Kayaks beside the dock on the lake at Luther Springs.

Living Lab Outdoor School

Bring your class to Luther Springs, and we’ll teach science outside, where it actually happens. Your students study the lake, the woods and the animals that live here, then get out on the water, try archery and take on the challenge course.

We build every visit around your grade and the unit you’re teaching.

Bring your class.

Day trips and overnight stays, planned with you.

PLAN A VISIT

See the lessons →

Homeschool families →

Questions teachers ask →

Lessons that happen outside.

Every Living Lab lesson is hands-on and outdoors, and we match the lessons to your grade and what you’re teaching.

Turn a card to see what students do.

Fire Ecology

What students do

Students look for signs of past fires on our land, then run a simulation to see how fire helps and harms a forest.

Symbiotic Relationships

What students do

Students explore how the species here depend on each other, and how that ties a whole habitat together.

Habitat Loss

What students do

Students see how people change the land, how that affects wildlife on the move, and why losing habitat is one of the biggest threats animals face.

Birds

What students do

Students learn how birds are built for the places they live, then head out to spot and name the local species.

Florida Black Bear

What students do

Through games and talk, students learn what a bear needs to survive and how people and bears can share the woods.

Trees

What students do

Hands on, students learn how a tree grows, what it needs, and how to tell our native trees apart.

Keystone Species

What students do

Students find signs of Florida’s keystone species on site, then draw food webs in teams to see why one animal can matter so much.

Gopher Tortoise

What students do

Students learn how one tortoise’s burrow shelters hundreds of other species, and why that matters here.

Eco-Friendly Practices

What students do

Students talk through how people affect the earth and pick up habits that really make a difference.

Aquatic Ecosystems

What students do

On the lake and in the wetlands, students sample the water, find the small creatures living in it and read what they say about water quality.

Team Development

What students do

Low ropes and problem-solving challenges that get a class working together and give everyone a turn to lead.

Adventure Challenge Course

What students do

High and low ropes, trust exercises, and a talk afterward about what the group learned.

Not sure which lessons fit? Tell us what you’re teaching, and we’ll suggest a few that work well together.

Plan a visit →

Where the lessons happen.

Luther Springs is pine woods, live oaks and a lake, right here in Hawthorne, FL. Your students walk out the door and straight into the lesson.

A sandy road at Luther Springs winds under live oaks and tall pines — The sandy road under the live oaks and pines.

Young adults outdoors at Luther Springs — Young adults at the archery range.

The outdoor chapel's cross and stone benches at Luther Springs at sunrise — The outdoor chapel at sunrise.

Homeschool families, come learn with us.

Living Lab has its own track for homeschool families and co-ops, so parents and kids can do the lessons side by side. Everyone is welcomed as family.

Ask us about rates for your family or your co-op when you call.

Plan a homeschool visit →

The same outdoor lessons
Pick from the lessons above, matched to your kids.
On the water and at the range
Kayaking, archery and team challenges.
For the day, or overnight
Come for a day trip, or stay over in a cabin or a motel room.

Questions teachers ask.

Here’s what most teachers want to know before they book. If yours isn’t here, give us a call.

Do we have to be a Lutheran school?

Can you match the lessons to what we’re teaching?

What does a visit include?

Who watches the students?

What if it rains?

What should students bring?

Where is Luther Springs?

Let’s plan your class’s visit.

Tell us your grade, how many students are coming, the unit you’re teaching and the dates you have in mind. We’ll build the lessons and the schedule with you.

828-209-6328

Call Luther Springs

There’s more to Luther Springs.

Plan your trip here, see what summer camp looks like, or see Outdoor School across NovusWay.

Plan your visit
Forms, the packing list, directions and check-in.

Places to stay
Lodging and space for your own group.

Outdoor School
Bring your class to camp for a school visit.

Living Lab Outdoor School