An Outdoor Classroom to prepare pre-service and in-service teachers to utilize vital natural resources as an outdoor laboratory was established in 1974 by Elizabeth City State University. Because of its proximity to the Great Dismal Swamp and the Atlantic, the university's geographical location made it especially suitable for such a course of study. The classroom area involves a 15-acre tract of wooded land containing many unusual growth patterns of plants, relics of Indian culture, and an abundance of resource material, including a weather station, swamp, pond, stream, and many plant and tree varieties. Students are guided in procedures to be utilized in the selection of study areas, trail markings, plant identification, plant successions, soil profiles, soil testing, and the relationship of abiotic and biotic factors. Some of the stated goals of the Outdoor Classroom are (1) to serve as a laboratory for biological, physical and social sciences as well as the humanities and vocational education; (2) to assist teachers in learning to "set up" outdoor laboratories; (3) to provide an economic "hands on" source of teaching materials; and (4) to assist public school classes and other organizations in acquiring increased knowledge of the environment. Outdoor experiences for community groups and classes from kindergarten through college have been provided and the Outdoor Classroom has done much to establish vitally needed rapport with the public schools and the community at large. (DS)