Outdoor School Needs Our Help!

The recent state budget cuts to Multnomah Education Service District's (MESD) Outdoor School were a painful blow to a longstanding science and nature program that has served thousands of young people for over 50 years. This shift has changed the number of students served each year, created more financial instability for outdoor educators, and reduced the supportive revenue Outdoor School provides camps like Namanu. Now, they are being asked to reduce their budget again!

Camp Namanu and Outdoor School have been partners for over 25 years. Many of our past campers and staff members have come through the Outdoor School program as students, student leaders, program leaders, and field instructors. Additionally, MESD Outdoor School represents 10% of Camp Fire Columbia and Camp Namanu's annual revenue, helping us maintain our property, staff, and ability to serve camp programs annually.

If you, or someone you love, has been positively impacted by an Outdoor School program, please take a few minutes to visit the Friends of Outdoor School website to share your story and check out their Advocacy Toolkit. Let's remind Oregon why we voted to pass Measure 99 in 2016 to fully fund this vital program.

Friends of Outdoor School

Advocacy Toolkit