Experiential Outdoor Programs
We Value Adversity & Adventure
Contact Info
coyleoutside@gmail.com
541-760-0774
Spring 2025
Toddler and Youth Programs
Toddler Programs
Willamette Park Rotary Shelter
Apr14-Jun6 | Ages 2.5-5
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We will be spending time playing, discovering new interpersonal skills, developing our imagination and physical capacities as well as exploring nature while we make new friends. Unstructured nature play is the name of the game here. We will explore the themes of art, survival, awareness and adventure while learning about relationships and the natural world. There is no more critical of a socioemotional developmental period and opportunity for youth at this age. Being outside sharing space and activity with peers of differing ages provides significant stimulation and developmental experiences.
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Based on theories and practices associated with the Forest School movement to books like "Last Child in the Woods," we refer to our group euphemistically as "gang" in order to emphasize interdependence and promote an environment of socialization.
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This program is for ages 2.5 to 5. With exceptions, minimum group size is 4 with 2 instructors. This is designed as a drop off/pick up program and exceptions are made on a case-by-case basis, in the interest of orienting new participants. Participants should be fully potty trained.
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Fridays 8:45am-12:30pm
Youth Afterschool Programs
Willamette Park Rotary Shelter
Apr14-Jun2 | Ages 7-11
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Join a weekly outdoor adventure crew to build team and wilderness skills!
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Coyle Outside instructors will guide participants in this 100% all outdoors program through a variety of outdoor lessons, craft projects and experiments. We'll build forts in the woods, make a fire and roast marshmallows, create maps of the park, build miniature boats of natural materials, play survival games like camouflage and learn to safely use a variety of tools. Skills gained will include tracking, navigation, cordage and knots, fire/shelter building as well as practicing leadership and teamwork.
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Willamette Park Rotary Shelter
Apr15-Jun3 | Ages 6-14
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Join Teacher Vee on this culinary based adventure program! Each week we will practice foraging, cooking, and exploring a local area. We will alternate explorations of Willamette Park from Crystal Lake with biweekly field trips to areas like Fitton Green, Woods Creek, MLK Park, etc.
Class will focus on hiking and foraging etiquette, plant ID and functions, fire safety and craft, knife safety and craft, food safety, and outdoor cooking techniques.
There will be plenty of time for fun, games, and community building as we work together for a meal and gather round to enjoy it! We will have a dedicated cooking project biweekly and enjoy foraged goods regularly.
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Willamette Park Rotary Shelter
Apr16-Jun4 | Ages 6-14
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​Join Ms. Jill in exploring the intersections between art and our natural world! We will be weaving with cattails, making a simple basket, creating figures/dolls with foraged materials, painting with found pigments, using natural ingredients to dye custom bandanas, identifying local flowers to create a collage and creating a collaborative environmental art installation for all to enjoy!
Each class will include an exploration walk to gather materials, learn about them and a creative project for kids to take home! This class runs for 8 sessions.
This class will require some focus and attention for project completion. Projects will be adapted to participant ability, and kids of all abilities welcome!
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EE Wilson Archery Range
Apr17-Jun2| Ages 8-12
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Led by experienced instructors, this weekly offering takes participants through the progression of target shooting and familiarizes them with gear, safety and technique.
Participants will practice all aspects of archery and work on target shooting, moving targets, shooting while concealed and from high angles. We will practice with traditional recurve and compound bows. All equipment is provided. Instructor will go over how to build arrows and survival bows as well as how to string bows.
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Thursdays 3:00pm-5:30pm​
Spring Franklin Outsiders *PRIVATE*
Willamette Park Rotary Shelter
Apr25-Jun6 | Ages 7-11
Early Dismissal Fridays join an outdoor adventure crew to build team and wilderness skills! We pick up in our van near Franklin Elementary at dismissal and head out on field trips each day, ending at Willamette Park Rotary Shelter for Pick Up or at sites TBA depending on the day's destination.
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Coyle Outside instructors will guide participants in this 100% all outdoors program through a variety of outdoor lessons, craft projects and experiments. We'll build forts in the woods, make a fire and roast marshmallows, play survival games like camouflage, and learn to safely use a variety of tools. Skills gained will include tracking, navigation, cordage and knots, fire/shelter building as well as practicing leadership and teamwork. There will be craft/projects kids work on throughout the term, as well as take home projects for the kids to work on.
