Outdoor Wilderness Lab

Nestled at the foot of the Colorado National Monument, the Outdoor Wilderness Lab reimagines outdoor education for Mesa County Valley School District 51. This project brings science and discovery to life, offering students and teachers an inspiring space to learn, explore, and connect with nature. The renderings showcase both the near-term camp setup and the long-term vision — a sustainable, low-impact campus that harmonizes modern design with the beauty of the Grand Valley landscape.

A Site that Mirrors Western Colorado’s Natural Diversity

A Site that Mirrors Western Colorado’s Natural Diversity

Outdoor Wilderness Lab

Mesa County Valley School District 51
Proposed School Year: 2026–2027

Goal
Relocate OWL to D51’s Wilwood property to continue delivering high-quality, transformative outdoor education experiences for all students in the Grand Valley.

Programming

Approximately 800–1000 6th-grade students
Trip length: 2.5 days (Mon–Wed or Wed–Fri), including overnight stay
Group sizes: 25–50 students per trip
Staff ratio: 4:1 (student to staff)
Curriculum: 10–15 lessons focused on outdoor science, social-emotional learning, and conservation
Quiet hours: 9:30 p.m. – 7:00 a.m.

Facilities (Temporary 2026–2027)

Tents, restroom trailers, awnings, and outdoor classrooms
Access to Colorado National Monument’s existing trail system (walkable from OWL campus)

Timeline

Fall Season: September – November
Spring Season: March – May

Looking Ahead
Could Wilwood be a long-term home for OWL beyond 2026–2027?
Future locations must be accessible, sustainable, and well integrated with the broader community.

Artist's note:

This project is an illustrative study created to explore the natural and educational potential of the Outdoor Wilderness Lab site to accommodate students, teachers, and staff in an immersive outdoor learning environment. The visuals are intended to support conceptual understanding and storytelling. They do not represent architectural plans or construction documentation in any form.