CISPUS: OUTDOOR SCHOOL
Cispus is an outdoor school refuge, where our students visit for one week in their 5th grade year. Students learn all about the great forests around us: the wildlife, survival skills, and how to know if the forest is healthy.
Cispus Outdoor School 2025 Info
We’re excited for this year’s Cispus Outdoor School experience! This is an amazing opportunity for our 5th grade students to learn, explore, and build connections in the great outdoors.
Need help packing? Use this handy checklist!
Key details:
Dates: Sunday, October 5 – Thursday, October 9
Cost: $200
Families who qualify for the Free/Reduced Lunch program AND have a Consent to Share form on file are eligible to have fees waived. You can find the application HERE. Be sure to complete the application AND the Consent to Share form.
Families who are not eligible for Free/Reduced Lunch, but may be experiencing financial hardship should contact Katherine Reeves, our 5th Grade Counselor.
If you would like to donate to the scholarship fund you can do so HERE.
Campfire Info Night:
When: Wednesday, September 17, 6 to 7 PM
Where: Sunset Ridge Intermediate School
Details: Attendance is not required. This is simply an opportunity for families to:
Meet the 5th grade teaching teams and camp counselors
Ask questions about Cispus
Complete permission slips and submit payments, if ready
Permission Slips:
Due Date: Tuesday, September 23
***JUST ADDED*** School-Provided Cispus Dinner for Oct. 5th
Opt-Out Option:
Families who do not wish for their student to attend may complete this Opt-Out Form
Coming Soon: FAQ
We’ll be posting a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) soon to help answer common questions about Cispus Outdoor School. Please stay tuned!

NATURE'S CLASSROOM

Geology
Astronomy
Macro-invertebrates
How to build fires and shelter
Biology
Compasses
and so much more!

Students embark on an annual hike to the waterfall. There they will learn how to tell if the soil is fertile, and what insects live there.

Lifetime memories are made!
WHAT TO EXPECT
SAMPLE SCHEDULE
Monday 5-lS2A,B
S1: Yellow Jacket Pond Hike, Animal Observations
S2: Food Chains/Webs
S3: Plant Studies: Nurse Log, Plant Classifications
ABOUT CISPUS
MUST HAVES
Warm Clothing
4 days worth of clothes
5 pairs of socks and undergarments
2 pairs of hiking shoes
jeans or long pants
jacket
1 pair of shorts
gloves
hat
Health and Cleanliness Items
towel and washcloth
soap
hairbrush and/or comb
tooth brush and toothpaste
Kleenex and/or handkerchiefs
shampoo/conditioner
chapstick
large plastic bags for dirty clothes
water bottle
Study Items
day pack
2 pencils/pens
clipboard
camera
flashlight or head lamp
extra batteries
CANNOT HAVES
Valuables
jewelry, money, or phones
Electronics
gameboys, ipods, radios, etc.
any item that may cause conflict
Fire starters
Food
(except for the first day)
WANT TO BE A COUNSELOR?
HISTORY

