Out of School
Growing Outside the Classroom
Our Out of School program combines hands-on STEM exploration with social and emotional learning through place-based experiences in local freshwater ecosystems. Students investigate real-world environmental topics – from stream health to water cycles – while building skills in curiosity, teamwork, and reflection.
We believe that nature is the ideal classroom for helping students connect with the environment, themselves, and each other after a full day indoors. The outdoors offers a safe, supportive space for students to explore, express, and grow.
We partner with afterschool programs, summer school groups, and summer camps in Buncombe and Henderson County to provide free programming. By prioritizing partnerships with low-income families, people of color, and historically underserved communities, we aim to further our mission of creating a watershed for all.
Ready to Schedule a program?
Employees from afterschool programs, summer school groups, or summer camps may reach out to our Education & Outreach Specialist, Salix Worley at salix@riverlink.org to learn more about how to connect with our program.
Multiple-Interaction Partnerships
Want to help your students build a lasting connection with the outdoors? Our multi-week programs let us return to the same group each week, forming meaningful relationships and deepening students’ curiosity about local waterways. Together, we choose a mix of RiverRATS lessons and nature-based art activities that best fit your goals and unique needs.
- Number of Students: 10-12 students per session.
- Timeframe: 1 session per week for 8 weeks (1.5–2 hours each)
- Age group: Grades K-8.
- Eligibility: Afterschool programs serving underrepresented student groups.
Single-Interaction Partnerships
Short on time but want to bring nature learning to your students? Our single-interaction programs are designed for one-time or limited engagements that make a big impact in a short time. These sessions introduce students to local ecosystems through engaging lessons and interactive activities.
- Number of Students: Up to 30 per lesson (with multiple rotations available)
- Timeframe: 30 minutes to 1 hour
- Age Group: Grades K-12, with a specific focus on grades 3rd-8th.
- Eligibility: Afterschool programs, summer school groups, and summer camps serving underrepresented student groups
Program Offerings
Macroinvertebrate Sampling
Location: Outdoors
Age Group: K-12th Grade
Students explore a local stream and catch macroinvertebrates, which are aquatic insects that can be seen with the naked eye and lack a backbone, that indicate the amount of pollution in a body of water.
Water Chemistry
Location: Indoors/Outdoors
Age Group: 3rd-12th Grade
Students collect water quality data such as pH, dissolved oxygen, nitrates, and turbidity to discuss the health of the water, how these measurements impact life in the water, and how surrounding land use can impact those measurements.
Stream Table
Location: Indoors
Age Group: 3rd-12th Grade
Students will learn how rivers form, erode, and change over time with an interactive stream table model. They’ll get to build small communities and learn best practices for building and living along a waterway, as rivers and towns experience flooding.
Water Cycle
Location: Indoors
Age Group: K-5th grade
Each student acts as a drop of water, and rotates to different stations in the water cycle (glacier, clouds, ocean, etc.). They collect a bead at each station and create a bracelet to take home.
Groundwater
Location: Indoors/Outdoors
Age Group: K-12th Grade
Students use a giant parachute and playpit balls to demonstrate groundwater infiltrating and eroding below earth’s surface to form aquifers, caverns, sinkholes and wells.
River Tapestry
Location: Indoors
Age Group: K-8th Grade
Students paint a section of the French Broad River, which are taped together as a tapestry of the watershed. This activity shows Helene’s effects on waterways and demonstrates resilience and change in our watershed.
Paint Your Safe Space
Location: Indoors
Age Group: K-8th Grade
Students use wood as a natural canvas and acrylic to paint a place where they feel safe. Emotional safety is discussed, and how nature helps students feel grounded.
Make-a-Macro
Location: Indoors
Age Group: K-8th Grade
Students explore evolutionary adaptations of macroinvertebrates while assembling their unique macroinvertebrate with art supplies. Students select heads, bodies, and tails and add pipecleaners, gems, and more, to bring their creation to life.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I request a program for my students?
Employees from afterschool programs, summer school groups, or summer camps may reach out to our Education & Outreach Specialist, Salix Worley at salix@riverlink.org to learn more about how to connect with our program.
How much does this program cost?
All of our activities are offered completely free of charge! We want to ensure that the opportunity to connect with and learn about nature is accessible to everyone.
Where are Activities Hosted?
We can meet your group at a variety of local streams. Our staff will work with you to find the most convenient, safe, and appropriate location. We also have plenty of activities that can be brought to your facilities and hosted indoors.
Do I need to provide transportation?
We understand that transportation can be an issue which is why we have a passenger van that can help transport up to 12 students to a local stream. Other groups have their own transportation and choose to meet us out at the lesson.
What should my students come prepared with?
Students should come prepared with clothes they don’t mind getting wet and dirty, water, sunscreen, and a towel. Younger students may choose to bring a bathing suit. If your students do not have access to good water shoes, we have Crocs that we can bring.
Do I need to sign a waiver
Yes, for students to participate in in-stream lessons and to travel in our van with the program, parents must sign our waiver.
What happens in the event of inclement weather?
Depending on the weather we may have to cancel or reschedule your lesson outdoors. If it’s just a light sprinkle, we will continue as planned; however, if there’s concerns about flooding, low temperatures, thunder or lightning we will contact you to discuss alternative options.
Are students required to get in the water?
No one is required to get in the water if they are uncomfortable. While we do encourage all students to try and explore the stream, we also want students to have a positive experience, whether that’s on the bank or in the water.
Partner Spotlights
Our work in this space would not be possible without our incredible partners. Their efforts to provide out of school enrichment for their students is what allows us to connect with these kids in the first place. We’re so grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with them and support their wonderful initiatives. If a groups’ mission resonates with you we hope you’ll consider supporting them.
“At OpenDoors Asheville, we believe that education is the prow of our ship and our students are our highest priority. Supporting students, kindergarten through college, means much more than helping them get better grades. We work with parents and schools to ensure that all students have the stability, resource, equity, and inclusion they need to thrive and ultimately reach their potential. By using a “whole child” methodology, students become inspired members of our community and break the cycle of poverty for themselves, and for generations to come.”
“In Real Life After-school provides high quality, hands-on, equitable, and accessible after school experiences for all Asheville City Schools middle school students. IRL is committed to ensuring that all students have access to opportunities which allow them to explore their interests and ignite their creativity.”
“We believe community schools provide students and families with the resources, opportunities, and support systems they need to succeed. Together, we transform our local schools into district-wide hubs of service to ensure all students learn, grow, and thrive in a healthy, vibrant, and connected community.”
“The Youth Transformed for Life Training Programs provides a safe, nurturing environment filled with engaging activities for Buncombe County students in kindergarten through twelfth grade during out-of-school hours. Through the 21st Century Community Learning Center (21st CCLC), YTL offers academic support and enrichment that complements and extends the learning taking place during the regular school day.”
“Bright IDEAS is an extended-day afterschool program that offers safe and fun enrichment opportunities for students enrolled at Isaac Dickson Elementary.”
“Horizons is designed to help young people succeed by building critical skills. Horizons is the Y’s most academically focused program, and it’s also a blast! Young people love Horizons’ engaging activities and trips, and they enjoy making friends in an environment that provides support, challenge, and opportunities for growth. Whether you enroll your child in our afterschool program or the summer camp, you can be sure they will be set up for success with Horizons.”