K-12 Education at the Environmental Learning Center

The Environmental Learning Center offers three field trip options, all providing interactive, hands-on learning at the ELC’s wetland and forest ecosystems. Field trips are two hours long.

Thanks to generous support from the agencies listed below, and their commitment to healthy watersheds, some field trips are available at no cost for schools in their districts.

• Who: Ages K-5 (classroom with teachers)
• Where: Environmental Learning Center, Oregon City campus
• Cost: Pricing varies depending on school district and class size.

For more information, email Sarah Bidwell, ELC kids education coordinator, sarah.bidwell@clackamas.edu.

Learn more and register

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Thank you to our sponsors for offering a limited amount of free field trips.

These hands-on field trips will introduce students to three professionals working in careers related to the water industry. Students will learn about their day-to-day job activities, skill sets needed and the joys and challenges encountered on the way. As part of this learning, students will also participate in hands-on science inquiry activities that demonstrate aspects of each career, and may lead to increased awareness of individual aptitudes and career interests.

All field trips are two hours long and take place within our beautiful wetland and forest environment.

• Who: Grades 6-12

Presentations and activities may include:

• The Pipe Challenge: A professional explains infiltration and inflow in sanitary and stormwater systems and students build model systems with pvc pipes.
• Plant Identification: A professional explains the use of plant identification in natural resource management and students practice identifying wetland plants.
• Drone Technology for Natural Resource Management: A professional demonstrates the use of drones and students examine mapping data.
• Water Quality Investigation: A professional explains why water testing is important and students measure temperature and pH in the wetland.
• Scope it Out: A professional demonstrates the use of robots for inspecting sanitary and stormwater pipes and students operate the robot.

For more information on grades 6-12 field trips, contact Michelle Scholz, ELC Community Education Coordinator at michelle.scholz@clackamas.edu.

Learn more and register

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These programs are available to all, but thanks to support from Clackamas Water Environment Services, we are able to offer a limited number of free career exploration field trips to schools located within its district.

Family-friendly hands-on activities, exploration and nature-based play at the ELC

Join us on an adventure of discovery at the Environmental Learning Center! Hands-on activities, exploration and nature-based play will engage families in discovering the wonder and beauty of the natural world.

• Family-friendly – all ages welcome!
• Naturalist-led walk 
• Hands-on activities and games
• Nature Crafts

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These programs are designed primarily for children in grades K-5.

• What: For teacher-led classrooms in grades K-5. Join us virtually at the Environmental Learning Center to discover the diversity of wildlife living in and around the wetland. Student activity sheets accompany each program.
• Where: Join us on Zoom or view a recording. We have instructions for sharing a Zoom screen through Google Meets. Prior to each episode, we will email the Zoom link and student activity sheet. After the program, registrants will receive a recording of the episode.

For more information, email Sarah Bidwell, ELC kids education coordinator, sarah.bidwell@clackamas.edu.

Learn more and register

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Thanks to support from Clackamas Water Environment Services and Oak Lodge Water Services for making these programs accessible to students in their districts!

Nature Spy Explorer Kits include everything your young naturalist needs to learn, create, and play while exploring the world around them. Each kit is packed with hands-on crafts, fun facts, and nature activities that inspire curiosity and outdoor discovery—right from home or the neighborhood. Designed for ages 4–8 (but fun for curious kids of all ages!).

Learn more and register