Walla Walla fifth graders to head to cost-free outdoor school next spring

By Dan Thesman on Friday, December 5th, 2025 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories

WALLA WALLA – Walla Walla Public Schools’ fifth graders will attend an overnight outdoor school in April 2026 at Camp Dudley, a YMCA camp near White Pass.

Funded by the district and Outdoor Schools WA, all fifth-grade students will get to stay overnight at camp, learning about the outdoors and exploring the camp’s alpine trails, forests, and lake. This is the second year that the outdoor school has been made possible for Walla Walla fifth graders at no cost to families.

While at camp, students will take part in hands-on science lessons and natural history lessons while they enjoy hiking, canoeing, bird watching, games, arts and crafts, and exploring nature. They will eat in the dining hall, learn camp songs, and have a campfire and optional star gazing.

Trained and vetted Walla Walla High School students will serve as counselors at the camp, guiding the fifth graders through all their activities. Licensed camp staff will oversee the activities and WWPS teachers, administrators, and medical personnel will provide the highest level of oversight.

Learn more at https://www.wwps.org/programs/outdoorschool

Photo of Camp Dudley via Walla Walla Public Schools