Smoky Mountains Adventure

2020 Informational Meeting

Who Are We?Parkway-Rockwood Community Ed is a partnership between the Parkway and Rockwood School Districts that

p provides high quality programs and services that enhance the quality of life for residents. We provide experiences

for all ages, (6 months and up) before, during and after the school day, weekends and during the summer.

The Babler Outdoor Education Center provides custom programs year round focused on teambuilding, survival, outdoor and environmental education. Open to all

organized groups, this rental facility is close to nature on 360 acres and close to home, located inside of Dr. Edmund A. Babler Memorial State Park.

Trips are designed to maximize learning through concrete, experiential lessons aligned with school curricula. Using cooperative teaching methods, certified teachers work inpartnership with place-based learning centers to capitalize on

the unique geographic locations and provide a connection between the trip experience and the lessons in the classroom.

Where exactly

are they going?

Who will be supervising?

Will my child be

safe?

How will they get there?

How much does it cost?

Where will they sleep?

What will they do

while they are there?

How can I let my “baby” leave home for so long without

me?

When is the Trip? Dates: Schools:Feb. 28 - March 2, 2020 Ellisville, Kehrs Mill, Westridge(departs evening of February 27)

March 27 - 30, 2020 Ballwin, Fairway, Green Pines(departs evening of March 26)

April 3 - 6, 2020 Babler, Chesterfield, Pond (departs evening of April 2)

April 17 - 20, 2020 Bowles, Kellison, Stanton, Uthoff Valley (departs evening of April 16)

May 1 - 4, 2020 Blevins, Eureka, Geggie (departs evening of May 2)

May 15 - 18, 2020 Ridge Meadows, Wild Horse, Woerther(departs evening of May 14)

Who will be supervising?• Rockwood Teachers &

Administrators• Approximate ratio 10:1• Tremont Staff • Nurse

Where are we going and how do we get there?

9.5 Hours!

Where will we sleep?

Residential Dorms

Dorms:• are heated and cooled• have private showers and restrooms• have an open floor plan• have bunk beds • Each gender has their own floor

Where do we eat?

• Hot breakfast with cereal bar• Lunch with salad bar• Dinner with salad bar• 9 o'clock snack

Dining Hall

What will we see and do there?

Investigate aquatic life and how we are connected.

Learn about what lives in the forest

and why.

Discuss the land and how it is

formed.

Hike, play, journal, discover solitude and much more.

Thursday8:15 p.m. Check-in 9:30 p.m. Buses depart and drive overnightFriday8 a.m. Breakfast at Park 10:30 a.m. Arrive and move into dorms11:15 p.m. Welcome and orientation12:30 p.m. Lunch1:30 p.m. Program time4:30 p.m. Supervised free time/gift store5:45 p.m. Dinner7 p.m. Live Music 8 :30 p.m. Evening Snack9:15 p.m. Quiet hoursSaturday8 a.m. Breakfast9 a.m. Program time4:30 p.m. Supervised free time/gift store 5:45 p.m. Dinner

7 p.m. Eco-Jeopardy 8 p.m. Nighthike 9:00 p.m. Evening Snack10 p.m. Quiet hours/sleep timeSunday8 a.m. Breakfast9 a.m. Program time4:30 p.m. Supervised free time5:30 p.m. Dinner,7:00 p.m. Cleaning and packing8:15 p.m. Campfire9:30p.m. Evening Snack10 p.m. Quiet hours/sleep timeMonday7 a.m. Breakfast 7:55 a.m. Depart12:00 p.m. Lunch 6:00 p.m. Return

