Outdoor School
Not all classrooms have four walls.
Outdoor School Overview
Fall: September through December
Spring: January through May
Our Mission
Calvin Crest Outdoor School partners with public, private, charter, and home schools to bring students into contact with science, history, and the wonder of the great outdoors. Through immersion in nature and hands-on learning, students have the opportunity to learn about subjects such as ecology, survival, and geology, all while developing important teamwork and life skills. This powerful partnership creates a legacy of empowered, resilient, and curious learners who will carry their passion for the outdoors and science with them throughout their lives.
Included
- Food & Meals
- Lodging & Accommodations
- Friendship & Community
- Games & Camp Activities
- Personal Growth
Questions?
What To Expect
Utilizing the forest, streams, night skies, and fresh air, our curriculum presents natural science, environmental education, wilderness skills, and historical topics. Courses and activities include subjects in the disciplines of ecology, geology, history, conservation, survival, and nature study. Curriculum units and all necessary equipment and materials are provided by the Outdoor School for classroom teachers, who will be the instructors for each course. Calvin Crest staff persons also serve as instructors, which helps reduce class sizes on the trails. Students participate in hands-on learning and outdoor recreation while developing important teamwork and life skills in a fun and exciting environment.
What To Pack
The weather at Calvin Crest is often unpredictable, and nights and mornings are always chilly. There is also occasional rain and/or snow. Therefore, if possible, it is important that your student have sufficient warm clothing and good shoes. Please follow the guidelines on the enclosed equipment/clothing list. We do have an adequate supply of rubber boots and ponchos available for student use at no cost. Please check weather forecasts before arriving.
Director Of Outdoor School
Questions about Outdoor School? Contact Christina:
christina@calvincrest.com | 559.772.4040 ex. 105.
Christina Melahn
Christina has served at Calvin Crest for ten years in various capacities. In her time at camp, her faith has grown through interactions with guests and experiencing God's providence through times of adversity. She felt called to camp ministry when she was in high school and is grateful for the opportunity to live out that calling through Outdoor School and summer programs.
She is a Wilderness First Responder and loves introducing students and campers to the great outdoors! She spends her free time hiking, traveling, and playing board games with friends.
Food & Menu
The menu below includes options and will be mixed and matched depending on the week. For students with food allergies and/or dietary restrictions, please fill out a Dietary Needs Request Form and return it to Calvin Crest no later than two weeks before arriving at Calvin Crest. A student with dietary restrictions may bring some of their own food to be stored in the kitchen if it has been worked out in advance with the Director of Food Services. We will do our best to accommodate for allergies or dietary restrictions while still providing food at a reasonable cost. For those with severe peanut allergies, we will remove all peanut products from our dining hall and general store.
Forms & Information
Forms
Includes:
- Letter to Parents
- Medical and Participant Authorization (Print Two Sided)
- Physician’s Order for Medication
- Dietary Needs Request Form
- Suggested Packing List
Other Paperwork
Forms and Paperwork in Spanish
Includes:
Parent Information
Your school is preparing for outdoor education provided by Calvin Crest Conferences. Your administration, teachers, and the Calvin Crest staff want your child to have a safe, fun and educational experience while attending Calvin Crest’s outdoor education program. Calvin Crest is located approximately one hour north of Fresno and Madera (20 minutes north of Oakhurst), east of Highway 41 at an elevation of 5,000 feet. There are housing, dining and recreational facilities on site. Each cabin is heated and equipped with bunk beds and mattresses. Bathrooms have private restroom and shower stalls and multiple sinks.
Oakhurst is equipped with 12-hour/day medical services. In the event your child becomes ill, or is injured and needs medical attention we will make every effort to contract you as soon as possible. Please note that the student’s family insurance plan is the primary source of coverage for an accident occurring while the student is attending the program at Calvin Crest.
If there is an emergency at home and you need to visit or call your child, please notify Calvin Crest, at 559.772.4040, and the school. We will do what we can to make the necessary arrangements to meet the needs of the situation.
