RBE Outdoor Classroom

A Seed Was Planted...

The 2015-2016 school year, marked the 40th anniversary of the RBE Outdoor Classroom. The following information about how the RBE Outdoor Classroom began is quoted from the "Handbook of Outdoor Activities for Rock Bridge Elementary" developed in 1978 by RBE teachers.

"During the spring of 1976 there was interest among the staff at the Rock Bridge Elementary School in developing an environmental area on our school grounds. After looking over the school premises, we decided on a 2.1 acre portion of the school site overlooking a wooded area in an adjoining field that could be utilized for this purpose. The administrative personnel were supportive of this idea, and we received approval to proceed with our plans.

A committee of parents and teachers and conservation educators was formed and plans were developed on how to proceed. The committee requested that teachers survey and generate ideas within their classrooms by having children individually draw up plans for an environmental area... An analysis was made of the ideas submitted and 25 items were selected to be included in the original environmental area.

The original planning committee consisted of the following persons: Mrs. Muriel Crane, Dr. Keith Evans, Mrs. Joyce Hulettt, Mrs. Alice Jeffrey, Mrs. Ruth Lauderdale, Mr. Harold Mason, Mr. Al Palladino, Mrs. Kay Roberts, Mr. John Willenberg, Mrs. Martha Young

We feel that our outdoor classroom supplements and stimulates the environmental conservation education program in our school.... in our outdoor classroom, children can learn directly from the natural environment as well as about it."

Numerous students, teachers, and community groups have used the RBE Outdoor Classroom throughout the past 40 years. In addition, volunteers have spent countless hours improving and maintaining the areas of the Outdoor Classroom. The maintenance has been supported by community organizations including: Missouri Department of Conservation, Boone's Lick chapter of the Missouri Master Naturalists, Rock Bridge 4-H Club, Community Garden Coalition, Conservation Federation of Missouri, MO Bat Census, and CCUA (Columbia Center for Urban Agriculture).

In 2016, an extension was built onto the existing Joanne Cowan Garden in order to allow more students to participate in planting, maintaining and harvesting the garden. In addition, a student Nature Club was started by a 5th grade student, Gracie Hall. The student group met throughout the year with CCUA partners to learn about the garden, birds, natural habitats, and more.

In recent years, the RBE Outdoor Classroom committee has met for work parties, meetings, and to provide professional development for teachers. The Outdoor Classroom committee strives to maintain the areas, while encouraging teachers, students, and community groups to explore, observe, learn and grow in the outdoor space.