LUDLOW, Vt. – The Expeditionary School at Black River (ESBR) is excited to introduce a new program in the 2026-2027 school year.
“We’re partnering with Jamie Maloof, director and teacher of OWLS program. This will be an exciting expansion of our current curriculum,” says Mike Kell, head of school.
The Outdoor Learning and Wilderness Survival (OWLS) program brings students together in an outdoor environment regardless of the weather. Students take pride in their time outdoors in rain, snow, sleet, or sun. Through theme-based learning throughout the year, students explore similar topics across all grades at a depth that is appropriate for their grade level. This community learning allows students to discuss the outdoors together and provides unique peer-learning opportunities. OWLS uses outdoor classroom spaces such as the greenhouse, forest classroom, and our school forest to immerse students in outdoor learning and to allow them to experience what is possible right outside their doors in Vermont.
The new program will be part of the ESBR curriculum.