Katy ISD highlights Kenneth D. Welch Outdoor Learning Center's educational programs

The Katy Independent School District (KISD) Board meeting held on May 12, 2025, focused on the Kenneth D. Welch Outdoor Learning Center (OLC) and its significant role in enhancing student education. Presenters H. C. Grama and Paul Dunk provided an overview of the OLC's activities and its unique contributions to the district's curriculum.

The OLC, established in 1981, serves as a distinctive educational facility that offers hands-on learning experiences outside the traditional classroom. It supports the science, social studies, and physical education curriculums for students, primarily at the elementary level, but also extends opportunities to secondary students. The center spans 34.5 acres and includes various facilities such as classrooms, pavilions, animal pens, and ponds.

Key highlights from the presentation included the OLC's annual field trips for all fourth-grade students, which focus on history and science lessons. This year, the center hosted 118 separate trips, ensuring every fourth-grade classroom in KISD participated. Additionally, the OLC supports first-grade science through an incubator chick hatching program, distributing over 900 fertilized eggs to elementary campuses.

The presenters emphasized the OLC's partnerships with local organizations, including Boy Scout troops and Fishing's Future, which enhance outdoor education and provide students with practical skills in fishing and outdoor safety. The center also hosts a popular summer recreation program for students in grades 4 through 6, featuring activities such as archery, canoeing, and outdoor cooking.

The board members expressed appreciation for the OLC's contributions to student learning and community engagement. The meeting concluded with an invitation for questions from board members, highlighting the ongoing commitment to educational excellence within KISD.