Overview
The Idaho Center for Outdoor Education (ICOE) is located on an 87 acre tract of land owned by the Basin School District and was conceived to fill a growing need for enhanced, experiential education. While the primary emphasis is on the natural sciences, the visual and language arts, social sciences, vocational trades and business education are also an integral part of what is offered at the ICOE. The facilities are primarily being developed using a variety grant funds and private donations. The ICOE is open for use by Basin students, students from other schools and the public at large.
Mission
The mission of the Idaho Center for Outdoor Education is to utilize its diverse natural setting to inspire students and the general public through a variety of educational and recreational experiences. The hands-on activities are designed to make the sciences and arts engaging, challenging and relevant for learners while enhancing their appreciation and passion for the natural world.
Vision
Our vision is that people of all ages will broaden their experience with, deepen their understanding of, and expand their appreciation for, nature, and protect the complexity of the earth’s natural environment.
Programming Focus Areas
1. Educational Experience
2. Develop Curriculum Materials
3. Research
4. Student/Community Recreation
5. Restoration
6. Preservation
Operational Focus Areas
1. Financially Self-sustaining
2. Secure Grant Funding
3. Facilities Development
4. Ongoing Strategic Planning
5. Public Relations
6. Community Outreach
During outdoor learning days at the Idaho Center for Outdoor Education, teachers design lessons and activities that integrate academic standards with recreation and service. The natural setting provides rich, place-based learning opportunities where students can connect their education to real-world applications and challenges. The property features an ADA-accessible hiking trail to the top, a 9-hole frisbee golf coarse, archery with 3D animal targets, and a zipline. Service is also a key focus of these outdoor days. Students learn about stewardship while contributing to service projects such as removing noxious weeds, restoring trails, enhancing creek and riparian areas, and reducing fire hazards.
Fall ICOE
During Fall ICOE days, students engage in lessons that align with grade-level science, math, and STEM standards. Each grade level participates in activities covering topics such as camouflage and survival, erosion, watersheds, solar ovens, and leaf classification.
Winter ICOE~Snow School
Basin teachers have received training from Kerry McClay, a facilitator with the Winter Wildlands Alliance, in snow science lessons that link topics like watersheds, water content, and winter recreation. Students in grades K-6 take part in outdoor learning days at the ICOE, where they snowshoe, gather and measure snow samples, and explore topics related to our watershed, wildlife, and hydrology.
Spring ICOE
During spring ICOE days, students participate in rotating presentations from various community partners, including the USFS (covering topics like fire, ecology, entomology, and silviculture), Idaho Fish and Game, the Idaho Rangeland Resources Commission, the U of I Water Extension, Ada Soil and Water, and Idaho Power.
Community Partners
Winter Wildland Alliance
US Forest Service
Idaho Fish and Game
Idaho Mountain Search and Rescue
Boise State University
Orma J. Smith Museum of Natural History at The College of Idaho
Idaho Power
University of Idaho Extension
Idaho Rangleland Commission
Future Plans and Developments
The construction of a 30-foot yurt for an outdoor classroom is an exciting new addition, made possible through the generous grant funding from the Idaho Charitable Women's Foundation. This project, set to be completed in May 2025, will provide students and educators with a unique, immersive learning environment surrounded by nature.