Outdoor Education courses in the San Bernardino Mountains

Classes in Outdoor Education near Lake Arrowhead

Classes in Science in Southern California

Learn leadership skills in the San Bernardino Mountains

Evening programs in the San Bernardino Mountains

Extension programs in the San Bernardino Mountains

Pali Institute has been accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and the Association for Experiential Education (AEE). A leader in the outdoor field, Pali adheres to more than one-hundred professional standards and guidelines.

Outdoor Fun & Education

Archery is part of Pali Institute's Outdoor Education program

Students gain a greater understanding of the world around them through the wonders of outdoor education, with activities such as exploring trails, shooting arrows, cooking over an open fire and weightlessly flying through the air. Students also make a deeper connection with the natural world by meeting and feeding four-legged friends at the Pali Nature Center.

Bird Brains (Ornithology)
1 Class Session
Seasonal Class
This module is for the birds… literally! Students learn about their feathered friends in a most unusual way. After studying the physiological design of birds, students will match beaks and feet to everyday utensils and attempt to perform tasks. Later, armed with binoculars, they will venture into the forest to observe various species of birds in their natural habitat. Through bird watching and games, students gain a better understanding of bioaccumulation and how it affects birds.

Outdoor Skills

2 Class Sessions
Mixing nature's beauty with outdoor survival, students will learn the “ten essential hiking items” for any outdoor trip. Students learn how to build a fire and cook food in an outdoor setting. While in the forest, they will band together as a team and build emergency shelters. By the end of this class, students will understand the basic principles of exploring the great outdoors.

Forest Ecology

2 Class Sessions
In this module, students hike through the forest to learn first hand about the ecosystem. They will identify flora and fauna, study animals and play educational games such as the “web of life.” In this activity, each student takes a role – rain, chemicals, animals, tree or soil – to learn about the interconnectivity of nature. To better understand ecology, students will participate in a camouflage game of “hide and seek” to learn how different species survive. Through these educational activities, students will understand the history of the forest as the ecosystem comes alive before their eyes.

Animal Survivor

1 Class Session
In this class, students are taught the importance and dynamics of the food chain, and how species depend on one another for survival. In a fast-paced forest game, students are assigned an identity: carnivores, herbivores or omnivores. They must find a home and search for food while avoiding predators (their peers). Each student begins the game with a certain number of lives and must have at least one life remaining at the end to be a “survivor.” Students will walk away with the knowledge of how the food chain can be impacted by just one species.

Orienteering

1 Class Session
In this module, students find their sense of direction while engaging in one of our two orienteering courses to three orienteering courses. During their expedition, they will learn how to navigate through the forest by using compasses, topographic maps and other devices. By the conclusion of this course, students will master directional technology and understand the various skills involved in planning travel from point A to point B.

Day Hike
1 Class Session
In this fun-filled introduction to modern hiking ethics, students will take an exciting excursion into the forest. During their jaunt, they will be introduced to eco-responsible philosophies such as “Leave No Trace”, which emphasizes the importance of enjoying the forest to the maximum while keeping human impact to a minimum. Students will also have the opportunity to enjoy the mountains' great views and build a survival shelter. They will conclude the module with a better respect for the environment and a working knowledge of ways to preserve it.

Archery

1 Class Session
In this module, students will learn the history and finer points of archery, one of the oldest arts and means for survival, dating back some 20,000 years. Students are taught the physics of a bow and arrow, as well as the proper handling of this ancient device. Armed with this knowledge, they will participate in a target shooting competition at Pali Mountain. Students gain an understanding of the importance of archery and its influence on hunter gatherer societies.