Outdoor Classroom

Outdoor Classroom’s overnight program is a 1–5 day residential outdoor education experience designed for 4th–8th grade students from schools across the Northeast. Instead of a traditional “camp you sign up for as a family,” this is usually a school-organized trip where classes travel together to one of Outdoor Classroom’s host sites in NH, ME, MA, or CT (Freedom NH, Ocean Park ME, Groton MA, Yarmouth Port MA, Great Barrington MA, Lakeside CT, Ivoryton CT). Kids stay in cabins at partner camps and spend full days outside learning and playing with their peers and teachers.

The program focuses on environmental science, social-emotional learning, and adventure education, with hands-on lessons that build critical thinking, teamwork, and confidence. Each day is built around three main components: Field Groups (small groups exploring and doing science/engineering challenges together), Class Choice blocks (students choose from activities like forest ecology, engineering design, orienteering, etc.), and Evening Programs (large-group games, night hikes, campfire-style activities, and a quiet “sing” to wind down). A sample daily schedule shows a structured but fun rhythm—from wake-up and breakfast, to morning field groups, lunch, afternoon classes, free time, dinner, and evening activities—always under adult supervision, with a medical staff member on site for meds, first aid, and emergencies.

For parents, the overnight is like a field trip plus sleepaway practice: kids get 1–5 days of outdoor learning and independence in a very supported environment, while schools can tailor the program to their goals. Outdoor Classroom works with each school to design a custom mix of classes and experiences, and emphasizes that students learn “while having genuine fun through experiments, building challenges, and games.”

Year-round

Ivoryton, CT‍

253 Bushy Hill Rd.

Deep River, CT 06417

‍Lakeside, CT‍

190 Kenyon Rd

Lakeside, CT 06758

‍Groton, MA‍

168 Prescott St

Groton, MA 01450

‍Yarmouth Port, MA‍

79 White Rock Rd

Yarmouth Port, MA 02675

‍Great Barrington, MA‍

53 Brookside Rd

Great Barrington, MA 01230

‍Ocean Park, ME‍

17 Royal St

Ocean Park, ME 04063

‍Freedom, NH‍

9 Cody Rd

Freedom, 03836

Program costs vary and are determined by length of stay, number of students, and the season. Scholarships are available as well. Contact their team for a customized quote.

Sign-up is individualized by group. Contact their team for a customized quote.

(603) 539-8053

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