The Idaho Outdoor School Outside Learning - Treasure Valley - Homeschool

Learning, Connection, and Community in the Great Outdoors

Building community and exploring the outdoors, we offer enriching drop-off classes and engaging family events for homeschooling families across Idaho's Treasure Valley. Discover everything we have to offer—come join the adventure!

Our classroom has no walls, and learning knows no boundaries.

The Idaho Outdoor School Outside Learning - Treasure Valley - Homeschool
The Idaho Outdoor School Outside Learning - Treasure Valley - Homeschool
The Idaho Outdoor School Outside Learning - Treasure Valley - Homeschool

Our Philosophy

At Idaho Outdoor School, we believe:

  • Learning happens everywhere and is meant to connect subjects, ideas, and experiences.

  • Kids belong outside, where their natural energy and curiosity can thrive.

  • Social connections are vital for children and foster a healthy, engaging learning environment.

  • Supporting homeschool parents is just as important as supporting students. That’s why we offer events and resources for both.

  • Hands-on, integrated learning leads to lessons that children not only remember but use.

Our approach is rooted in nature and guided by research that shows how the outdoor environment naturally supports focus, curiosity, and engagement.

What Families Are Saying

“My daughter absolutely loves the Idaho Outdoor School! She has learned so much from Kayla but mostly I’ve noticed she’s grown overall in confidence and resilience. It’s been a great way for my daughter to socialize with kids of all ages and to be able to experience things that she can resolve on her own in an outdoor setting. I highly recommend The Idaho Outdoor School if you want your kiddo to grow and learn!”

— Hannah

“We love Idaho Outdoor School. Kayla has an incredible gift! My girls love her class and the time exploring & learning outdoors. The hands on learning they get is priceless. My girls are always invigorated after being outside too. So grateful for Idaho Outdoor School! We are already enrolled for next semester!”

— Kaloni

“We have joined the Idaho outdoor school for their annual field day, their science exhibit, and their living history day. Kayla does a great job of keeping it fun and comfortable but also educational. Our kids have really enjoyed all of these events and we will definitely continue to support the school moving forward! If you are a Homeschool family looking for more social time for your kids in an environment that will make them excited about learning, teach them valuable interpersonal skills, and build up their self-esteem, strike a balance between work and play, this is a great place!”

— Molly

Join Us

Are you ready to take your homeschool experience beyond the four walls? Idaho Outdoor School is here to partner with you on this incredible educational journey. Sign up for our classes, attend our events, and let’s bring learning to life in the great outdoors.

For questions about our classes or events, feel free to reach out – we’re here to help!

