Experiential & Outdoor Learning

The idea of extending the borders of the traditional classroom is deeply entrenched at Baylor. From a class lesson at our on-campus solar farm to Walkabout's lessons of the great outdoors, Baylor's experiential opportunities are an important part of our overall academic program.

Some examples include:

  • Baylor maintains academic relationships with dozens of Chattanooga organizations. Examples include an aquatic summer camp with the Tennessee Aquarium, funded by the National Science Foundation.
  • Science classes take advantage of an organic garden and solar farm located on campus.
  • The nearby Williams Island (a short boat trip from campus) offers hands-on learning in archaeology, ornithology, and environmental science.
  • Our global classroom includes art trips to Europe, Walkabout trips to India and Panama, and service trips to Jamaica.
  • A community service effort originated in 1979 is one of the few in the country to offer a grant-writing course through which students obtain funding for special programs for the children they tutor throughout the city.
  • Middle School student adviser groups participate in community service projects at the Chattanooga Area Food Bank throughout the year.
  • Our outdoor program (Walkabout) began in 1975 and is highly regarded nationwide.
  • On the annual Freshman Trip guides the entire class through two days and nights of outdoor activities and the opportunity to relax together.
  • Leadership Baylor offers off-campus experiential days for the sophomore and junior classes.
  • Seniors spend the last six days of their Baylor careers on a wilderness adventure instead of taking final exams. When the trip began in the early 1970s it was radical (it still is).
  • Students in Form and Function class are introduced to woodworking by contracting building projects for the Baylor community.
  • Students in advanced acting classes practice "One-Acts" in the quad -- a series of self-directed plays that are eventually presented in the Roddy Theatre.

    For more information about travel opportunities at Baylor, click here.