Outdoor Learning School proposed in Chase

Feb 9, 2018 | 3:28 PM

CHASE, B.C. — More than 40 people packed into a classroom at Chase Secondary Friday morning to discuss the prospect of an outdoor school in that community. 

The proposed school would give children the opportunity to learn while immersed in and interacting with the natural environment, a style of education that is proven to increase creativity, and improve social behaviour and academic success.

The outdoor school is a dream Stephanie Stumph would like to see become a reality for her young children, and School District 73. 

“It’s something that I’m really passionate about,” Stumph said. “I think it’s great for kids to be outdoors, and to learn in that environment would be amazing.”

Stumph moved to Pritchard from the coast in order to be in nature, and she is now spearheading the movement for an outdoor school in Chase. 

“The way I see it is having their home base at Chase Primary,” she said, “doing about 20 per cent of their day (outdoors) in the beginning of the year, kind of working that up, and by the end of the year being outdoors 85 per cent of the time.”

Chase Primary has been vacant since closing its doors to students in 2010, but School Trustee Denise Harper says the building is in relatively good shape. 

However, she adds there are many factors to consider when discussing the establishment of a school of choice. 

“The students generate the revenue, so if you take one student out of a school that’s revenue lost from one,” Harper said. “But, there are other ways. I’ve heard of schools within schools and I think the district will be prepared, but that’s down the road, we need to have the presentation first, but when we receive it I’m sure we’ll look at all opportunities.”

Emily Styles is an advocate for outdoor learning, a style of education she incorporates into her own classroom at Bastion Elementary in Salmon Arm. 

“It’s been really fun to take my classes out, and to see the change, and the positive advantage to outdoor learning that they’ve acquired,” Styles said. “They learn better, they’re happier, there’s less conflict, they’re more engaged, they’re more enthusiastic, they gain more self-esteem, the list goes on and on about the benefits of outdoor learning that I’ve seen first hand. So, I’m personally sold on the idea of outdoor learning.”

An outdoor learning school will be opened in Salmon Arm in September, and Stumph hopes to use it as a model.

“Looking at the model that’s going on at South Canoe in Salmon Arm, and we’re really piggy-backing on the structure that they’ve put in place, and hoping to take that on, and bring that here.”

Once Stumph has gauged the interest of parents in the area she plans to make a presentation to the School District 73 Board of Education. 

Interested parents are asked to visit Chase Outdoor Learning School on Facebook, or email Stumph at steph.stump1@gmail.com