Outdoor Learning Experiences

Images of children engaging in outdoor educational activities, including marine science experiments, tree examinations, and planting trees for environmental education.

School children examining annual rings of a tree trunk

Floating classrooms onboard a research vessel give children hands on experience with the tools and techniques of marine science California Pacific Ocean

Woodlands Trace - Children Playing at the Brandon Spring Group. A member of the Brandon Spring staff leads engaged school children through an environmental education game. Location: Brandon Springs, Kentucky (36.656° N 87.971° W)

Father, child and paper boat in a river for fun, learning and adventure with support, care and bonding in nature together. Origami, ship or kid with dad at a lake for creative, race or travel journey

School children examining annual rings of a tree trunk

Children get instructions from teacher on how to plant trees in their schooyard. Subjects: Children; Connecting people with nature; Environmental education. Location: Maryland.

Students learn about schoolyard habitats. Subjects: Connecting people with nature;children; Environmental education; Education. Location: Maryland. Collection: Environmental Sciences.

Visit of Secretary Dirk Kempthorne to Yosemite National Park, California, where he joined National Park Service Director Mary Bomar and Yosemite staff in leading classroom activities at the Yosemite Valley School, followed by Park touring with the students

Department of Interior officials and staff joining counterparts from other agencies in explaining government programs, and promoting Take Pride in America initiatives, at the Boy Scouts of America National Scout Jamboree, Caroline County, Virginia

Subjects: Education; Training; Education outreach; Children. . 1998 - 2011.

Boy watching invertebrates, microscope, Yukon Outdoor School Program, Department of Fisheries and Oceans, DFO, McIntyre Creek hatchery, Whitehorse, Yukon Territory, Canada, North America

Secretary Gale Norton celebrating Great Outdoors Week on the National Mall, Washington, D.C., joining staff and students from the Wonderful Outdoor World program designed to expose urban youth to outdoor recreational and educational opportunities in their communities

Didactic Beehive Pagoeta Nature Reserve Spain

Visit of Secretary Dirk Kempthorne to Yosemite National Park, California, where he joined National Park Service Director Mary Bomar and Yosemite staff in leading classroom activities at the Yosemite Valley School, followed by Park touring with the students

Junior ROTC cadets help a Kadena Elementary School Safety Patrol student raise the Japanese flag at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Aug. 29, 2022. Learning how to conduct a flag detail instilled a sense of respect in the symbol of the U.S. and appreciation for their host nation in the young students.

Instructor teaching young man to fish

David Withers, a biologist from the Department of Environment and Conservation, shows Union Elementary STEAM students a small salamander habitat after teaching them the importance of hydropower to the local wildlife at the Old Hickory Lake picnic area in Hendersonville, Tennessee on May 4, 2022.

Visit of Secretary Dirk Kempthorne to Yosemite National Park, California, where he joined National Park Service Director Mary Bomar and Yosemite staff in leading classroom activities at the Yosemite Valley School, followed by Park touring with the students

Department of Interior officials and staff joining counterparts from other agencies in explaining government programs, and promoting Take Pride in America initiatives, at the Boy Scouts of America National Scout Jamboree, Caroline County, Virginia

Junior firefighter camp students watch as a fire hydrant is opened to supply water to a fire truck, at Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas, July 14, 2022. There were 12 junior firefighters who participated in the week-long camp.

School animations for 'The week of gardening'

Kids attending the Gold Star Military Kids Camp in Monticello, Illinois, June 29th stretch prior to engaging in a military physical fitness challenge.

Teamwork concept. A group of high school students sit on the grass in a circle and scatter in different directions. Drone view. Teamwork concept. A group of high school students sit on the grass in a circle and scatter in different directions. Drone view ,model released, Symbolfoto Copyright: xZoonar.com/MikhailxDavidovichx 16794252 ,model released, Symbolfoto ,property released

After eight months of designing, building and testing, the middle school, high school and college and university teams launched their rockets as part of NASA Student Launch on Sunday, April 8. The rockets and their payloads are designed to fly to 1-mile in altitude before deploying recovery systems that brings them safely to the ground.

