California Outdoor School Association
California Outdoor School Association is a network of publicly owned and operated residential outdoor science schools. COSA certifies these outdoor schools, share best practices and support outdoor environmental education.
The California Outdoor Schools Association (COSA) was established in 1978 as a membership organization for outdoor school principals, directors, and county office personnel who have the unique experience and expertise to accurately assess the quality of an outdoor program and its facilities. Committed to finding ways to make the outdoor school experience available to all students, COSA utilizes their Residential Outdoor Science School (ROSS) certification process to ensure a high quality academic, safe, and appropriate learning environment for fourth through seventh grade students served in California’s Outdoor Schools. COSA is dedicated to ensuring that all students in California have the opportunity to participate in an outdoor school experience as delineated in California Education Code Sections 8760–8774.
Link to California Outdoor School Association website with California Department of Education
COSA program Spotlight: Kern Environmental Education Program
Kern County's week-long residential environmental education program, known as Camp KEEP, operates on the beautiful Central Coast of California. Guided by the Next Generation Science Standards, dedicated naturalists bring science to life using experiential, hands-on activities. At KEEP, ecological concepts taught in a natural setting support traditional schools' indoor science curriculum. For over 55 years, students have developed personal responsibility and gained respect for others by participating in this shared living experience. Students return home with increased self-awareness, a strong understanding of the natural world, and an appreciation for their place in it. Camp KEEP is proud to be certified by COSA (California Outdoor School Association). Camp KEEP creates memories that last a lifetime!
"As a father, I am struggling to put in words how important my time at KEEP was. The opportunities to join my son with his friends in his world are lost in our household as we go through the day-to-day routines. I was able to connect with him in a new and positive way that has stuck with us as we settled back home....This experience will stick with me forever." --Father who attended Camp KEEP with his son
Organization supporting Outdoor Education in California
