Dear Sixth Grade Parents,

The Physical Education Department has organized a sixth grade field trip to George Mason University’s campus of Science & Technology located in Manassas, Virginia. The students will participate in a team development and experiential learning program called “The EDGE”, which stands for energize, develop, grow, and excel. We will have this field trip rain or shine, but we will hope for sunshine!

Ms. Morgan’s and Ms. Coffeen’s homerooms will go on Wednesday, September 20.

Mrs. Fields’ and Mrs. Furr’s homerooms will go on Thursday, September 21.

The EDGE program provides an opportunity for people of all ages to participate in fun, safe, and challenging outdoor activities that work towards building relationships, problem solving, and developing a better understanding of communicating and working together.

Our students will participate in a team building program that involves a series of challenging, non-competitive activities designed to maximize cooperation, communication, respect, and trust among the group members, heightening their sense of community. The activities will be facilitated by the EDGE adventure specialists. Our sixth graders will be accompanied by their homeroom teachers and physical education instructors.

The team building activities will be comprised of two different components:

Ground Initiative and Elements: Problem-solving activities on the ground or up to 18 inches off the ground. Students will be challenged to brainstorm and problem solve while working together as a team to accomplish the challenge.
Aerial Elements: High adventure elements that are 15-50 feet off the ground, focus more on individual challenges, and require team support. All the aerial elements at The EDGE require participants to wear harnesses and helmets.

The EDGE follows the philosophy of "Challenge by Choice". Students will be encouraged to challenge themselves, but it will be their choice to consider how they will participate.

Potomac’s physical education curriculum strives to enhance our students’ development and experiences through physical activities. We have added units in cooperative games and team-building initiatives to the curriculum, and we believe that this field trip complements our program.

The sixth graders and their teachers will depart from school at 8:40 am on their assigned day and return to campus by 3:15 pm. Students not on the school's meal plan should pack a lunch, including a beverage, as there are no snack or drink machines. Children on the meal plan will receive a boxed lunch. Students should dress in clothing that is comfortable and appropriate for outdoor activities. The sixth graders should pack raincoats in case it rains while we are at the site because we will still press on with our trip in the rain.

Required for the field trip:

Bring lunch with a beverage (no glass, please) if not on the meal plan
Wear comfortable clothing (pants, shorts, casual shirt)
Layer clothing appropriately for the weather (wet/dry, hot/cold)
Wear comfortable sneakers that can get dirty - NO OPEN-TOED SHOES
Do not wear any jewelry (watches are okay, but no smartwatches)
Bring a raincoat or poncho
Bring/wear sunscreen
Bring a water bottle
Bring bug repellent

Optional for the field trip:

Hat
Change of socks
Jacket or sweatshirt

Please do not bring:

Glass bottles
Gum
Mobile phone
Money

In wet weather, anything is better than 100% cotton. Synthetic materials and wool will keep your child warm even when wet; cotton does not. Layers of clothing, sweaters, and light jackets are preferable to one heavy jacket. A hat or hood is recommended, as 40-70% of all body heat leaves the body through the head.

The EDGE staff requires that each participant complete the Participant Assumption of Risk form. Please read and complete the form for your child and remember to SIGN it. Return the form to your child's homeroom teacher by Monday, September 18. All students must have a completed and signed form to participate in the activities.

We look forward to a great outdoor adventure and team building day. We believe the sixth graders will enjoy the experience and benefit from the variety of cooperative and trust-building challenges presented to each group. If you have any questions, please contact me at (703) 749-6343 or via email.

Sincerely,

Carol Hilderbrand

Physical Education Department Chair