Students learn about birding and how to use binoculars from a USFWS employee on the William L. Finley National Wildlife Refuge. Subjects: Connecting people with nature; Youth; Work of the Service; Education; Education outreach; Wildlife refuges; Employees (USFWS). Location: Oregon. Fish and Wildlife Service Site: WILLIAM L. FINLEY NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE.

A USFWS employee engages students from a local school while teaching them about birding on the William L. Finley National Wildlife Refuge. Subjects: Connecting people with nature; Youth; Work of the Service; Education; Education outreach; Wildlife refuges; Employees (USFWS). Location: Oregon. Fish and Wildlife Service Site: WILLIAM L. FINLEY NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE.

Department of Interior officials and staff joining counterparts from other agencies in explaining government programs, and promoting Take Pride in America initiatives, at the Boy Scouts of America National Scout Jamboree, Caroline County, Virginia

Meramec Valley School, 4th grade students enhanced their skill at the fishing clinic during the Every Kid Outdoors, Paddle Your Parks program held at the Riverlands Migratory Bird Sanctuary in West Alton, Mo. on October 6, 2022. Over 200 students participated in the all day event. Each 4th grade student took home the Every Kid Outdoors program pass that allows them the opportunity to see America's natural wonders and historic sites for free.

Report on a rescue device specializing in difficult mountain access. Rescuers take the opportunity to relax and revise a little anatomy.

Volunteer teaches backyard habitat techniques to students at Sasabe, AZ school. Subjects: Volunteers; Connecting people with nature; Youth. Location: Arizona. Fish and Wildlife Service Site: BUENOS AIRES NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE. . 1998 - 2011.

Teacher Chris Trepanowski in front of ninth grade students from Chandler Park Academy, studying the ecology of the Rouge River, as part of the annual Rouge Education Project in which students monitor biological, chemical, and physical characteristics of the river, Redford, Michigan, USA, America, North America

USA, Florida, Ichetucknee State Park, Ichetucknee Spring, Group of chidren on science filed trip colletcint samples of specines

Students attending the FIS3200 Stream Habitat Measurement Techniques course at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's

A young boy views the moon through a hand made telescope at VC.

Following two years of virtual events, high school and college teams from across the country return to Bragg Farms in Toney, Alabama, to compete in NASAs Student Launch rocketry competition April 23.

9-year-old boy learning archery

Students visiting William L. Finley National Wildlife Refuge learn about birding from USFWS employees. Subjects: Connecting people with nature; Youth; Work of the Service; Education; Education outreach; Wildlife refuges; Employees (USFWS). Location: Oregon. Fish and Wildlife Service Site: WILLIAM L. FINLEY NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE.

Department of Interior officials and staff joining counterparts from other agencies in explaining government programs, and promoting Take Pride in America initiatives, at the Boy Scouts of America National Scout Jamboree, Caroline County, Virginia

Department of Interior officials and staff joining counterparts from other agencies in explaining government programs, and promoting Take Pride in America initiatives, at the Boy Scouts of America National Scout Jamboree, Caroline County, Virginia

USA, California, Mt. Shasta, Elementary school group students building a trail in woods.

Girl Scouts with Troop 296 build bird houses Feb. 22, 2024, before installing them throughout the Environmental Study Area on the shoreline of Old Hickory Lake. (USACE

Group of children exploring invertebrates, Yukon Outdoor School Program, Department of Fisheries and Oceans, DFO, McIntyre Creek hatchery, Whitehorse, Yukon Territory, Canada, North America

Children really get to experience the life of a bear. One of the many programs available at the refuge. Subjects: Adults; Children; Connecting people with nature; Education; Education outreach; Environmental education; Interpretation; Leisure activities; Public access; Recreation; Vegetation; Visitor services; Wildlife refuges; Work of the Service; Youth. Location: Louisiana. Fish and Wildlife Service Site: BIG BRANCH MARSH NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE.

Couple reading a map outdoors

Visit of Secretary Dirk Kempthorne, wife Patricia, and Secretary's aides to Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, where they toured, conversed with National Park Service staff and visitors, and observed educational activities for schoolchildren

BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan -- Staff Sgt. Matthew Erickson, U.S. Air Forces Central Command 'Falcon' Band bass trombone player, helps a Bishkek Boarding School for the Blind and Visually-Impaired Children student play the trombone following a performance at the school, Sept. 28, 2009. Sergeant Erickson and the 'Falcon' Band members are stationed at a base in Southwest Asia and are deployed from Offutt Air Force Base, Neb.

