Camp Schmidt 5th Grade Environmental Overnight Trip

Welcome to the William S. Schmidt Outdoor Education Center (Camp Schmidt). This site is designed to help you better understand what to expect during the Schmidt Center trip and how to prepare for the overnight experience.  Feel free to call the Schmidt Center office between 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., (301) 888-1185 Monday-Friday, with any questions.  

All schools are provided with the opportunity to visit either the Schmidt Center or Hard Bargain Farm (Alice Ferguson Foundation). Schools coming to the Schmidt Center are assigned a Program Specialist who works with the school in developing a schedule of activities. The activities include, but are not limited to, Stream Ecology, Dropping in on Deer, Orienteering Challenge, Woodland Ecology (Nature Walk), Team Building, Problem Solving, and the Confidence Course (upon having trained staff from the school). Evening activities include a wagon ride and a campfire. The activities taught at the Schmidt Center complement and enhance the existing curriculum and are aligned to Common Core, NGSS, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), and Environmental Literacy.

All meals, except for lunch on the first day, are provided to participants. Parents and school staff are encouraged to attend the overnight trip. Students, volunteer teachers, administrators, and parents are NOT required to pay a fee for attending the program although some schools may charge an activity fee (to pay for art supplies, hot dogs, s'mores at the campfire, etc.).