Santa Cruz County Resident Outdoor Science School

Santa Cruz County Resident Outdoor Science School is a school without walls or desks where classes are conducted in the forest, at the edge of the creek, in the chaparral, and in the meadow. It is available to fifth and/or sixth-grade students who attend with their classroom teacher, and the teacher spends four or five days living on site with the students. The program emphasizes hands-on learning focused on the science of ecology, the relationship between living things and their environment.

• Ages: 10–12 years old
• Schedule: Four or five days living on site

The mission of Santa Cruz County Resident Outdoor Science School emphasizes ecology as the main subject area and focuses on understanding basic ecological concepts. The program also emphasizes the 3 Rs: respect, responsibility, and reliability, which are reinforced through sharing chores and small group living. Sharing cabin living is used to encourage making new friends and dealing with problems as they occur, and students are encouraged to understand the importance of a positive attitude and being willing to adapt to new settings and situations. The school is sponsored by the Santa Cruz County Office of Education and is led by Heather MacDougall Molloy, Director, and Dr. Faris Sabbah, Superintendent. The Santa Cruz County Outdoor Science School maintains a certification from the California Outdoor School Association (COSA), a statewide network of outdoor schools and faculty managed by local educational agencies. The program also offers supervised leadership training and community service to high school students who serve as cabin leaders. The Santa Cruz County Office of Education is seeking corporate partnerships to support hands-on science and real-world learning experiences connected to this program. One testimonial shared with the program is a quote from U.S. Astronaut James Irwin describing Earth as a fragile, beautiful “Christmas tree ornament” in the blackness of space.

Last updated June 21, 2026.