PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS William S. Schmidt Outdoor Education Center February 6, 2008

PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS 2 Prince George’s County Board of Education Verjeana M. Jacobs, Esq., Chair Ron L. Watson, Jr., Ph.D., Vice Chair Donna Hathaway Beck Pat J. Fletcher Heather Iliff R. Owen Johnson, Jr. Rosalind A. Johnson Linda Thornton Thomas Amber P. Waller Haywood L. Perry, III, Student Member John E. Deasy, Ph.D., Superintendent of Schools and Secretary/Treasurer

PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS 3 Who we are… The Prince George’s County Public Schools’ Environmental Education Department operates the William S. Schmidt Outdoor Education Center. The Center provides direct, performance-based instruction that reflects the outcomes and standards expressed in the Science Framework, Maryland State Assessment Program, and the Voluntary State Curriculum. All fifth grade students attend a two-day, one night program of study at the Center. Our main office is located in the Administration Building on the 450 acre campus. Office Phone: Fax:

PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS 4 What we do… Our instructional program is aligned with the PGCPS Curriculum to reinforce basic skills and enhance learning with authentic, hands-on experiences. The Schmidt Center helps to fulfill the requirements set forth in the Maryland State Department of Education Environmental Education Bylaw. Students are actively engaged in several learning modules while at the center such as: Stream Ecology, Forest Ecology, Orienteering, Team Building and the Confidence Course.

PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS 5 Information on your child’s upcoming visit to the Center… The partnership of PGCPS teachers, administrative personnel and parent volunteers is critical to the success of the program. Please check our website for this year’s schedule and other information at or contact your child’s classroom teacher. Our center operates year-round in all weather conditions. You will receive more detailed information from your child’s teacher as the date of the trip nears.

PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS 6 Concerns you may have… Students are supervised at all times. If your child needs any medication, you must contact the school to request the appropriate form. Except for lunch on the first day, all meals are provided by the Schmidt Center. A Schmidt Center Specialist spends the night, supervises all activities and is available all night. Several teachers and family members chaperone the overnight experience. Parents and other chaperones, who are not employed by the school system, must complete a commercial background check. For information call PGCPS buses transport students from their school to the Center and back the next day. There is no additional fee for this program as it is part of the fifth grade curriculum. All of the Schmidt Center staff members are certified in Heartsaver First Aid and trained in CPR.

PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS 7 For More Information… Please call or visit our website at