Students at Ozark Middle School are going to be learning without walls thanks in part to a pair of grants from Bass Pro Shops.
Bass Pro provided more than $3,000 to the school for their outdoor classroom and Outdoor Pursuits class.
“We’re thankful to Bass Pro for supporting our Outdoor Pursuits class and our outdoor classroom,” Ozark Middle School Principal Eric Russell said in a statement. “Students are now going to be able to learn and thrive in outdoor settings.”
The Outdoor Pursuits class a OMS teaches students first aid and survival skills. They are given instruction in orienteering, disaster awareness, and firearm safety.
The students also participate in physical activities like kayaking and hiking. Bass Pro provided new kayaks and other equipment needed for their events.
The funds will also be used to purchase lumber to allow the group to build 27 new benches, as well as wheelbarrows and other equipment needed to do landscape improvement efforts.
“This grant will allow students to have a more workable space in the outdoor classroom area; providing seating and other essentials for teachers to use the classroom,” Russell said. “The functionality of the space will improve and be more user friendly for our teachers. Overall, the outdoor classroom will create a fun learning environment for students and staff to enjoy.”
The grants applications were the desire of OMS science teacher Matt McPheeters, who said the outdoor classroom space allows classes to see “real life examples” of things discussed in classes.