Outdoor Education in Montgomery County

“Nothing is real until it is experienced.”

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Cpt. Gretchen Winch - Outdoor Ed Coordinator

Ms. Hill & Ms. Howard - 6th Grade Team Leaders

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Para ESPANOL: Haga click en el icono de mundo en la parte inferior de la pantalla

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Vision

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To provide 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

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1. The “What, When, Where” of Outdoor Education
2. How Outdoor Ed supports MCPS curricular goals
3. Opportunities within the OE program
4. Packing list for students
5. Outdoor Education forms and costs
6. Drop-Off, Pick-Up, and other logistics
7. Lathrop E. Smith Center amenities

Outdoor Education Session Dates

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Session 1 - September 14 - 16, 2026

Session 2 - September 16 & 17, 2026

Session 3 - September 23 - 25, 2026

Students in Sessions (by English class)

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Session 1 - Ms. Shafer

Session 2 - Ms. Ibekwe & Ms. Sage - families may opt in to Session 2 (mark this on the permission slip)

Session 3 - Ms. Shires

Session Information

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Sessions 1 & 3 are 3-day, 2-night trips

Session 2 is a 2-day Extended Day trip

Check out the Program Comparison!

Session 2 Information

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A 2-day Extended Day trip!

For families who do not feel comfortable with the overnight stay and need transportation to & from the Smith Center

For the Extended Day, students will arrive at SSIMS both days and will be brought via MCPS bus to the Smith Center. Students will return to SSIMS

around 7:30 PM and will need to

be picked up from SSIMS.

Where is the Outdoor Ed trip?

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Lathrop E. Smith Center

5110 Meadowside Ln,

Rockville, MD 20855

Major Program Goals

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Outdoor Education Goals

To enhance students’ educational program by:

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• applying classroom skills to real-life situations
• giving direct opportunities for scientific processes
• developing social-emotional bonds through shared experiences

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Instructional Activities

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Stream Study

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Students will . . .

• Discuss how we can affect stream health
• Collect & analyze data to determine stream health
• Compare Smith Center data to Sligo Creek data

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Predator - Prey Simulation

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Students will . . .

• Simulate a food web through a competitive outdoor game
• Collect & analyze data about predator/prey relationships

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Exploring the Watershed

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Students will . . .

• Use maps & compasses to navigate
• Closely observe the natural environment

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Confidence Course

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Students will . . .

• Work collaboratively to overcome confidence course challenges
• Practice working together and completing challenges safely

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Evening Activities

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• Campfire
• Night Hike
• Animal Show
• Arts and Crafts
• Board Games

Safety & Security at the Smith Center

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• All outdoor activities are run by SSIMS teachers, & each group has at least 2 adults (with up to 25 kids).

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• All buildings at the Smith Center remain locked at all times. Only SSIMS teachers and Smith Center staff (MCPS employees) can enter with students.

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• The Smith Center has security cameras (on all buildings), a Main Office, and a nurse, just like SSIMS.

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Night Time at Outdoor Education

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• We recognize that you or your student may have concerns regarding the overnight stay at the Smith Center

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• Students stay in locked bunkhouses that are chaperoned by SSIMS staff and background-checked parent volunteers

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• We will work with your child to provide support and alleviate homesickness

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Day-Only Program (Sessions 1 & 3)

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• The overnight stay is NOT required–we offer a daytime-only option

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• Students can be picked up in the evenings and dropped off on the 2nd & 3rd mornings of the field trip

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• The Center is a 20- to 30-minute drive from SSIMS

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• We need to know in advance if (and by whom–parent, neighbor, etc.) your child is being picked up

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• There is space to include this on the permission slip

Outdoor Education Preparation

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Be prepared for ALL weather!

Packing List - LABEL JACKETS & WATER BOTTLES (first & last name)!

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• Boots/sturdy shoes
• 3-4 pairs of long pants
• 3-4 short- or long- sleeved shirts
• Pajamas
• 4-6 pairs of socks/underwear
• Jacket/sweatshirt
• Sunscreen & bug spray

• Raincoat/poncho
• Sheets/blanket OR sleeping bag
• Pillow
• Plastic bag for dirty/wet clothes
• Toiletries
• Reusable water bottle

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What NOT to Pack

• Cell phones (unless required for a medical reason)

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• Electronic devices
• Aerosol Hair Spray
• Curling Irons
• Glass Bottles
• Gum, candy, or food

• Hair dryers
• Money
• Matches/lighters
• Weapons/Firearms
• Knives (including pocket knives)

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A note about cell phones . . .

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Please have your student leave their phones at home unless there is a medical reason to carry a cell phone.

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We recognize that you may have safety concerns about your child. Students will be supervised by their own teachers during the Outdoor Ed program.

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If you need to reach your child, we will provide a Google Voice number for you to call. Parents will also receive trip updates via ParentSquare messages.

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Teachers will carry cell phones and walkie-talkies.

Permission Forms & Information

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• For parents who wish to complete the form ASAP, digital packets will be available in English & Spanish on Wednesday, 8/5.

We will share the links in the OE Zoom meetings OR you can download the packet from the SSIMS OE website (goes live on 8/5).

