Item submitted by Conservation District

In 1972, the Vermilion County Conservation District welcomed 4th and 5th grade students from St. Patrick, Diamond, Oakwood, Catlin, Westville, Georgetown, and Ridge Farm to Forest Glen Preserve for the newly created Outdoor School Program. 

In 2024, Outdoor School will celebrate 50 years of continuing to educate students about Vermilion County's biodiversity of plants and animals, natural resources, and the importance of conservation. It is estimated that nearly 69,500 students have completed the four-day Outdoor School Program during these 50 years. The Vermilion County Conservation District is proud to have 100% participation from all Vermilion County elementary schools and five out-of-county schools with the program. 

The VCCD invites all former Outdoor School students and classroom teachers to the 50th Outdoor School Celebration on Sunday, April 14, 2024, at the Kennekuk Environmental Education Center, Kennekuk County Park, from 1 - 4pm. A walk-back-in time presentation will begin at 1:15pm, with guided hikes, pond dipping, sharing memories, and more continuing until 4 pm. 

A collection of memories, photos, and stories will be gathered from former instructors, students, and classroom teachers for an "Outdoor School Memories Journal."  Memories can be submitted online at https://forms.gle/fF2TDy86nhW4UM2P7 or by email to ldanzl@vccd.org, or by mail, 22296 Henning Road, Danville, IL 61834.

For more information, please call 217-442-1691, or email ldanzl@vccd.org

Kennekuk County Park is located at 22296 Henning Road, Danville, IL 61834