My DC went during the days but Did not spend the nights. But DC went to the location in or near Rockville so not too far.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

I'm worried about that, too.

My kid uses the bathroom frequently, and they made a big deal about how they are outside in the woods for hours at a time and will need to be escorted by an adult to the bathroom--that will embarrass my kid.

My kid doesn't like sleeping around people who snore. She's a light sleeper and it will literally keep her up all night--and lack of sleep will trigger a migraine.

PP, please reread what you just read.

I don't like sleeping around people who snore -- who does? -- and I also get migraines, but really. You're saying that your kid isn't capable of going to Outdoor Ed because she'll be embarrassed about using the bathroom and she'll sleep badly.

Some kids have medical issues that make bathroom access a serious concern. We found out later after consulting with doctors ways to help control such issues, although they're still a concern. At the time of outdoor ed, however, all we knew was that dc needed to go frequently, with little warning, and could not hold it for long. After discussing specifics of the length of the bus ride, the length of the hikes, etc., dc decided it would be manageable and fortunately had no problems.

I also understand the social concerns. Dc tends to be socially isolated, but did in fact make a friend at outdoor ed.

Overall, dc had a wonderful time and was glad to have gone, but I would have supported a decision not to go.

Not a big deal to miss. My DD didn't go. She's an anxious kid and there was lots of mean girl stuff happening at school at the time that only made her anxiety worse. She was adamant about not going. While we typically encourage her to face her fears, we were worried about how the kids would behave with the lack of structure knowing how bad it was just during the school day. In the end, our decision was made in consultation with her psychologist. Nobody ever brought it up after the fact.

Anonymous wrote:Outdoor education is NOT a pivotal developmental experience. A few nights at a MCPS sleep away camp has no impact whatsoever on the child's future, their future development, or their ability to become an independent adult.

I'm glad that MCPS has this stuff because for kids that love the outdoors and sleep away camp it makes fun memories of what is generally a boring school experience. For kids that don't have the money to go on a camping vacation or sleep away camp it is an opportunity for a new experience.

If a child is suffering from bullying, is extremely upset about going, has any type of anxiety issue or even just dreads the idea for whatever reason - then there is no reason on earth to force them to go. Its a good opportunity to teach your child that we are not sheep. Just because the other mommies think you should go that isn't a reason to do it. Make your own choices in life and own them. Its simple.

It's kind of belittling to refer to grown women who have children (and are not your own mother) as "the other mommies", don't you think? Not to mention that, if you are a grown woman who has a child, you are belittling yourself. Why would you do that?

My child's middle school does not allow parent chaperones. Just wanted to mention that in case anyone is counting on being able to chaperone.

Outdoor education is NOT a pivotal developmental experience. A few nights at a MCPS sleep away camp has no impact whatsoever on the child's future, their future development, or their ability to become an independent adult.

I'm glad that MCPS has this stuff because for kids that love the outdoors and sleep away camp it makes fun memories of what is generally a boring school experience. For kids that don't have the money to go on a camping vacation or sleep away camp it is an opportunity for a new experience.

If a child is suffering from bullying, is extremely upset about going, has any type of anxiety issue or even just dreads the idea for whatever reason - then there is no reason on earth to force them to go. Its a good opportunity to teach your child that we are not sheep. Just because the other mommies think you should go that isn't a reason to do it. Make your own choices in life and own them. Its simple.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Both my kids went to OE. It was ok. My kids did not rave about it, but they did not crib about it either. They have done many science kinds of camps etc, so nothing new was learnt by them.

I do not buy that a child in 6th grade has to be able to go to a sleep-away camp to demonstrate some kind of independence or maturity. This is not some crucial rite of passage but an extended field-trip that MCPS has put in place for 6th graders.

Your child will miss nothing if they do not go to OE. If they are not comfortable and are anxious, you can chaperon their OE trip or they can stay back. Do not let others guilt you one way or the other.

I cannot believe they now allow parents to chaperone. One parent chaperone on my kid's trip was a nutty disaster. When my daughter returned, she had some good stories to tell about that woman. I can't imagine being that woman's child either - so sad.

If you can't separate from your kid at this age, it's YOUR problem that you're transferring to your child. I am in a position where I deal with kids who have anxiety, and the apple doesn't fall far from the tree.

Did they used to not let parents chaperone? Parents chaperone every other field trip, why wouldn't parents chaperone this one?

My daughter also thought that the parents who chaperoned tended to the hovering and overprotective, but it's better that you go with your parent as a chaperone than that you don't go at all.

Yes, parent chaperones are allowed and needed! You just have to do a fingerprinting.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:AND THIS IS WHAT'S WRONG WITH PARENTS...do you think continually skipping activities and avoidance is going to help her get better? You are a snowplow parent, trying to remove ANY discomfort for your child. Your child is the one who will end up asking you to come with her on a job interview, and ask you to call her boss when things aren't going well. Good luck.

Nope, you're wrong. I completely disagree. My kids went to Outdoor Ed, and I am far from the type of parent who wants to avoid any discomfort for my kid.

However, MS is in no way like real life. And, some kids can be just terrible. If a parent wants to keep their kids from being stuck somewhere with people that are unpleasant, then he/she has every right to do that. IME, you can't expect the administration to take care of every 'bullying' type situation, etc.

