RBE Outdoor Classroom
A 2.1 acre area behind RBE that includes two gardens, a prairie, and more! The original planning committee consisted of the following persons: Mrs.
Last school year (2015-2016) 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 a
07/17/2024
It's a beautiful morning to work in the Outdoor Classroom. Hope to see you there!
Come join us in the gardens tomorrow, July 6 from 8:30-10:30am and also Wednesday, July 17 from 8:30-10:30am!
We will be working on summer maintenance (weeding, trimming, etc) in the Pollinator Garden and maybe the Vegetable Garden.
Meet at the SW lot by the RBE Chicken BBQ pavilion. All ages are invited to help. Gloves and tools are provided. Bring water, sunscreen, and bug repellent. Long-sleeved shirts and long pants recommended.
Can't make it in July? Check back for August Work Party dates soon!
Questions? Email Emily Reynolds at [email protected].
07/05/2024
Come join us in the gardens tomorrow, July 6 from 8:30-10:30am and also Wednesday, July 17 from 8:30-10:30am!
We will be working on summer maintenance (weeding, trimming, etc) in the Pollinator Garden and maybe the Vegetable Garden.
Meet at the SW lot by the RBE Chicken BBQ pavilion. All ages are invited to help. Gloves and tools are provided. Bring water, sunscreen, and bug repellent. Long-sleeved shirts and long pants recommended.
Can't make it in July? Check back for August Work Party dates soon!
Questions? Email Emily Reynolds at [email protected].
10/28/2023
Since temperatures will be near freezing next week, we need to harvest our RBE sweet potatoes. So, we decided it's time for a last minute work party! If you need a break from costumes and candy, join us at the RBE Garden tomorrow from 1-3pm. All ages are welcome. Tools and gloves will be provided. There will also be a spooky nature hunt available for anyone interested! Contact Emily Reynolds at [email protected] if you have questions!
Due to the chilly temps this morning, we have cancelled the Outdoor Classroom Work Party that was scheduled for 10am to noon this morning. Stay warm and enjoy your Saturday!
10/29/2022
Need a break from trick or treating? Come help us in the Outdoor Classroom this morning!
We are spreading mulch, raking leaves for compost, picking up sticks and pulling invasive plants from the prairie! And we have nature hunt activities for all ages to enjoy! We will be here until 11am.
Can't make it today? Our next work party will be Saturday, Nov. 12 from 10am to noon.
08/08/2022
This morning, a hard working group of administrators, teachers, students, and community members cleaned up the RBE courtyard. As shown in the before and after photos, the weeding and trimming made a big difference! We are excited that the courtyard is ready for teachers and students when school starts. And we have plans to continue improving the courtyard this school year with native plants, mulch and improved seating, so check back for updates!
07/06/2022
Tomorrow's Outdoor Classroom Work Party has been cancelled due to the Excessive Heat Warning. Our next Week Party is scheduled for Saturday, July 16 from 8:30-10:30am. Hopefully the temperatures will be more tolerable by then!
06/20/2022
The gardens are full of life in the summer!
Happy Spring Break! If you and your children need something to do tomorrow morning, you can
come visit the RBE Outdoor Classroom. We will work in the gardens from 10am to noon to prepare them for spring planting. Garden tools and gloves will be provided. All ages are welcome! If you can't make it tomorrow, look for more work parties to be scheduled this spring.
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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.
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5151 S. Highway 163
Columbia, MO
65203