More than 11,500 students, teachers, and chaperones participated in WOLF School’s outdoor education programs in 2025, highlighting the growing demand for hands-on learning in nature.

APTOS, Calif., June 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Across California and beyond, teachers, parents, and school leaders are increasingly recognizing what outdoor educators have long known: when students spend meaningful time learning in nature, they thrive.

Web of Life Field School (WOLF School), a California outdoor science school that has connected thousands of K–12 students with the natural world since 1989, is encouraging schools and families to consider outdoor education programs and nature-based summer camps as powerful opportunities for young people to grow academically, socially, and emotionally.

In 2025 alone, WOLF School served more than 11,500 students, teachers, and chaperones from 178 public and private schools through its outdoor science, environmental education, and marine conservation programs. Operating four year-round Northern California campuses and four distinct summer camp programs, WOLF School continues to expand opportunities for young people to learn through direct experience in the natural world.

Whether exploring a redwood forest, investigating local tidepool ecosystems, or working together to solve challenges, students in outdoor education programs gain more than scientific knowledge—they build confidence, curiosity, resilience, and a stronger sense of connection to each other and the world around them.

“At WOLF School, we see young people at their best,” said Desiree Gant, WOLF Associate Director. “When students have the opportunity to learn outdoors, they become engaged, curious, collaborative, and confident. Nature creates space for discovery—not only of science concepts, but of their own strengths and potential.”

Why Outdoor Education Matters

Outdoor environmental education offers students experiences that complement and enhance traditional classroom learning through:

Hands-on, inquiry-based science learningMeaningful opportunities for teamwork and collaborationConfidence-building challenges in supportive environmentsStronger connections to nature, community, and selfExperiences that encourage curiosity, creativity, and problem-solving

Research and educator observations consistently show that experiential learning in natural settings helps students deepen their understanding of academic concepts while developing valuable life skills that support success both in and out of the classroom.

As schools continue to prioritize student engagement, social-emotional learning, and hands-on science education, outdoor learning experiences are becoming an increasingly valuable complement to classroom instruction.

Learning That Stays With Students

At WOLF School, students participate in immersive, standards-based science programs led by trained naturalist teachers. Through field investigations, environmental stewardship activities, and shared community experiences, students develop a deeper appreciation for the interconnectedness of life and their role within it.

The impact is reflected in the experiences of participating students and educators. Teachers frequently report that after their students attend outdoor education experiences, they:

Increased student engagementStronger classroom communitiesRenewed enthusiasm for learning

One attending teacher shared, “Students gained confidence in their own nature skills and brought that with them back to our school community. They learned and appreciated nature and had a great time!”

Students often describe their time at science camp as one of the most memorable and meaningful experiences of their school years, while adult participants consistently praise the quality of instruction and mentorship. As one chaperone noted, “We were amazed by the energy and enthusiasm of the naturalists!”

“Outdoor education gives students a chance to see themselves in a new light,” said Gant. “They discover that they can lead, contribute, solve problems, and make meaningful connections with others. Those lessons stay with them long after camp ends.”

Opportunities for Schools and Youth Groups

Outdoor education programs like WOLF School serve:

Schools seeking engaging, standards-based science learning experiencesYouth organizations and retreat groups looking for impactful group programsFamilies interested in enriching nature and science-based summer camp experiences

Programs are designed to be accessible and adaptable for a wide range of ages, abilities, and learning styles, ensuring that every student has the opportunity to learn, explore, and succeed.

Now Booking for the 2026–2027 School Year

With limited space available across multiple Northern California camp locations, teachers and administrators are encouraged to explore program options early. Reservations are often made up to a year in advance.

To learn more or reserve a program, visit www.wolfschool.org.

About WOLF School

WOLF School is an outdoor environmental education organization offering immersive, standards-based science programs for K–12 students and nature-based recreational summer camps at four Northern California campuses. Through hands-on learning in natural environments, WOLF School inspires curiosity, builds confidence, strengthens relationships, and fosters lifelong connections to the natural world.

