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”

“Nothing is real until it is experienced”

How much do you know about Outdoor Education?

A.Outdoor What?B.I have heard someC.I could take over for one of

the teachers!

“Nothing is real until it is experienced”

Do you know when your child is going on Outdoor Education- with the Explorers on November 15th or with the Navigators on November 17th

A.YesB. No

“Nothing is real until it is experienced”

Have you had children in the past go to Outdoor Education?

A.YesB.No

“Nothing is real until it is experienced”

How does Outdoor Education fit in with academic learning?

A. It ties into the MCPS curriculum

B. It ties into the MCPS curriculum and MYP

C.It is a field trip- the students go and have fun

“Nothing is real until it is experienced”

Are you nervousabout sending your childon the Outdoor Educationfield trip?A.Yes, I am very nervousB. I’m a little nervousC. I am not nervous at all

“Nothing is real until it is experienced”

What are you most nervous about?

A. Having your child sleep over night

B. The weather during Outdoor Education

C. Having the students outside of a typical school environment.

“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 ?

• What other functions and opportunities do the outdoor education programs provide ?

“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• Enhance the

students’ educational programs 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”

Curriculum Connections to 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”

Curriculum Connections(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 • 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

Instructional Activities

These Are the Areas of Study Students will

Participate in at Outdoor Education

“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 pond 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”

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.

“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.

Night Time Activities

•Campfire•Night Hike•Recreation Time•Journal Writing

“Nothing is real until it is experienced”

Outdoor Education Preparation

“Nothing is real until it is experienced”

What to Pack

• 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)

“Nothing is real until it is experienced”

What You Might Pack

• 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

“Nothing is real until it is experienced”

What NOT to Pack

• Electronic devices• Aerosol Sprays• Curling Irons• Firearms• Knives

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

“Nothing is real until it is experienced”

Forms Needed: Permission Medical

•Expectations•Anaphylaxis (Epi-Pen) if needed•$76 Course Fee

“Nothing is real until it is experienced”

Outdoor Education at the Smith Center

“Nothing is real until it is experienced”

CABINS

“Nothing is real until it is experienced”

Cabin Interior

Classroom

Bunks

“Nothing is real until it is experienced”

Bathrooms

“Nothing is real until it is experienced”

Planetarium

“Nothing is real until it is experienced”

Dining Hall

“Nothing is real until it is experienced”

Nurse’s Office

“Nothing is real until it is experienced”