Outdoor Education in Montgomery County “ Nothing is real until it is experienced”

1. 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”

2. How much do you know about Outdoor Education? Outdoor What? I have heard some I could take over for one of the teachers!

3. Do you know when your child is going on Outdoor Education- with the Explorers on November 15th or with the Navigators on November 17th • Yes • No

4. Have you had children in the past go to Outdoor Education? Yes No

5. How does Outdoor Education fit in with academic learning? It ties into the MCPS curriculum It ties into the MCPS curriculum and MYP It is a field trip- the students go and have fun

6. Are you nervous • about sending your child • on the Outdoor Education • field trip? • Yes, I am very nervous • I’m a little nervous • I am not nervous at all

7. What are you most nervous about? • Having your child sleep over night • The weather during Outdoor Education • Having the students outside of a typical school environment.

8. Overview • What is outdoor education ? • What are the program components and how does this work to support MCPS curricular goals ? • What other functions and opportunities do the outdoor education programs provide ?

9. 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

10. While these occur, they are not the major focus of the program...

11. What is Outdoor Education ? • Using the outdoors as a natural classroom to provide students with authentic learning opportunities and applications of classroom skills.

12. Major goals of the program • Enhance the students’ educational programs by applying the knowledge and skills acquired in the classroom to real-life situations

13. Major goals of the program • Provide students with many direct experiences in using scientific processes including observing, measuring, classifying, hypothesizing and predicting

14. Major goals of the program • Engage students with performance-based, authentic learning opportunities and experiences

15. Major goals of the program • Begin the cultivation of students’ awareness, knowledge, appreciation, and concern for their natural environment

16. Outdoor Education Programs • Residential outdoor education for students at: • Lathrop E. Smith Environmental Education Center • Summit Lake Camp • Skycroft Conference Center

17. 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 Curriculum Connections to Outdoor Education

18. 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 Curriculum Connections(continued)

19. Outdoor education learning opportunities correlate highly to performance-based learning • 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

20. Instructional Activities These Are the Areas of Study Students will Participate in at Outdoor Education

21. Watershed Study • Students explore the meaning of the watershed and learn their place in it • Collect and analyze data to determine pond health at outdoor education • Apply the techniques and knowledge to study their local stream

22. 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

23. Geo-Caching • Working as a team, students will find orienteering poles located at various places at the outdoor education site. • Students utilize topographic maps, compasses and GPS units to navigate.

24. 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.

25. Night Time Activities Campfire Night Hike Recreation Time Journal Writing

26. Outdoor Education Preparation

27. Sturdy footwear 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 (no glass bottles) What to Pack

28. Shorts for rec time Binoculars Disposable (recycling) camera Compass Flashlight Lip balm, sunscreen Insect repellant (non-aerosol) Slippers Shower cap Flip-flops or sandals for shower use Stationary and stamps Pen or pencil Watch What You Might Pack

29. Electronic devices Aerosol Sprays Curling Irons Firearms Knives Hair dryers Matches Money Glass bottles Gum, candy, or food What NOT to Pack

30. Forms Needed:PermissionMedical • Expectations • Anaphylaxis (Epi-Pen) if needed • $76 Course Fee

31. Outdoor Education at the Smith Center

32. CABINS

33. Cabin Interior Classroom Bunks

34. Bathrooms

35. Planetarium

36. Dining Hall

37. Nurse’s Office

39. Questions