At Santa Barbara Middle School (SBMS), there’s a saying: “Learning happens everywhere we go.” From classrooms to coastlines, labs to mountain trails, Outdoor Education is an integral part of the school’s four-sided diamond curriculum—alongside Academics, Creative Arts & Sports, and Community.
Across grades 6 through 9, these experiences shape students into resilient, confident, and compassionate young leaders. By 9th grade, they’ve become courageous risk-takers who know how to “find another gear” when challenges arise.
Early Foundations: Grades 6–7
Outdoor Education begins the moment students arrive. Within the first week, 6th and 7th graders set out on 15 miles orientation rides and overnight journeys designed to build community, stretch limits, and inspire curiosity and courage. Through the school’s signature Hero’s Journey—inspired by Joseph Campbell’s archetypal monomyth—students venture beyond their comfort zones, returning changed by what they’ve discovered.
“To move a mountain, you start with the pebbles.”— SBMS 9th Grade Student, 2025
As the year progresses, students tackle longer trips and greater responsibilities, culminating in a 10 day expedition with over 12,000 feet of elevation gain. With guidance from teachers, staff, and returning peers, they begin to lead—offering words around the campfire, washing extra dishes, or supporting a classmate on a tough climb. These moments teach that resilience is built through persistence and that adversity strengthens character.
Stepping Into Leadership: Grade 8
Eighth grade marks a turning point as students move from participants to leaders, both outdoors and in the classroom. On expeditions, they guide groups, mentor younger students, and model teamwork. Outdoor challenges at this stage cultivate independence, reflection, and empathy. Students learn to assess risks, make thoughtful decisions, and support others—a foundation for leadership in every part of life.
The Culmination: Grade 9
By 9th grade, the impact of years spent in Outdoor Education is unmistakable. Students lead younger peers and are honored by their community in the wilderness.
Leadership
For each ride, students choose a pace group suited to their speed. On the longest day—a 50-mile ride—the Bike Mechanic Captain rides in the final group, offering support where it’s needed most. When help was needed on one expedition, Ray McPhee, one of the strongest riders, volunteered, saying, “If I can’t spend one day in the back, helping those who need it most, then I haven’t learned anything about leadership at SBMS.” Ray graduated in 2024 and recently completed The Double Everest Cycling Challenge.
Honoring
Before the trip, each 9th grader draws a classmate’s name and is asked to honor that person for their unique gifts. After weeks of reflection and writing, students read their letters aloud around the campfire—an experience that ensures every member of the class is seen, valued, and celebrated.
Resilience
Through years of expeditions, students learn to face challenges with courage and community. Whether in academics, the arts, or the wilderness, they discover how to dig deep, find strength within, and support those around them.
“I’ve learned that hard things become so much easier when you have that community around you.”— SBMS 9th Grade Student, 2025
These qualities emerge through SBMS’s carefully designed Rites of Passage program, integrated across all facets of the school’s four-sided diamond.
Why Outdoor Education Matters
At SBMS, Outdoor Education isn’t an add-on or outsourced program—it’s at the heart of who we are. It brings students, teachers, and parents together through shared challenges and transformative experiences in nature.
It cultivates:
- Intellectual vitality – problem-solving, collaboration, and critical thinking
- Social and emotional resilience – empathy, perseverance, and compassion
- A strong sense of community – respect for peers, mentors, and the natural world
Graduates often describe their SBMS years as the most formative of their young lives, citing outdoor expeditions as pivotal moments in their growth.
“I learned how to find who I am and stay true to that—while still growing and changing. How to not let others define me, and how to stand up for myself and others when it matters.”— SBMS 9th Grade Student, 2025
Preparing for Life Beyond SBMS
The lessons of Outdoor Education extend far beyond Middle School. By facing challenges in demanding but supportive environments, SBMS students carry forward the confidence to adapt, the courage to take risks, and the compassion to lead with integrity.
Outdoor Education at Santa Barbara Middle School is not simply about camping, hiking, or biking—it’s about transformation. It’s about young people discovering who they are, learning to support one another, and embracing life with strength, curiosity, and heart.
For more information, contact Mandy Westerman, Director of Admissions, at admissions@sbms.org.
