L.A. County Outdoor Science School

Spectacular Wildflowers Have you had a chance to view wildflowers away from the city this year? Many urban wildflowers also provide an excellent phenomena for study. Check out these resources from NSTA! Hooray for NSTA! https://contentsharing.net/actions/email_web_version.cfm

Another network news link. https://www.nbclosangeles.com//Beloved-Jewish-Summer-Camps

Link to archived network news coverage. https://abc7.com/4678180/

Many have asked how they can help support the OSS. An independent Go Fund Me site has been established to support the losses of the Malibu OSS staff. As your interest and capacity permit, please consider supporting the staff. https://www.gofundme.com/support-displaced-oss-teachers-now

Thank you so much for your wonderful expressions of concern and condolences. You have been so kind and that kindness has mattered. Staff have not been able to enter the devastated OSS site yet - things are unsettled, but we are making progress toward an interim site where we can resume conducting the Outdoor Science School program! Stay tuned. Good news is coming!

Thank you so much for your well wishes, memories, and the outpouring of kindness. We are in conversations seeking to arrange an alternative opportunity for those schools that are still scheduled to attend Outdoor Science School this school year. Please be patient another day as we continue to consider options. We will pass along news as soon as it is specific enough to share. Some have wondered if they can reschedule to attend Wrightwood. Reservations are on hold while we work on a coordinated plan for accommodating schools. It is a lot to sort out. Your patience and flexibility is very much appreciated. You are awesome. The thoughts you have shared lift our spirits when it seems nothing could do so.

Malibu Outdoor Science School Update Thursday afternoon, two fires broke out in areas north of the Malibu Outdoor Science School. Although the fires were near the 101 Freeway, many miles away, the OSS was evacuated at about 11:00 PM. All of the students and staff were evacuated safely, which is a significant blessing. At that time, we were holding on to hope that the fire would not reach the area. The fire continued to grow and expand at an incredible rate, eventually reachin...g the area around the camp. Fire officials indicated that they had never seen anything like the speed of this fire progress. The Ventura County Emergency website showed a new fire perimeter that included the OSS campus, but we continued optimistic, knowing that even though the camp was inside the burn perimeter line, much of the camp may have been spared. As time has progressed, reports came in indicating that much of the main campus has burned. We received a report from a friend of ours who is a fire captain. He was able to visit the property in our behalf. Baruh Hall is a total loss. The Outdoor Science School offices are part of Baruh Hall. This is the beautiful building at the amphitheater and near the pool. Gildred Hall has burned, including the associated residential spaces. The student cabins are a total loss as well. The Steve Breuer Conference center may be OK, as well as the infirmary and nearby offices and residential spaces. Gindling Hilltop Camp was almost entirely destroyed as well. Thank you for your expressions of concern, condolences and well wishes - I have been passed along to the OSS staff and to camp staff and the Wilshire Boulevard Temple team. This is extremely hard to take and affects thousands associated with Outdoor Science School and the two camps. We will meet and assess the situation and our options as soon as we are able. Stay tuned for more information as it become available. Everyone is safe. Again, I cannot express enough how awesome Shaun Hawke and the OSS staff, and the Camp staff, have been. Our sincere appreciation to all the firefighters and emergency services professionals who have faced and overwhelming task.

Malibu OSS Affected by Woolsey Fire Thursday night we evacuated the schools, after which the staff also evacuated. Everyone was safely evacuated. At that time, we were holding on to hope that the fire would not reach the area. Subsequent to that time, the fire continued to grow and expand at an incredible rate, eventually reaching the area around the camp. Although we do not have a specific report of conditions on campus at the Malibu Outdoor Science School, the Ventura Count...y Emergency website shows a new fire perimeter that includes the OSS campus. Facebook posts report that at least one of the buildings, the home of the camp manager, has been lost. It appears possible that some of the camp may be lost. However! Just because it is inside the burn perimeter line does not mean all is lost. You have noticed the capricious nature of the fire - it is possible that spaces may be undamaged. Again, I cannot express enough how awesome Shaun Hawke and the OSS staff and the Camp staff have been. Thank you all for your well wishes.

A Message from Outdoor Science School to our Participating Teachers! We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to all of the schools who attended Los Angeles County Outdoor Science School in 2017-18! We know you worked very hard to prepare your students, parents, and cabin leaders for a life-changing week full of NGSS-aligned scientific inquiry, nature exploration, and community building. We hope your week at Outdoor Science School was a highlight of your school year. It w...Continue reading

Seed Dispersal These seed pods "pop" open when they are sufficiently dry, sometimes with an audible sound, spreading the seeds in the area. This simple mechanism is an example of one of so many amazing things to observe and notice in the world around us! At the Outdoor Science School, we head outdoors to observe, ask questions, share ideas, and develop understanding through inquiry! You come too! By the way, can you name the classic California flower that produces these seed pods?

What an honor to work with the awesome staff at the Outdoor Science School! These are knowledgeable, caring, and enthusiastic professionals. What are some of your memories of the staff at the Outdoor Science School?

Beauty and wonder ... Can you identify this gorgeous tidepool organism? Even more important than knowing it's name is an understanding of it's behavior and place in an ecosystem. These are important big ideas of science taught at the LA County Outdoor Science School! Come visit and learn more about our two sites, both filled with beauty and wonder! www.outdoorscienceschool.org