About

As a program of the Orange County Department of Education, Inside the Outdoors creates transformative experiences that help students discover the wonder of the natural world and their place within it. Every year, more than 100,000 students, educators, and community members learn alongside us through immersive, hands-on field trips, Traveling Scientist classroom programs, and community programming that bring learning to life.

Our programs connect students to the places where they live, helping them understand how natural systems, communities, and people are deeply interconnected. Through meaningful experiences grounded in scientific inquiry and environmental stewardship, we empower students to ask bold questions, think critically, and imagine a healthier, more sustainable future for everyone.

Inside the Outdoors has been a leader in hands-on science and social science programs since 1974. Register today and we will provide you with an experience you will never forget!

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Inside the Outdoors is a self-supporting program of the Orange County Department of Education. Our work is supported through program fees, grants, charitable donations, and the generous support of the Inside the Outdoors Foundation (ITOF). Together, these funding sources help us develop innovative environmental education programs, provide financial assistance to schools, and expand access to hands-on science learning for students throughout Orange County.

You can support our mission by making a donation through ITOF, sponsoring a program, or partnering with us to inspire the next generation of environmental stewards.

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Inside the Outdoors is proud to be part of the California Environmental Literacy Initiative, a public-private partnership that seeks to increase access to relevant and impactful environment-based learning for all of California's PreK–12 students.