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• Paper copies (English & Spanish) will be available at the 8/10 in-person meeting, during the Resource Fair on 8/24, and at Back-to-School Night on 9/3.

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• ALL students will receive Outdoor Ed packets on 8/27 & 8/28 through English/EML classes

(If you submit your student’s form before then, we will not give out a duplicate form)

Permission Forms & Information

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• Permission forms DUE Friday, September 4th with a DEADLINE of Wednesday, September 9th

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• Students may turn in forms (ONLY pages 6 to 9) to their English/EML teachers (teachers collect forms daily during class) or to Cpt. Winch (the OE coordinator) in Room 305

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• Please DO NOT submit the entire packet! It includes the packing list and other important information.

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These two forms must be completed for ALL students

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Permission (Page 6)

OE Part 2 (Page 8)

Day Only Students (Sessions 1 & 3)

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Please cross out this form if your student will stay the whole time.

Day-Only Form (pg. 7)

Pick-up options:

• Before dinner
• After dinner
• After Evening Activities

Drop-off options:

• Before breakfast
• After breakfast

You may need these two forms if...

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Medication (525-13)

...your student takes medication.

… your student is at risk for anaphylaxis.

Risk of Anaphylaxis (525-14)

Please note:

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Medication (525-13)

• MCPS requires that families submit a separate medication form for every medication

• For example, a student with three medications would need three forms

Other Health-Related Items

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• Medications, including Epi-pens, must be delivered to school by an adult before departure (deadline: September 13th).

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• Medications already stored in the SSI Health Room, with current orders, (such as Epi-pens or inhalers) MAY be used for OE

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• Forms and medications must be dropped off together by an ADULT

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Cost & Scholarships

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$85.00 (Full Program) OR $43.00 (Day Only)

• We want your child to be able to attend! MCPS will cover the cost of OE for any student who cannot pay
• Pay what you can towards the program & we will cover any remaining balance.
• NO documentation or reason is needed. Simply turn in the form by itself, or with partial payment, and we will cover the cost for your child
• Online payment via SchoolCash Online is strongly preferred

Drop-Off Logistics - Sessions 1 & 3

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• Please bring students to SSIMS OR arrange for them to get a ride with a friend
• Students should arrive to school between 8:30 and 9:15 AM at the regular drop-off loop
• They MAY NOT bring luggage on MCPS school buses
• Students should bring a bagged, non-perishable lunch for the first day. Please DO NOT put the bag lunch in your student’s luggage!

Pick-Up Logistics - Sessions 1 & 3

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• Students will arrive back at SSIMS by 1:00 PM
• Students MAY NOT bring luggage home on MCPS school buses
• Please pick up your student or arrange for them to get a ride with a friend
• We need prior permission to send students home with anyone other than a legal parent or guardian
• We need prior permission for your student to walk home alone or take the Ride-On

Drop-Off - Sessions 2 (Extended Day)

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• Students may ride the regular school bus, walk, or be dropped off at SSIMS both mornings
• Students should arrive to school at the regular time (7:50 to 8:15 AM)
• Students should bring a backpack with a FULL change of clothes (including shoes), but will NOT need regular school supplies
• Please label water bottles with students’ names! They DO NOT need to bring lunches.

Pick-Up - Session 2 (Extended Day)

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• Students will arrive back at SSIMS at 7:30 PM
• We will send a Remind message when the buses leave the Smith Center at 7:00 PM
• Please pick up your student or arrange for them to get a ride with a friend
• We need prior permission to send students home with anyone other than a legal parent or guardian
• We need prior permission for your student to walk home alone or take the Ride-On

Interested in Chaperoning?

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• If you are interested, please fill out the Parent Chaperone Google Form
• We also welcome Non-Chaperone Volunteers!
• MCPS requires Smith Center chaperones be fingerprinted/background checked and receive training
• The Google Form includes a link to the MCPS parent chaperone requirements

Inclement Weather

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• MCPS plans for inclement weather:

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• If school is cancelled on first day of the program, OE will be rescheduled
• If there is a delayed opening on the first day of OE, we will go to the Smith Center two hours later than normal

Inclement Weather

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• MCPS plans for inclement weather:

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• If inclement weather is forecast during the OE program, the OEEP supervisor and school administration will work to determine the safest course of action
• If school is cancelled on the last day of the program, students will go back to SSIMS as soon as it is safe

Outdoor Ed Webpage

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All resources are available on the Outdoor Ed Webpage!

Digital PDF copies of the OE Packet may be downloaded from the website. Please email completed forms (ONLY pages 8-11) to Cpt. Winch at Gretchen_M_Winch@mcpsmd.org

Lathrop E. Smith Center Amenities

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5110 Meadowside Ln,

Rockville, MD 20855

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CABINS

Dining Hall

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Bathrooms

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• Showers are single-stall with a curtain
• We have hot water!

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Dorms

Dining Hall

Main Office & Nurse

Questions?

Please reach out to:

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Cpt. Gretchen Winch, Outdoor Ed Coordinator -- Gretchen_M_Winch@mcpsmd.org

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SSIMS Main Office: 240-740-2750

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