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Outdoor Education

Welcome to WVU Jackson’s Mill, an ideal destination for outdoor education and recreation in the heart of West Virginia. Our outdoor education team can guide your group through team building activities, environmental education lessons, or recreation opportunities like kayaking and rock climbing. Whatever your outdoor interests or experience level may be, our team promises an engaging and active learning environment.

Customized learning for K-12 students 

Visits can be customized for grades K-12. Programs can be focused on a variety of topics including:

  • Environmental Education
  • Team Building 
  • Outdoor Recreation

All of Jackson’s Mill is your outdoor classroom. You don’t need to bring anything but yourself and your excitement to learn and experience the outdoors in a new way.

Jeff Schmoll

WVU Jackson's Mill Program Coordinator – Outdoor Education and Recreation

Experience nature's classroom

WVU Jackson's Mill offers a spacious campus to get hands-on with the outdoors.

Outdoor Education with Larel Teter

Outdoor Education Program Coordinator Larel Teter gives an overview of what visitors can expect from WVU Jackson's Mill's Outdoor Education program.

Outdoor lessons

Curriculum standards support class learning requirements. Classes are offered to students K-12 and activities range from approximately 30 to 120 minutes depending on the chosen topic.



Outdoor Education
Class Name K 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Youth will participate in age-appropriate games and activities that work on increasing teamwork, communication and other social skills needed in day-to-day life.
Time: 30-120 minutes

West Virginia Education Standards
Youth will learn the science behind fire, how to build different types of fires for different situations and how to cook over open flame and on coals.
Time: 30-60 minutes

West Virginia Education Standards
Youth will learn about different aspects of the environment and Leave No Trace ethics. Specific topics can be requested by educators and all material will be grade appropriate.
Time: 30-60 minutes

West Virginia Education Standards
Youth will learn the basics of rock climbing using the rock faces of our Tango Tower. Material will be grade appropriate.
Time: 30-90 minutes

West Virginia Education Standards
Youth will learn the basics of paddling and be able to paddle on the West Fork River. Material and difficulty will be age appropriate. Canoeing will be the default unless otherwise noted and weather permitting.
Time: 60-120 minutes

West Virginia Education Standards
Youth will learn the basics of bike function, maintenance and proper riding techniques.
Time: 30-60 minutes

West Virginia Education Standards
Youth will play disc gold on the WVU Jackson's Mill course. The style of gameplay will depend on the groups size and age.
Time: 30-120 minutes

West Virginia Education Standards
Youth will learn to make different types of knots and the common uses for each type.
Time: 30-60 minutes
West Virginia College and Career Readiness Standards: This activity does not meet any standards set out by the WV Department Of Education.

Meet Jeff, the expert who will lead outdoor programming on field trips