Engage with Us

This was one of my favorite history classes! Our class got to form wagon trains, pack supplies and head out on the Oregon Trail! It was a choose your own adventure class with questions like do you drink suspect looking water or risk dehydration? #outdoorschool #homeschoolidaho #idahofamily #idahomoms #makelearningfun #idahokids #1000hoursoutside
Our math classes take big math concepts (think measurements, time, shapes/geometry, etc.) and puts them into practice. We then practice our core math skills within that framework, doing everything from guessing up to long division. I hope you’re finding some new ways to take your learning outside! #outdoorschool #homeschoolidaho #idahofamily #homeschoolers #idahomoms #makelearningfun #idahokids #idahooutdoors #1000hoursoutside
A day in language arts class is all about reading comprehension and improving our writing! There is lots of group discussion before we break out in smaller groups to make sure we are meeting students at their skill level. Currently we are working on our informative writing and will be creating our own informational pamphlet about class and our location! #outdoorschool #homeschoolidaho #idahofamily #homeschoolers #makelearningfun #idahomoms #idahokids #1000hoursoutside
Everyday looks a little different and everyday looks a little bit the same 🙃 It’s challenging to give kids rhythm and to give them novelty! We accomplish this by sticking with the same general schedule and a unit study so that we get plenty of same same, but different! #outdoorschool #homeschoolidaho #idahofamily #idahomoms #makelearningfun #idahokids #1000hoursoutside
Just some snippets of our Living History Showcase! These kids knew their research subjects, commanded the room, answered questions, listened respectfully, just did an all around incredible job! Our next big FREE event like this will be our science fair in the spring! #outdoorschool #homeschoolidaho #idahomoms #idahofamily #makelearningfun #idahokids
Teaching multiple ages is not without challenges, but we’ve come up with a great solution! Our classes spend the majority of the time together: meal time, nature walk/free play, nature journaling, group lesson; this way we can get all of the benefits of mixed age play. In language arts and math, we then break up into small skill based groups where teachers rotate through and help students to understand concepts on a more individualized level. Have questions about this style of teaching? Ask away! #outdoorschool #homeschoolidaho #idahofamily #idahomoms #idahooutdoors #idahokids #1000hoursoutside
We require that you send your kids to class prepared for the cold- even though 9 out of 10 kids are going to shed those layers by the middle of the day! We seek out sunshine and shelter from wind and spend time moving our bodies and kids acclimate fast! #outdoorschool #homeschoolidaho #idahofamily #idahomoms #idahooutdoors #1000hoursoutside
I love it when class teaches me as much as the kids! Today was all about how spiders create their own homes from their bodies! The only creature to do so! What an incredible feat and fascinating to learn about. After learning about web style and design, we went on a web hunt, trying to identify the types of silk used in what we found. #outdoorschool #homeschoolidaho #idahofamily #idahomoms #homeschoolcommunity #1000hoursoutside #homeschoolidaho #homeschoolscience
Outdoor schooling is new and can seem challenging- especially when the temperatures drop! After getting to experience so many kids learning and engaging with their lessons and with one another, the difficulties have faded away and all I can see if the goodness. Being outside more has SO many benefits for our kids! There is an increase in grit, stamina, gratefulness, resiliency, self confidence, self regulation, the list goes on and on. However, knowing the benefits of being outside, doesn’t make it easy to get our kids to go outside. Unless you bring their friends. We are relationship driven people and having the ability to hang out with your friends, get your schoolwork done and spend time outside is a solid win all around! #outdoorschool #homeschoolidaho #idahofamily #homeschoolers #idahomoms #makelearningfun #idahooutdoors #1000hoursoutside
It’s class observation time! With Spring Semester registration upon us I want you to feel comfortable with our class environment, structure and teachers. Class observation/meet and greets are the perfect opportunity for this! We choose our Sta
It’s class observation time! With Spring Semester registration upon us I want you to feel comfortable with our class environment, structure and teachers. Class observation/meet and greets are the perfect opportunity for this! We choose our Star location so that parents can observe without intruding and it’s the easiest spot to find us in 😄 If this time doesn’t work for you, please reach out to me and we can search for another.
Early Bird Pricing discount is open to all current students! We would love to have you join us for our spring semester. Check your email for the early bird pricing discount code! Not one of our current students? Sign up for our newsletter spring se
