First graders are also offered an opportunity to experience outdoor education here at the Schmidt Center. The program is a great introduction to outdoor education, providing young students hands-on opportunities to learn about the environment. Students go on a day trip and rotate in small groups through a variety of activities in outdoor classroom spaces as well as a newly constructed native garden. Current lessons include dendrology (studying tree age and species), soils and decomposition, native birds and their adaptations, animal tracks, insects and pollinators. Lessons are taught by trained teachers and parents with staff support. The lessons correlate with NGSS, Common Core and ELIT standards.  

T-shirts are available for purchase in youth and adult sizes for $10.00: (Colors subject to change)  

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Chaperones:

NEW Administrative Procedure 4215: ALL chaperones must now complete full background check ($56.57*) at least 14 days before the trip:
For more information visit: http://www1.pgcps.org/fingerprinting/ or contact the Background Unit at 301.952.7831

*Note: "Any parent/guardian who needs assistance covering the cost of a fingerprint background check, and whose child(ren) qualify for free and reduced priced meals, may request waiver of the background check fee by providing a copy of their eligibility letter from the PGCPS Department of Food and Nutrition Services."

Side Links: Field trip packet

                    Lesson Resources:

       PDF                                       Videos     

Pollinators                            Pollinators Video 

Tree Detectives                    Tree Detectives Video    

Super Soils                           Super Soils Video       

Feathery Friends                  Feathery Friends Video  

Amazing Animals                 Amazing Animals Video