USA, California, Children examining tools and techniques of marine science onboard research vessel

6th grade students check for a heart beat on a live patient simulator at Alabama's 8th Annual Be Ready Camp. FEMA's Center for Domestic Preparedness brought three simulators for demonstrations on how first responders are trained.. Photographs Relating to Disasters and Emergency Management Programs, Activities, and Officials

USA, Florida, Ichetucknee State Park, Ichetucknee Spring, Group of chidren on science filed trip colletcint samples of specines

Visit of Secretary Dirk Kempthorne to Yosemite National Park, California, where he joined National Park Service Director Mary Bomar and Yosemite staff in leading classroom activities at the Yosemite Valley School, followed by Park touring with the students

A student gets up close with a bird at William L. Finley National Wildlife Refuge while learning about birding from an USFWS employee. Subjects: Connecting people with nature; Youth; Work of the Service; Education; Education outreach; Wildlife refuges; Employees (USFWS); uniforms; service patch. Location: Oregon. Fish and Wildlife Service Site: WILLIAM L. FINLEY NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE.

YOKOSUKA, Japan (Feb. 24, 2024) Military service members and their spouses and children participate in a number of events including archery, arts and crafts, basketball, cooking s'mores and playing in the snow during the 2024 Winter Blast event hosted by members of Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka's (CFAY) Morale, Welfare and Recreation department at the Ikego West Valley Campgrounds. For more than 75 years, CFAY has provided, maintained, and operated base facilities and services in support of the U.S. 7th Fleet's forward-deployed naval forces, tenant commands, and thousands of military and civilian personnel and their families. Navy

USA, Florida, Ichetucknee State Park, Ichetucknee Spring, Girl on science filed trip using specialist equipement

N-IMAT West took its recent participation in map reading classes one step further, by practicing land navigation and compass use in the field. Ten members of IMAT West grabbed their maps and compasses, and spent a February morning finding their way through a 9-point Map Orienteering course. Members Wendy Bailey and Roxann Crawford ready their compasses for the 2-hour field training.. MARTINEZ, CALIF: N-IMAT West took its recent participation in map reading classes one step further, by practicing land navigation and compass use in the field. Ten members of IMAT West grabbed their maps and compasses, and spent a February morning finding their way through a 9-point Map Orienteering course. Members Wendy Bailey and Roxann Crawford ready their compasses for the 2-hour field training.. Photographs Relating to Disasters and Emergency Management Programs, Activities, and Officials

Visit of Secretary Dirk Kempthorne, wife Patricia, and Secretary's aides to Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, where they toured, conversed with National Park Service staff and visitors, and observed educational activities for schoolchildren

Illinois National Guard Youth Programs and camp counselors from across the country met with teens of National Guard service members, from various states, to participate in the Region V Teen Summit in Waterloo, IL on June 29, 2022. This provided military dependents an opportunity to come together, gain leadership skills and mentor one another in a supportive environment.

USA, California, Mt. Shasta, Elementary school group students building a trail in woods.

Airmen from the 36th Logistics Readiness Squadron and the 36th Maintenance Squadron, partners with the Guam Urban Community Forestry Program to help plant trees at P.C. Lujan Elementary School in support of Guam Arbor Day in Barrigada, Guam, Oct. 10, 2022. The project created a Native tree Garden at the school with the focus of promoting outside classroom time for the students. The volunteers were procured through Team Andersens Sister Village Sister Squadron program. The SVSS participation in this program supports the environment of Guam, education of the youth, and creates a stronger, friendly working relationship with the local community.

Emily, right, and Henry Valdez, middle, race against Julian Dickson, Operation Kids Understanding Deployment Operations participants, during Operation K.U.D.O.S. at Yokota Air Base, Japan, April 30, 2022. During Operation K.U.D.O.S., children performed a variety of deployment like exercises to help gain a knowledge of the setting their family may face.

Scouts learn to tie knots during the second annual Asia West District, Tiger Merit Badge University, Boy Scouts of America event June 27 to July 1. The 102 Scouts who participated, had the opportunity to earn at least three of seventeen merit badges throughout the week to include: fire safety, marksmanship, photography, knot-tying or first aid, to name a few.

