The first step to creating an outdoor classroom is to organize an interested and broad-based group of people from your school. This is not a project for one person, not even the most enthusiastic. The group will serve as your outdoor classroom committee and will organize the completion of major tasks associated with the project. These tasks can be broadly divided into development, fund raising and curriculum.

Development of a successful outdoor classroom begins with a good plan. Natural resource agencies, such as Georgia Parks and Wildlife Department, Natural Resource Conservation Service, or Georgia Agricultural Extension Service will be very helpful with planning .

Incorporating the outdoor classroom into the standard curriculum is one of the most important elements of creating a successful outdoor classroom. If it is not incorporated into the curriculum and used on a regular basis it will not meet its full potential as an educational tool.

Now with your committee organized, and with the help of natural resource professionals, your school will be on its way to providing "education naturally" to the students at your school.

Your outdoor classroom committee should include at least a school administrator, two teachers, two parents, two students, and a school grounds person. The committee members will bring a variety of skills and perspectives to the project. Topics the committee must address include design, plant and building materials, labor needs and site maintenance.

Outdoor Classroom Council