Contact: Heather Butler, Director of WOLF School, 831-431-0669, hbutler@wolfschool.org

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SOURCE WOLF School

Key highlights:

Ellucian was recognized among the world’s top outsourcing service providers and advisors in the IAOP® (International Association of Outsourcing Professionals) Global 100.The company was honored in the Leader category and received All Star distinctions across all four judging areas.The recognition highlights Ellucian’s innovation, customer impact and commitment to operational excellence.

RESTON, Va., June 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Ellucian, the leading higher education technology solutions provider, announced it has been named to the 2026 IAOP® Global 100 list, presented by the International Association of Outsourcing Professionals (IAOP®), which recognizes organizations delivering exceptional customer outcomes, operational excellence, innovation and measurable business impact across the global services ecosystem. Ellucian was recognized in the Leader category among the world’s top outsourcing service providers and advisors and earned All Star distinctions across all key performance areas of Customer References, Awards & Certifications, Programs for Innovation, and Programs for Corporate Social Responsibility.

Recognition Reflects Innovation and Customer Impact

“Higher education is at a pivotal moment where technology strategy must do more than support day-to-day operations — it must actively shape institutional transformation,” said Danna Gianforte, Vice President, Global Services Innovation, Ellucian. “At Ellucian, we are helping institutions modernize their technology foundation while planning for the future through intentional automation, AI-aligned innovation, and scalable SaaS solutions that unlock new levels of agility and performance. This recognition from IAOP reflects our unmatched commitment to delivering not just technology, but meaningful outcomes — enabling institutions to operate with greater clarity, empower faculty and staff, and ultimately elevate the student experience in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.”

Ellucian’s recognition reflects the company’s continued investment in AI-powered solutions, SaaS transformation, and managed services that help institutions modernize operations, improve efficiency and support student success.

Independent Evaluation Highlights Industry Leadership

“The 2026 Global 100 recognizes organizations that are redefining what excellence looks like in today’s global business ecosystem,” said Debi Hamill, CEO, IAOP®. “We are pleased to recognize Ellucian for delivering measurable value, embracing innovation, and demonstrating leadership across governance, talent, and social impact.”

Ellucian achieved an overall score of 7.75 out of 8, exceeding the 2026 applicant pool average of 6.94. The evaluation includes an independent review process by IAOP customer and academic judges with extensive experience selecting and managing outsourcing service providers and advisors.

To see the full list, visit: https://www.iaop.org/Content/19/165/5912.
To learn more about Ellucian, visit: https://www.ellucian.com/.

WHAT IS IAOP® AND THE IAOP GLOBAL 100
IAOP® is the professional association for outsourcing and global sourcing professionals. We connect the buyside, partner providers, advisors, and other leaders through education, thought leadership, events, and a collaborative community focused on better business and societal outcomes. Learn more at www.IAOP.org.

Now in its 20th year, the IAOP Global 100 is IAOP®’s annual listing recognizing the world’s leading outsourcing service providers and advisors. The IAOP Global 100 serves as a trusted resource for organizations seeking high-performing partners across a broad range of outsourcing and global services.

Companies of all sizes are eligible to apply. IAOP® membership is not required and does not influence selection. Final inclusion is based on a rigorous, independent evaluation of customer value, innovation, industry recognition, and social impact.

WHAT IS ELLUCIAN
Ellucian powers innovation for higher education, partnering with approximately 3,000 customers across 50 countries, serving more than 21 million students. Ellucian’s AI-powered platform, trained on the richest dataset available in higher education, drives efficiency, personalized experiences, and strengthened engagement for all students, faculty and staff. Fueled by decades of experience with a singular focus on the unique needs of learning institutions, the Ellucian platform features best-in-class SaaS capabilities and delivers insights needed now and into the future. These solutions and services span the entire student lifecycle, including data-rich tools for student recruitment, enrollment, and retention to workforce analytics, fundraising, and alumni engagement. Ellucian’s innovative solutions, vast ecosystem of partners and user community of more than 45,000 provides best practices leading to greater institutional success and achieving better student outcomes.

