Mohican Outdoor School traces its history back to 1961 as an experiment in outdoor education by Madison Local Schools in Richland County, Ohio. The Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (Title III - Projects to Advance Creativity in Education For Innovative Programs) gave Mohican Outdoor School a 3-year operational grant. In the summer of 1969, the grant period ended and a fee schedule was established. Participating schools each sent their own share of the operating expenses. In 1972 Mohican School became a non-profit corporation.

There were 12 school districts participating in 1966, 20 in 1972, 42 in 1980, 57 in 1989, and 90 in 1995! Over 150,000 students have participated since 1961. In 1989 the Ohio Alliance for the Environment recognized Mohican School for its excellent contribution to environmental education in Ohio; that same year Mohican School was also recognized by by the Ohio Conservation and Outdoor Education Association as an outstanding resident outdoor/environmental education program.

Today Mohican Outdoor School provides a thriving resident outdoor/environmental education program for elementary students. Programs are offered in resident experiences lasting 3, 4, or 5 days. The school is currently open from September - May each year.

In addition to Mohican's resident program, the school offers field trips with outdoor environmental activities geared to fit the season. Field trips (for students of all ages, adults, community and corporate organizations) are conducted at the school's own 178 acre site located in Richland County. This site includes the beautiful and historically significant Hemlock Falls, the home of the Mohican Environmental Learning Center. The Field Trip Center (meeting room seating 70, restrooms, and kitchenette) is also available for local community meetings at a nominal charge.

Through the Outreach Program, a Mohican staff member can share many unusual and unique aspects of outdoor/environmental eduaction at your facility. In the past, Mohican has participated in library summer programs, bird lovers' seminars, Right-to-Read Week and has also received a grant to conduct a district-wide raptor program. The school has worked in the areas of adult outreach with service clubs, garden clubs, and others.

With the help of some very generous individual donors, organizations, schools, and foundations from several counties, the Mohican Environmental Learning Center is being developed to complement the program and curriculum -- where people of all ages can come, learn about the natural environment, and evaluate ways to live lightly on the land.