Mesa Valley County School District 51, Gateway, CO
Others | Wilderness | Learning | Self
Explore the concept renderings of the future Outdoor Wilderness Lab at Wildwood. Created by an outside designer, François Crucifix these images illustrate our vision—from what the campus will look like in its first year to how it will transform and expand by year five.
Vision for OWL @ Wildwood
Mesa County Valley School District 51
Wildwood
Nestled at the foot of the Colorado National Monument, the Outdoor Wilderness Lab reimagines outdoor education for Mesa County Valley School District 51. This project brings science and discovery to life, offering students and teachers an inspiring space to learn, explore, and connect with nature. The renderings showcase both the near-term camp setup and the long-term vision — a sustainable, low-impact campus that harmonizes modern design with the beauty of the Grand Valley landscape.
A Site that Mirrors Western Colorado’s
Natural Diversity
Proposed School Year: 2026–2027
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Goal: Relocate OWL to D51’s Wilwood property to continue delivering high-quality, transformative outdoor education experiences for all students in the Grand Valley.
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Programming: Approximately 800–1000 6th-grade students
Trip length: 2.5 days (Mon–Wed or Wed–Fri), including overnight stay
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Group sizes: 25–50 students per trip
Staff ratio: 4:1 (student to staff)
Curriculum: 10–15 lessons focused on outdoor science, social-emotional learning, and conservation
Quiet hours: 9:30 p.m. – 7:00 a.m.
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Facilities: (Temporary 2026–2027)Tents, restroom trailers, awnings, and outdoor classrooms Access to Colorado National Monument's existing trail system (walkable from OWL campus)
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Timeline:
-Fall Season: Sept– Nov
-Spring Season: Mar – May​
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Looking Ahead: Could Wilwood be a long-term home for OWL beyond 2026–2027?
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Future locations must be accessible, sustainable, and well integrated with the broader community.
Transformative Educational Experiences
Outdoor Science | Social - Emotional Learning | Conservation
Preserving the Quiet and Wild Character of the Site
2026-2027
Temporary, adaptable, low impact facilities
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Beyond
Evolving Toward Permanent Sustainable Infrastructure
Continuing a low-impact sustainable future
Artist's note:​
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This project is an illustrative study created to explore the natural and educational potential of the Outdoor Wilderness Lab site to accommodate students, teachers, and staff in an immersive outdoor learning environment. The visuals are intended to support conceptual understanding and storytelling. They do not represent architectural plans or construction documentation in any form.
-François Crucifix