Growing Confidence Through the Forestry Challenge

Every October, a small group of high school students from Feather River, Clarksville, and Lake View Charter schools trade their desks for hiking boots and their screens for field tools.

Instead of logging into class, they step into the forest.

For four days, the Forestry Challenge turns the forest into a classroom, blending science, math, teamwork, and endurance in a one-of-a-kind outdoor learning experience. Organized by a nonprofit dedicated to bringing real-world environmental science to students (especially those in urban or online settings) the program gives participants the opportunity to study forest ecosystems alongside industry professionals. 

“For many of our students, it becomes one of the most impactful learning experiences of their high school years.” says Virtual Academy Teacher Jessica Campbell.

More Than Your Average Camp

The Forestry Challenge is not a nature retreat, it is a rigorous academic competition.

Students work directly with professional foresters, biologists, hydrologists, Cal Fire staff, and college forestry students. Over four full days, they study:

• Tree identification
• Forest measurement techniques
• Wildlife habitat
• Fire prevention and wildfire recovery
• Replanting and land management

One of the most memorable skills students learn is how to “pace” a forest -- measuring a 66-foot chain using their own steps. From there, they calculate tree height, basal area, and forest density. They analyze how terrain affects data collection and examine how fire behaves in different ecosystems.

At the end of the event, each team develops a detailed land management plan and presents it to industry professionals.

On top of this, the days are long. Students begin around 8 a.m. and often do not settle into bed until 10 or 11 p.m.

Indy and Kamaya, two of this year’s participants, shared, “You work hard, but it’s really cool to see how science, math, and environmental studies connect to real careers and real communities.”

Why Learning Outdoors Works

There is a reason experiences like this are so impactful to our students. 

When students physically move through a forest while collecting data, multiple regions of the brain activate at once. Movement increases blood flow and oxygen, which strengthens focus and memory retention. Measuring trees, pacing distances, and navigating uneven terrain engages spatial reasoning and executive function skills in ways worksheets cannot.

Outdoor environments also reduce stress hormones, which allows the brain to enter a more receptive learning state. When students feel alert but not overwhelmed, the brain forms stronger neural connections.

In simple terms: when students learn by doing, they remember more. 

That is why Virtual Academy teacher Jessica Campbell, who leads and chaperones this trip, is passionate about this experience. 

Science That Matters in California

For Indy, a 17-year-old Feather River senior, the experience felt especially relevant. In California, wildfire is not abstract. It affects homes, landscapes, and entire towns.

“Learning how fires actually work and function was deeply helpful for prevention and safety,” Indy said.

He was particularly interested in tree identification and understanding how proper forest management can reduce wildfire risk. The experience also revealed more technical aspects of field science. Measuring land requires precision. Terrain changes pacing...and data must be accurate.

In this setting, math and biology were no longer just subjects; they were tools used in real time.

The physical challenge was real, too. Students hiked daily to reach their assigned plots. For Indy, that meant nearly a mile walk from the dorms to the dining hall each day. Blisters and sore muscles quickly became part of the routine, though proper footwear might have helped, something Indy learned the hard way after discovering a rock lodged in his shoe.

But the physical demands are part of the growth.

When students push through manageable discomfort, the brain builds resilience pathways. They strengthen areas of perseverance, adaptability, and emotional regulation. These are the same neurological skills needed for adulthood, career success, and problem-solving under pressure.

Learning by Doing

For Kamaya, who attended for the second time, the Forestry Challenge reshaped her understanding of what forestry truly means.

Before participating, she wasn’t even familiar with the term. After researching it and stepping into the field, she was struck by the complexity of forest management and how much planning is required to protect the environment.

“It was really interesting to learn about this subject because forestry directly affects where I live,” she shared.

Living in a wooded area made the experience personal. One of her favorite skills was learning how to identify native trees. Now, she can confidently distinguish between oak species around her home.

“You learn better by being hands-on,” Kamaya explained. “Seeing how people actually do things and asking questions in real time.”

That kind of experiential learning leaves a lasting impression. When students engage their senses, seeing, touching, moving, questioning -- they build deeper connections to what they’re learning. The experience doesn’t just stay in a notebook; it stays with them.

Teamwork and Cognitive Growth

According to Jessica Campbell, each school may bring only about 11 students. With 15–20 schools in attendance, participants meet peers from across California.

Teams must collaborate to collect data, analyze results, and create professional presentations. Kamaya described herself as an “analyzer,” helping her team stay on task and manage time effectively. The collaboration, problem-solving, and accountability is all real. 

Working in teams activates social cognition skills, communication, empathy, conflict resolution, and flexible thinking. Presenting to industry professionals builds confidence and strengthens the brain’s executive function systems, which manage planning, organization, and self-regulation.

For homeschool students especially, working in structured teams helps develop leadership skills in a supportive environment. It gives them practice navigating team dynamics and building interpersonal skills that may not come up as often in day-to-day learning.

Kamaya shared that homeschooling in a small town can sometimes feel limiting. This program expanded her perspective.

“It helped me find agency and understand what teamwork actually is,” she said.

Confidence That Lasts

One of the most powerful outcomes of the Forestry Challenge is confidence – as has been reported by VA teacher Campbell and further confirmed by her students.

We are asking students to really step outside their comfort zones, you know, they're staying away from home - possibly for the first time. They work alongside professionals and then are actually required to present to experts and volunteers in the exact field of study they are learning in.

And they succeed.

When students accomplish difficult tasks in real-world settings, the brain releases dopamine tied to mastery — not instant gratification. That feeling reinforces a growth mindset. It tells them, “I can do hard things.”

Some might discover a possible career path in forestry or environmental science, others leave with a stronger appreciation for biology, wildlife management, or land stewardship. Even those who do not pursue forestry walk away with practical skills and a deeper understanding of how science shapes the world around them.

As Kamaya reflected:

“We need more people who care… In this program, you get inspired to try.”

When Learning Comes Alive

Hands-on science changes the way students learn.

When they measure trees themselves, geometry becomes tangible.
When they study wildfire recovery in person, environmental science feels urgent.
When they build land management plans, math, biology, and communication come together.

For our students, the Forestry Challenge is more than a field trip. It is applied science, real-world math, career exposure, environmental stewardship, cognitive growth, and confidence-building,woven together.

It shows students what they are capable of when they step into something new. In the forest, learning doesn't just happen…it takes root.

It is rigorous. It is empowering. It is the Forestry Challenge.