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Thursday

8:15 p.m.Check-in

9:30 p.m. Buses depart and drive overnight

Friday

8 a.m. Breakfast at Park

10:30 a.m.Arrive and move into dorms

11:15 p.m.Welcome and orientation

12:30 p.m.Lunch

1:30 p.m.Program time

4:30 p.m.Supervised free time/gift store

5:45 p.m.Dinner

7 p.m.Live Music

8 :30 p.m.Evening Snack

9:15 p.m.Quiet hours

Saturday

8 a.m.Breakfast

9 a.m. Program time

4:30 p.m.Supervised free time/gift store

5:45 p.m.Dinner

7 p.m.Eco-Jeopardy /Nighthike

8 p.m.Eco-Jeopardy /Nighthike

9:00 p.m.Evening Snack

10 p.m.Quiet hours/sleep time

Sunday

8 a.m.Breakfast

9 a.m.Program time

4:30 p.m.Supervised free time

5:30 p.m.Dinner,

7:00 p.m.Cleaning and packing

8:15 p.m.Campfire

9:30p.m.Evening Snack

10 p.m. Quiet hours/sleep time

Monday

7 a.m.Breakfast

7:55 a.m.Depart

12:00 p.m.Lunch

6:00 p.m.Return

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7 p.m.Eco-Jeopardy

8 p.m.Nighthike

9:00 p.m.Evening Snack

10 p.m.Quiet hours/sleep time

Sunday

8 a.m.Breakfast

9 a.m.Program time

4:30 p.m.Supervised free time

5:30 p.m.Dinner,

7:00 p.m.Cleaning and packing

8:15 p.m.Campfire

9:30p.m.Evening Snack

10 p.m. Quiet hours/sleep time

Monday

7 a.m.Breakfast

7:55 a.m.Depart

12:00 p.m.Lunch

6:00 p.m.Return

Sheet2

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Lessons Connect to the Classroom

The Trek and Travel program delivers opportunities to connect classroom learning to the outside world through adventure, science and self-discovery.

• Trips are designed to maximize learning through concrete, experiential lessons aligned with school curricula.

• Using cooperative teaching methods, Rockwood teachers work with Tremont staff to capitalize on the unique geographic location of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park and provide a connection between the trip experience and the lessons in the classroom.

Life SkillsAll Trek and Travel programs are intentionally designed to help build skills needed throughout student’s lives.

• Serving as a Table Captain at meals, making their beds and cleaning up after themselves reinforces responsibility for self and community.

• Traveling together with other elementary schools allows students the opportunity to meet new friends and improve social skills.

• Traveling away from home and trying new and challenging activities helps students build confidence and develop independence.

• Participating in hands-on activities like catching salamanders or hiking mountain trails helps students develop respect for the natural world and a greater understanding of their place within it.

• Opportunities to use problem solving and critical thinking skills are incorporated into every topic and activity.

Health NeedsMedication:

• The Trek and Travel staff includes a Rockwood trained nurse on all trips.• The nurse handles all medical needs as well as intake and distribution of

medication in accordance with Rockwood’s Medication policy.

Dietary Needs:• Please make us aware of all allergies and dietary needs.• Many dietary needs can be accommodated by the Tremont kitchen and for

others we invite you to bring whatever food is necessary to make your trip a success.

• Contact Kevin Zimmer to discuss these needs and any other questions concerning accommodations for the trip.

What about the cost?$599 includes:

• 11 Meals, 7 snacks• Round-trip transportation to Tremont Institute• Lodging • Curriculum and Programming• Teacher chaperones, Nurse and Trip Manager• Program administration costs

*Limited financial assistance is available on a first come, first serve basis. Please contact 636-891-6644 or email info@prcommunityed.org for information.

mailto:info@prcommunityed.org

Trek and Travel water bottleWater Bottle: $10. The water bottle is a 32 oz Glow-in the Dark Nalgene Wide Mouth and is BPA Free. The water bottle is printed with the Trek and Travel logo.

Water bottles will be available in the webstore starting October 5th. When you register for the trip, we will send you an email with a direct link to the apparel page.

Registration/Payment Timeline• October 5, 2019– Registration opens online at 9 a.m. • Phone support will be available at 636-891-6644 on Saturday, Oct. 5 from 9-11

a.m. to assist with any questions regarding registration.• Computers will be available for online registration at the Community Ed office

(1401 Froesel Dr. Ellisville MO 63011). No paper registrations will be accepted.*Please sign in to your Community Ed Webstore account prior to Saturday, Oct 5thand confirm that your child is registered as a family member so they can be signed up for the program.

A deposit of $199 is due at registration. The remainder may be made in two equal installments of $200 each.1. November 29, 2019– First installment due ($200).2. January 10, 2020– Second installment due ($200).

If registering online, an automatic payment deduction will be set up on your account for the installment payments. If another method is preferred, you will receive an email reminder prior to payment due date.

Online RegistrationSign-up for Smoky Mountain Adventure is first come, first serve.

Get ready for online registration before it opens by opening an account on the Community Education Webstore OR updating your existing account. (This can be done at anytime before October 5th !)

1. Login and make sure you have the correct password.2. On the front page of your account, check to make sure your child is listed as a

family member.

https://prcommunityed.ce.eleyo.com/

• Make sure your child’s age and grade are correct! They must be in 5th grade to register!

• Search for Smoky Mountain Adventure and look for your child’s trip by school. All schools are pre-assigned trip dates. Please only register for your school’s trip.

• The trips will become available for registration at 9 a.m. on October 5. They are not “full” but are currently closed to registrations.

