fri)

Fall Week 5: Oct 27 - 31 (Mon-Fri)

Fall Week 6: Nov 3 - 7 (Mon-Fri)

Spring 2026

Spring Week 1: March 2 - 6 (Mon-Fri)

Spring Week 2: March 9 - 13 (Mon-Fri)

Spring Week 3: March 16 - 20 (Mon-Fri)

*Spring Break March 23 - 27 No School / No Outdoor School*

Spring Week 4: March 30 - April 3 (Mon-Fri)

Spring Week 5: April 6 - 10 (Mon-Fri)

Spring Week 6: April 13 - 17 (Mon-Fri)

Spring Week 7: April 20 - 24 (Mon-Fri)

Spring Week 8: April 27 - May 1 (Mon-Fri)

Spring Week 9: May 4 - 8 (Mon-Fri)

Spring Week 10: May 11 - 15 (Mon-Fri)

Spring Week 11: May 18 - 22 (Mon-Fri)

Spring Week 12: May 25 - 29 (Mon-Fri)

 

 

Student Leader Training Dates, Time, and Locations
Our Fall Session has come to a close. We have no additional training options left. Please refer back here when Spring Session has opened in January to find our next training date options.

---

In order to be a Student Leader and receive an offer letter for a site location during a specific week, students new to the program will need to attend an in-person or zoom training. This is an informational session to prepare students of their expectations of what it takes to be a Student Leader. All the information discussed during the two and a half hour meeting will be covered again on site during your first 24 hours before 6th graders arrive.

Training Topics:

• Who's on Site
• Student Leader's Role and Expectations
• Sample Schedule
• Field Study and Related Expectations
• Scenerios
• Mentorship and Goal Setting
• Packing Essentials
• Absolute No-Nos
• Site Locations
• Dual Credit with PCC

Considerations:

• Can I maintain patience when students are challenging?
• Can I be a positive and appropriate role model for 6th graders?
• Do I enjoy being around kids?
• Do I enjoy being outside in bad weather?
• Am I comfortable asking for help when I need it?

Following Training:

After accepting your placement, you'll receive the following information as PDF attachments. 

• Bus Schedule and Location
• Packing Essentials List
• Medical Form (needs to be signed and brought to site)
• Pre-Arranged Absence Form (tell us when it's complete)

Reminders:

This policy ensures safe and legal administration of all medication.

• Bring your physically signed Medical Form with you to your bus departure location.
  
  
• All vitamins and supplements need a doctor’s note for administration. Without a note our nurses cannot give the medication. These commonly include melatonin, lactaid, and any multivitamins. 
  
  
• All prescription medication must have a pharmacy label attached to its original container.

• Dose must match label
  The dosage instruction on the original pharmacy label must precisely match the dose the student is taking. If there is any difference (e.g., label says "1 tablet," but the student takes "1/2 tablet"), a new label or a signed, dated order from the prescribing provider with the updated instructions is required.

Beaverton Student Leader Bus Departure/Arrival Location * All Sites

Tualatin Hills Park & Recreation District (THPRD) - Howard M. Terpenning Recreation Complex -

Google Maps: 

NW Schlottman Pl, Beaverton, OR 97006  North Lot/Parking Lot D
Closest Intersection is Schlottman & Blueridge Drive. It is the parking lot closest to the Skate Park.

If you experience complications getting to this bus location as you drive there on the first day of your week, please send a text message to 503-614-8421 to let us know.

Please arrive 15-30 minutes before your bus is scheduled to depart to sign-in and load luggage.

Make sure to bring your completed Student Leader Medical Form Signed by your caregiver.

Departure Times from Beaverton TO your Outdoor School Sites:

• Buses to all sites depart at 8:45 AM

Arrival Times FROM your Outdoor School Site to Beaverton:  

• Cedar Ridge 2:30 PM
• Trickle Creek 2:45 PM
• Arrah Wanna 2:45 PM
• Meriwether 3:00 PM
• Magruder 3:15 PM

Print this information

 *DISCLAIMER - Caregivers are responsible for monitoring traffic and staying in touch with their children as we cannot predict traffic or guarantee updated arrival times.

A few reminders:
1. All medications, vitamins, supplements, etc., must be in their original containers with your name on
them.

2. Phones cannot be used as watches, please bring your own wristwatch.

3. Leave electronics at home! NW Outdoor Science School is not responsible for lost or damaged
electronics including: headphones, tablets, laptops, etc.

