Buck Rock Foundation brings environmental education back to life with local students

After a 13-year hiatus, the Buck Rock Foundation is pleased to share another successful edition of “More Kids in the Woods” – an outdoor education program that transforms the way students learn by taking them from the classroom into the outdoors and the incredible natural classroom that our forests and parks provide.

A Perfect Day for Adventure

Despite morning sprinkles that might have dampened spirits elsewhere, nothing could dim the enthusiasm of our small but mighty group: 10 fourth-grade students from Three Rivers Elementary School, accompanied by their dedicated teacher, the Principal/Superintendent, and two parents. This outdoor education experience, designed to meet California State standards for fourth grade and provide a bridge to fifth grade learning, delivered an unforgettable day of discovery.

Morning Magic at Grant Grove

Our adventure began at Grant Grove in Kings Canyon National Park, where seven Buck Rock Foundation volunteers – all retired educators – welcomed the group. The morning kicked off with an engaging scavenger hunt in the Visitor Center’s mural room, followed by a National Park Service interpreter-led hike to see something truly spectacular – the second largest tree in the world: the magnificent General Grant.

Even as light rain fell, the students’ excitement never wavered. They sketched the towering Giant Sequoias from a distance before hiking up close to experience these ancient giants firsthand. There’s something magical about watching children encounter these living monuments for the first time.

Afternoon Learning at Buck Rock Lookout

Afternoon brought the group to Buck Rock Lookout in Sequoia National Forest. Outfitted  with backpacks filled with all kinds of fun things, including our booklet written especially for their adventure, the students were ready to learn (just don’t tell them that)!

Three Engaging Learning Stations

Station 1: Sky-High Perspectives
Students climbed the 172 stairs to Buck Rock’s cab to learn about the Osborne Firefinder and the Kings Canyon watershed. Nothing beats hands-on learning with a view like that!

Station 2: Wildlife Detective Work
The Forest Service/Hume Lake Ranger District’s Wildlife Biologist Technician, along with Great Basin and Hume Lake Recreation Technicians, led the fan-favorite “Tracks, Scat & Skulls” session. Students became wildlife detectives, learning to identify local animals through the clues they leave behind.

Station 3: The Water Cycle Comes Alive
Perhaps the most mind-blowing moment came during the water cycle lesson, when students learned they’re drinking the same water that dinosaurs once drank. You should have seen their faces scrunch up in amazement. They then created pop-up books illustrating how the water cycle works – turning scientific concepts into creative, hands-on works of art.

Looking Back

The “More Kids in the Woods” program holds special significance for the Buck Rock Foundation. Originally launched in partnership with Wendy Garton, Kathy Allison, Pam Canby, and Lindsay School fourth-graders in 2010, the program previously welcomed 120 students over two days in 2012. While our 2025 group was smaller, the intimate setting allowed us to refine our approach and rediscover our educational rhythm.

The Magic of Outdoor Learning

This day perfectly demonstrates that learning doesn’t have to be confined to four walls. When you combine California’s incredible natural resources with passionate educators and curious young minds, magic happens. These students didn’t just read about Giant Sequoias, watersheds, and wildlife – they experienced them.

Looking Ahead

The Buck Rock Foundation is already preparing for next year’s edition of “More Kids in the Woods.” Programs like this remind us why outdoor education matters so much – it creates lasting memories, inspires environmental stewardship, and proves that the best classroom might just be the one without walls.