Is Outdoor Education Mandatory?

[Anonymous]

What happens if you and your child decide that attending Outdoor Education is not beneficial? Can you keep your child at home and do an alternative activity (museum visit, hiking at Great Falls, etc.)? Or will the school provide an alternative activity for children who don't attend Outdoor Education? I'm from another culture. So, I don't understand the significance of having my child spend a few nights in crappy living corridors with strangers. Nor do I trust leaving unsupervised middle school children together. If you declined your child from attending this, then what was the alternative? If your child attended Outdoor Education, then was it really some life changing positive experience? I envisioned lots of bad things happening in these type of situations. So, I'm not sold on the fact that this will be a positive experience for my child. Also, do you have to sign waivers that will exempt the school from any wrongdoings in case something happens to your child?

[Anonymous]

I never understand why people make such a big deal about this. My oldest did outdoor ed a couple of years ago and you'd think from some parents' reactions that the kids were being deployed to Iraq. And there's always posts here freaking out too.

My kid went to a nature center based in a lovely area of Rockville. Parents could volunteer aka check up on their kids. It was pretty standard fare bonding activities and camp stuff. The kids had chores to do around the center and in the cafeteria for meals. It wasn't a life changing experience but it was a traumatic one either - it was mostly no big deal (although my son was happy to miss a few days of classes.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What happens if you and your child decide that attending Outdoor Education is not beneficial? Can you keep your child at home and do an alternative activity (museum visit, hiking at Great Falls, etc.)? Or will the school provide an alternative activity for children who don't attend Outdoor Education? I'm from another culture. So, I don't understand the significance of having my child spend a few nights in crappy living corridors with strangers. Nor do I trust leaving unsupervised middle school children together. If you declined your child from attending this, then what was the alternative? If your child attended Outdoor Education, then was it really some life changing positive experience? I envisioned lots of bad things happening in these type of situations. So, I'm not sold on the fact that this will be a positive experience for my child. Also, do you have to sign waivers that will exempt the school from any wrongdoings in case something happens to your child?

If you and your child decide that attending Outdoor Ed is not beneficial, then your child can not participate.

You can keep your child at home, but it won't be an excused absence.

Or you can send your child to school, with the other children who didn't go to Outdoor Ed.

The middle-school children are not unsupervised.

My child went to Outdoor Ed; it was not a life-changing positive experience; most experiences are not life-changing; however, she enjoyed it.

As far as I know, nothing bad happened, let alone lots of bad things.

Yes, there are waivers, just as there are waivers for any field trip.

[Anonymous]

Most middle schools do not send all the kids at the same time. Your child would be with the kids who are attending the other portion of the week. No big deal.

[Anonymous]

You can opt out, but it isn't an excused absence and your child will probably face some social fallout from peers.

[Anonymous]

I forgot to add, don't do anything of the other weird things parents do that make their kid feel singled out about OE. We had a parent who insisted on attempting to stay in a nearby motel with her daughter and just driving in every day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You can opt out, but it isn't an excused absence and your child will probably face some social fallout from peers.

If the child just goes to school instead of going to Outdoor Ed, then it's not an absence.

Also, please don't chaperone if your child doesn't want you to. Or, if you feel like you nonetheless have to chaperone, ask to chaperone a group of children that doesn't include your child.

[Anonymous]

When my son went, the kids were NEVER left unsupervised. They were split into small groups of classmates and every group had a parent volunteer with them at all times, including when they were sleeping. (The chaperon complained that my kid talked in his sleep, which is true.) While he didn't know everyone in his cabin, they were all kids from his own school.

The accommodations were the exact opposite of crappy. They slept in air conditioned cabins on beds. They did have to make their own beds so if your child is too sheltered to complete that task, you might have a problem. Yes, your child will get dirty and wet but have a great time. It's only for a few days.

[Anonymous]

You have made a lot of assumptions that simply aren't true.

The students are never without adult supervision.
They will only be with kids from their own school.
They will not be staying in some filthy environment, they sleep on beds in cabins with air conditioning.

You act like the kids are left alone in the wilderness to beat up on each other. That will not happen.

[Anonymous]

While I wouldn't call it life changing, my kids all had a blast at outdoor ed. It was held at the beginning of 6th grade so they got to know their new classmates right away. Anyone who stayed home didn't get the jump-start toward making new friends.

Where did you get the idea that kids were left alone to live in crappy corridors with strangers? I agree that sounds awful, but it's not correct.

[Anonymous]

One parent of my child's friend came to me and asked how she could be sure her kid would take a shower every night. My answer is that it doesn't matter if he skips a shower for a few nights. He can shower when he gets home. She tried to get him to pack all these hair products as well. Let it go! It's camp and the kids enjoy a little independence for a few days. They are not left alone but the chaperones are not going to police their hygiene routines.

[Anonymous]

The kids are always supervised - many teachers are there as well as many parent volunteers. The kids have a good time. Where are you getting your info from?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You can opt out, but it isn't an excused absence and your child will probably face some social fallout from peers.

This is a load of BS! Outdoor Education isn't all that serious and some students think it's lame. Don't be over dramatic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What happens if you and your child decide that attending Outdoor Education is not beneficial? Can you keep your child at home and do an alternative activity (museum visit, hiking at Great Falls, etc.)? Or will the school provide an alternative activity for children who don't attend Outdoor Education? I'm from another culture. So, I don't understand the significance of having my child spend a few nights in crappy living corridors with strangers. Nor do I trust leaving unsupervised middle school children together. If you declined your child from attending this, then what was the alternative? If your child attended Outdoor Education, then was it really some life changing positive experience? I envisioned lots of bad things happening in these type of situations. So, I'm not sold on the fact that this will be a positive experience for my child. Also, do you have to sign waivers that will exempt the school from any wrongdoings in case something happens to your child?

Outdoor Ed is optional. Activities are provided at school for the many students that do not attend. Ignore the bullies on this list. You are not alone in your concerns especially since it is documented that mcps will not protect your child and damages are capped by the legislature.

[Anonymous]

It is part of the 6th grade curriculum and it's great! We are not American and this was a pleasant surprise, except that it wasn't the real camping experience but a very luxurious and watered down version. The cabins even have heat and running water... However it's a good way to get them into the spirit if they have never camped, made a fire or had to orient themselves in nature.

You can opt out but I don't know what the conditions are.