Outdoor Education

YMCA Camp Kirkwood offers a wide range of classes that promote learning. Each of our classes helps students bring their textbooks to life through fun, engaging, hands-on experiences as they explore our 195 acres of nature.

We welcome schools and other learning institutions throughout the year. Our curriculum can be tailored to fit any age or grade from 1st through 12th. Teachers can fully customize their program schedules by picking classes that line up with lessons they are teaching in the classroom. Start planning your visit today by completing our interest form below!

Complete Interest Form

View Classes

Programs for Everyone

Come enjoy the great outdoors at camp or, for a limited time, allow our team to visit your class at school! 
 

Professional Development for Teachers

Professional Development, Reimagined!

Skip the boring meetings—plan something engaging, interactive, and unforgettable!

Looking to energize your team and spark fresh ideas? At YMCA Camp Kirkwood, we offer professional development experiences that go beyond the typical sit-and-listen format. Whether you're a school, organization, or community group, our programs combine team-building, leadership development, and outdoor adventure to create lasting impact.

Ready to make your next professional development day one to remember?

Contact us today to customize your event!

In School Program

Bringing Outdoor Education to Your Classroom

Our in-school program is a fun, hands-on introduction to the unique experiences we offer at YMCA Camp Kirkwood. This engaging session brings a taste of outdoor education right to your school, allowing students to explore lessons from a selection of our most popular classes — and you get to choose which ones!

Program Details:

  • Cost: $ 175 per class
  • Duration: up to 2 hours of programing
  • Grades: All grade levels welcome

This is a great way for students (and teachers!) to get excited about outdoor learning without leaving school. If you enjoy the experience, we’d love to help you plan a full-day or overnight trip to Camp Kirkwood for the 2025/2026 school year.

 
 

Day Trips

Ready to jump right in? Book a day field trip at YMCA Camp Kirkwood! 

Choose up to 7 different classes

Rates:

  • With Lunch
    • Student: $50
    • Chaperone: $20
    • Teacher: Free (must be teacher for class attending)
  • Without Lunch
    • Student: $40
    • Chaperone: $10
    • Teacher: Free (must be teacher for class attending)

Overnight Trips

Come spend a few days with us and get the full outdoor education experience!

Overnight Visit: 3 Days, 2 Nights

Rates:
  • Student: $145
  • Chaperone: $80
  • Teacher: Free (must be teacher for class attending)

Overnight Visit: 2 Days, 1 Night

Rates:
  • Student: $80
  • Chaperone: $45
  • Teacher: Free (must be teacher for class attending)

[+] Show All

Day Classes

Forest Ecology
Explore the unique biodiversity of the forest. Learn tree anatomy and identification and discover the many benefits of trees.
 
Wilderness/Leave No Trace
Gain basic knowledge of bushcraft, fire building, leave-no-trace principals, and how to use our resources in creative ways.
 
Orienteering
Students will learn about different types of maps and how to use them along with a compass. They will determine bearing and distance through a variety of activities.
 
Pond Study
Discover what’s beneath the surface and all the life it holds. Learn about the unique habitats of ponds, their zones, and their importance in our ecosystem. *Students will get wet in this class as they explore the water’s edge. Lifejackets are provided.
 
Weather
Learn about the water cycle, weather patterns, cloud formations, and how to use several different weather instruments. You may even get the chance to be the camp meteorologist!
 
Animal Adaptations/Tracks
In this class, we will discuss the many different adaptations of our wildlife and learn how to identify what animals are living at camp by looking at tracks and scat.
 
Creeping Crawlers
It’s a bug’s life! Get up close and personal with these tiny and not-so-tiny bugs as students learn to classify, characterize, and identify different types of insects and arachnids.   
 
Wings in the Woods
Take flight into the fascinating world of birds! In this hands-on class, students will explore bird habitats, behaviors, and adaptations. Learn to identify local bird species by sight and sound, examine real feathers and nests, and even go on a bird-watching adventure through the woods.
 

Night Classes 

Campfire Folklore
A great way to end the day. Sing silly songs, roast s'mores, listen to stories around the crackling fire, and laugh at skits preformed by students and staff. 
 
Night Nature
Students will get the chance to learn about nocturnal species and how they use the 5 senses to navigate the dark. 
 
Stars and Constellations
Learn how the earth’s rotation and orbit affect what we see in the night sky.
 
Brain Twister
This class will challenge students to get creative, work together, and use STEM to create a lander that will survive a drop.
 
Mystery Night
Let us surprise you with a fun and creative activity your students will love!
 

Other Classes/Activities 

  • Team Building
  • Archery
  • Boating
  • Tree Climbing
  • Zipline
  • V Swing
  • Power Pole (ages 10+)

Contact

Lex VonBrockdoff
Director of Camping and Outdoor Education
[email protected]
910-726-9789 Ext. 291