4. Bring a completed copy of the Student Leader medical form.

5. Please review the Student Leader Handbook

 

Salem Student Leader Bus Departure/Arrival Location -TRICKLE CREEK ONLY

Google Maps: 

Fred Meyer, 2855 Broadway St. NE, Salem, OR 97303

Intersection of Salem Pkwy & Broadway St. NE

Only park in the designated area (below), this is where the bus driver will expect you to be.

Please arrive 15-30 minutes before your bus is scheduled to depart to sign-in and load luggage.

Make sure to bring your completed Student Leader Medical Form Signed by your parent/guardian.

Departure from Salem to Trickle Creek:10:30 AM

Arrival from Trickle Creek to Salem: 1:35 PM

Print this Information

*DISCLAIMER - Parents are responsible for monitoring traffic and staying in touch with their children as we cannot predict traffic or guarantee updated arrival times.

A few reminders:
1. All medications, vitamins, supplements, etc., must be in their original containers with your name on
them.

2. Phones cannot be used as watches, please bring your own wristwatch.

3. Leave electronics at home! NW Outdoor Science School is not responsible for lost or damaged
electronics including: headphones, tablets, laptops, etc.

4. Bring a completed copy of the Student Leader medical form.

5. Please review the Student Leader Handbook

 

• Make new friends from other high schools
• Gain valuable volunteer experience that looks great on college, scholarship and job applications. For each week you volunteer, you earn 100 community service hours.*
• Earning transferable college credit (many high schools offer credit, too!)
• Impact the lives of elementary school students, often in ways that you'll never know.
• Graduation cords for High School Seniors
• Fast track you Early Childhood Education Certification.

Student Leaders learn to:

• Be a good leader and a good teammate
• Communicate more effectively 
• Facilitate learning of younger students
• Build and support a positive, inclusive community and learning environment

 

*Individual schools and programs can limit the number of hours they accept

This unique opportunity allows you to earn 0.5 elective high school credits through ORVED and 3 college credits through Portland Community College (PCC), all at no cost to you. The course is hosted on Canvas.

Registration Process:

To enroll in the course, you will need to complete two separate registration processes:

1. PCC Registration: NOW CLOSED

Here is a link to PCC's student registration pages of the PCC Dual Credit Website. 

PCC recommends completing their registration process at least 2 weeks before the deadline.

Student Handbook: pcc.edu/dchandbook

Course CRN: 27157

PCC Registration Deadline: April 18, 2025 - CLOSED

*Please be aware that when you register you will receive a grade on your transcript no matter what. If you do not know if/when you will be completing a week of Outdoor Science School we suggest that you wait until the Fall to enroll. We cannot unenroll you if something comes up. 

       2. Canvas/ORVED Registration

Sign up at https://nwresd.instructure.com/register and use the following join code: 3PRWHM 

If you encounter any issues during Canvas registration, follow the steps outlined in the attached document titled "Canvas - Failed Log in." Most commonly, students face hurdles due to existing accounts with their schools. To circumvent this, we recommend using a different browser than the one you use for school. For instance, if you use Chrome for school-related activities, try using Firefox or Safari for our course.

Open enrollment (no registration deadline).

Course Overview:

• Platform: Asynchronously on Canvas

• Assignments: 5 in total

• Deadline: All coursework is due by May 30th.
  We encourage you to complete assignments as soon as possible.

We believe this dual credit course will not only provide you with valuable insights and skills but also open doors for your academic and personal growth. 

Reminder -  If you register for this course you WILL receive a final grade on your transcript. This transfers to any/all colleges & universities. We cannot unenroll you if something comes up and/or you do not complete assignments. Therefore, if you sign-up but end up not attending a week of NOSS OR you do not complete your work within the course you WILL receive a F on your transcript. Additionally, if you’ve already received these PCC credits, you cannot enroll again - it’s a one-time course.

Questions?

Reach out to Bianca Jimenez (NOSS Principal) at bjimenez@nwresd.k12.or.us for further assistance.

Self Care

• “Take breaks even when it’s hard!”

• “Don’t get too in your head and stress yourself out about how you’re doing.”

• “Make sure to give yourself breaks when you need it, 6th graders can be a lot.”

• “You’re doing great! Ask for help when you need it and have fun with it.”

• “Don’t be afraid to ask for help when things get overwhelming.”

• “Don’t stress, especially if you need a break from the kids it’s okay to ask for help.”

• “Try to have some time for yourself, but also prepare to not have time for yourself.”

• “Taking a break is not a bad thing! Take breaks when you need them! You can’t pour from an empty glass!”

