Outdoor Ed

Environmental Learning Program

Curriculum Flexibility

Camp Omega's Program enables you to select just the right mix of environmental activities and recreation for your students.

In the Marsh

Camp Omega's Environmental Learning Program is based on a number of broad curriculum themes including:

  • Nature Discovery
  • Outdoor Recreation Skills
  • Community Building
  • Environmental Stewardship
  • Spiritual Growth

Core Activities

Unless requested otherwise, these are activities we have each class participate in. These activities will be scheduled into your class’ stay. Let us know if you would like your class to skip any of these activities so that we can plan for something else.

  • Morning and Campfire Devotions – Camp Omega staff will lead your class in their favorite camp songs and share a message.
  • ABC/Nature Hike - This is an activity we like to do right away to help the campers get acquainted with camp and its surroundings. Students will use their senses to appreciate the vast variety of nature in God’s great out-of-doors.
  • Canoeing – (weather permitting) After receiving instructions on canoeing techniques, terminology, and safety, students will have a chance to get out on the water in a canoe.
  • Archery – Along with terminology, and instructions in technique and safety, students will have the opportunity to fire arrows at a target.
  • Challenge Course – Camp staff will lead your class through a low-elements challenge course that focuses on teamwork, problem-solving skills, trust, and safety.
  • Environmental Games – Campers will take part in games that are not only fun, but educational as well.
  • Recreational Games – Campers will have a chance to run off some energy in these fun, active games.
  • Canteen – Relax, eat candy, and drink soda pop.

Discovery Units

These are the currently offered learning units that the camp staff is able to lead your class in at this time. Please read through these program options then fill out and send back the “Program Requests” page. Typical 2-night, Outdoor Education classes are able to complete four or five of these learning units during their stay.

  • Animal Tracks – After learning about the many things tracks can tell us about an animal, students will have a chance to make their own animal tracks using molds.
  • Fire-building – (Spring only) Camp Omega ELP leaders will explain and demonstrate to campers how to build a one-match fire, while at the same time honoring outdoor ethics by building a safe, responsible fire. In groups, the students will then have a chance to practice building their own fires.
  • Lakes and Wetlands Study – Students learn about the different types of lakes in Minnesota and what makes one lake different from another. We will take a closer look at how the marsh plays an important part in a wetland ecosystem.
  • Orienteering – With the use of compasses, students will learn how to shoot bearings and pace off distances. Then they will get a chance to test their skill in an orienteering activity.
  • Pop-bottle Rocketry - After learning the basics of what makes a rocket fly, students will design and build their own rockets using 2-liter pop bottles and other reusable materials. Later, we will launch the rockets and have a chance to witness the flights of different rocket designs. (Note: Students will need to bring their own 2-liter pop bottles. 1 bottle / 3 students is sufficient)
  • Ravine Study - Campers from all over love spending time playing in the ravine. With the Ravine Study, students will learn about why the ravine exists, erosion, and the affects the ravine has on animal-life, plant-life, and the lake.
  • Tree Identification - While learning to use an identification key, students will acquire the knowledge needed to identify trees by their leaves and branches.
  • Wilderness Survival – After discussing the basics of what to be aware of in a survival situation, students will be tested on what they’ve learned by participating in a mock-survival scenario. See who survives!

Other Possibilities

  • Cook-out - Your class can cook one of their meals over the open fire for a true camping experience.  This meal consists of hot-dogs, baked beans, apples, kool-aid, and smores.
  • Extra Class-time – This is time set aside for teachers to lead their students in activities. If there is an activity that you would like to lead that Camp Omega does not offer, let us know so that we can set aside additional time for you to lead your class.
  • Stewardship Project – By participating in a Camp Omega stewardship project, campers will have the opportunity to not only help Camp Omega, but also gain a sense of how they can step up and make a difference in their own communities. Some examples of stewardship projects are maintaining birdhouses, the butterfly garden, the orchard, or maybe helping clear debris from the ravines.
  • Bible Scavenger Hunt - Take an opportunity to explore God's creation through scripture.  Compete against fellow classmates in locating pieces of nature that are referenced in the bible.

Recreational Activities Include

  • Soccer
  • Frisbee Golf
  • Volleyball
  • Softball
  • Capture the Flag
  • Parachute Games
  • Other Large Group Games