As an adult, you are able to choose not to do certain things that make you uncomfortable, right?

Well, you are welcome to your opinion. Just trying to help the OP (and other parents). You can take my advice, or leave it. Good luck with your kids!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Both my kids went to OE. It was ok. My kids did not rave about it, but they did not crib about it either. They have done many science kinds of camps etc, so nothing new was learnt by them.

I do not buy that a child in 6th grade has to be able to go to a sleep-away camp to demonstrate some kind of independence or maturity. This is not some crucial rite of passage but an extended field-trip that MCPS has put in place for 6th graders.

Your child will miss nothing if they do not go to OE. If they are not comfortable and are anxious, you can chaperon their OE trip or they can stay back. Do not let others guilt you one way or the other.

I cannot believe they now allow parents to chaperone. One parent chaperone on my kid's trip was a nutty disaster. When my daughter returned, she had some good stories to tell about that woman. I can't imagine being that woman's child either - so sad.

If you can't separate from your kid at this age, it's YOUR problem that you're transferring to your child. I am in a position where I deal with kids who have anxiety, and the apple doesn't fall far from the tree.

Did they used to not let parents chaperone? Parents chaperone every other field trip, why wouldn't parents chaperone this one?

My daughter also thought that the parents who chaperoned tended to the hovering and overprotective, but it's better that you go with your parent as a chaperone than that you don't go at all.

Anonymous wrote:Both my kids went to OE. It was ok. My kids did not rave about it, but they did not crib about it either. They have done many science kinds of camps etc, so nothing new was learnt by them.

I do not buy that a child in 6th grade has to be able to go to a sleep-away camp to demonstrate some kind of independence or maturity. This is not some crucial rite of passage but an extended field-trip that MCPS has put in place for 6th graders.

Your child will miss nothing if they do not go to OE. If they are not comfortable and are anxious, you can chaperon their OE trip or they can stay back. Do not let others guilt you one way or the other.

This is factually incorrect. If your child does not go to Outdoor Ed, your child will miss Outdoor Ed. And I think it actually is a rite of passage for MCPS students, as well as an extended field trip. (It used to be a week.)

Anonymous wrote:Both my kids went to OE. It was ok. My kids did not rave about it, but they did not crib about it either. They have done many science kinds of camps etc, so nothing new was learnt by them.

I do not buy that a child in 6th grade has to be able to go to a sleep-away camp to demonstrate some kind of independence or maturity. This is not some crucial rite of passage but an extended field-trip that MCPS has put in place for 6th graders.

Your child will miss nothing if they do not go to OE. If they are not comfortable and are anxious, you can chaperon their OE trip or they can stay back. Do not let others guilt you one way or the other.

I cannot believe they now allow parents to chaperone. One parent chaperone on my kid's trip was a nutty disaster. When my daughter returned, she had some good stories to tell about that woman. I can't imagine being that woman's child either - so sad.

If you can't separate from your kid at this age, it's YOUR problem that you're transferring to your child. I am in a position where I deal with kids who have anxiety, and the apple doesn't fall far from the tree.

Both my kids went to OE. It was ok. My kids did not rave about it, but they did not crib about it either. They have done many science kinds of camps etc, so nothing new was learnt by them.

I do not buy that a child in 6th grade has to be able to go to a sleep-away camp to demonstrate some kind of independence or maturity. This is not some crucial rite of passage but an extended field-trip that MCPS has put in place for 6th graders.

Your child will miss nothing if they do not go to OE. If they are not comfortable and are anxious, you can chaperon their OE trip or they can stay back. Do not let others guilt you one way or the other.

Outdoor ed is a pivotal developmental experience and all kids should attend. At this age it is important that kids can separate from their parents briefly and learn to deal with slightly uncomfortable circumstances. My autistic grand daughter made a new friend and was enamored with wading in a creek with waders. The teachers and counselors who attend try and watch out for kids who are "wall flowers," but it is not a perfect environment. That is what makes it valuable. Unless a child has a serious mental illness, at a certain age parents need to step back a bit and let their kids learn to deal with mildly stressful situations. They will need this skill later in life.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
NP here, with a 5th grader.

So is Outdoor Ed a sleep away camp?
Cool!

Do they learn how to make and put out a fire? Do a little bit of orienteering and survival skills?

Nope. 2 nights, 3 days with quasi science instruction and running through the woods. And s'mores. You pay for it, and they drag the kids outside for hours at a time even in the rain or snow.

My kid, who's very shy, came home RAVING about OE.

He loved the entire experience.

Anonymous wrote:AND THIS IS WHAT'S WRONG WITH PARENTS...do you think continually skipping activities and avoidance is going to help her get better? You are a snowplow parent, trying to remove ANY discomfort for your child. Your child is the one who will end up asking you to come with her on a job interview, and ask you to call her boss when things aren't going well. Good luck.

Nope, you're wrong. I completely disagree. My kids went to Outdoor Ed, and I am far from the type of parent who wants to avoid any discomfort for my kid.

However, MS is in no way like real life. And, some kids can be just terrible. If a parent wants to keep their kids from being stuck somewhere with people that are unpleasant, then he/she has every right to do that. IME, you can't expect the administration to take care of every 'bullying' type situation, etc.

As an adult, you are able to choose not to do certain things that make you uncomfortable, right?