Fifty years ago, 200 sixth graders from three Washington schools participated in the first-ever outdoor education classes at “Camp Casey.” That tradition continues today, as schools — public, private, and homeschooling groups — bring their students to Casey, allowing them to enhance classroom learning.

Teachers regularly use Casey’s natural resources to expand their curriculum on Washington state history, geology, and marine biology. In fact, only a 5-minute walk takes students to Fort Casey State Park, where students can climb to the top of the Fort Casey lighthouse or explore World War I era cannons and fortresses. Traveling only 3 miles to Coupeville with their teachers, students enrich their Washington state history lessons with a visit to the Island County Museum. For lessons in marine biology, students can also learn from Casey’s outdoor education specialist, who’s available to teach three special classes, or assist teachers in identifying sea, plant, and animal specimens.

OUTDOOR EDUCATION CLASSES

Casey’s outdoor education specialist offers these three unique classes, giving students hands-on opportunities to bring classroom learning to life:

Sea Lab. A one-hour class limited to 35 students per class with a lecture, lab tour of the aquarium, and a time for questions and answers.

Beach Seine. A one and half hour class limited to 60 students per class. Using a motorboat near shore, the instructor drags a 150-foot net through the water, which students help pull ashore from the beach. Students examine the fish and marine life as the instructor describes them. Afterwards, the specimens are released into Puget Sound or put into containers for transport to the Sea Lab. Beach Seine is dependent on weather conditions and low tide.

Forest and Meadow Walk. A two-hour class limited to 60 students per class. Students are taken on a guided walk to observe and learn about the plant and animal life in and around the heritage forest and meadows on the Conference Center grounds.