Early Bird Pricing discount is open to all current students! We would love to have you join us for our spring semester. Check your email for the early bird pricing discount code! Not one of our current students? Sign up for our newsletter spring semester discount code will head your way on November 7th!
It’s not a bad thing to be outside even when it’s not the exact weather we want! Being outside in all weather teaches kids to have fortitude, grit, determination, stamina, positivity, optimism, and gratefulness. Plus that muscle memory of going outside urges our children to go outside when not at school. It’s a win all around! #outdoorschool #homeschoolidaho #idahofamily #idahomoms #makelearningfun #1000hoursoutside #idahokids
Do you remember the computer game, Oregon Trail? This game has a HOLD on my generation of public schoolers and I am so excited to bring it to life! Our class has had to budget and think about what they will encounter on the trail. Next they will be traveling along, stopping along the way to encounter both friendly and hostile people, the rugged wilderness and various struggles that come up. Stay tuned for how the travels go! #outdoorschool #homeschoolidaho #homeschoolers #idahofamily #idahomoms #idahomoms #makelearningfun #idahooutdoors #homeschoolcommunity #1000hoursoutside #idahokids #homeschoolhistory
The best part of our programming is the intersection of core classes and nature exploration. While it is often a nature walk, if we see something interesting- like enormous mushrooms growing high up on the side of a tree, we get to detour. Pause and spend time coming up with solutions to get them down. Participate in risky play like throwing rocks with others around. Learn to pay attention to those around us and flying rocks. Discuss ricochet and how to aim. Plan ways to protect ourselves and others. Band together to come up with more effective, less accident prone solutions. This is why these classes matter and offer so much more than simply hands on math. The wild children need both adventure and knowledge. #outdoorschool #homeschoolidaho #homeschoolers #idahofamily #idahomoms #makelearningfun #1000hoursoutside #idahooutdoors #idahokids #homeschoolcommunity
Math on paper can be valuable, but math in our hands? Way more exciting! Spring Semester is going to open up a whole other math class. If you wanted to get in this semester and we didn’t have room, your opportunity is coming up- spring semester registration will start beginning of November!! #outdoorschool #homeschoolidaho #homeschoolers #idahofamily #idahomoms #idahooutdoors #homeschoolcommunity #idahokids #1000hoursoutside #homeschoolmath
I’m often asked if the shy kids, the wild kids, the timid kids, the quiet kids will be okay at outdoor door and the answer is a resounding yes! We have had kids that cry when their parents leave, kids that don’t speak out in class, kids that feel left out, kids that don’t make friends fast; and they all end up doing well. They all end up learning to voice their opinion, to adapt to their surroundings, they end up smiling and laughing and making friends. Outdoor school is not only for the kids that spend their days climbing trees, it’s for everyone! #outdoorschool #homeschoolidaho #homeschoolers #idahofamily #idahomoms #makelearningfun #idahooutdoors #1000hoursoutside #idahokids
I love homeschooling for the emphasis on family and learning at your own pace, for the gift of movement and ability to get enough sleep. I love homeschooling for the chance to not waste time sitting in a classroom. But I never saw myself staying home and homeschooling on my own. I saw deep friendships and a love of learning, I saw breathing in fresh air and running and playing everyday. I saw The Idaho Outdoor School. Home education is a vast and varied method of educating our children and I am so glad that you and your kids are participating in this version of it. #outdoorschool #homeschoolidaho #homeschoolers #idahofamily #idahomoms #makelearningfun #idahooutdoors #idahokids #1000hoursoutside
There’s no shortage of fun, friends, exploration and learning when you take your schooling outside! #1000hoursoutside #outdoorschool #homeschoolidaho #idahofamily #idahomoms #makelearningfun #homeschoolcommunity #idahooutdoors #idahokids
Our next big event is coming up and it’s FREE!!! Homeschooled kids ages 5-13 have the opportunity to research anyone alive during the 1800’s and come present their findings to their friends and family at the Nampa Library. Kids are enco
Our next big event is coming up and it’s FREE!!! Homeschooled kids ages 5-13 have the opportunity to research anyone alive during the 1800’s and come present their findings to their friends and family at the Nampa Library. Kids are encouraged to dress up, create a poster board, write about their findings, include pictures, really get creative with it!! Registration for this event is on the website: www.theidahooutdoorschool.com Hope to see you there! #nampalibrary #nampaidaho #treasurevalleyidaho #homeschoolidaho #idahome #idahomoms
Week 3 American History: this week we touched on government, how it is organized, how we become represented. I love leaving history classes open to discussions of what seems right and fair and how they can see things of the past affecting their lives now. #outdoorschool #homeschoolers #idahofamily #makelearningfun #idahokids #homeschoolcommunity #homeschoolidaho