The roots of Residential Outdoor Education as we know it today, date back to the early days of school camping. In 1925, the first program of this type in California was experimental in nature and was jointly established by the Los Angeles City Public Schools and the U.S. Forestry Service. This beginning was at Clear Creek on the Angeles Crest, headed up by Howard M. Bell.
In 1940 the W.K. Kellogg Foundation inaugurated a community school camp near Battle Creek, Michigan called Clear Lake Camp. Its success led to a National conference hosted by the State Department of Education in 1942 to spread the word about putting children back in touch with nature in a school-out-of-school environment. Representatives from San Diego City and County attended this conference. As a result, they gained knowledge and inspiration in planning an outdoor education program for San Diego County. The California Pilot Project organized in 1946 marked the first organized, outdoor school effort in California.
On March 17, 1946 the first group of San Diego sixth graders journeyed with their classroom teachers to Camp Cuyamaca. The experience of spending five days and four nights in the mountains as part of a sixth grader's science and social studies lessons was unusual at the time, only being done in a few other places throughout the United States. (S.D.C.O.E. Outdoor School Brochure)
The concept was a good one: Provide first hand experiences with nature and environmental sciences while, at the same time, exposing children to social situations requiring the application of democratic principals and individual responsibility. The idea caught on.
Following close behind were:
By 1950 a rapid succession of outdoor school programs were being launched throughout the state as a result of the stimulus provided by the San Diego program. The first conference of Southern California School Camping Staffs and Teacher Training Schools' Personnel was held at Camp Hi-Hill, October 14-15, 1950.
As outdoor programs multiplied, interested people began to hold periodic informal meetings at various outdoor sites. The Los Angeles County Camping and Outdoor Education Advisory Committee, from 1949 to 1954, provided leadership and acted as a professional catalyst for early workers in Outdoor Education. It was this committee which took the initiative, in 1951, in preparing legislation authorizing city school districts to conduct classes in Outdoor Education. This early law, effective September 22, 1951, labeled the program "Outdoor Science Education and Conservation Education". (A.O.E. 1970 brochure)
From the need to exchange ideas and discuss mutual problems, a dozen or so dedicated and visionary men each placed a dollar bill on an old stump (see "Stump Story"), and the organization called the National Association for Outdoor Education (A.O.E.) was founded on May 15, 1954.
A volunteer steering committee of 19 members was formed and a tentative calendar was established for a series of three Outdoor Education Conferences to be conducted during the school year 1954-1955 as follows:
In 1957, with the success of Sputnik, a perceived educational crisis arose across the nation. In the name of "national defense", the U.S. government increased funding to public education in support of more programs that emphasized science, mathematics and foreign language. The nations schools responded by moving more to the conservative end of the philosophical spectrum and, in doing so, also changed many of the school camps to more school-like programs. In general, less recreation, more focused learning. With this came the name "Outdoor School", or "School in the Woods" or "Environmental Outdoor Education Center". The term Resident Outdoor Education eventually predominated with the realization that outdoor experiences can be both fun and educational. (George and Louise Donaldson, "Whatever Happened To School Camping?" Camping Magazine/February 1982)
The focus of the 50's and 60's pushed for new outdoor school programs, improved teaching skills, greater curriculum definition and increased training to benefit the preparation for outdoor educators.
From a small nucleus the Association grew to include sections in northern and southern California, Washington state, Alaska and individual members scattered throughout the country. The growth of the outdoor education movement extended into the 1970's with 45 counties statewide participating.
Four regional sections operated during the 1970's under the umbrella of a National Board.
On April 22, 1970, an estimated 20 million people participated in a national
environmental teach-in, more commonly known today as Earth Day. It was truly
an astonishing grassroots explosion. This event sparked new interest in the
environment and ignited a sense of urgency to deal with environmental problems.
In the 1970's, words like "ecology" , "energy resource conservation" and "quality
of life" became familiar terms. Education focused on the extended classroom
approach. The idea was to break down the "four walls" of the traditional
classroom and extend learning out into the community to encompass the "total
environment". To keep up with these changes and the new emphasis on "environmental
Education", A.O.E became AEOE in January 1971, The Association for Environmental
and Outdoor Education.
The 1980's brought economic pains to both public education and private programs. Some outdoor education programs were the first to go and last to be restored. Others developed new alternatives to resident programs with explorations into day experiences and adventure programs.
In 1981, the word "National" was dropped from the Association (AEOE) to be known thereafter as the "California" Association for Environmental and Outdoor Education with sections in Northern and Southern California. The main reason to change from a national to state status was due to the inability of the Washington Section to exist as they had in the past. It was also believed that a state organization would be more effective in improving environmental and outdoor education in California where the organization resides. (Bernie Lemm, AEOE newsletter, 1981)
Today, each section conducts their own business with separate tax numbers, legal documents and names. The State Coordinating Council, consisting of the Chairpersons and Chairpersons-elect from both sections, as well as a State Coordinating Secretary, conduct business between the two sections. Each section is governed by a board of committed individuals from various backgrounds in environmental and outdoor education. Both sections function under a unified purpose, By-Laws and Articles of Incorporation.
As the year 2000 approaches, outdoor schools and environmental centers throughout California continue to provide valuable outdoor experiences for thousands of children every year.
Today the organization consists of sections in Northern and Southern California and continues to provide opportunities for professional growth, annual conferences, a forum for the exchange of ideas through section meetings, organizational strength in solving problems, training workshops, field trips, special projects, and many opportunities for individual contributions.
Where will the trail into the new millennium take us? You can help lead the way.
Ensure a brighter future for tomorrow. Get involved in AEOE today.
More History: Defining Moments in AEOE History: A Timeline | Clear Creek Story | The Stump Story | Howard Bell | AEOE Conference History
