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Experiential Learning

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At our school, learning extends far beyond textbooks — it’s active, purposeful, and connected to the real world. Every day, students engage in hands-on projects that spark curiosity and transform learning into discovery. Purposeful field experiences connect classroom lessons to the wider world, making knowledge both meaningful and memorable. And through service opportunities, students develop empathy and leadership, empowered to contribute with compassion and purpose.

I hear and I forget.  I see and I remember.  I do and I understand. 

                                                           -Confucius

The foundational years from 2½ to 14 are a period of immense growth and discovery. Children seek and retain information most effectively when they are actively engaged through hands-on learning that is connected to the real world. This is why we infuse our approach with methods that:

  • Respect Each Unique Journey
  • Foster Lifelong Curiosity
  • Cultivate Global Citizens

Experiential Learning is academically viewed as an ongoing cycle described in the Kolb Cycle by which students:

  • Think Critically
  • Reflect Deeply
  • Innovate & Problem-Solve

In additional to the daily experiential activities in and out of the classroom, students engage in field trips, host guest speakers, travel for outdoor education, and more.

Female preschool student working with plants.
Two boys looking at a tomato
Preschool students sitting with their backs to the camera looking out over a lake.
Students and teacher hovering over clipboard outside.
A young girl wearing a protective beekeeping suit smiles brightly while surrounded by other children in a grassy outdoor setting.
A young person is intently working on a laptop surrounded by various objects and materials, suggesting an academic or creative project.
A large group of young people, both male and female, standing together in front of the iconic White House building in Washington, D.C.
Two young boys playing on a playground equipment made of pipes and wood, surrounded by trees and a building in the background.
Two people, a man and a woman, are working in a community garden, tending to the plants in raised garden beds surrounded by a fence and trees in the background.
The image shows a person in a black shirt and apron working on a craft project involving a clear container and various materials on a wooden table, with other people visible in the background.
A group of students, some using laptops, sitting at desks in a classroom setting with colorful walls and posters in the background.
Two individuals, a young woman and a young man, are engaged in a hands-on activity, likely an educational or creative task, in what appears to be a classroom or workshop setting with various supplies and materials visible in the background.
A young boy in a colorful costume is painting on a large canvas on the wall, surrounded by other artworks and people in the background.
A young woman wearing a red helmet and safety gear is making a peace sign while standing on a wooden platform in an outdoor setting with mountains and trees in the background.
A group of children are working together to assemble and decorate a cardboard box in what appears to be a classroom or educational setting, with various supplies and materials visible in the background.
Two young girls in colorful clothing are exploring a fallen tree trunk in a forested area with pine trees in the background.
A young boy with blond hair is smiling and standing in front of a wooden structure, likely a play area or outdoor classroom, with various objects and materials visible in the background.
A group of young children, wearing aprons, are happily engaged in a cooking or baking activity at a table in what appears to be a classroom or daycare setting.
Two young girls in school uniforms are working together on a craft project, using a piece of cardboard and what appears to be markers or colored pencils. The classroom setting with desks and shelves in the background suggests an educational environment.
Two children, a boy and a girl, are sitting on stairs playing with a colorful toy spring.

Classroom Projects

Every day, students engage in hands-on projects that spark curiosity and transform learning into discovery.

Field Trips

 
Purposeful field experiences connect classroom lessons to the wider world, making knowledge both meaningful and memorable.

Community Service

Service opportunities nurture empathy and leadership, empowering students to contribute with compassion and purpose.

Exploration Week

Exploration Week occurs in May and is filled with field trips, overnights, and on campus exploration depending on the grade. Details below.
Outdoor Education Trips

Outdoor Education trips are a long-standing tradition at BCD for 5th - 8th grade students. Designed to extend learning beyond the classroom, these programs immerse students in Colorado’s natural landscapes—encouraging curiosity, teamwork, and self-discovery through hands-on exploration. Outdoor Education at BCD not only connects students to the environment but also reinforces the school’s mission to prepare adaptable, empathetic, and globally aware citizens who understand their place in—and responsibility to—the wider world.

Exploration Week

Exploration Week was designed to empower and inspire all BCD students for 2 ½-years to 8th grade to see and live in to their ability to change the world.

Preschool - 4th grade will dive into innovative, on-campus projects and exciting local excursions. Through collaborative, cross-grade initiatives and interdisciplinary problem-solving units, they’ll tackle real-world questions, spark their innate curiosity, and develop a foundational understanding of community impact.
 
Fifth - 8th grade will expand their horizons through curated domestic trips designed to challenge their intellect and broaden their perspectives, offering deep dives into pivotal moments in U.S. history, pioneering areas of study, and critical issues shaping global change. It’s an opportunity for them to develop adaptability, cultivate leadership, and connect their learning to the broader world, preparing them to navigate and shape the future with confidence and vision.
Students in front of the Washington monument
May 11th-15th, 2026
5 & 6th grade - Crow Canyon Archeological Center in Cortez, CO - $1,300

7th grade - Civil Rights Movement in Atlanta, GA and Birmingham, AL - $3,429

8th grade - Washington, D.C. - $3,249

5th-8th Local Trip - Exploring the Front Range - $850

The local trip is an option for students who choose to attend or who cannot travel on the other trips due to health, medical, or personal reasons. The Front Range trip will have a unifying theme connected to the school’s mission and vision and will include local excursions, guest speakers, and interactive projects for students. No overnight will be required.

Please Note: Because financial assistance is offered to all who qualify for the grade-specific trips, we hope they will be families’ primary choice. 

Financial Assistance

BCD has a long standing commitment to providing financial assistance to those families who qualify. This same commitment applies to Exploration Week, removing financial barriers so that our 5th - 8th grade students can participate in these important travel opportunities. Click here for our guidelines and procedures for applying.