Dear Sixth Grade Parents,
The Physical Education Department has organized a sixth grade field trip to the Inner Quest Challenge Adventure Course at Camp Crowell in Oakton, Virginia. We will go to Camp Crowell rain or shine, but of course we will hope for sunshine!
Mrs. Fields’ and Mrs. Furr’s homerooms will go on Tuesday, September 27.
Ms. Morgan’s and Ms. Coffeen’s homerooms will go on Wednesday, September 28.
The Inner Quest program provides an opportunity for people of all ages to participate in safe and challenging outdoor education activities. Our sixth graders will be accompanied by their homeroom teachers and physical education instructors.
The students will participate in a team-building program designed to improve group problem-solving skills through cooperation in a safe outdoor environment, facilitated by the Inner Quest adventure specialists. This particular program involves a series of challenging, non-competitive activities that maximize cooperation, communication, respect, and trust among the group members, heightening their sense of community.
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 8:45 am on their assigned day and return to campus by 2:30 pm. Students not on the school's meal plan should pack a lunch, including a beverage, as there are no snack or drink machines at Camp Crowell. Children on the meal plan will receive a boxed lunch. Students should dress in clothing that is comfortable and appropriate for outdoor activities. The children 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 (please, no glass) 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)
- Bring a raincoat or poncho
- Bring 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
- iPod, mobile phone
- Money
For safety reasons, students should not wear any dangling jewelry, loose-fitting clothing, or open-toed shoes.
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 Inner Quest administrator has informed us that their staff is COVID vaccinated and boostered. Consistent with current Potomac School protocols, masks will be optional and hand sanitizer will be provided.
The Inner Quest staff requires that each participant complete the Participant Assumption of Risk and Waiver Agreement and the Emergency Contact and Medical History Form. Click here to access this three-page 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 Friday, September 23. All students must have a completed and signed form to participate in the activities.
We are looking forward to a great day of outdoor adventure and team building. 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 by email.
Sincerely,
Carol Hilderbrand
Physical Education Department Chair
