Students in the Ripon Unified School District can look forward to enjoying the great outdoors at Camp Joe Gulch in La Honda.

No discussion was necessary as the school board approved an agreement with the San Joaquin County Office of Education to do another year with the San Joaquin Outdoor Education Program otherwise known as science camp.

The action took place at this month’s session.

This year marks the 58th year for the outdoor program servicing fifth- and sixth- grade students in the county.

Park View and Ripon elementary school students are scheduled to attend science camp, from March 14 to March 18.

Colony Oak, Ripona and Weston youngsters will go there the following week, from March 21 to March 24.

Cost for five-day, four-night outdoor education program, according to SCJOE, is $290 per student and includes 12 meals, lodging, program supplies, use of trained naturalists, and a memorable learning experience.

“This year we are asking that participating schools print the number of student and cabin leader packets as required – this will assist us in keeping our printing cost down, in turn, helping us maintain a lower cost for students,” said Outdoor Education director Dan Randrup in his letter to the school districts.

 Since 1957, over 400,000 students have attended the outdoor facilities known as the San Francisco YMCA Camp.

High school students serve as cabin leaders.