“My students come away from Classroom in the Woods with memories and lessons learned that will last a lifetime, excited about nature and history, energized, and more self-confident.”

—Linda Ehlers, 7th & 8th grade teacher, Harrison Public School

Classroom in the Woods

Thomas J. Elpel developed the Classroom in the Woods programs over ten years ago with Harrison public school and has been refining and improving it ever since. It is a course based upon fun in the outdoors where kids can regain some of the nature appreciation that has become so lacking in today’s society. We offer a number of options for the Classroom in the Woods program so that we can meet the often challenging needs of schools, including scheduling, budgeting, and curriculum requirements.

Indian Education for All

Classroom in the Woods programs are approved to help schools meet the OPI mandated “Indian Education for All” requirements. We can assist with grant writing to help raise funds for your school to provide the Classroom in the Woods experience to your students.

Ancient Skills Introduction

(One day, optimal for grades K - 6)

At OWLSchool, first and foremost we believe that learning should be fun, and there is no shortage of that as we take your students on an adventure in the great outdoors.  We cover a range of activities with age-appropriate material such as animal stalking games, fire-safety, and story-telling for younger grades, or wild-clay pottery, flint and steel fire-starting, grass ropes, shelter construction, and botany for the older grades. We coordinate with teachers to design the optimal curriculum for each class.

Classes are usually held at our beautiful River Camp facility on the Jefferson River near Whitehall, Montana. Other locations may be an option.

Day Programs

10 - 15 Students = $500

16 - 20 Students = $550

21 - 25 Students = $650

25 - 30 Students = $750

Grants may be obtainable to help offset class fees.