Outdoor Education in Montgomery County

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2010
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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
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Overview

• What is outdoor education ?
• What will I be doing when Im there?
• What will I see when Im there ?

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When you hear Outdoor Education, what do you
think of ?

• Campfires, games and singing
• Kids sharing meals, doing k-p, crafts, etc.
• Kids having fun
• Recreational activities

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Its a fun way to learn in the out of doors...
you may not realize how much youre learning!
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Residential Outdoor Education

• You will be staying at one of three sites for 3
  days and two nights.
• You will be participating in outdoor activities
  whatever the weather.
• Whether you go in spring, winter or fallbe
  prepared!

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Instructional Activities

• You will have the opportunity to participate in a
  variety of activities.

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Watershed Study

• You may explore the watershed and learn your
  place in it.
• You may collect and analyze data to determine
  stream health.

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Predator/Prey

• You will experience predator/prey relationships
• You will participate in a simulation activity and
  collect data based on that experience
• You will then analyze the data to better
  understand the roles of animals in the food chain

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Orienteering

• Working with a team, you will find orienteering
  poles located at various places at the outdoor
  education site.
• You may use topographic maps, compasses and maybe
  even GPS units to navigate.

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Forest Community

• You will become aware of what a forest is and
  learn about why forests are important to us.
• During forest exploration you might study unique
  trees, identify trees, explore leaf and soil
  samples.

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Wildlife

• You 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.

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Weather

• You may collect weather data at different
  locations at the outdoor education site.
• You will use weather instruments, interpret data,
  and make a weather forecast that you share with
  your team!

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Local History

• Each site has its own unique history to be
  explored.
• Observation and small group discussion may give
  you a glimpse of past customs and ways of life.

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Confidence Course

• Each center has a confidence course designed to
  challenge you mentally and physically.
• All activities are designed to increase
  confidence and to promote teamwork.

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Outdoor Education Preparation
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What to Pack

• Sturdy footwear
• Extra pair of boots/sneakers
• Hat
• SPF/Sun Block
• Jacket
• Sweatshirts
• Long pants or jeans
• Pajamas
• Shirts

• Socks (lots!)
• Underwear
• Waterproof raincoat or poncho
• Sheets and blanket or sleeping bag, pillow
• Toiletry items
• First Day Bag Lunch (no glass bottles)

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What You Might Pack

• Shorts for rec time
• Binoculars
• Disposable (recycling) camera
• Compass
• Flashlight
• Lip balm
• Insect repellant (non-aerosol)

• Slippers
• Shower cap
• Flip-flops or sandals for shower use
• Stationary and stamps
• Pen or pencil
• Watch

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What NOT to Pack

• Electronic devices- Cell phones, IPODS, handheld
  game systems.
• Aerosol Sprays
• Firearms
• Knives

• Hair dryers/curling irons
• Matches
• Money
• Glass bottles
• Gum, candy, or food

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Forms you need to make sure your parents have
filled out and signed!!! Permission
Medical
Be sure to bring these to school as soon as they
are completed!
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Outdoor Education at the Smith Center
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CABINS
There are 8 cabins. Twenty people can sleep in
each cabin.
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Inside Your Cabin
Classroom
Bunks
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Bathrooms
Running water, flush toilets, private showers!
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Dining Hall
Eight people at each table, everyone gets to be a
KP. Will you win the Silver Spoon Award?
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The Smith Center has a planetarium where you will
study the stars!
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The Nurses Office
Just like at school!
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You will study

• Astronomy
• Ecology
• Geology
• Exploring the environment with technology (GPS)
• Patterns of Settlement (Social Studies Unit 1)
• Or any other topic that your
• teachers have planned for you.

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First day Schedule

• 930 AM Leave Sligo
• 1000 AM Hike In
• 1030 1200 PM Orientation to Smith Center
• 1200 1230 PM Lunch
• 1230 100 PM Cabin Info Cabin Setup
• 130 400 PM Instructional Groups
• 400 445 PM Recreation Time
• 500 600 PM Dinner
• 600 930 PM Evening Activities
• 1015 PM Lights Out

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Second day schedule

• 700 AM Rise and Shine
• 800 845 AM Breakfast
• 900 920 AM Clean cabins
• 930 1230 PM Instructional Groups
• 1200 1245 PM Lunch
• 130 400 PM Instructional Groups
• 400 445 PM Recreation
• 500 600 PM Dinner
• 600 800 PM SSL Activities
• 800 1030 PM Evening Activities
• 1100 Lights Out

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Third Day Schedule

• 700 800 AM Rise and Shine
• 800 845 AM Breakfast
• 900 920 AM Clean cabins
• 930 1100 AM Instructional Groups
• 1100 - 1130 AM Lunch
• 1130 1230 PM Thank yous
• 1230 Load Buses to return to Sligo.
• 100 PM Parents Must Make Arrangements to have
  Students Picked Up Promptly at 100pm.

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FAQs from parents

• How much does it cost ?
• What happens if my child get sick or hurt?
• How can I help?
• When does my child go to Outdoor Ed?
• Any other questions?

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Are there any questions?
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• Americans have long thought that nature could
  take care of itself-or that, if it did not, the
  consequences were someone elses problem. As
  we know now, that assumption was wrong, none of
  us is a stranger to environmental
  problems. -Jimmy Carter, 39th president