Outdoor School at Camp Gray

Camp Gray has cell service and Wi-Fi is available to adults and OMSI staff. We encourage participants to forego internet and cellphone usage during programs and meals to support the learning environment. 

They may *think* they cannot survive without, however, they should not have their phones at outdoor school. An important part of the outdoor school experience is for each student to gain confidence and independence, connect with their peers, and enjoy the unique opportunities we offer without technological distractions. Digital and film cameras are encouraged, and we urge families to not send anything they cannot replace. Many schools appoint a couple adults as the “official” photographers so that everyone else can enjoy the program in the moment. 

The capacity of Camp Gray is 96 people. Depending on the size of your group, there may be another group scheduled at the same time. The groups will largely operate independently, sharing meal-times, some restrooms, and occasional evening programs.

Days are packed full, from Field Study after breakfast to an Evening Program and Campfire after dinner. Students get hands-on experience with the science concepts of your choice, as well as the memories of exploring with their peers and their parents in the outdoors. Field Study lessons explore broad topics and Interest Group activities are shorter and designed to focus on a single topic. Peppered throughout the day, there is time for rest and relaxation in cabins, and free-play recreation time. Students will also contribute to the community’s needs by rotating through Kitchen Party (setting up and cleaning up meals) and Scrub Club (a quick tidy of the restrooms).

Each cabin has comfortable twin mattresses and provides a home away from home for all participants to sleep, rest, and make new friends. Each bunk room has 8 beds as well as heat and outlets. Open one or two of the pocket door to connect the rooms for a total of 16 or 24 beds in one space. A covered porch connects the bathrooms to the bunk rooms.

There should always be supervision in the cabins when the students are in them.  Group leaders are asked to find the chaperones for the cabins. Typically they parents from the school’s community, but some schools chose high school chaperones or school staff instead.  There are small group leader rooms next to the bunk rooms for teachers, principals and bus drivers.

Absolutely! Working from information provided by outdoor school group leaders, we build menus to meet all food needs. Typically, we create variations on the main meal cooking gluten-free pasta or vegetarian sausage to provide a similar meal for our vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free participants.

Our kitchen is not allergen free, but we clean and sanitize all surfaces and kitchen equipment to avoid cross-contamination.  We’re open to inquiries and problem-solving in advance.  Parents can also send foods to supplement if they would like. We have a refrigerator and microwave available in the dining hall, and participants will have access to their food at all times.

Everyone will receive a free OMSI t-shirt on the final evening of their program. There is no camp store, so students don’t need to bring any money.

OMSI staff will go over emergency procedures with the groups on arrival day. Since the students are the responsibility of the school, one designated adult (usually the group leader) will need to be the person in charge of medications and all healthcare/emergency decisions. OMSI staff are trained in first aid and CPR, and are available to help in an advisory capacity. Groups should bring at least one vehicle with them for the duration of the program, and a land line is available in case of emergency.

Camp Gray is located in the earthquake and tsunami hazard zone of the Oregon Coast. On arrival day, OMSI staff will lead a walk up to our local vertical evacuation point to practice evacuation and share how the community is working to be prepared.