KEEN Outdoor Fridays
Explore. Discover. Learn Outside.
Fridays | 9:00 AM–1:00 PM
Ages 8–11
Yakima Canyon Interpretive Center & Pond to Pines Outdoor Learning Campus
Friday. A day to get outside. Ask questions. Follow curiosity. Explore the natural world. Conduct experiments. Get your hands dirty. And discover something new every week.
KEEN Outdoor Fridays is a four-hour, hands-on outdoor learning experience where children explore nature, science, wildlife, water, habitats, and outdoor skills through direct experience and
guided discovery.
The Yakima Canyon, shrub-steppe, wetlands, ponds, trails, and surrounding landscapes become a
living classroom.
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What We Do
Outdoor Fridays gives children the freedom to explore the natural world while developing curiosity, confidence, and a deeper understanding of the places around them.
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Depending on the season and the interests of the group, students may:
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Explore local ecosystems
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Conduct field experiments
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Investigate plants and wildlife
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Explore wetlands and ponds
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Learn about water and watersheds
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Study weather and seasonal change
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Observe wildlife and animal signs
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Explore native plants and habitats
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Conduct simple science investigations
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Collect observations and data
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Participate in community science
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Learn outdoor skills
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Create nature-based art and projects
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Participate in hands-on stewardship activities
Students will use field guides, binoculars, magnifying tools, maps, measuring equipment, and other tools to help them explore and understand the world around them.
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​Program Costs:
$72 for KEEN Family Members
$85 for non-members
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Register for both Outdoor Fridays AND Nature Academy - and save​
Learning Starts With Curiosity
At Outdoor Fridays, we believe some of the best learning begins with a question. Why is that plant growing there? Who made that track? Where does the water go? Why do we see more birds here than over there? What happens when a habitat changes? How can we tell if an ecosystem is healthy?
Students are encouraged to ask questions, explore possible answers, and follow their curiosity.
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Our approach encourages children to:
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OBSERVE
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Pay attention to what is happening around them.
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QUESTION
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Ask why, how, and what if.
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EXPLORE
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Use the landscape as a living classroom.
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INVESTIGATE
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Look for clues, patterns, and connections.
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DISCOVER
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Make connections and develop new ideas.
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CONNECT
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Build a deeper relationship with the natural world.
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A Living Classroom
The Yakima Canyon provides an incredible setting for outdoor learning.
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Shrub-Steppe
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Discover native plants, wildlife habitat, and the adaptations that help life thrive in a dry landscape.
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Water & Wetlands
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Explore ponds, wetlands, watersheds, and the importance of water to healthy ecosystems.
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Wildlife
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Look for animals and wildlife signs while learning about the species that share our landscape.
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Plants & Habitats
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Discover native plants, invasive species, pollinators, and the relationships that connect living things.
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Weather & Seasons
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Observe seasonal changes and explore how weather shapes the natural world.
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Outdoor Skills
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Build confidence through navigation, exploration, nature awareness, and responsible outdoor practices.
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What Children Gain
Through KEEN Outdoor Fridays, children develop:
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Curiosity and a love of learning
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Confidence and comfort outdoors
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Observation and exploration skills
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Nature literacy
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Foundational science skills
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Outdoor skills
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Problem-solving and critical thinking
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Collaboration and communication
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Environmental awareness
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A deeper connection to local ecosystems
Most importantly, children learn that the outdoors is a place where they can learn, explore, ask questions, and belong.