Why choose us?
Location
Virginias’ Outdoor Classroom is located in the heart of the George Washington and Jefferson National Forest and a short drive from Virginia and North Carolina. Conveniently located on the border of Virginia and West Virginia, the welcoming beauty of the grounds has made our facility the ideal choice for schools seeking to provide an immersive environmental education experience. We are located 3.5 hours from Washington, DC, 3 hours from Richmond, VA, 2 hours from Roanoke, VA, 4.5 hours from Raleigh, and is well worth any drive.
Customizable Program/Standards Alignment
At Virginias’ Outdoor Classroom we work with your team to create a program tailor-made for your students. Whether looking to start the school year off with leadership programming or reinforce science concepts learned in the classroom, we will help you choose the classes that best fit your students’ needs. Your team will work with our school coordinator to choose from over 20 classes aligned with Virginia, West Virginia and Next Generation Science Standards. During a typical 3-day field trip, students will engage in seven activity blocks and two evening programs chosen by the school. Classes are typically 90 minutes long while some of our science rich and extended outdoor classes are 180 minutes. Our lessons are designed using the multiple intelligence model to ensure students engage in their education.
What Makes Us Unique
Our program is designed to provide students with an opportunity to grow and explore their independence. Our model allows students to wholly interact with our instructors and your school chaperones from the moment they arrive to their departure. Virginias’ Outdoor Classroom instructors are trained to provide a safe atmosphere for growth and personal exploration.
“A nation that destroys its soils destroys itself. Forests are the lungs of our land, purifying the air and giving fresh strength to our people.”