Outdoor Education
Hamlin’s outdoor education program begins in the lower school and continues on through each year in the middle school. The program’s overarching goals are to:
· Inspire curiosity and appreciation for the natural world through exploration and discovery.
· Develop interpersonal relationships through stewardship, connectedness, and leadership.
· Encourage the intrapersonal growth of self-esteem, confidence, courage, and competence.
HAMLIN SCHOOL OUTDOOR EDUCATION AT-A-GLANCE
| Year at Hamlin | Desination | Time of Year | Focus/Highlight | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3rd Grade | Samuel P. Taylor Park, Marin County |
October | First school camping trip |
2-day, 1 night |
| 4th Grade | Hyde Street Pier, San Francisco Embarcadero |
September | Spending a night as a deck hand of the Balclutha |
2-day, 1 night |
| 5th Grade | Marin Headlands National Park | April | Tidal ecosystems | 3 days, 2 nights |
| 6th Grade | Mt. Tamalpais State Park & Muir Woods National Monument |
May | Watershed science & multi-night camping |
4 days, 3 nights |
| 7th Grade | Yosemite National Park (Tenaya Canyon) |
First week of School |
4-day backpacking trip | 6 days, 5 nights |
| 8th Grade | Yosemite National Park (Yosemite Valley) |
February | 1-night winter camping | 6 days, 5 nights |
3rd GRADE
During the fall of 3rd grade, the girls head out for their first outdoor education excursion, “Friends of the Forest”. The trip is a two-day outing to Samuel P. Taylor State Park in western Marin County. The curriculum centers on creating community and learning in the outdoors. The 3rd grade faculty leads the program and chaperone this trip.
4th GRADE
During the fall of 4th grade, the class experiences history firsthand, living the life of a deck hand on a 19th century ship. The trip is an overnight on board the Balclutha at Hyde Street Pier on the San Francisco Fisherman’s Wharf. The program focuses on individual responsibility, cooperation, and working well with others. The National Park Service leads the program and the girls are chaperoned by the 4th grade teachers.
5th Grade Trip
5th GRADE
During the spring of 5th grade, the class participates in its first multi-night outdoor education outing. The group spends two nights in the Marin Headlands in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. The program concentrates on marine science and ecosystems. The Headlands Institute guides the program and the girls are chaperoned by 5th grade faculty members.
6th Grade Trip
6th GRADE
During the spring of 6th grade, the class heads out on its first multi-night camping trip. The group spends four days and three nights in Mount Tamalpais State Park and Muir Woods National Monument. The goals for this trip are community development and interpersonal relationships as well as researching watershed ecosystems. The Headlands Institute leads the program and the girls are chaperoned by 6th grade faculty members.
7th GRADE
During the first week of 7th grade, the whole grade packs up for a week long trip in Yosemite. The heart of the trip is the 4-day backpacking trips into the wilderness areas of Yosemite. The objectives for this trip are strengthening interpersonal relationships and intrapersonal skills. The Yosemite Institute leads the program and the girls are chaperoned by 7th grade faculty members.
8th Grade Trip
8th GRADE
During the winter of the 8th grade year, Hamlin’s graduating class returns to Yosemite for its final trip. The girls partake in ice-skating, cross-country skiing, and a two-day snowshoeing/backpacking trip. The theme for the week is looking back at their Hamlin years and looking ahead to their high school years. The Yosemite Institute leads the program and the girls are chaperoned by 8th grade faculty members.
San Francisco, California