CLASS DESCRIPTION
This online course is based on a ParkFest 2025 educational session led by outdoor education professional Jessica Lippey. Designed for parks and recreation professionals, educators, and program managers, the course explores practical, real-world strategies for building or expanding outdoor education programs that serve diverse community needs.
Participants will learn how to assess readiness, align programming with mission and community demand, leverage partnerships, and sustainably grow outdoor education offerings. The course also highlights common challenges agencies face and proven approaches for measuring impact and demonstrating value to stakeholders.
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:
- Identify the core components of effective outdoor education programs.
- Assess community needs to inform outdoor education program development.
- Describe strategies for growing or scaling existing outdoor education initiatives.
- Recognize the role of partnerships, staffing, and funding in program sustainability.
- Evaluate methods for measuring outcomes and communicating program value.
After successfully passing the Knowledge Check, participants will receive a completion certificate and follow-up email. The PRB+ University team is actively working to create partnerships with CEU-accrediting agencies and administrators. Please check back regularly for updates about new CEU partners, approved courses, and submission details: https://www.prbplus.com/ceus/.
ABOUT THE PRESENTER
Jessica Lippe is an Oregon native but has worked at camps across the United States. She is the author of The Ultimate Survival Guide for Working at Camp, and you can find her current adventures on Instagram and YouTube (campconsultant).