Mount Madonna School fifth graders, led by teacher Jessica Cambell, are gearing up for a meaningful four-day, three-night adventure at The Outdoor School at Rancho Alegre in Santa Barbara. This immersive experience is designed to deepen students’ connection with the natural world and inspire environmental stewardship through direct exploration and discovery.
At the heart of The Outdoor School’s mission is a commitment to nurturing curiosity and a sense of wonder about our interconnected world—values that align closely with Mount Madonna’s educational philosophy.
This trip is also closely linked to the year-long environmental project that serves as a keystone of the fifth grade curriculum. Throughout the year, students have been engaging in in-depth studies of how human actions affect the environment—locally and globally. This culminating trip brings their learning to life, offering tangible examples of how our actions on land in the watershed are directly connected to the health of the ocean and species like the endangered Leatherback sea turtle. It’s a powerful demonstration of how we are all connected and how our choices impact ecosystems both near and far.
Students will engage in hands-on learning through a series of themed, curriculum-based hikes and activities. Students will investigate post-fire ecosystem recovery and the water cycle on the Water Science and Fire Ecology Hike, learn to identify local flora and fauna on the Ecology Hike, and experience the awe of the night sky on the unforgettable Night Hike, featuring stargazing and a “Courage Walk.” The Dynamic Earth Hike brings geology and astronomy to life, while the Closing Hike offers space for reflection and a call to live more sustainably.
Jessica shared, “I’m excited to have the students step into a different ecosystem and environment than our beautiful redwood campus and learn how things are different and yet the same. Overall, this trip helps connect everything we’ve been learning this year and brings it to life through so many engaging, hands-on activities.”
Students have been buzzing about camp for weeks and are thrilled for the opportunity. For many, this overnight experience is not only a culmination of their environmental studies and year-long project but also a meaningful way to celebrate the end of their elementary years together — full of adventure, discovery, and lasting memories.
This journey is more than just a trip—it’s a chance to step into nature, think like scientists, and come away with a deeper understanding of the earth and our place within it.
