The Outdoor School program was groundbreaking when it started more than a half-century ago. Since then, more than 1 million children have enjoyed—or endured—this rite of passage at campsites scattered from Oregon's stormy coast to its towering evergreen forests to its rugged high desert.
At the program's heyday, 90 percent of sixth-graders spent the week testing water samples, studying fungi and digging through topsoil. Today, just half of Oregon's 11- and 12-year-olds take part, mostly through a patchwork of grants, fundraising, parent fees and charitable donations. Caps on property taxes, plus the recent recession, have forced many school districts to scrap the program or whittle it down to just a few days.
Now, backers of a statewide ballot measure want to use a slice of lottery proceeds to guarantee a week of Outdoor School for all children. If it passes, the measure would make Oregon the only state with dedicated funding for outdoor education, including students in charter, private and home schools, said Sarah Bodor, policy director for the North American Association for Environmental Education.
It's more biology camp than Outward Bound.
(Score: 3, Informative) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday October 27 2016, @07:13PM
I would point out that the Democrats are the ones opposing this.
(Score: 2) by jdavidb on Thursday October 27 2016, @10:14PM
ⓋⒶ☮✝🕊 Secession is the right of all sentient beings
(Score: 2) by DeathMonkey on Friday October 28 2016, @05:58PM
I would point out that you are lying. [ballotpedia.org]
Supporters
Officials
Gov. Kate Brown (D)[8]
Bend City Council[9]
Parties
Democratic Party of Oregon[9]
College Democrats of Oregon
The Deschutes County Democrats
Marion County Democrats
Multnomah County Democrats
Tillamook County Democrats
Washington County Democrats