As September closes, conversations in Ridgefield naturally turn to Cispus. But for those unfamiliar, what exactly is Cispus? Let’s delve into Cispus 101 to uncover the fundamentals of this distinctive program.
Ridgefield’s Cispus Outdoor School, officially known as the Cispus Learning Center, was established in 1969 by John Hudson, the principal of Union Ridge Elementary School. His vision was to ignite a lifelong passion for the outdoors in children. To achieve this, he organized a week-long expedition to the Cispus Learning Center and Campus, situated within the Gifford Pinchot National Forest, for the entire fifth-grade class. The initiative proved so impactful that it evolved into an annual tradition, taking place during the first week of October.
Ridgefield’s Cispus Learning Center stands as one of the longest-running outdoor education programs in the Pacific Northwest. Commemorating its 50th anniversary, Cispus boasts generations of Ridgefield students who have benefited from its transformative outdoor learning experiences.
At the Cispus Learning Center, education transcends traditional academics. While students engage in hands-on learning activities such as soil and water sampling and plant identification, the curriculum extends beyond textbooks. They also acquire essential life skills, including building survival shelters, practicing etiquette during family-style meals, and maintaining the cleanliness of cabins and dining areas. Learning at Cispus is an immersive, round-the-clock experience.
Cispus Learning Center truly embraces the outdoors. While cabins offer sleeping quarters and common areas serve for dining and gatherings, a significant portion of coursework and activities unfold outdoors, regardless of weather conditions. These outdoor experiences forge some of the most cherished Cispus memories, such as hiking to the waterfall and participating in the famed Golden Marshmallow contest around the campfire.
A unique Cispus tradition involves “wood cookies.” These wooden badges denote cabin assignments or acknowledge achievements earned during camp. Many alumni treasure their wood cookies as lasting mementos of their Cispus experience.
Cispus Learning Center fosters a strong sense of community. Cabin counselors are often high school students, many of whom are Cispus alumni themselves. Community volunteers dedicate an entire week to support various activities, from luggage handling to guided hikes. Medical personnel are consistently available to provide assistance. A dedicated camp and kitchen staff ensures seamless operations.
For fifth graders, Cispus Learning Center represents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. For many, it marks their initial experience of independence away from home and a chance to challenge themselves with entirely new activities. They spend a week immersed in outdoor classes, hiking adventures, survival skill acquisition, and communal campfires. Upon their return, they join a fifty-year legacy of Cispus participants. Cispus is deeply ingrained in the Ridgefield community, an extraordinary week of camp that unlocks new avenues for learning and personal growth.
