Outdoor Education Parent Information Night

Outdoor Education
Parent Information Night

ODE: What is it?
Our mission is to:
● provide outdoor learning experiences through the MCPS
  curriculum that increase students ’ content and process
  knowledge
● nurture awareness, appreciation, and stewardship for the
  natural environment
● build the capacity of MCPS educators to teach
  environmental education using the outdoors as a classroom

ODE: What is it?

● Students, teachers, & chaperones spend three days and
  two nights at Camp Letts

● Students “study various aspects of the local environment as
  they participate in outdoor investigations that are directly
  connected to the grade six curriculum and the MSDE
  environmental education standards”

ODE: Where do they go?

Camp Letts: Edgewater, Maryland

College Park

ODE: When is it?

Session 1: Nov. 9-11
Session 2: Nov. 14-16
Session 3: Nov. 16-18

Students stay overnight for their assigned
session for three days, two nights.

ODE: Why should I send my child?

● Outdoor education is part of the curriculum;
  their school location is moving for a few days.

● They are making new friends and memories.

● One less child in your home for a few days…
  ahhhh!

ODE: What will they be doing?

● Participating in various learning activities: Water
  Study, Confidence Course, Predator/Prey
  Relationships and Treasure Earth
● Learning or practicing how to host and set a
  table for a meal
● Earning SSL hours by helping to improve the
  local habitat

ODE: What will they be eating?

                                            They do
                                   accommodate for
                                  vegetarian, gluten
                                 free, and no pork if
                                    indicated on the
                                     permission slip.

ODE: Where will they be eating?

ODE: Where will they be staying?

● Cabins have two sides
  with 10-12 beds in each.
● There is a central room
  with more beds.
● Each side has two
  showers and one toilet.

ODE: What is expected of behavior?
● Every child’s safety is a priority by all staff.
● It is the child’s responsibility to know the rules
  and follow them.
● Students are expected to follow the rules and
  regulations of NBMS and Camp Letts.
● In the case of a serious infraction, parents will
  be called and required to come pick up their
  child immediately.

ODE: Will they go in bad weather?
●Delayed opening on the first day of the program OR
School cancellation on the first day of the program:
The experience will be rescheduled into available time lots.
● School cancellation on the last day of the program:
Students will be transported from the sites as soon as it is
safe to do so.
● Delayed opening or cancellation on the second day of
the program: Students and staff will continue the program
as scheduled, although the OEEP supervisor, school
administration and transportation office will decide on the
safest course of action.

ODE: Will they go in bad weather?

● Programs will run normally regardless of the weather, unless
  there is a two hour delay or if school is closed.

● If inclement weather is forecasted while students are in
  residence, the OEEP supervisor, transportation, and the school
  administration will determine the safest course of action,
  which could include transporting students home early to avoid
  a major weather event.

ODE: What do we do if we will miss
            them?

                    Jennifer Byrd
                   c/o Camp Letts
                4003 Camp Letts Road
                Edgewater, MD 21037

              NBMS Session # (1, 2, or 3)

ODE: Departure Day?
● Arrive at school between 8:30 - 9am on the morning they are
  scheduled to leave
● Students may not bring their belongings and ride on school busses.
● Students will drop off luggage behind the school near the tennis
  courts. There will be a line of boys’ luggage and a line of girls’ luggage.
  Chaperones will be there to assist parents and students.
● All students must wear long pants and comfortable walking shoes
  the day they leave for ODE and every day of ODE. Students should
  carry a water bottle with them on the first day of the trip. Please
  check the weather reports for Edgewater, MD and pack for the
  weather.
● Bring a bag lunch in a paper or plastic bag for the first day only,
  labeled with student’s name. Only bring what can be eaten at that
  meal; no glass containers, please. Food is not allowed in cabins.

ODE: What will they do when they
            arrive?

They should wear long pants and comfortable,
        sturdy shoes for the hike in.

ODE: What should they pack in one
suitcase and sleeping bag/bedroll?

  + sturdy footwear    + shirts
  + hat                + socks (lots)
  + gloves/mittens     + underwear
  + water bottle       + rain jacket/poncho
  + jacket             + sheets and blanket, pillow
  + sweatshirts        + bath towel
  + sweaters           + toiletries
  + long pants/jeans   + bag lunch (no glass)
  + pajamas

ODE: What might they pack?

+ binoculars          + insect repellant
+ disposable camera   + slippers
+ compass             + shower cap
+ flashlight          + flip-flops for shower
+ lip balm            + pen or pencil
+ sunscreen           + watch

ODE: What should NOT they pack?

Students should NOT have:

● Electronic devices         ●   Matches
     including cell phones   ●   Glass bottles
● Food/candy/gum             ●   Money
● Money                      ●   Fire arms
● Aerosol sprays             ●   Knives
● Hair dryers

ODE: When do they return?

Session 1: Nov. 9-11 -- returns at 1:15 on the 11th
Session 2: Nov. 14-16 -- returns at 1:15 on the 16th
Session 3: Nov. 16-18 --returns at 1:15 on the 18th

Parents can pick up the luggage first from the
luggage busses.

ODE: We are SOLD! How do we
    sign our children up?

permission slip and medical form (if needed)
 Packets went home Wed. Sept 7. They are
    also available on the NBMS website.

ODE: Interested in chaperoning?

Please complete the survey at

          bit.ly/chaperoneRSVP

Chaperone Meeting Monday, October 3, 6:30 pm
            NBMS Media Center