• “It’s okay to be stressed, the first couple days are the hardest but it gets better and easier.”

• “Take care of yourself first and ask for help when you need it <3”

• “Take it easy, 6th graders can be hard to get used to. Everyone knows you are trying your best.”

• “Don’t be so hard on yourself if you make a mistake - we all adapt and evolve.”

• “It can be nerve wracking or stressful but take deep breaths and you’ll do great.”

• “Make sure you ask for help when needed.”

What to Bring

• “Bring a rain jacket.”

• “BRING BEADS!!!!!”

• “Bring UNIQUE beads.”

• “Come with beads, bead challenges, and games!”

• “Bring beads and have a lot of games ready and prepared.”

• “A hoodie is not a rain layer.”

• “BRING BEADS.”

• “BRING A WATCH.”

• “BRING MULTIPLE PAIRS OF SOCKS lol”

• “Pack the amount of socks you think you need and then pack five more.”

• “It gets real cold at night, bring extra layers.”

• “Bring a thermos for coffee or tea on the go.”

• “It’s better to be overpacked than underpacked (ex: sleeping bag, pillow, etc.)”

• “Bring beads, the kids love to earn them.”

• “Pack less clothes than you think you need, better to have useful items than cute fits.”

Making Friends

• “Build connections with the other student leaders! You’ll have each other’s backs all week.”

• “You’ll definitely leave ODS having made some new friends.”

• “Make friends with the other SLs. They will have your back in anything.”

• “Go without friends. You’ll make so many new ones. You get to be whoever you want without judgment.”

• “Make friends with other SLs and the feeling of being alone goes away after the first day!”

• “Talk to the other student leaders, I’ve made lifelong friends through ODS.”

Strategies & Attitude

• “Yolo!”

• “Be confident and don't be afraid to use your voice!”

• “Build a rep with kids and connect with them as friends while still being a leader.”

• Rapport, warm clothing, schedules, and bathroom breaks are the most important.”

• “Don’t be afraid to ask questions during the training day.”

• “Meal times are the perfect time to bond with kids.”

• “Problems that may seem small to you can be a big deal for a 6th grader!”

• “You don’t need to be perfect for a kid to look up to you.”

• “Kids feed off your energy and vibes! Bring the fun and excited energy into every activity!”

• “When in doubt, play a game.”

• “Be a leader before a friend when it comes to 6th graders.”

• “Be extroverted as best you can.”

• “Pay attention to the time!”

• “Every time you go it gets easier and more fun. Stay on schedule!”

• “Get out of your comfort zone.”

• “Have patience, preserve your voice, give your kiddos motivation to listen.”

•  Let your goofy side come out, have fun!”

• “Treat the students like people, not toddlers.”

• “Patience and kindness are everything.”

• “Fake it till you make it - even if you don’t feel like it, don’t let the kids know.”

• “Be a little silly! Have fun! The kids have more fun if you do.”

• “Lean into the chaos, it’s gonna happen.”

• “Be BOLD. Step out of your comfort zone and make memories for yourself and the kiddos.”

• “Be confident! The kids look up to you, whatever you do they’ll do too!”

• Do your best to learn what works and what doesn’t work with your kids early on.”

• “Play into it even if the kids don’t bite at first! They will if you will!”

• “Everybody, even student leaders who have been there 3 or 6 times, won’t be perfect and that’s okay.”

• “The kids think you’re way cooler than you may think :)”

Great student leaders are:

• Enthusiastic
• Flexible (a great team player!)
• Responsible and dependable
• Courageous
• Willing to learn and have fun
• Able to miss a week of school
• People who enjoy working with children

Volunteer experience is a great thing for high school students to have on their resumes. Here are a few sample resume bullet point for student leaders:

• Collaborated with diverse groups fostering teamwork and effective communication to achieve common goals within an unconventional outdoor setting.
• Demonstrated adaptability by problem-solving in nature, navigating unforeseen challenges, and adjusting plans to ensure a successful learning environment.
• Lead engaging, hands-on outdoor field study activities tailored for sixth graders during a week-long program while developing leadership and teamwork skills in fostering a supportive and inclusive environment.

For more examples and resume advise, see our Resume Building Guide.

Become a Student Leader Recruiter.

Student recruiting is about getting more of your peers at your school signed up to be student leaders at outdoor school. Successful recruiters earn exclusive Northwest Outdoor Science School merchandise, only available to Student Leader recruiters. It's easy, fun and requires no minimum commitment.

Visit our Recruiting page for more information.