Canyon Country Outdoor Education

Canyon Country Outdoor Education (CCOE) is a cooperative venture between the National Park Service, local school districts and nonprofit organizations in southeast Utah. Field trips are conducted to Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park, Hovenweep National Monument, Natural Bridges National Monument and other areas.

The purpose of this program is:

• To support the mission of the National Park Service and the Parks as Classrooms® program, as well as Park management’s goals.
• To help students safely experience and understand natural and cultural resources of our national parks, surrounding areas and the earth as a whole.
• To enhance existing state approved science curricula.
• To expose students to a wide range of environmentally responsible activities in the outdoors so they can develop skills, judgment, confidence and sensitivity.
• To raise environmental awareness in the younger generation to prepare them for future roles as decision makers and voters.

Curriculum Materials

CCOE has published field trip plans suitable for grades one through six. While these trips were designed to be used in southeast Utah, many can be adapted to other sites, and some activities could work in completely different ecosystems. These plans are available in PDF format. More...

For More Information

To learn more about the program or obtain help in adapting lesson plans contact:

National Park Service
Canyon Country Outdoor Education
PO Box 40
Monticello, UT 84535
435-719-2142 phone
435-587-2737 fax

Please note that outdoor education staff are only available during the school year (August to June). If you need assistance outside of this time, please contact the park directly.