USA, California, Mt. Shasta, Elementary school group students building a trail in woods.

Park ranger talking to young children as part of the Junior Ranger program at Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming.

Illinois National Guard Youth Programs and camp counselors from across the country met with teens of National Guard service members, from various states, to participate in the Region V Teen Summit in Waterloo, IL on June 29, 2022. This provided military dependents an opportunity to come together, gain leadership skills and mentor one another in a supportive environment.

Children search for birds in the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge. Subjects: Birdwatching; Birds; Children; Education; Education outreach; Events; Recreation; Work of the Service. Location: Pennsylvania. Fish and Wildlife Service Site: JOHN HEINZ NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE AT TINICUM.

Department of Interior officials and staff joining counterparts from other agencies in explaining government programs, and promoting Take Pride in America initiatives, at the Boy Scouts of America National Scout Jamboree, Caroline County, Virginia

Crow Canyon

Department of Interior officials and staff joining counterparts from other agencies in explaining government programs, and promoting Take Pride in America initiatives, at the Boy Scouts of America National Scout Jamboree, Caroline County, Virginia

Department of Interior officials and staff joining counterparts from other agencies in explaining government programs, and promoting Take Pride in America initiatives, at the Boy Scouts of America National Scout Jamboree, Caroline County, Virginia

Visit of Secretary Dirk Kempthorne to Yosemite National Park, California, where he joined National Park Service Director Mary Bomar and Yosemite staff in leading classroom activities at the Yosemite Valley School, followed by Park touring with the students

Schoolkids at riverside

Granada, Colorado, The University of Denver Archaeology Field School at the World War 2 Amache Japanese internment camp. Camp survivors and descendents joined students in researching the camps history. More than 7, 000 Japanese and Japanese-Americans were held at the site, one of 10 internment camps in the American west

An event leader speaks to a group of teens during the Okmulgee Archery Days event. Subjects: Youth; Wildlife refuges; Archery; Events. Location: Oklahoma. Fish and Wildlife Service Site: DEEP FORK NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE.

Children look at animal skins at the 2011 Federal Junior Duck Stamp Contest exhibit tables. Subjects: Children; Education; Education outreach; Events; Exhibits. Location: Pennsylvania. Fish and Wildlife Service Site: JOHN HEINZ NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE AT TINICUM.

Interactive children's tour of the Education department.

Michelle Dare, Vilseck High School science teacher, works with Vilseck High School students to determine the soil composition of the Rose Barracks garden plot on 27 October 2022 on Rose Barracks, Germany. The class was conducted as part of the student's advanced placement environmental science course.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Kennedy Space Center Director Bob Cabana speaks to Pathways and summer interns at the KARS Park I facility near the center. High school, undergraduate and graduate students participated in a team building exercise and received advice on leadership skills and working together from Kennedy's senior management.About 160 students are working and gaining experience in many of the directorates and programs during their time at Kennedy.

group of schoolchildren, Fonts Ufanes natural monument, Gabellí Petit estate, Campanet, Mallorca, Balearic Islands, Spain.

Young girl watching invertebrates, magnifying glass, Yukon Outdoor School Program, Department of Fisheries and Oceans, DFO, McIntyre Creek hatchery, Whitehorse, Yukon Territory, Canada, North America

Department of Interior officials and staff joining counterparts from other agencies in explaining government programs, and promoting Take Pride in America initiatives, at the Boy Scouts of America National Scout Jamboree, Caroline County, Virginia

Madison Sims, a college advisor with Gretna High School, Gretna, Virginia listens to a period of instruction during a Marine Corps Martial Arts Program demonstration during the Marine Corp's Educators Workshop, January 11, 2024, at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island. The program is designed to demystify recruit training, foster stronger relationship among recruiting personnel and the communities they serve, and increase advocacy among influencers who help shape decisions of young men and women.

Space Farm 7 Program; NASA Day at the Dell'osso Family Farm, Lathrop,CA for the opening of the Kepler Corn Maze. Lots of fun activities were available and Kepler scientists gave talks and hands on demos to the audience of kids and adults alike to better understand Kepler and it's mission.