There will be a show & tell portion the final half hour of the program parents are invited to attend and observe what their kids have been working on all term!
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****This program is not affiliated with Franklin Elementary, drop off is not on school premises. ****
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Fridays 1:30pm-5:00pm​
Varies
Apr18-Jun6| Ages
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This custom program will take participants on adventures throughout the Veneta, Eugene, Springfield areas for adventure filled days! Possible locations include: Fern Ridge area, Kirk Pond, Mount Pisgah, Spencer's Butte, Hendricks Park, and even wrapping up with a day at the beach!
We will learn fundamental wilderness skills including shelter building, foraging, fire safety and starting, navigation, animal behavior and tracking, knots and cordage, and knife use for kids 9+.
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Fridays 10:00am-3:00pm​
Youth School's Out Programs
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Willamette Park Rotary Shelter, then location may vary
Mar24-Mar28 | Ages 8-12
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Join us for five full days of learning survival skills and practicing them in survival scenarios! Skills taught/practiced will include shelters, fire safety/building, knife safety, tracking, foraging, teamwork, traps, orienteering, cordage/knots and primitive skills. Specific skills and curriculum will depend on instructor and student preference.
Goal of camp, besides having fun, is to build initiative, self-control and judgment skills while connecting with the natural world. Campers will play survival-themed games based on real-life survival scenarios. The week ends with an exciting final scenario and a certificate of achievement.
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Monday-Friday 9:00am-4:00pm
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Youth Homeschool Programs
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Willamette Park Rotary Shelter
Apr14-Jun3 | Ages 6-10
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an introduction to a nature based, experiential approach to education.
This class is designed for kids ages 6-10 who are looking for hands on learning and exploration, with time for self-led skills experimentation, play, relationship building, and life skills development such as communication, problem solving, & teamwork.
The class will discuss and cover geography through learning navigation, study native fauna through tracking & animal behavior, physics through survival traps, etc. Additional skills with science aspects covered include foraging, shelter building, fire safety & building.
Curriculum is adapted to each season, and follows similar skills covered throughout each term. Classes are adapted to the current environment and experience level of the group of kids the instructors are working with. Fall focus is foraging, seasonal transitions, and survival skills in diverse fall weather. Winter focuses on warmth, survival, and adapting skills to winter scenarios/needs. Spring is centered around spring foraging, medicinal plants, longer days, tools to stay cool as temps increase, and skills needed to thrive in diverse spring weather.
Instructors will lead a monthly field trip to various local natural areas.
Mondays 9:00am-2:00pm
Tuesdays 9:00am-2:00pm
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​Willamette Park Rotary Shelter
Apr16-Jun4 | Ages 9-14
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Wilderschool 2.0 is for students ages 9+ who have previously attended Wilderschool or other similar outdoor programs.
This 8 session class will provide a deeper dive into natural sciences and their connection to the skills we teach and the world around us. Instructors will introduce compound skills, two monthly field trips, and regular guest instructors to incorporate additional skills development.
Content pieces include:
- Crafting tools and instruction on use (building trap sets, implements, hunting weapons)
- Foraging, fire building, and camp cooking
- Nature art & natural pigments
- Animal behavior & tracking
All of these are paired with varying branches of science and developed lessons which incorporate a higher level of focus & learning introductory science principles.
Curriculum is adapted to each season, and follows similar skills covered throughout each term. Classes are adapted to the current environment and experience level of the group of kids the instructors are working with. Fall focus is foraging, seasonal transitions, and survival skills in diverse fall weather. Winter focuses on warmth, survival, and adapting skills to winter scenarios/needs. Spring is centered around spring foraging, medicinal plants, longer days, tools to stay cool as temps increase, and skills needed to thrive in diverse spring weather.
Students in this class will regularly be participating in knife use after completing knife safety.
Students will have time to explore and play, build relationships, learn to solve problems, communicate, lead and follow more effectively. Instructors will meet the class at Willamette Park Rotary Shelter. Participants should bring appropriate clothing for current weather conditions, snacks, water and lunch.
Wednesdays 9:00am-2:00pm
Youth Weekend Programs
Sand, Snow, and S'mores Road Trip Adventures!
