Outdoor Education in Montgomery County “ Nothing is real until it is experienced” “Providing opportunities for all students in Montgomery County to engage in authentic learning outside of the four walls of the classroom”

Introductions Karin Wade, 6 th grade Team Leader, math teacher and SMS Outdoor Education Coordinator Joan Shane, 6 th grade Team Leader, math teacher and SMS Outdoor Education Coordinator Marion Finkbinder, 6 th grade Administrator

“Nothing is real until it is experienced” Dates December 3-5 December 5-7 **Details to come regarding your child’s date.

“Nothing is real until it is experienced” Overview What is outdoor education ? What are the program components and how does this work to support MCPS curricular goals ? Nuts and Bolts of Outdoor Education for your child Question/Answer Time

“Nothing is real until it is experienced” Questions? If we do not answer your question during the presentation, PLEASE write the following information on an index card: –Your question –your name –child’s name – or phone number so we may contact you

“Nothing is real until it is experienced” When you hear Outdoor Education, what do you think of ? The word “camp” Campfires, games and singing Kids sharing meals, doing k-p, crafts, etc. Kids having fun Recreational activities

“Nothing is real until it is experienced” While these occur, they are not the major focus of the program...

“Nothing is real until it is experienced” What is Outdoor Education ? Using the outdoors as a natural classroom to provide students with authentic learning opportunities and applications of classroom skills.

“Nothing is real until it is experienced” Major goals of the program Make the students’ educational programs more meaningful by applying the knowledge and skills acquired in the classroom to real-life situations

“Nothing is real until it is experienced” Major goals of the program Provide students with many direct experiences in using scientific processes including observing, measuring, classifying, hypothesizing and predicting

“Nothing is real until it is experienced” Major goals of the program Engage students with performance- based, authentic learning opportunities and experiences

“Nothing is real until it is experienced” Major goals of the program Begin the cultivation of students’ awareness, knowledge, appreciation, and concern for their natural environment

“Nothing is real until it is experienced” Outdoor Education Programs Residential outdoor education for students at: Lathrop E. Smith Environmental Education Center Summit Lake Camp Skycroft Conference Center

“Nothing is real until it is experienced” Residential Outdoor Education Supports and extends the enduring understandings for science Provides applications of the scientific inquiry method Uses appropriate technology ( GPS units, data bases, Automated Weather Systems ) Supports use of mathematics as a tool to solve everyday problems

“Nothing is real until it is experienced” Residential Outdoor Education (continued) Provides practice with proportions, data and statistics, measurement and geometric concepts Provides students with opportunities to address the four processes of balanced literacy program: listening, speaking, reading and writing Facilitates student collaboration Provides leadership opportunities

“Nothing is real until it is experienced” Outdoor education learning opportunities correlate highly to performance-based learning... Outdoor Education... Is multidisciplinary Combines independent and cooperative learning Emphasizes authentic learning experiences Increases students’ background knowledge Involves prediction, application and extension of classroom knowledge Provides authentic assessment opportunities

“Nothing is real until it is experienced” Outdoor education learning opportunities correlate highly to performance-based learning (continued) Performance based learning... Integrates all disciplines: reading, writing, science, math and social studies Combines independent and cooperative activities Emphasizes authentic problem solving and solutions Provides content and assesses student skills and critical thinking

“Nothing is real until it is experienced” Your Children will be BUSY! Day Classes –Watershed Study –Predatory Prey –Student Service Learning –Confidence Course Evening Classes –Night Hike –Campfire –Pictionary –Craft

“Nothing is real until it is experienced” Watershed Study Students explore the meaning of the watershed and learn their place in it Collect and analyze data to determine stream health at outdoor education Apply the techniques and knowledge to study their local stream

“Nothing is real until it is experienced” Predator/Prey Students will research predator/prey relationships At outdoor education students will participate in a simulation activity and collect data based on their experience Students will analyze the data to better understand the roles of animals in the food chain

“Nothing is real until it is experienced” Student Service Learning All students must earn 75 service learning hours to graduate from an MCPS high school Students are supposed to earn 10 hours in 6 th grade. Part of the 10 hours will be earned at Outdoor Education by doing various service projects

“Nothing is real until it is experienced” Confidence Course Each center has a confidence course comprised of mentally and physically challenging events. All activities are designed to increase confidence, promote teamwork, and improve human relations.

