Four people hiking on a dirt trail through a grassy field with trees in the background.
A young girl with a ponytail looking at a map in a wooded area during daylight.
A man in outdoors clothing crouches next to a small campfire in a forested area, holding a piece of wood, with camping gear including an axe and matches nearby.

Who We Are

Cedarwood Outdoor School (COS) exists to foster outdoor education within a Christian framework. We believe this world was masterfully crafted by a wise and all-powerful God, and that creation bears witness to His wisdom, creativity, and glory. 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, homesteading, herbalism, and creation (naturalist) studies in a way that directs attention to the glory of God while passing practical 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. Families do not need to personally share this worldview in order to participate in COS. However, our programs are intentionally shaped by the conviction that Scripture provides a trustworthy foundation for understanding both God and His creation. Within that framework, students develop outdoor skills, grow in character, and gain practical experience in the field. Every skill taught, every hike taken, and every plant studied is an opportunity to worship God, deepen faith, and grow in wisdom.

Preserving Traditional Skills

Today’s younger generations are experiencing a steep decline in traditional knowledge. Skills that were once commonly passed from parent to child 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. Wildlife tracking

  8. Trapping and hunting

  9. Tanning hides

  10. Food preservation

  11. Woodworking

  12. Blacksmithing

While modern technology has brought convenience, it has also contributed to reduced physical activity, shortened attention spans, and diminished resilience. Yet, national surveys show that over 90% of Americans believe schools should place greater emphasis on practical life skills. 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. Through hands-on instruction, outdoor exploration, and intentional reflection on Scripture, our programs aim to develop both the character and the capabilities needed for life.

Spiritual Formation:

  • Biblical Literacy

  • Scriptural Meditation

  • Dependence on God Through Prayer

  • Trust in God’s Provision

  • Stewardship of God’s Creation

  • Humility Before the Creator

  • Identity Rooted in Christ

  • Gratitude and Contentment

  • Discernment and Wisdom

  • Freedom from Worldly Distractions

  • Community and Fellowship

  • Service to Others

  • Perseverance Through Difficulty

  • Reverence for the Glory of God

Life Skills:

  • Creativity and Ingenuity

  • Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving

  • Adventure and Exploration

  • Teamwork and Collaboration

  • Strategic Thinking and Competitiveness

  • Leadership and Responsibility

  • Resilience and Adaptability

  • Risk Management and Safety Awareness

  • Observation and Situational Awareness

  • Environmental Awareness and Stewardship

  • Physical Fitness and Health

  • Goal Setting and Achievement

At its heart, Cedarwood Outdoor School exists to help restore a way of learning that has largely been forgotten—one that combines practical skills, meaningful time outdoors, and a biblical understanding of the world. As students learn to work with their hands, observe creation, and grow in wisdom, they become better equipped to serve God, their families, and their communities. Join us as we seek to pass these skills and this perspective from one generation to the next!

“The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims His handiwork” (Psalm 19:1)

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Cedarwood Outdoor School is not a church and does not seek to replace the role of the local church.

    Rather, COS exists as an educational institution that provides outdoor learning opportunities shaped by a Christian worldview. Our programs are designed to complement—not compete with—the discipleship and teaching that take place within the church and the home.

  • Outdoor education programs today often operate within either secular or spiritualist frameworks. Some emphasize human self-reliance as the ultimate goal, while others draw from pantheistic or mystical interpretations of nature.

    A biblical framework offers a distinctly different perspective. Scripture teaches that the natural world is neither divine nor meaningless, but the intentional creation of a wise and sovereign God (Ps. 19:1; Rom. 1:20).

    When outdoor education is grounded in this understanding, students learn to approach the natural world with humility, stewardship, and gratitude. Skills such as firecraft, plant identification, navigation, and wilderness survival are no longer merely technical abilities; they become opportunities to recognize the order, beauty, and wisdom embedded within God’s creation.

    Because biblically grounded outdoor education is exceedingly rare today, Cedarwood Outdoor School seeks to recover this perspective by integrating practical outdoor learning with a faithful understanding of Scripture.

    For further reading, see our blog post on “Redeeming Outdoor Education.”

  • No. Families do not need to personally share the Christian faith in order to participate in Cedarwood Outdoor School.

    However, COS is intentionally rooted in a biblical worldview, and our programs are taught from these convictions. Scripture shapes how we understand the natural world, how we approach outdoor education, and how we teach the skills studied in our programs. Students are not required to profess any particular belief, but families should understand that the Christian perspective is presented openly and without compromise throughout our instruction.

    That said, the degree to which this is emphasized may vary depending on the type of program. Some offerings—such as our enrichment programs—place a stronger emphasis on spiritual formation and biblical reflection. Other classes, such as skill-based workshops in areas like firecraft, carving, or loom weaving, focus primarily on practical instruction while still operating within the broader Christian framework that undergirds the school.

    Those who are comfortable participating in a program taught from this framework are welcome to join and take part in the learning experience.

  • Cedarwood Outdoor School emphasizes small-group learning, mentorship, and hands-on experience. Rather than relying primarily on classroom lectures, students learn by observing, practicing, and engaging directly with the natural environment.

    This approach encourages curiosity, attentiveness, and confidence as students gradually develop new skills in real-world settings.

  • Our goal is to cultivate capable, thoughtful, and responsible individuals who understand both the practical skills needed to live well in the outdoors and the deeper meaning of the world they inhabit.

    By combining hands-on outdoor education with a biblical understanding of creation, Cedarwood Outdoor School seeks to equip students with knowledge, resilience, and wisdom that will serve them for the rest of their lives.

  • At this time, Cedarwood Outdoor School does not yet offer scholarships. As a young and growing institution, our primary focus is on establishing programs and building a strong foundation for the school.

    However, it is our desire to make Cedarwood Outdoor School accessible to as many students as possible. We are actively working toward establishing a scholarship fund that will allow more families to participate in the future as resources become available.

    Those who share this vision and would like to help make outdoor education more accessible may do so through the scholarship fund listed on our Support Our Mission page.