Varies
Mar 1, Mar 15, Mar 30 | Ages 8-14
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Join us for three days of outdoor adventuring!
Don't stay inside all winter! These fun field trips are a chance to make new friends and see new places. Experienced survival and bushcraft instructors focus on fun while adding educational elements (foraging, fire, cookouts, shelter building) to stimulating, social outings that keep kids connected and excited about being outside in Winter.
The group will meet on March 1, 15, and 30th. Sign up for one day or all three.
Destinations include:
March 1 - Snow!
Ray Benson Sno Park on Highway 20(Lava Lake or Maxwell Butte as Alternates) - we will pivot to a beach trip or hike trip if road conditions are poor on the pass road
Sledding, build snow forts, make a fire and cookout
March 15- Sand!
South Beach State Park in Newport
kite flying, sand play, bonfire cookout (visit Hatfield Marine Science Center Visitor Center)
March 30- Forest!
Regional Hikes/Nature Field Trips
Hiking, Fire (hot dogs, hot chocolate)
Silver Falls SP
Horse Rock as alternate
McDowell Creek as alternate
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March 15 9:30am-5:00pm
March 30 9:30am-5:00pm
Youth Backpacking Trips
Spring Intro to Independent Camping
Varies
Apr17-Apr19 | Ages 8-14
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Join us on a road trip to the woods for two nights camping! Location TBD early April based on conditions.
We will test our skills and learn new ones! We will start out by getting together remotely to talk about packing the week before the trip and an experienced guide will be sure to check your gear with you before departing in the Adventure Van Thursday morning. We will get to know each other and play some games along the way.
Once we arrive at camp, guides will assist participants as needed in setting up their shelters and camp. Afterwards, there will be time to play games and explore the surroundings before working as a group to get a fire going, cook on the fire, and then eating a hearty dinner followed by campfire stories!
Our second day will focus on exploration and skill building, we will forage for wild foods to add to lunch on our hike, make an environmental art piece, play games and practice relevant skills. We will again cook a great group dinner on a fire made by students on night 2 followed by stargazing and learning about navigating using the stars before tucking into bed.
Night two there will be a survival challenge opportunity for participants who want to attempt to build their own tarp shelter to sleep under, are you up for it!? On our final day we will practice packing our own gear efficiently and good stewardship (by discussing Leave No Trace concepts) as we pack up and head home!
Bring your own gear (we will send a guide) and bring breakfast and lunch (group dinners provided). We will meet/Zoom 1-2 weeks prior to go over gear, food and prep.
This camp is intended for children ages 9+ who have engaged in some wilderness education (or have experience camping with family) prior to the camp including but not limited to, Outsiders, Wilderschool, School's Out or a similar outdoor education program.
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Varies
May24-May26 | Ages 9-14
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Learn to travel, camp, cook and connect in the wilderness!
Join us on an immersive adventure into the woods for a two-night trip to forest! (Location within 2.5 hours of Corvallis depending on weather and snow levels, TBD by mid May).
We will test our skills and learn new ones! We will start out by getting together remotely to talk about packing the week before the trip. Before leaving Saturday morning , an experienced guide will be sure to check your gear with you. We will get to know each other and play some games on the drive before arriving at the trailhead.
As we hike, we will check and adjust our packs and loads learning to travel effectively with a loaded pack. Once we arrive at camp, guides will assist participants as needed in setting up their shelters, drying out and organizing gear and good group camp set up.
Afterwards, there will be time to play games and explore the surroundings before getting a fire going, cooking, and eating a hearty dinner together followed by campfire stories!
Day 2 we will explore the area and trails further by day hiking and scouting the area. We will learn about the local environment including local fauna and flora while stopping for lunch and to take breaks for play and exploration. We will fit in a popular skills lessons such as cordage or knife craft.
Night two will have students challenged to do more of the fire building, group cooking, and a tarp shelter challenge. Day three we will pack up and hike out to the van practicing Leave no Trace principles. This adventure will bring you deeper into the wilderness and new friendship.
This camp is intended for children ages 9+ who have engaged in some wilderness education prior to the camp including but not limited to, Outsiders, Wilderschool, School's Out or a similar outdoor education program. Pre camp meeting midday at a time that works for all participants.
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