Learning Under the Open Sky at MP&MS
Marin Mommies presents a sponsored article from Marin Primary & Middle School located in Larkspur.
The Value of Outdoor Education
Research shows that spending time in nature sparks curiosity, fosters exploration, strengthens focus and memory, and accelerates identity development. These are benefits that extend into the classrooms and the students’ lives outside of school.
As our students grow into a world where environmental stewardship is critical, these experiences help them develop empathy for the natural world and a stronger sense of responsibility for its care. Learning beyond the four walls of the classroom offers students opportunities to step outside their comfort zones, take on new challenges, and develop leadership, resilience, and confidence.
Open Sky Program: Outdoor Education at Marin Primary & Middle School
Outdoor education has been a hallmark of MP&MS for decades. We’re proud to offer a program with exceptional depth. Our Open Sky outdoor education program supports students from their earliest preschool years all the way through the eighth grade.
The program begins with Tree School for our youngest learners in the preschool. Working with Tree School teachers, each preschool class travels off campus once a week to explore the natural areas in our local community. In Primary School, students in kindergarten through fourth grade participate in Pathfinders, which includes bi-monthly day trips into local natural spaces and overnight trips beginning in third grade. In middle school, Trailblazers offers longer, more immersive multi-night camping experiences in both the fall and spring at locations throughout California and the broader West Coast as well as local day trips throughout the year.
In addition, we are also lucky to have an Outdoor Education Center on our own campus. Through weekly garden classes, students learn about planting and harvesting with the seasons, sustainable practices, and how to be a caretaker of the environment, both on campus and in the greater community.
Our Open Sky program aligns with the school’s sustainability mission, builds students’ capacity as environmental advocates, and provides hands-on experiences that connect to classroom learning. Our students are fond of referring to themselves as “Earth protectors.” You can learn more about the program here.
We would love to have you check out Marin Primary & Middle School, the basecamp to the rest of the world!
