Frequently Asked Questions

All sixth grade students are welcome and may attend Outdoor Lab. In Jeffco, we cultivate environments where all students, staff, families and members of our community are safe, accepted, respected, included, encouraged by others and feel that their voices and perspectives are valued.

Outdoor Lab School offers a full semester internship to Jeffco high school and college-age (post grad) students during the spring and fall semesters. Any college-aged interns must pass a background check and be fingerprinted. Learn more about the intern program.

High school leaders are students from neighborhood Jeffco high schools. Students apply for this opportunity through their high school counselors and must qualify based on grades, attendance and behavior. Eligible students show an aptitude for leadership and demonstrate responsibility and enthusiasm for serving in this role. Participation is approved by the students’ counselors and parents. Learn more about the responsibilities of an Outdoor Lab high school leader.

• Principal - Oversees all staff, programming, facilities and overall function of Outdoor Lab Schools.
• Program Director and Program Specialists - Supervise, coach and support Interns and high school leaders in their role of teaching core classes, working with the 6th graders and facilitating a successful week for each school group attending Outdoor Lab.
• Licensed Nurses - Follow doctor’s orders for student medical conditions, dispense medications, review all dietary and activity restrictions, assess and treat illness and injuries (when appropriate) and alerts parents when needed.
• 6th Grade Teachers and Building Staff/Support Staff: Attending 6th grade classes send two - four teachers depending on group size that are present daily and overnight. Other staff members such as counselors, principals or other support staff often visit throughout the week.
• Support Staff: Dining hall staff provide healthy meals and Facility Staff maintain buildings and the grounds to ensure a safe environment.

Interns are trained by the Outdoor Lab principals in leading restorative and community building circles as well as bunkhouse management. They are trained on how to teach one of the Outdoor Lab core classes to 6th graders and many other components that contribute to the overall Outdoor Lab program.

They are on boarded just like Jeffco employees and participate in several district training courses like mandatory reporting and Title IX. Students 17 and under are recommended and approved for the program by their counselors and students over 18 must go through fingerprinting just like all Jeffco employees. All interns are interviewed by Outdoor Lab staff and their references are thoroughly checked. Outdoor Lab continues to seek out additional training methods as needed to prepare interns and high school leaders for the privilege of working with younger students.

High school leaders participate in three-four trainings and meetings with the high school leader coordinator and the 6th grade teachers prior to attending Outdoor Lab. Once on site, high school leaders receive a three hour training provided by the Outdoor Lab Program Director/Specialist that reviews a program overview, daily schedules, leadership skills, student management strategies, curriculum guidance, safety protocols and much more.

Leaders participate in daily staff meetings and work under the close supervision of Outdoor Lab staff and the 6th grade teachers.

Outdoor Lab Schools are part of Jeffco Public Schools and adhere to the same practices in regards to having a principal, licensed teachers/staff, and following all Jeffco hiring practices, required district training, safety protocols, Board Policies, Student Code of Conduct etc. Ensuring student safety, both physically and emotionally is always our top priority and informs all of our policies, procedures and processes at Outdoor Lab.

Below are some typical practices:

• Every staff member is considered a mandatory reporter and must complete annual training.
• Appropriate staff members hold current CPR and First Aid Certification and understand site-specific emergency procedures.
• High school leaders are vetted and approved by their school counseling department.
• Interns and high school leaders are trained in accordance with their role.
• There is supervision redundancy that ensures students are consistently being observed and monitored.
• Outdoor Lab uses the “buddy” system meaning that students are never alone.
• Privacy expectations are set for students and student leaders.
• Cabins are considered semi-private spaces for the students and staff who reside there. Students and high school leaders are not permitted inside cabins that are not their own.
• Both sites provide private changing areas and private bathroom stalls.
• All student beds are single occupancy, and only the assigned student is allowed to be on that bed.
• Interns and high school leaders are trained to alert staff to any situations where students are not meeting safety or behavioral expectations.
• A licensed nurse is on site at all times.

The cabins and dormitory style buildings hold various amounts of students depending on the site. All student beds are single occupancy, and only the assigned student is allowed to be on that bed.

Cabins are considered semi-private spaces that are for the students and staff who reside there. Students and high school leaders are not permitted inside cabins that are not their own. Many cabins have private bathrooms and double-curtained showers to optimize privacy; otherwise there are central bathrooms that provide the same privacy.

High school leaders and interns shower during their off time when they are not with 6th grade students. Other privacy options are made available for changing clothes.

Not usually. Students are not required to tell our program if they identify as transgender. Outdoor Lab will only know if a student is transgender or gender non-conforming if the student or the student’s caregiver provides that information, which is kept confidential.

In accordance with Colorado law and District Policy JB-R, in most cases, students who are transgender should be assigned to share overnight accommodations with other students that share the student’s gender identity consistently asserted at school. For example, a transgender student who identifies as male would be provided accommodations with other male students.

Cabins are considered semi-private spaces that are safe and appropriate for the students and staff who reside there. Interns and high school leaders are trained to alert staff to any situations where students are not meeting behavioral or safety expectations. 

Any student, regardless of gender identity, who has a need or desire for increased privacy,  should be provided with reasonable accommodation, if a safety concern arises.

Consider exploring the reasons behind your discomfort. Is it related to safety concerns, health issues, or other personal reasons? Please contact your building principal and/or the Outdoor Lab principal should you have specific concerns you’d like to talk through. Remember, families have the ultimate choice whether their student participates in the unique programming offered through Outdoor Lab.

Yes. We encourage you to read the following Jeffco policies:

• Unlawful Discrimination/Equal Opportunity - AC
• School Wellness - ADF
• Unlawful Discrimination/Equal Opportunity - JB
• Equal Education Transgender Students - JB R1
• Prevention of Bullying - JBC
• Board Resolution - Declaration Regarding LGBTQ+ Staff

Outdoor Lab values the partnership with our families. Contact us at the numbers below with any questions you have about our programming. 

• Mt. Blue Sky:  303-982-5208  
• Windy Peak: 303-982-9494
• Jeffco’s Family Response Service Team (FRST)