Certainly a unique part of the Cascades Academy curriculum is our commitment to community service. Most of our students will donate at least 30 volunteer hours to our community each year.

Our middle school students have worked with several Central Oregon organizations this year with a focus on environmental stewardship.

In addition, students paint ceramic bowls for Empty Bowls, a soup lunch event which raises money for a different Central Oregon non-profit organization every year.

Restoration of Wychus Creek with the Deschutes Land Trust

Since 2009 the middle school students of CACO have been helping with the Deschutes Land Trust's restoration project of Whychus Creek. In the video below, students help with planting in preparation for the redirection of the stream in future years.

This is a great example of experiential learning - as Dr. Eklund says in the video, "they'll remember this for the rest of their lives."