Outdoor Science School
Outdoor Science School at Pali Institute
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 Pali Institute.
Pali Institute is located in Running Springs, 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.
The District will host 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 the parent information meeting to have all of their specific questions answered. If you are unable to attend the parent information meeting a recording of the meeting will be provided below.
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 SPECIAL CONCERNS form when completing the camp documents online. A LAUSD staff member will be in touch with you to address the concern as your camper’s OSS date gets closer. 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 camp doc system for any SPECIAL CONCERNS in lieu of contacting Pali Institute camp directly. All students are the responsibility of the school site and District. LAUSD employees work in partnership with Pali Institute employees to assure all students have a successful experience at camp. We want to the value the time of the Pali Institute employees as there are students at camp every week that are their top priority. Please allow us to streamline your concerns so that Pali Institute 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 Pali Institute 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 Pali Institute 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 Pali Institute please click here to visit their website at PALI INSTITUTE.
All Pali Institute Outdoor Science School Forms will be completed electronically through CAMPDOC.
LAUSD Forms:
OSS Closet Dates
The OSS Closet will be open on Tuesday, December 14th from 4:30pm - 5:30pm for all school. The OSS Closet is located at Rossmoor Elementary School on Shakespeare and Rossmoor Way.
School Site Information for Outdoor Science School
LEE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
OSS Coordinator: Amy Salter (asalter@losal.org)
Camp Dates: January 25 - 28, 2022
HOPKINSON ELEMENTARY
OSS Coordinator: Brent Thomas (bthomas@losal.org)
Camp Dates: February 1 - 4, 2022
ROSSMOOR ELEMENTARY
OSS Coordinator: Trent Vierra (tvierra@losal.org)
Camp Dates: February 1 - 4, 2022
WEAVER ELEMENTARY
OSS Coordinator: Heidi Kwalk (hkwalk@losal.org)
Camp Dates: January 25 - 28, 2022
MCGAUGH ELEMENTARY
OSS Coordinator: Lisa Salmones (lsalmones@losal.org)
Camp Dates: February 1 - 4, 2022
LOS ALAMITOS ELEMENTARY
OSS Coordinator: Jenna Akins (jakins@losal.org)
Camp Dates: January 25 - 28, 2022