Friends Academy sixth grade math teacher Seth Garfield saw an opportunity for a classroom lesson as he led a group of students on a nature hike at Massasoit State Park. He explained to the sixth graders how forestry works — from cutting down trees for lumber to replanting trees to encourage forest growth.

The September 15 hike was a part of Friends Academy’s Outside the Classroom Week, which is offered to sixth, seventh, and eighth graders at the academy. Guided by 12 volunteers, sixth grade students had the opportunity to participate in a nature hike and learn basic canoeing.

“Outdoor education is important,” Garfield said “The hope is that our eighth graders will be better land stewards as they go out and spread their wings."

The hour-long hike was followed by a lunch break. Student Liam Hempstead said he learned a lot from teachers’ impromptu history and forestry lessons, and he enjoyed the challenge of picking a path to explore.

“I really liked the forks we passed in the road,” Hempstead said. “It’s fun because you have to pull the trigger on a decision.”

The state park was just one stop for the students over the week-long program. Other activities included overnight campouts on campus, a rope course, working in the school’s garden, orienteering — or using maps and compases to navigate — and more.

Friends Academy has been running its Outside the Classroom Week program for more than 20 years to grow and challenge middle school students, said sixth grade English and gardening teacher Steve Walach.

“Outside the Classroom Week is about team building, having the kids meet their peers, challenging them to step out of their comfort zones in an outdoors, hands-on activity,” Walach said.

Walach added that each grade level has a different program of events. Seventh graders go on a week-long camping trip in Maine, while eighth graders take a trip to New York City to test the outdoor skills they’ve learned in previous years — such as orienteering and exploring — in an urban environment.