Parkway School District

www.pkwy.k12.mo.us/outdoorschool

  

Team 6-2 -- October 10-October 14

Team 6-3 -- October 24-October 28

Team 6-4 -- March 26-March 30

 

ADDRESS FOR CAMP

YMCA Camp Lakewood
c/o Parkway Central Middle Team 6-
13528 State Hwy AA
Potosi, MO 63664

Emergency Phone: (314) 241-9622 ext. 130

 

"40 Years of Environmental Experiential Education”

1970-2009

 

Dear Sixth-Grade Parent,

Your child is in for a memorable, meaningful, educational experience this upcoming year in Parkway.  Each year, the sixth grade students get to experience learning in a whole new world as the teachers move the classroom into the outdoors at Camp Lakewood.  Camp Lakewood, part of the YMCA of the Ozarks (near Potosi, Missouri), has been the site of the Parkway Outdoor School program for more than 35 years.   It is considered a model program for environmental experiential education throughout the United States and has served more than 95% of all Parkway sixth graders since it began in the fall of 1970.  Many students find Outdoor School to be the “highlight” of the sixth-grade school experience.

Parkway teachers and the YMCA staff worked together to create an educational program that gives students a better understanding of how the natural world works, furthers their knowledge of curriculum content through hands-on activities, and builds the school community by building relationships.     Outdoor School enhances student learning, shapes the sense of community in the school, and increases individual confidence. 

The Outdoor School experience is a five-day, four-night field trip.  Your child will attend Outdoor School with his/her middle school team either during the fall semester (August – November) or spring semester (February – May).  The students will be transported to Camp Lakewood on Parkway buses and will be supervised by Parkway teachers and high school students who are trained cabin counselors.  Each cabin (8-10 students) will have a teacher and high school student counselor to tend to their needs and to ensure that the children’s personal welfare and educational experience is maximized.  A certified nurse will also be on-site throughout the week.

While at camp, students are involved in a prescribed curriculum of programs, special activities, individual responsibilities and tasks of daily living.  Program activities are selected to meet the following criteria:

 

• Lessons from all subject areas or disciplines are included;
• A majority of activities are conducted out-of-doors using topography, local pastures, and site facilities; and
• An environmental theme is emphasized throughout all lessons and activities.

The Parkway School District and the sixth grade families share the costs of funding Outdoor School.  The student fee for 2009-10 is $265.  A payment plan can be requested and a scholarship program is also available for families with financial needs. 

You will be receiving more information about your child’s week at Camp Lakewood and cost information from the staff at your middle school.  Please feel free to contact me if I may be of additional service. I extend best wishes to you and your child for an exciting new year in middle school and particularly for an enriching Outdoor School experience.

To learn more about the Parkway Outdoor School program

check out our website at

www.pkwy.k12.mo.us/outdoorschool

Sincerely,

Ron Ramspott

Parkway Outdoor School Program Coordinator

12657 Fee Fee Road

Creve Coeur, MO  63146

314-415-7098