Media Contacts:
Greg Giangrande, Chief Marketing Officer
Greg.Giangrande@Ellucian.com

Jess Weston, Manager, Communications
Jess.Weston@Ellucian.com

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SOURCE Ellucian

New playbook from the AI Communications Firm details how Rhode, Merit, and CeraVe are eating shelf space at Sephora and Ulta — and why a 100-creator quarterly program is now structurally invisible.

NEW YORK, July 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — 5W, the AI communications firm, today released The 1,000-Creator Playbook for Beauty 2026, a strategic framework for skincare, haircare, cosmetics, and fragrance brands competing in what is now the most saturated creator content category in America.

The playbook documents that more than 30,000 beauty brands now operate on TikTok Shop — up from near zero two years ago — and the category accounts for roughly 22.5% of TikTok Shop’s global GMV. CeraVe alone has seen 55.5% GMV growth year-to-date through creator-led activation. Half of social shoppers report buying a beauty product because of a creator.

The central finding: the seeding scale that previously defined a category leader — 100 creators per quarter — is no longer visible in TikTok feeds. Brands taking share are running 1,000-plus creators per quarter, with dedicated dermfluencer relationship programs, FDA-compliant claim libraries built for scale, and retail buyer pitches that lead with TikTok Shop velocity data rather than founder narratives.

“Beauty buyers at Sephora and Ulta are pulling TikTok Shop GMV trends, dermfluencer endorsement logs, and Amazon review velocity before they walk into the meeting,” said Ronn Torossian, founder of 5W. “If your brand still leads with the founder story, you’re losing the room before you open your mouth. The category went from narrative-first to data-first, and most beauty brands haven’t restructured for it.”

The playbook outlines six shifts reshaping beauty growth in 2026:

Creator seeding scale moved from 100 to 1,000 per quarterThe dermfluencer economy is now beauty’s credibility infrastructureSephora and Ulta buyers lead with velocity data, not narrativesCelebrity beauty and founder-led beauty require inverted creator strategiesFDA compliance is a 1,000-creator operations problem, not a legal review oneAI search (ChatGPT, Perplexity, Claude, Gemini) is now the first step in beauty discovery

Three case studies anchor the playbook: Rhode (acquired by e.l.f. Beauty for approximately $1 billion in May 2025), Merit, and CeraVe — each illustrating a distinct strategic path. The playbook closes with a seven-step 90-day plan for founders, CMOs, and brand leaders building creator operations at category scale.

The full playbook is free to download at: https://www.5wpr.com/research/beauty-1000-creator-playbook-2026/

About 5W

5W is the AI Communications Firm — building brand authority across the platforms where decisions now happen: ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, Gemini, and Google AI Overviews, alongside earned media, digital, and influencer channels. 5W combines public relations, digital marketing, Generative Engine Optimization (GEO), and proprietary AI visibility research to help clients measure and grow their presence in AI-driven buyer research.

Founded in 2002, 5W is recognized as a Top U.S. PR Agency by O’Dwyer’s, named Agency of the Year in the American Business Awards®, honored as a 2026 Top Place to Work in Communications by Ragan, and named to Digiday’s WorkLife Employer of the Year list. 5W serves clients across B2C sectors — Beauty & Fashion, Consumer Brands, Entertainment, Food & Beverage, Health & Wellness, Travel & Hospitality, Technology, and Nonprofit — and B2B specialties including Corporate Communications, Reputation Management, Public Affairs, Crisis Communications, and Digital Marketing across Social, Influencer, Paid Media, GEO, and SEO.

Learn more at 5wpr.com

Media Contact
Chris Bergin
cbergin@5wpr.com

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SOURCE 5W Public Relations