Washington Outdoor School Coalition

Members of the Washington Outdoor School Coalition (WOSC) and the team at Outdoor Schools Washington collaborate to connect students to overnight outdoor education experiences.

Think of WOSC as a group of Outdoor School Providers and Advocates committed to advancing the field.

WOSC Vision

Every Washington State student attends and benefits from overnight outdoor education experiences.

WOSC Mission

To foster a community of engaged and inspired citizens. Collectively, we will increase the reach and impact of overnight outdoor environmental education by advocating for support and reducing barriers to provide access to every student in WA State.

Legislative Resources

S.O.S Save Outdoor Schools Funding Now

If you have not heard, state funding for 5th/6th grade overnight outdoor education experiences is seriously under threat. In late March the proposed House budget did not include any funding for the Outdoor Learning Grant Program. The Senate budget did include us but we’ll only survive in the end if both chambers agree. That’s why we need to take action now and not let up until the finish line.  

Use the Action Alert to quickly email your legislators.

For great content, please use OSPI’s 2025 Legislative Report to bolster your storytelling.

Find Your Legislators

To find which legislators represent you, click the District Finder and enter your address. A list of your Washington State Representatives and Senators will be returned. 

Call or Email Your Legislators

If you prefer email, you may use the website's email forms to send messages to your legislators at anytime. Find your legislator(s) and use this webpage to send emails and make phone calls.

Priority Legislators, Committees, and Legislator Tracking Sheet

If you are interested in learning about the legislators and committees that are considered a priority, you can access that password protected information using the following button. This is also the home of the Legislator Tracking Sheet on which WOSC members can keep detailed notes about meetings and conversations that are had with elected officials.

Funding Request for 2025-27 Biennium

Outdoor Learning Grant Program One Pager

The details and numbers behind the one-pager

New letter of support for sites to sign on (draft)

OSPI’s Decision Package

Expanding Student Access to Outdoor Education

Additional Resources

Send Bill Comments

We don’t have a current bill. Please check back here when requested.
If you would like to send a message to your legislators about a specific bill, you may use the Bill Comments form, which is accessible from each individual Bill Summary web page. After entering the bill number, click Search and select Comment on this bill to get started.

Are you interested in joining WOSC?

The coalition meets regularly to discuss ways to support the growth and evolution of the outdoor school programs across Washington State.

Sometimes the discussion is about hiring strategies and other times it’s about kitchen equipment. No topic is too abstract or too detailed! It all matters.

Please complete the interest form and we will be in touch about next steps.

Current WOSC Leadership

Jennifer Kidder, Chair - NatureBridge

John Hayes - Mt. Rainier Institute

Patrick Kissinger, Advocacy Chair - Cedar Outdoor School, Scouting America

Ray Cramer, Communities of Practice Chair - Islandwood

Community of Practice Group

Next Meeting Topic: Observations, Feedback, and Evaluations of Your Education Program. How do you do it? What are you curious about? What are best practices? What’s cutting edge?

When: Friday, April 18th from 10am to 11am

Where: Zoom Link https://us02web.zoom.us/j/5883469415?omn=87171708113&from=addon

Swift Dispatch Archive

OSWA’s memo to WOSC members