Outdoor Education
Our highly trained and experienced staff utilize outdoor adventure education as a tool to inspire relevant learning and expression with topics such as creative writing, verbal communication, mathematics, music, natural sciences.
Field Trips
Field trips are offered throughout the year and take place all over western Mass. We work with teachers and educators before the program to maximize the learning experience of your students and staff.
For example, our recent science trip for an entire freshman class of 80 students came out to Camp Wilder for an adventure day of kayaking, hiking and ropes course. Within these adventures, students were simultaneously collecting and studying macro-invertebrates, testing oxygen, turbidity and clarity of water, taking and reading soil samples, and charting our findings with map and compass.
School Programs
For the past 11 years, the cornerstone of our work has been providing quality out of school programs to students of all ages.
These typically take place at the schools as an after-school program or at a community park. Our experienced outdoor educators will bring their expertise to you and provide skills and memories that will leave a lasting positive mark on your students. Many of the children have an opportunity within these programs to go on weekend and/or vacation field trips with NLA.
All out-of-school-time programs are intended to challenge the students both physically and intellectually. Most importantly, it is an opportunity to have fun being active, socializing with new friends, and learning to be a safe and responsible outdoor enthusiast.
Some of the out-of-school programs NLA has been providing over the past year
- Norris Elementary after-school program in Southampton
- Sabis Springfield (kayaking)
- Gateway regional after school program
- Holyoke public schools Connections program (8 different schools)
- Wayfinders in Springfield (Saturday adventures for youth)
- Springfield enrichment camps
- Camp Star Angelina
- Girl’s Inc. of Holyoke
- Holyoke Boys and Girls Club (scuba)
These programs are intended to be progressive throughout the school year. However, we can design an adventure or continual series that fits the needs of your school or group. The focus and activities will change in accordance with the seasons and we will adapt to whatever nature throws our way.