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Southern Oregon University

Outdoor School Programs

Deer Creek Center

Facilities

Important Dates

Fee structure

Directions to Deer Creek

Teacher Resources

Contact Us

 

Outdoor School Programs

Fall 2011 session dates: Sept. 20 – Nov. 4

We are excited to offer a brand new series of day and overnight educational programs (Tuesday thru Friday) for students beginning in Fall 2011.

Schools may choose from:

  • Day programs at the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument
  • Two day (1 night overnight) programs at Deer Creek
  • Three day (2 night overnight) programs at Deer Creek

The theme for this coming year’s Fall in the Field is: Discovering Diversity at Deer Creek

At Deer Creek Center students will gain hands-on experience exploring the relationships between living things and their environment. Our curriculum will be tailored to current Oregon Department of Education Science and Social Science standards and ‘Best Practice’ teaching methods. Environmental Education master’s students are currently designing next fall’s program as part of their coursework at SOU.

 

collecting macros

 

Learning will take place in small groups in the field and will explore topics and concepts such as: 

 

  • Biodiversity in forest habitats
  • Influence of geology on diversity of organisms
  • Human relationships with the environment
  • Exploration of riparian habitats
  • Aesthetics, art and nature appreciation
  • Ecology and exploration of the forest at night

 

We can also provide a hands-on service learning project for those interested. Our variety of day and overnight programs provide a unique opportunity for students to engage in an interdisciplinary, place-based learning experience in the heart of the Illinois River Valley.

 

Our goals are to provide an exceptional learning experience and expose students to ecological concepts useful for further exploration in and out of the classroom, and to provoke curiosity about the natural world.

 

Curriculum will reflect updated ODE Standards in Science and Social Science as well as international standards outlined in the Tbilisi Declaration (1977). ODE standards addressed may include:

  • 5.2.LS.1 Analyze the interdependence of organisms and their environment and how it affects the survival of individuals and populations.
  • 5.4.1 Using scientific principles, describe a solution to a need or problem given criteria and constraints.
  • 6.2 LS.2 Analyze how organisms within ecosystems compete for resources, including food, space, water, air, and shelter.
  • 6.4.1 Define a problem that addresses a particular need and identify scientific principles that may be related to possible solutions.
  • SS.05.GE.06 Identify and give examples of issues related to population increases and decreases.
  • SS.05.GE.07 Understand how physical environments are affected by human activities.
  • SS.05.GE.08 Understand how human activities are affected by the physical environment.
  • SS.05.SA.03 Identify and study two or more points of view of an event, issue, or problem.

 

group of students

 

 

Deer Creek Center 

Deer Creek Center sits at the foot of Eight Dollar Mountain on the banks of Deer Creek, a tributary to the Wild and Scenic Illinois River. The region is known as one of our planet’s most diverse networks of mountains and rivers, making it the ideal setting for a field experience.

  Deer Creek Center

From the center visitors have access to 850 acres of lush forests, creeks, and meadows. National Forest borders the property on three sides. The site is easily accessed only one mile outside Selma off Highway 199 via paved road.

 

Within a stone’s throw from the center students can observe the life cycle of Chinook salmon, marvel at a patch of rare carnivorous Cobra Lilies, or explore the wildlife-rich habitat left by one the largest fires in Oregon history.

 

Attracted to the extreme diversity of the Klamath-Siskiyou bioregion, researchers and students from around the country utilize the site for scientific conferences, restoration projects, and naturalist training programs. Deer Creek Center is the ideal place for students to explore ecological concepts using approaches that are difficult to replicate in a classroom setting.

 

Day Programs at Cascade Siskiyou National Monument

This year we are excited to offer day programs at CSNM in collaboration with the BLM. This option will provide outdoor educational opportunities for classes that would prefer a shorter trip. Programs will cater to a wide range of ages for middleschool, highschool, college and adult programs.

 

csnm view

 

In-school Presentations

Also new for this year's program, we are offering to come into the classroom and give two hour presentations.

 

 

Important Dates

September 20   Fall sessions begin

November 3      Final Session

 

 

Facilities At Deer Creek

Options include access to:

  • indoor and outdoor classrooms
  • covered pavilion
  • kitchen available for teacher/parent use
  • parking
  • hiking trails

Overnight resources include previous list plus:

  • use of historic lodge for parents and teachers (w/kitchen, private rooms, dormitory,
  • living room, and 3 bathrooms)
  • two yurts (for student lodging)
  • restroom facility with showers

Additional facilities are available for an extra fee. See fee structure below for details.

Teachers and parents participating in overnight programs have the option of renting a private room or space in a dormitory. Tent and RV camping are also permitted free of charge, although no hookups are available. Students will be housed in our separate boys and girls yurts, conveniently located near the newly built solar-powered restroom facility with showers.

 

Safety Note:  This is a wilderness facility and although we do take every possible precaution, there are natural hazards such as poison oak and ticks that must be considered.

 

Please see www.deercreekcenter.org for comprehensive details and pictures of Deer Creek Center and surroundings.

