Seventh Grade Team
School of the Arts 5109-B West Enterprise Street North Charleston, SC 29405
Dear Parents:
Send your child into the “Wild” on the Mountain Trail Outdoor School (MTOS) year end field trip. Students study biology, ecosystems, and animal behavior; they work together to solve problems and overcome fears through a series of low and high ropes activities, as well as rock-climbing. Trained guides lead students on three hour hikes to observe the habitat. It is a trip your child will remember for the rest of his or her life. We will depart SOA at 7:30 A.M., Wednesday, May 18, 2016, and return to SOA at 5:30 P.M., Friday, May 20, 2016.
The cost of the trip is $250; this pays for travel, food, and lodging. Students do not need to bring any money on the trip, although there is a small gift shop. The price of the trip is set on a minimum number of students attending, which is based on last year’s numbers and similar trips by other grades. Any funds over the price are deposited in a scholarship fund for field trips. The payment (made out to SOA) and paper work is due to Mr. Southwick by March 5, 2016.
The Mountain Trail Outdoor School is part of the Kanuga complex in Hendersonville, NC. This is the same organization that runs the Barrier Island program. The drive is a short four hours and there will be movies to watch on the ride. A definitive list of movies to be shown will be provided as the date of the trip gets nearer.
Students may not bring electronics (that includes cell phones) on the trip; students may bring cameras and video cameras as long as they are not a cell phone. The school will be notified when we arrive in the mountains, as well as when we depart the camp. Also, a packing list will be provided as we get closer to the date.
Students will need to maintain a passing average for all their academic classes and demonstrate positive behavior to attend. As of the start of 2nd quarter, students who have been suspended, students who have administrative referrals for “Out of Area, Disrespect, or Insubordination,” and/or students who are failing a subject will be ineligible to attend. Student safety is paramount; students who have difficulty following directions at school pose a risk for themselves and their peers.
If you are interested in being a chaperone, please email Mr. Southwick at . Chaperones attend for free and are based on need and a first come first serve basis. There will be an informational meeting in April to answer questions and review the packing list. The permission slips will be on sharp school under Mr. Southwick’s class. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to email Mr. Southwick. Your child will never forget this experience!
Sincerely,
The Seventh Grade Teachers!