Basic steps in planning outdoor education day camping programs are outlined to assist and to serve as a planning guide for teachers. Day camping programs are defined as usually consisting of an outdoor grade level environmental activity which provides all students within a particular grade the opportunity to be exposed to outdoor environmental learning experiences. The program planning is discussed in terms of (1) the organizational process: determining the curriculum content for the day camping program, incorporating a multi-disciplinary approach to program planning, and implementing the instructional program and schedule within a structured time period; (2) the orientation programs; and (3) the school policy. In the concluding comments it is stated that the day camping experiences provide the student with a greater appreciation and understanding of the local environmental problems that are in existence closer to home. An 11-item bibliography is provided. (FF)