 

Fee Structure and sample schedules

 

   Deer Creek Center: Overnight Program

 

    $50      per night per yurt ($100 for both yurts)

    $3        per night per person (for example $90 for a group of 30)

    $65      Instruction fee per group (flat rate)

 

    Group of 30 people (chaperones and students) for an overnight program

 

    $100 (yurts) + $90 (group of 30) + $65 (instruction fee) = $255 for one night program

$ 200 (yurts) + $180 (group of 30) + $65 (instruction fee) = $445 for two night program

 

 

Sample schedule for one night program: (Tentative)

 

Day one:

10:00 Class arrives

10:30-12:00 Snack & Orientation

12:00-1:00 Lunch/Set-up camp

1:00-2:30 Block 1 lessons

2:30-2:45 Break

2:45-4:15 Block 2 lessons

4:15-5:00 Choose your own adventure

5:00-5:30 Break

5:30-7:00 Dinner

7:00-9:00 Evening program

9:00 Lights out

 

 

Day two:

Morning: Breakfast and pack

8:00-9:30 Blcok 3 lessons

9:30-12:00 Service learning project

12:00 Class departs

 

Sample schedule for two night program: (Tentative)

 

Day one:

10:00 Class arrives

10:30-12:00 Snack and orientation

12:00-1:00 Lunch/Set-up camp

1:00-2:30 Block 1 lessons

2:30-2:45 Break

2:45-4:15 Block 2 lessons

4:15-5:00 Choose your own adventure

5:00-5:30 Break

5:30-7:00 Dinner

7:00-9:00 Evening program

9:00 Lights out

 

 

Day two:

Morning: Breakfast

8:00-9:30 Block 3 lessons

9:30-12:00 Block 4 lessons

12:00-12:30 Lunch

12:30-3:30 Block 5 lessons

3:30-5:00 Choose your own adventure

5:00-5:30 Break

5:30-7:00 Dinner

7:00-9:00 Evening program

9:00 Lights out

 

 

Day three:

Morning: Breakfast and pack

8:00-9:30 Blcok 3 lessons

9:30-12:00 Service learning project

12:00 Class departs


For 2-day residential programs at Deer Creek Center, we ask that teachers and parents provide lunch and dinner for themselves and their students on the first night, as well as breakfast and lunch on the second day. We can provide menu ideas with estimated food quantities and costs to make planning easier for parent volunteers. Details regarding cooking arrangements will be available this summer.

 

What to bring to Deer Creek?

 

Please note that mornings and evenings can be chilly, we do have frost on occasion, and days can be hot!

  • Sneakers or hiking shoes
  • Shoes that can be worn in the creek
  • Warm clothes
  • Rain gear
  • Shorts and pants - the weather varies
  • Warm hat, sun hat
  • Daypack
  • Water bottle
  • Sleeping bag, pad, pillow and blanket if you feel it is necessary
  • Sunscreen
  • Toothbrush, toothpaste, towel, shampoo
  • Personal medications

 

Teacher Provides:

 

  • Chaperones (1 for every 5 students)
  • Transportation
  • Food
  • Materials Fee (to be determined)
  • Accommodation Fee

 

DCC/SOU Provides:

 

  • Breathtaking learning environment
  • “Best Practices” instruction
  • Learning kits and resources
  • Yurts, camping, and other housing
  • Pre and post visit curriculum
  • Assessment of our program

 

 

   Cascade Siskiyou National Monument: Day Program

 

    $15     Instruction Fee (Per group of 35)

 

What to Bring to the Monument?

  • Sack lunch and snacks
  • Water bottle
  • Layers of clothing - sweatshirt, jacket, depending on the weather
  • Hat and sunscreen

Teachers Provide:

  • Transportation
  • Chaparones (1 for every 5 students)
  • Instructor fee

Sample Schedule: (Tentative)

 

9:00 Class arrives

9:30-10:00 Oritenation

10:00-11:30 Block 1 lessons

11:30-12:15 Lunch

12:15-1:45 Block 2 lessons

1:45-2:00 Wrap-up

2:00 Class departs

 

 

   Classroom Visit: (Up to 35 students)

 

    $15     Instruction Fee

 

 

 

Directions to Deer Creek Center :

Deer Creek Center (DCC) is located at 1241 Illinois River Road in Selma, OR

From Grants Pass and points north - Take Hwy 199 S (Redwood Highway) south to Selma.  At Selma turn right at the blinking light onto Illinois River Road (aka County Road 5070).  There is a 76 gas station on the corner.  DCC is approximately 1.5 miles up Illinois River Road on the left.

From Cave Junction, Crescent City and points south - Take 199 N (Redwood Highway) north to Selma.  At Selma turn left at the blinking light onto Illinois River Road (aka County Road 5070).  There is a 76 gas station on the corner. DCC is approximately 1.5 miles up Illinois River Road on the left.

 

 

 

Teacher Resources

 

Optional pre and post visit curriculum available upon request.

 


 

Contact us:

We are currently in the process of signing groups up for the fall of 2011. Send us your request via e-mail to

seec@sou.edu

or call us at (541) 552-6876.