Outdoor Science School

Outdoor Science School at C.O.D.E.S.

The Los Alamitos Unified School District (LAUSD) is proud to offer the opportunity for every fifth-grade student to attend Outdoor Science School (OSS) at CODES (California Outdoor Education School), located on the campus of Mile High Pines.

CODES is located in Angelus Oaks, California and fifth-grade classes make an annual venture to camp for a four-day Outdoor Education module that is aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards. Classroom teachers join students as they become campers and spend their time at CODES engaged in group activities that align to the science they are studying in their classrooms.

Each elementary school hosts an annual parent presentation to share the amazing opportunity that students have with all parents and guardians. OSS is a rite of passage in fifth-grade and students and families look forward to this trip every year. Students board chartered buses to travel to camp together and stay in heated cabins with indoor plumbing. The kitchen at camp is used to working with dietary needs of all types and the medical staff is prepared to help all students while at camp whether it be with daily medications or an injury while at camp.

It’s highly encouraged that all parents and guardians attend their school site parent information meeting to have all of their specific questions answered. Below you will find the dates and times of the school site OSS Presentations.

After attending the parent meeting and speaking to your classroom teacher, OSS Coordinator, or Principal, if you still have SPECIAL CONCERNS that you need to address with a staff member please fill out the SPEICAL CONCERNS form for your student’s school site. A LAUSD staff member will be in touch with you to address the concern as your camper’s OSS date gets closer. Staff begin monitoring the form weekly after the site parent presentation. Depending on the nature of your concern the correct staff member who can assist you will be in touch whether that is the District nurse, health clerk, site administrator, classroom teacher or OSS Coordinator.

Please use the SPECIAL CONCERNS form in lieu of contacting CODES camp directly. All students are the responsibility of the school site and District. LAUSD employees work in partnership with CODES employees to assure all students have a successful experience at camp. We want to the value the time of the CODES employees as there are students at camp every week that are their top priority. Please allow us to streamline your concerns so that CODES can focus on the students who are currently attending camp.

The OSS experience begins when students board the bus to camp and ends when students depart from the bus on Friday. We ask that parents DO NOT pick up their children from camp. All early departures MUST be pre-approved, unless a child becomes ill, is sent home due to disciplinary actions, or there is an emergency. Our contract with CODES stipulates that camp must be notified and approve early departures of campers. Please contact your school principal if you have a unique situation that requires going through the approval process with the District Office and CODES for an early camper departure. Parents/Guardians requesting an early departure from camp need to complete and submit the Early Departure Request Form.

For more information about CODES please click here to visit their website at CODES CAMP.

Outdoor Science School Forms

OSS Forms Checklist Cover

Health Waiver

Return Trip Permission Slip

Discipline Agreement

Medication Form

Non-Participation Form

Early Departure Request Form

Informational Documents

CODES Parent Guide

Packing List