OTS Celebrates Earth Day With the Naming of the Field Station

This year’s Earth Day theme, “Our Planet, Our Power,” came to life across every corner of the Old Trail School campus—and nowhere more meaningfully than in the debut of our newest outdoor learning space: the OTS Field Station.

Reimagined and renovated through a collaboration between our Outdoor Education team and Middle School students, the Field Station stands as a powerful example of student-driven design, sustainability and experiential learning. Nestled within the school’s expansive natural surroundings, the space offers a purposeful setting for hands-on discovery, quiet reflection and environmental stewardship.

Over the past several months, a number of dedicated faculty and staff have given generously of their time and talents to reimagine the former garage at the OTS Farm. What was once a dim and utilitarian space has been thoughtfully transformed into an inspiring new classroom for Middle School science and nature exploration. This remarkable transformation was made possible by their incredible efforts—and the generous support of the GAR Foundation and The Columbus Foundation.

Thanks to these gifts, new glass garage doors were installed, flooding the room with natural light and seamlessly opening it to the surrounding environment. Today, the Field Station is a vibrant, curiosity-sparking hub of learning and teaching. The walls are adorned with student artwork, bins overflow with field journals awaiting new observations, and thoughtfully arranged workstations invite students to engage deeply with their environment.

What was once a simple structure has become a bright, purpose-driven environment designed to support discovery and connection. It reminds our students, faculty and community of the collective power we hold to shape a brighter, greener future. As we celebrate Earth Day and embrace its theme, The Field Station becomes a living, breathing extension of Old Trail’s mission to inspire curiosity, respect and responsibility through direct connection with nature.