Cedarwood Outdoor School (COS) exists to foster outdoor education within a Christ-centered framework. We engage youth and adults alike in studying creation through the lens of the Creator. Whether it’s building a fire, identifying native plants, or navigating by the stars, our goal is to teach skillsets such as wilderness survival, herbalism, homesteading, and creation studies in a way that glorifies Christ and advances knowledge from one generation to the next.

At COS, we are committed to education that immerses students in a thoroughly biblical worldview—regardless of the subject at hand. We hold to the authority and sufficiency of Scripture as the foundation for all academics, activities, and community life. Every skill taught, every hike taken, and every plant studied is an opportunity to worship God, deepen faith, and grow in wisdom.

The Need

Outdoor education programs today often reflect either pantheistic and spiritualist ideologies or a secular emphasis on self-reliance and personal glory. Biblically grounded programs in outdoor education are exceedingly rare. At COS, we offer a distinctly different path—one that upholds Scripture as the foundation and points every lesson back to the Creator. Whether students are studying herbalism, survival, or natural science, our teaching redirects attention away from creation-worship (Romans 1:21–25) and toward the glory of God (Romans 11:36), building a biblical worldview in areas often dominated by unbiblical paradigms.

Preservation of Traditional Skills

Today’s younger generations are experiencing a steep decline in traditional knowledge. Many basic outdoor and homesteading skills—once passed down naturally—are now in danger of being forgotten. Some of the top skills at risk include:

1. Map reading and compass use

2. Building a fire from scratch

3. Foraging wild edibles

4. Identifying and preparing plant medicine

5. Tying knots

6. Knitting, looming, and weaving

7. Trapping and hunting

8. Tanning hides

9. Canning food

10. Woodworking

11. Blacksmithing

While modern technology has brought convenience, it has also contributed to reduced physical activity, shortened attention spans, and diminished resilience. Surveys show that over 90% of people believe traditional skills should be reintroduced into education. COS answers that call by preserving and teaching these essential life skills in a way that is spiritually rich and practically effective.

The Solution

By approaching traditional skills through a biblical lens, we not only equip students with practical knowledge but also foster deep spiritual growth. Our programs cultivate both life skills and spiritual formation: