Good to go if you're not familiar with the program just to give you a sense of what the kids do while they're there. But definitely not essential to attend if it's hard to get off of work. Both my kids had the best time!

I don't even remember our middle school having a meeting.

My advice to parents would be that you do not need to attend the Outdoor ED parent meeting at all. All the literature comes home. Send an email to the school and ask them to share the outdoor ed material electronically by a connected email or on the school website.

However, if your child has a health concern or something else that needs to be addressed specifically (special ed, very shy, being bullied in school, need medication, has a disability, severe allergy etc), then schedule an appointment with the school and address this with them separately. You should also document your meeting and email it to the Principal, teacher, team lead and counselor, just so that it is in writing and on record.

The usual common sense approach to packing, security, behaviour, cell phone use apply and these are also communicated to parents. My advice would be that to pack for the weather, include sunscreen, insect repellent, small hand sanitizer, sunglasses and hats too.

Frankly, the biggest issue I saw was that the kids did not pack enough layers and warm clothes. An extra pair of shoes and a pair of flip-flops are helpful, and so are some empty trash bags to store wet or dirty stuff.

- PTA mom who also chaperoned.

Anonymous wrote:

Wow. That’s a bit crazy. I would think twice about sending my kid if that were the case. Which MS uses HS chaperones?

Our MS takes parent chaperones.

Go to the outdoor ed parent meeting and ask.

Anonymous wrote:I think its for parents who are concerned about sending their kids. My kids had already been to sleep away camps many times and had no fears so we skipped it.

I hate to say it but I would have concerns now though with all the sex abuse problems that are so prevalent MCPS. I don't think attending a meeting though would change that risk. If my kids were in MS now I would be chaperoning. The problems in MCPS are system wide similar to the Catholic Church.

This. Packing lists, all information, will be sent home. I've been sending my kids to sleepaway camp since they were 7, and no way was I wasting my time at this meeting.

The meeting is helpful if you have specific questions or need to helicopter.

If you’ve had a child attend before, I wouldn’t go. If this is your first child attending, I would think the program overview would be useful.

Over the past 8 years I've had three kids go to Outdoor Ed and never went to the meetings. School sent home information. If you have questions you can email your child's counselor.

Ha DD down it was their favorite part of middle school. But I would t leave work early unless I had a lot of flexibility.

All the materials will be sent home anyway, only the crazy helicopter parents attend. So you don't NEED to go.

However, it's good to go for grins and giggles. To laugh at the parents who don't understand why their child can't bring their kindle/book to read before bed (no electronics allowed), the ones who think the food their kid will eat there for 2.5 days won'y be healthy/nutritious enough and will ruin their lives, and the ones who don't understand why their kid and their best friend can't be guaranteed to be in the same cabin.

Anonymous wrote:14:55 you sound idiotic. There is a packing list and regardless you know the weather where they are going. You don't have to attend an information session to pack weather appropriate clothes for an outdoor activity.

Exactly what I said. What we were told did not correspond to the list. But by all means, skip the meeting... your kid won't die.

14:55 you sound idiotic. There is a packing list and regardless you know the weather where they are going. You don't have to attend an information session to pack weather appropriate clothes for an outdoor activity.

Anonymous wrote:I think its for parents who are concerned about sending their kids. My kids had already been to sleep away camps many times and had no fears so we skipped it.

I hate to say it but I would have concerns now though with all the sex abuse problems that are so prevalent MCPS. I don't think attending a meeting though would change that risk. If my kids were in MS now I would be chaperoning. The problems in MCPS are system wide similar to the Catholic Church.

You sound idiotic. No, it's for people who want to make sure they get up to date information. Rules may change from year to year, and MCPS reuses old papers which don't have updated info and sends them home.
This is for practical purposes regarding what to pack, what not to pack, how to communicate with your child if you have to, possible food management for allergies (the facility is NOT nut-free unlike MCPS buildings proper) etc. We were told the kids would be outdoors in all weather, and my son brought waterproof hiking boots and winter gear. He was able to do the stream activity no prob, and reported that many others complained of being frozen because they were in sneakers, no gloves, etc.

I think its for parents who are concerned about sending their kids. My kids had already been to sleep away camps many times and had no fears so we skipped it.

I hate to say it but I would have concerns now though with all the sex abuse problems that are so prevalent MCPS. I don't think attending a meeting though would change that risk. If my kids were in MS now I would be chaperoning. The problems in MCPS are system wide similar to the Catholic Church.

Yes, he should attend.

I think that it's a good idea for somebody to go. You don't both have to go, though.

I wont be able to make it and want to know if I should tell my husband to leave work earlier so he can attend.