Komo Kulshan Outdoor School
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the Komo Kulshan Outdoor School (KKOS)?
What does the name mean?
Who does the program serve?
Tell me more!
What is the academic significance?
Why is KKOS so important?
How do I get involved?
How do I contact the program director?

1. What is the Komo Kulshan Outdoor School (KKOS)?
   Begun in 2003, KKOS is a residential, outdoor, environmental education program for upper elementary school students, their teachers, parent chaperones, and trained high school leaders. Based on a “watersheds” theme, the program includes pre and post classroom lessons, the 3 day/2 night field school, and extensive, pre-season teacher training.

2. What does the name mean?
   “Komo Kulshan” is the original name for the mountain we now call Mount Baker. It is one of the most common ancestral names for the mountain, and is in the Lashootseed, or Coast Salish, language. The mountain, and its watershed, is the focus of our field studies.

3. Who does the program serve?
   Any public or private school, or group of school students with a teacher (i.e., homeschool associations), who wish to attend. However, due to it’s location (the Baker Lake basin), most schools attending are from the greater Puget Sound area of Western Washington. The curriculum was originally designed for upper elementary grades, although it is easily adjusted for 4th-7th grade needs.

4. Tell me more!
   The program strives to serve the previously un-or-under-served; that is, those schools who have been unable to afford other EE or OE programs. We are able to do this by keeping our staffing to a minimum, receiving tremendous support from our biggest sponsor (Puget Sound Energy), generous grants and foundations, as well as incorporating the classroom teacher into the instructional staff.

5. What is the academic significance?
   The KKOS curriculum has been aligned with state of Washington Essential Academic Learning Requirements (EALRs) and Grade Level Expectations (GLEs). These are available upon request. In addition, it is multi-disciplinary in nature, and strives to touch as many learning styles as possible, to ensure student success.

6. Why is KKOS so important?
   KKOS helps to fulfill Washington’s OSPI mandates in providing environmental education for public school students. It is an extremely high quality program with significant academic, social, and physical attributes. And it is the ONLY residential EE program in the state that is FREE to schools!

7. How do I get involved?
   Just contact the Program Director! Fall field sessions run from mid-September through late October and again in Spring from mid-April through early June. Most participating schools have now made it a part of their 5th or 6th grade curriculum and return annually, but occasionally there are openings. You must, however, be willing and able to attend (mandatory) teacher training before your session, as well as be willing to recruit high school student candidates for consideration.

8. How do I contact the program director?
   Christie Fairchild
   360-853-8388 (home)
   info@komokulshanoutdoorschool.org
   K.K.O.S., P.O. Box 842, Concrete, WA. 98237
   K.K.O.S. is a project of C.A.R.E., which is a member of S.E.E. (Social & Environmental Entrepreneurs), a tax-deductible, non-profit, 501.c3