What Is Outdoor Education?
Outdoor Education is a three-day, two-night camping experience where students will be engaged in a variety of outdoor activities. The activities included in our Outdoor Education program are designed to promote:
· An appreciation for the outdoor experience
· A respect for the environment and an understanding of our role in protecting it
· Team building and cooperation
· A safe and positive learning environment
The Outdoor Education program will be organized and supervised by a staff of MWMS teachers/administrators and will require the participation of many parents, as well. The Outdoor Education trip has been a rich and valuable sixth grade experience since Mayfield Woods first opened its doors in 1991. We are encouraging all sixth grade students to participate in this experience. Below you will find the vital information related to this field trip. How is the Outdoor Education trip organized?
During the day, students will be grouped in co-educational groups and will rotate through a variety of activities including: canoeing, fishing, archery, pond studies, art etc. Evening activities will include a reptile show, scavenger hunt, campfire sing-along,and an evening hike. At night boys and girls will sleep on opposite sides of the camp with parents serving as cabin counselors. School and health staff will be available 24 hours a day.
When is the Outdoor Education field trip?
Students,parents, and staff will leave MWMS around 10:00 am on Wednesday, May 30 and we will return at approximately 1:30 pm on Friday, June 1.
Where will theOutdoor Education trip take place?
We will be utilizing the facilities of Summit Lake Camp in Emmitsburg, Maryland. Summit Lake Camp is a beautiful facility and is well prepared to handle school groups. All meals will be prepared by the Summit Lake Camp staff. More information regarding Summit Lake Camp is available at:
Camp Address: 7610 Hampton ValleyRoad, Emmitsburg, MD 21727 Camp Emergency Phone: (301) 271-9810
Who will be responsible for my child?
We will have a minimum fifteen teachers and staff members that will be participating in the trip. Most of the teachers involved are from the sixth grade team, but we will also have members of the seventh grade, eighth grade, and related arts teams participating. In addition, we will be bringing between 35 and 50 parents to assist with the monitoring of student groups. It is our intention to provide a chaperone to student ratio of 1:4.
What is the cost of this trip?
The all-inclusive trip will cost students $100. This will pay for room and meals at the camp, bus transportation, snacks, and supplies/equipment needed for trip. While we believe that this is a great value for the money, we understand that the cost is significant. As a result, we have put in place optionsto help make the cost of the experience a bit more affordable: · Payment Plan- While parents can
certainly make a one time payment to cover the costof the trip, we do offer the option of making two payments, instead. The first payment of $50.00 would be due March 30 and the second payment of $50.00 would be due May 4 if you are paying by check or May 11 if you are paying with cash.
· Fundraisers-We have already had one fundraiser in which students were able to earn $5.00 toward their trip for every item sold. We are offering students a second opportunity to earn money toward theirtrip during the month of February. Packets and information about the fundraiser are available through Mr.MacGregor.
o Note: If you are planning to do the February fundraiser, do not send in anystudent payment until after the fundraiser collection period is over.
· Scholarships- Should students not earn enough through the fundraisers to cover the entire cost of the trip, we do have a limited amount of scholarship money. If you would like to apply for scholarship assistance please contact either Tim Pruett (teacher-in-charge) or JoAnn Hutchens (principal) in writing before the deadline of May 4.
Do we need parent chaperones on this trip?
Yes! Parents play a vital role in this trip. In fact, without parental support, we would not be able togo. If you are interested in chaperoning the trip, please make sure you read and complete the chaperone interest form available with this packet. We need equal numbers of male and female chaperones. Please understand, that due to county policy we can only take parents or legal guardians as chaperones.
There is a $50.00 fee for all chaperones volunteering to attend. If you would like to chaperone, but have concerns about the fee, pleasecontact Tim Pruett (410) 313-5022.
What are the discipline expectations regarding this trip?
Our number one focus with the Outdoor Education program is the safety of everyone involved. In order to provide the safest environment possible, we must expect responsible and appropriate behavior from all students participating. Therefore, it is important that all sixth grade students continue to demonstrate excellent behavior during school, on buses, and during special school activities. Students who show a pattern of inappropriate behavior could present a threat to the safety of themselves or others. As a result,the administration may need to meet with parents to discuss the appropriateness of their attendance. Please reinforce with your child the importance of being a role model for their classmates and members of the Mayfield Woods community. We truly appreciate your support and hope that every sixth
grader will be able to attend Outdoor Education. If you have any questions, please contact Timothy Pruett at timothy_pruett@hcpss.orgor by phone at (410) 313-5022.
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