Our History
Outdoor Education for All! (OEFA) began as a working group in Butte County in February 2013. Now numbering a volunteer network of over 150 classroom and outdoor educators, park and educational administrators, museum and historic site directors and staff, university students, and interested community members, the group is collaborating to demonstrate the many benefits of outdoor education through pilot projects and other events and activities. As we work on different approaches toward our goals and expand community engagement in this working group, we will determine the best organizational structure for OEFA. Our intent is to develop a model of an educational partnership between outdoor and classroom educators that will be expanded to all north state counties and will come to encompass a variety of outdoor education offerings for students of all ages and abilities and for the general public.
“What do parents owe thier young that is more important than a warm and trusting connection with the Earth? ”
Our Mission
To collaborate and collectively deliver outdoor learning experiences that promote ecological literacy and health and wellness, building a citizenry active in natural and cultural resource conservation and stewardship. Our goal is to operate as a network of outdoor education and place-based organizations and individuals that work together to connect existing and new outdoor education resources – supporting them, expanding their capacity, and increasing their collective impact through partnerships.
What We've Achieved
Awarded $100,000 Grant for our Healing Trauma Through Nature initiative from The North Valley Community Foundation
June 2019 - Hosted the First Annual Outdoor Education for All Symposium.
Gathered a network mailing list of over 150 North State Outdoor Education Enthusiast.
Championed “Camp Courage” - a post Camp Fire experience for displaced 6th, 7th, and 8th graders.
Established a web presence for Teachers to find and book Nature Centric Field Trips.
Documented our 2015 - 2020 OEFA! Strategic Plan.
Networked to help rebuild The Paradise Ridge outdoor education network after the Camp Fire.
Part of the Founding Board for the Feather River Center at the Thermalito Forebay State Recreation Area.
Advisory to initiating the California Naturalist Program in Butte County.
May 2020 - Elected Coordinator, Scott Amick, to guide Healing Trauma Through Nature grant.
Where are we going? What are we doing?
Our founders created this strategic plan in 2015 to help give the organization direction. Check it out!