Outdoor education is not the only learning that takes place. Social growth and maturing occur as well. As this is a week for the students we do not encourage parent visits. We also discourage phone calls as hearing a parent’s voice can bring on feelings of homesickness. We strongly encourage you to write to your child at least once or twice during the week. Instructions for sending mail and packages are below.
Care Packages are available through the camp store. To purchase a care package, please follow these online ordering instructions:
- Go to calvincrest.com and click on SHOP in the top right corner. Items are clearly priced and categorized in three categories: Apparel, Drinkware, and Souvenir.
- Pick the items you would like to purchase and add to your cart. Be sure to choose the color, size, and quantity you want.
- When you are done shopping, click on your cart and “Proceed to Checkout.”
- If you are a new customer, register or you can check out as a guest.
- Fill out all required fields, and select “Ship to this address.” (Input your own address even though your order will NOT be shipped).
- When you go to the Next Step, select “Pick up at Calvin Crest.”
- For the Payment Method, select “Pay securely with Lightspeed Payments” and enter your credit card information. Be sure you enter the zip code of the billing address for your credit card.
- On the final “Order Review” page, please indicate in the COMMENTS box your child’s name, what day you want it delivered, and write a note to be included in your child’s care package.
- Click the bottom box agreeing with our general terms and conditions.
- Click BUY. We’ll fill your order and deliver it in the next 24 hours.
If you have questions, call (559) 772-4040 between 9:30am-5:00pm during the week that your student is attending the Outdoor School.
Gift items, t-shirts, sweatshirts, souvenirs, snacks, and beverages may be purchased in the Camp Store. All money is collected upon arrival and is placed on account in the store. Money that is not spent at the end of the week will be returned to the student the last morning when they will have one last opportunity to shop.
- Please send your student with cash in an envelope or zip lock bag marked with the student’s name and amount of cash.
- Any amount of money is acceptable. You may view our online store for an idea of how much products cost.
- We are able to accept checks; however, due to security guidelines, we do NOT accept credit cards sent with students or credit card numbers given over the phone. We appreciate your understanding.
- Please do not pack money in student’s luggage.
Sending Mail to Your Camper:
All mail to students should be addressed as follows:
Student Name
School Name (i.e. Abby Smith, Oak Creek)
c/o Calvin Crest Conferences
45800 CalvinCrest Road
Oakhurst, CA. 93644
- Please include your return address on every piece of mail, including postcards, so that the mail will be returned to sender if it does not arrive in time to be delivered to your student.
- All care packages should be scheduled to arrive no later than the day before your student leaves camp.
- For timely delivery, we recommend sending care packages through UPS and FedEx.
- Please note that because we are located in an isolated area, most delivery companies do not guarantee overnight or second-day service even if you pay for it.
- Please do not send any mail or packages that require a signature.
2023-24 Outdoor School Rates
We provide an outstanding learning experience at an affordable rate. These fees cover meals, lodging, program, supplies and equipment.
Day Use | Three Day (A) | Three Day (B) | Four Day | Five Day |
|---|---|---|---|---|
$75 Per Student Or $70 (No Lunch) | $205 Per Student | $215 Per Student | $240 Per Student | $265 Per Student |
Includes: | Includes: | Please Contact For More Information | Includes: | Includes: |
2 Classes | 3 Classes | -- | 4 Classes | 6 Classes |
1 Meal | 6 Meals | -- | 9 Meals | 12 Meals |
& 1 Free Time | 2 Free Time | -- | 2 free times, Loggers' Jamboree | 3 free times, Loggers' Jamboree |
-- | & 2 Evening Programs | -- | & 3 evening programs | & 4 evening programs |
Location Details
- Calvin Crest Outdoor School is located at 45800 Calvin Crest Road, Oakhurst, CA, about 10 miles north of Oakhurst, and east of Highway 41, midway between Bass Lake and the south entrance to Yosemite National Park.
- Travel time from Fresno is approximately 1 1/2 hours. Calvin Crest, at an elevation of 5,000 feet, is nestled in 340 acres of scenic, forested land surrounded by the Sierra National Forest, which includes the adjacent Nelder Grove of giant sequoias.