Join In! There are a bunch of fun and amazing upcoming events that we’ll need you (and your neighbors, friends, and relatives) to jump in and help us with to raise the money needed to make outdoor education possible for you and your classmates.  They are listed below so take a minute to ready through them.

We look forward to all our 4th grade students and families participating in these fun activities – all to be sure Outdoor Ed is possible this year. Keep your eyes on our webpage for updated information OR to contribute right now by clicking the “Please Make A Donation” button!

Thanks,

Laura Sachs and Brenda Padgham McMurray, 206-724-1478

Outdoor Education Fundraisers

➊ THANKS to Wildernest! Their December gear sale netted over $2,000 for all Outdoor Education Programs for all the 4th grade Outdoor Education Programs at BI Elementary Schools.  Thanks to Wildernest and all those that did their holiday shopping at our local generous outdoor store!  Ordway received over $780.00 from this sale.

➋ Coins for Camp!  Over $1,500 raised! WOW!  Thanks to all our Ordway students and families that brought in their loose change, wrote scholarship checks and brought in big bills to support Outdoor Ed!

➌ Letter-writing campaign! On February 8, students received instructions for our letter writing campaign - this, along with our weed pull (see below) will help raise the funds necessary so students can go to Outdoor Education.  This is where you will help write your relatives and friends to sponsor you for Kids Pulling for the Environment. Letters will go out in February. 

Click HERE for the instructions for the letter writing campaign.

➍ Kids Pulling for the Environment!  Our students will go to Rotary Park and learn about and pull noxious invaders – weeds! Students will get sponsors (like jog-a-thon) and pull pull pull for 1 hour on our half day April 7.  Sponsor sheets went home with students February 8 and are due March 2 - please remember to turn them in.  Click HERE for the Sponsorship Sheet.  We need parent volunteers to help with this event!  Please email Laura or Brenda if you can help.

➎ Ordway Elementary Auction!  Look for a live auction item specifically for raising funds for Outdoor Ed! 

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An online account has been established through events.org as a way to accept donations.  You may also send a check directly to Ordway if you prefer.  Please pass the word as this would make a meaningful holiday gift from grandparents or friends who have 4th graders at Ordway. 

Please consider a tax-deductible donation to help send our students

to this important and memorable Outdoor Education Program.

A Bainbridge Tradition for more than 30 years!

All donations from this website will support Ordway Elementary School's Outdoor Education Program. 

We are a non-profit organization under  501(c)(3).

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If you would like to be part of the Outdoor Ed. Committee, or would like additional information, please contact the Outdoor Ed. Committee Coordinators Laura Sacks or Brenda Padgham McMurray.

Thank you for taking the time to learn about this important and special program.

Check out the new information about Outdoor Ed!

THANK YOU!

Dear Parents of Fourth Grade Students;

We are writing to let you know of an exciting change in our plans for Outdoor Education this year.  We will be going to Camp Seymour in Gig Harbor on April 12 through 14th instead of going to Millersylvania State Park in late May. We are sure this decision will bring up many questions about why we are changing locations/dates so we will try to answer the questions we have anticipated and why we are making this decision.

     A primary reason is the overall quality of the program offered to our students. Your child will have the opportunity to participate in a variety of learning activities at Camp Seymour. The staff is trained in Environmental Education and the facility provides a full range of activities/experiences to support this learning. We invite you to go to Camp Seymour's website to learn more about the experiences that will be offered to your child. www.campseymour.org

As part of our commitment to  maintain the best aspects of the Ordway Outdoor Ed. experience, we will be able to continue to include counselors from Bainbridge High School as well as some parents of fourth graders- two valuable aspects that will help us to maintain the Ordway tradition of a community based program. Our move to Camp Seymour will also mean housing in better facilities that will allow us to continue with all aspects of the program that we value.

Another consideration is the cost and we are pleased to share with you that we will have a reduction in expense this year of about $40.00 per student in comparison to going to Millersylvania as a result of the Camp's generous offer to reduce their normal fees and their desire to have us develop a long-term relationship. This move to Camp Seymour has been made possible by an opening in the schedule at the Camp.

We have carefully weighed the effect this change may have on families against the many benefits this change will provide. We have visited the camp and also spoken with others who have used Camp Seymour and this positive information only adds to the other reasons for making this change. We look forward to blending the Ordway Outdoor Ed. tradition with the Camp Seymour experience.

Amanda Bailey

Meg Evans

Susan Knottnerus

Bob Lewis

Cathy Lolley