Camp Campbell - Outdoor Education

YMCA Camp Campbell Outdoor Science School (CCOSS) is a residential outdoor education program for 5th and 6th grade students. We are located within the redwoods of the Santa Cruz Mountains, where we have been serving students for over 25 years. Education comes to life in our unique setting as students experience the thrills of nature through hands-on lessons and activities.

Our CCOSS staff believe that children are the key to the future, and that their understanding of nature and their wise use of our natural resources are essential to the well being of the environment. We strive to develop students’ awareness of their role in the environment, as well as their appreciation of the beauty of nature. Our dedication to delivering a hands-on “living” curriculum is based on the California Science Framework and the core concepts of: adaptation, ecosystem, conservation, interdependence, community, niche, cycles, and environmental ethics.

At CCOSS, students gain independence as they spend 4 days and 3 nights away from home in an atmosphere committed to building healthy youth through Asset Development. Students learn responsibility as they take care of themselves and their belongings (with proper guidance); and gain respect for others as they share a living space with fellow students. Students learn to live the core values of the YMCA: Caring, Honesty, Respect, and Responsibility in terms of themselves, others, and for the environment.

In addition to fun, hands-on science lessons, you and your students will participate in many traditional camp activities such as: picnic hikes, sing-a-longs, campfires, bouldering/climbing wall, skit nights, team building initiatives, arts & crafts, group games, basketball/volleyball, outdoor BBQs, and science-based night hikes.

 

What makes the YMCA Camp Campbell
Outdoor Science School special?

• Our staff of credentialed teachers offer a rich and varied curriculum in conservation biology that supports the state framework.
• We recruit, train, and support volunteer cabin leaders who provide supervision for your students through our Teen Leadership Program.
• We are located on 79 acres of coastal redwood forest that is bisected by the San Lorenzo River.
• We provide an on-site medical staff who sees to the health needs of your students and distributes their medication.
• We annually serve more than 5,500 students from more than 75 schools.
• YMCA Camp Campbell has been providing quality youth and family resident camp programming since 1936.
• We provide wholesome meals and comfortable, year-round facilities and lodging, with separate quarters for visiting classroom teachers.

We would love to have your students become a part of the long standing CCOSS tradition! If you would like to visit the CCOSS campus or want further information, please contact the Outdoor Education Director, Kara Walker, at (831) 338-8837 or kwalker@ymcasv.org.

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