Academics

Outdoor Education

The Outdoor Education Department has provided unique, age-appropriate, outdoor experiences for Punahou students for more than 50 years.

Rooted in important core principles, the program has continued to evolve to meet the physical, emotional and curricular needs of students by connecting them firmly to the land and encouraging exploration.

The K – 8 Outdoor Education Path of Discovery is a carefully designed progression of meaningful experiences that take place in various locations on campus, around O’ahu and on Hawai’i Island. In addition to signature experiences that span from kindergarten through eighth grade, stewardship of Pu’u o Mānoa (Rocky Hill), the Animal Ambassador Program and Academy student mentorship program are other important branches of the curriculum.

Grade Highlights

Age-appropriate grade level experiences include:

List of 8 items.

  • First grade nature hikes and explorations of the living, natural world through gardens and on-campus green spaces

  • Second grade evening trip to the Honolulu Zoo and ‘Ualaka‘a trail hike

  • Third grade Hawaiian studies trip to Kualoa Beach Park

  • Fourth grade “Adventure Week” exploration experiences

  • Fifth grade landmark trip to Hawai‘i island

  • Sixth grade four-day Camp Palehua experience

  • Seventh grade combination of three off-campus experiences at Waimanalo, Kualoa/Hakipu‘u and Waiahole Valley

  • Eighth grade retreat at Camp Mokuleia, a culminating event before entering high school strongly built around values education and bonding experience

Specific connections are reinforced through these grade-level learning experiences, including: student-to-student, student-to-teacher, grade-level-to-school and school-to-environment.
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