Event, with Secretary Gale Norton, former and current National Football League stars, and volunteers from the non-profit organization KaBOOM!, Take Pride in America, and The Home Depot, featuring single-day construction of football-themed Playground of Hope in southeast Washington, D.C.

teacher and pupils

MoonFest From Apollo to LCROSS and Beyond public event at NASA'S Ames Researc Center, Moffett Field, Calif. The day included scientific talks, model rocket launches on the flight line, musical performances, family-friendly activities and more.

Ian Tonglet, 13, (left) and Seth Malley, 13, both of Picayune, Miss., and both participants in the 2010 Astro Stars session at Stennis Space Center, work with an underwater robot during a camp activity June 29. NASA joined with the U.S. Navy for the underwater robotics exercise involving Sea Perch robots, which are simple, remotely operated underwater vehicles made from PVC pipe and other inexpensive, easily available materials. During the Stennis exercise, students used robots constructed earlier in the day to maneuver underwater and collect plastic rings, as seen to the left of Tonglet. Astro STARS (Spaceflight, Technology, Astronomy & Robotics @ Stennis) is a science and technology camp for 13-15 year olds.

Visit of Secretary Dirk Kempthorne to Yosemite National Park, California, where he joined National Park Service Director Mary Bomar and Yosemite staff in leading classroom activities at the Yosemite Valley School, followed by Park touring with the students

Guide explaining the region, La Selva Biological Station, Costa Rica (Editorial Usage Only)

Department of Interior officials and staff joining counterparts from other agencies in explaining government programs, and promoting Take Pride in America initiatives, at the Boy Scouts of America National Scout Jamboree, Caroline County, Virginia

Young woman giving instruction to group of people for climbling crag

Park ranger talking to young children as part of the Junior Ranger program at Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming.

Creator: Walton, LaVonda. Subjects: Education; Tours; Education outreach; Training; Birdwatching; Adults. . 1998 - 2011.

The Fire Department Emergency Services, Camp Darby USAG Italy, organized a fire evacuation drill at the Camp Darby elementary and middle school to promote the fire prevention week. Sparky, the firedog, official mascot of the National Fire Protection Association, meets with the children. Right, Courtney Huff, aid, escorts the children during the fire drill. Camp Darby, Italy, Oct. 14, 2022.

Tornado - Auburn, Ala. , September 2, 2011 - Auburn University students and professors use metal connectors on the rafters of a FEMA DAWG HAUS. The DAWG HAUS or Disaster Avoidance With Good Home Attenuating-Unionization System is a wind-resistant techniques of building. After an outbreak of tornados swept through Alabama in April, Auburn's Integrated Design and Construction students have an opportunity to exchange ideas with FEMA's mitigation team. The university hopes the students will integrate these concepts in future projects, designing and building a safer world. FEMA Photo/Ruth Kennedy. Alabama Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Straight-line Winds. Photographs Relating to Disasters and Emergency Management Programs, Activities, and Officials

Student Launch Initiative participants launch their rockets at Bragg Farms in Toney, Alabama

Backpackers reading maps under tree, John Muir Wilderness, California, USA

Visit of Secretary Dirk Kempthorne to Yosemite National Park, California, where he joined National Park Service Director Mary Bomar and Yosemite staff in leading classroom activities at the Yosemite Valley School, followed by Park touring with the students

160718-N-NZ935-057 SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (July 18, 2016) Aviation Machinists Mate Aubrey Garcia, from Augusta, Calif. and attached to USS Constitution, talks to children at the YMCAs Camp Leif Ericson during a Navy Week event in Sioux Falls, S.D. Sioux Falls is one of select cities to host a 2016 Navy Week, a week dedicated to raise U.S. Navy awareness through local outreach, community service and exhibitions.

Tenth grade students from Churchill High School, a public school, studying the water quality of a tributary of the Rouge River and analyzing the dissolved oxygen content of river water with the help of science teacher Debbie Glen, as part of the annual Rouge Education Project in which students monitor biological, chemical, and physical characteristics of the river, Livonia, Michigan, USA, North America

Department of Interior officials and staff joining counterparts from other agencies in explaining government programs, and promoting Take Pride in America initiatives, at the Boy Scouts of America National Scout Jamboree, Caroline County, Virginia

Conference on Children and Nature at the National Conservation Training Center in Shepherdstown, West Virginia, with Interior participants including Secretary Dirk Kempthorne

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