“Nothing is real until it is experienced” Forest Community Students will increase their awareness and appreciation of the total forest community During forest exploration the students will study unique trees, identify trees, explore leaf and soil samples.

“Nothing is real until it is experienced” Wildlife Students will be involved in a series of outdoor activities focusing on various aspects of the wildlife community. These might include simulation games, hikes observing evidence of wildlife, surveys, and studies of animal adaptation.

“Nothing is real until it is experienced” Weather Students may collect authentic weather data at a variety of locations at each outdoor education site. Students will gain experience using weather-related instruments, interpreting data, and making a weather forecast.

“Nothing is real until it is experienced” Outdoor Education Preparation

“Nothing is real until it is experienced” What to Pack Sturdy shoes (2 pairs) Hat Gloves or mittens (cold weather) Jacket Sweatshirts Sweaters Long pants or jeans Pajamas Shirts Socks (lots!) Underwear Waterproof raincoat or poncho Sheets and blanket or sleeping bag, pillow Toiletry items Bag lunch for day 1 (no glass bottles)

“Nothing is real until it is experienced” What You Might Pack Disposable (recycling) camera Lip balm, sunscreen Insect repellant (non- aerosol) Blow dryer (one per cabin) Slippers Shower cap Flip-flops or sandals for shower use Stationary and stamps Pen or pencil Watch Book to read

“Nothing is real until it is experienced” What NOT to Pack Electronic devices (including CELL PHONES) Aerosol Sprays Curling Irons Firearms Matches Money Glass bottles Gum, candy, or food Knives Flashlights

“Nothing is real until it is experienced” Forms Needed: Permission Medical

“Nothing is real until it is experienced” Permission Slip due by 11/9/12 Don’t forget tetanus shot date and dietary restrictions

“Nothing is real until it is experienced” Cost of trip is $76 Includes food (except for Day one lunch which can be bought from SMS cafeteria), lodging, and insurance Payment plans (3 payments, 2 payments, etc.) If this fee creates a financial hardship, PLEASE fill out the financial aid form in the packet Chaperones are free No child should be excluded from Outdoor Education because of financial issues.

“Nothing is real until it is experienced” Medication Form—Due to SMS Nurse with medication by November 30 (One form for EACH medication)

“Nothing is real until it is experienced” Outdoor Education at the Smith Center

“Nothing is real until it is experienced” Smith Center Info (301) Meadowside Lane Rockville, MD SMS, Child’s Name, Science Teacher’s Name

“Nothing is real until it is experienced” CABINS (Boys and girls in separate cabins separated by driveway)

“Nothing is real until it is experienced” Cabin Interior Classroom Bunks (10 bunk beds in each cabin)

“Nothing is real until it is experienced” Bathrooms

“Nothing is real until it is experienced” Dining Hall

“Nothing is real until it is experienced” Nurse’s Office MCPS Nurse 8AM-5PM, “Night Nurse” 5PM-8AM

“Nothing is real until it is experienced” Staffing On site Coordinator Vice Principal Team Leader, SMS Teachers Parent Volunteers

“Nothing is real until it is experienced” We NEED Parent Volunteers! (Fill out the Parent Volunteer Form) Spend the day Spend the night and help chaperone a cabin Help with night activities (campfire, craft, etc.) Load and unload luggage bus at SMS Donate money to buy supplies Donate supplies

“Nothing is real until it is experienced” Donations Needed: (We prefer money so that one person can shop) Permanent Markers Masking Tape (to label luggage) Sandwich-sized Ziplock bags Marshmallows, graham crackers, chocolate bars for smores Thread and gimp to make friendship bracelets

“Nothing is real until it is experienced” Day of Departure Drop off child at SMS at 8:45 AM (meet in cafeteria) Cannot take the MCPS bus to SMS that day (not enough room for luggage/nobody to chaperone until 8:45) Label luggage (one bag of clothes, one bag of bedding, one bagged lunch)

“Nothing is real until it is experienced” Day of Return Students will arrive back at SMS around 1:00pm They will NOT be allowed to go into SMS PLEASE be at SMS to pick up your child or make arrangements. There will be nobody to chaperone your child after 2 PM on the day of return. We will need help unloading the luggage bus and all of our supplies Your child (and the teachers) will be tired.

“Nothing is real until it is experienced” “Americans have long thought that nature could take care of itself-or that, if it did not, the consequences were someone else’s problem. As we know now, that assumption was wrong, none of us is a stranger to environmental problems.” -Jimmy Carter, 39th president