Communicating with ParentsBefore the Trip

• Website www.prcommunityed.org• Email: info@prcommunityed.org• Phone: 636-891-6644• Facebook: Parkway-Rockwood Trek and Travel• Twitter: @PRTrekNTravel• Instagram: @PRTrekNTravel

During the Trip• Phone: (Emergencies Only)• Facebook: Parkway-Rockwood Trek and Travel• Twitter: @PRTrekNTravel• Instagram: @PRTrekNTravel• Please note: Students will not have access to phones/tablets/etc. during our

time in the Smoky Mountains. There is no cellular service and all communication will be directed through the channels above.

http://www.prcommunityed.org/bableroecmailto:info@prcommunityed.org

Forms and Pre-trip MeetingsRequired Forms: A packet of information which includes a packing list, departure and arrival information and required participation/medical forms will be emailed to you on December 13, 2019. These forms are due at least 2 weeks prior to your child’s trip. They can be turned in at your pre-trip meeting.

Pre-Trip Meetings: Meetings before each trip will provide parents and students an opportunity to learn more information, ask questions, meet trip chaperones and turn in required forms.

February 11, 2020 - 6:30pm at Marquette 2351 Clarkson Rd Chesterfield, MO 63017• Trip 1 - Ellisville, Kehrs Mill, Westridge• Trip 2 - Ballwin, Fairway, Green Pines• Trip 3 - Babler, Chesterfield, Pond

March 24, 2020 - 6:30pm at Rockwood Summit 1780 Hawkins Rd Fenton, MO 63026• Trip 4 - Bowles, Kellison, Stanton, Uthoff Valley• Trip 5 - Blevins, Eureka, Geggie• Trip 6 - Ridge Meadows, Wild Horse, Woerther

Important InformationSick Policy – Children who are unable to attend school the day of the trip due to illness will not be eligible to attend the trip. If this occurs, we will work with you regarding possible options, which could include having your child attend a different trip date or refunding part of the trip fee. Please call our office for more information.

Cancellation Policy:The following cancellation policy has been put into place to provide flexibility for families due to unforeseen circumstances while allowing us to maintain our ability to meet the district requirement that all trips are self-funded and fees cover the cost for all expenses:

Smoky Mountains Adventure:All cancellations prior to December 1 will be refunded in full, minus a $20 processing fee. Full refunds for cancellations made after December 1 are not guaranteed unless we are able to place another student on the trip as Community Ed will have already submitted non-refundable deposits for transportation and lodging. If we are not able to place another student on the trip, you will receive a maximum refund of $210 (exceptions may be made for emergency and/or documented medical reasons).

Ozark Rocks4th - 5th grade parent/child trip

We have a trip for grades 4 – 11!

Great Lakes Voyage 5th -7th grade

Atlantic Coastal Quest 8th – 11th grade Presidential Inauguration 8th – 11th grade

Next Steps• Register and make your deposit! (Opens October 5th at 9 a.m.)• Follow payment timeline for remaining balance.• Complete forms and turn them in at the pre-trip meeting.• Watch your child’s excitement build!!!

Special Thanks to:

• Teachers and Administrators chaperoning and supporting these trips.

• YOU! For attending this meeting and for considering this exciting opportunity for your child.

Trip Testimonials“My daughter was so excited to be on this trip she used her camera to video her entire solo hike so she could share it with her family when she got home. She even got teary eyed as we were watching it with her.” -Trica Cullinane

“The Smoky Mountains Adventure was a great experience for my son. He learned so much about nature and, more importantly, about himself.” – Dan See

“The Smoky Mountain Adventure trip was not only an educational experience but a maturing experience for my child. This was an adventure he will never forget.” – Angie Penberthy

“Thank you for providing such a great opportunity for my kids with the Trek and Travel program. My kids came back from the Smoky Mountain Adventure a little more grown up and confident in themselves and with a greater appreciation of nature and science!” - Kate Hahn

“The Smoky Mountain Adventure trip is a wonderful opportunity. Our daughter came home with a whole new group of friends and she actually learned while she was away. This adventure is one she will never forget and we would recommend this trip to anyone.” - Amy Shaikun

“My daughter enjoyed it totally. We were so happy that we agreed to let her go and regretted that we did not let her older sister go three years ago. It was a safe, educational, and fun trip for my child before her final days in elementary school. I am sure she will remember this trip all her life.” - Marshall Pan

Smoky Mountains AdventureWho Are We?Slide Number 3When is the Trip? Who will be supervising?Where are we going and how do we get there?Where will we sleep?Where do we eat?What will we see and do there? Investigate aquatic life and how we are connected.Learn about what lives in the forest and why. Discuss the land and how it is formed. Slide Number 13Slide Number 14Lessons Connect to the ClassroomLife SkillsSlide Number 17What about the cost?Slide Number 19Registration/Payment TimelineOnline RegistrationSlide Number 22Slide Number 23Communicating with ParentsForms and Pre-trip MeetingsSlide Number 26Slide Number 28Next StepsSpecial Thanks to: Slide Number 31