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California Outdoor Schools Association

The California Outdoor Schools Association is a statewide network of outdoor school programs that are managed by local educational agencies.

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 grades four through seven 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.

The California Department of Education cannot answer questions for COSA; for more information about the COSA and COSA's ROSS certification, please contact one of the COSA Programs listed below or email Jessica Hewitt, Principal of the Foothill Horizons Outdoor School, at jhewitt@stancoe.org.

LEA Outdoor School Web site

Clovis Unified School District

Sierra Outdoor School External link opens in new window or tab.

Kern County Office of Education

Camp KEEP - Kern Environmental Education Program External link opens in new window or tab.

Los Angeles County Office of Education

Outdoor and Marine Science Field Study External link opens in new window or tab.

Los Angeles Unified School District

Office of Outdoor and Environmental Education External link opens in new window or tab.

Marin County Office of Education

Walker Creek Ranch External link opens in new window or tab.

Merced County Office of Education

Camp Green Meadows Outdoor School External link opens in new window or tab.

Sacramento County Office of Education

Sly Park Environmental Education Center External link opens in new window or tab.

San Diego County Office of Education

Cuyamaca Outdoor School External link opens in new window or tab.

San Joaquin County Office of Education

Sky Mountain External link opens in new window or tab.

San Mateo County Office of Education

San Mateo Outdoor Education External link opens in new window or tab.

Santa Clara County Office of Education

Walden West External link opens in new window or tab.

Santa Cruz County Office of Education

Outdoor Science School External link opens in new window or tab.

Shasta County Office of Education

Whiskeytown Environmental School External link opens in new window or tab.

Siskiyou County Office of Education

French Creek Outdoor School External link opens in new window or tab.

Stanislaus County Office of Education

Foothill Horizons Outdoor School External link opens in new window or tab.

Sutter County Superintendent of Schools

Shady Creek Outdoor School and Event Center External link opens in new window or tab.

Tulare County Office Education

SCICON - The Clemmie Gill School of Science and Conservation External link opens in new window or tab.

Questions:   Professional Learning Support and Monitoring Office | PLSMO@cde.ca.gov
Last Reviewed: Wednesday, December 4, 2024