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Smoky Mountains Adventure
Announcements
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Get ready! The 2022 Smoky Mountain Adventure Trip is drawing closer! Click the links below to view the latest pre-trip information.
Updated information regarding dietary restrictions and allergies is also available below:
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Updated 12/13/21
General registration for the Smoky Moutains Adventure trips is now open. Trips that are full provide an option for families to sign up for a waitlist.
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What Rockwood Families are Saying
"Both of my kids have LOVED the Smoky Mountains Adventure trip. It takes them days to relay all the stories they have to share! From the bus ride to the games to the hikes to the wildlife education, they soak up every minute of it. I appreciate the independence it allows for the kids. The connection to and appreciation for the natural environment this trip fosters is priceless!"
— Carey T., Rockwood Parent Current fifth-grade Rockwood students will venture into the Great Smoky Mountains National Park for an adventure-packed, science-based four-day trip. Explore the wilderness, search for wildlife, learn about the environment, and develop leadership skills!
During our adventure, students will hike to a mountain waterfall while developing science skills along the way, collect and release specimens in different habitats to compare their characteristics, and embark on an all-day hike exploring a unique mountain ecosystem. Adventures and discovery continue in the evening during a night hike to learn about nocturnal adaptations, and friendships are formed during good old-fashioned campfire programs!
Each trip is planned and led by our Parkway-Rockwood Community Ed staff and chaperoned by Rockwood School District teachers, administrators, and staff. Many of our chaperones have participated in the Smoky Mountains Adventure in the past and enjoy leading students on this unique experience each school year!
2022 Trip Dates by School
- March 4-7, 2022 (departs evening of March 3 from Fairway Elementary): Ballwin, Fairway, Green Pines
- March 11-14, 2022 (departs evening of March 10 from Kehrs Mill Elementary): Ellisville, Kehrs Mill, Westridge
- April 8-11, 2022 (departs evening of April 7 from Uthoff Valley Elementary): Bowles, Kellison, Stanton, Uthoff Valley
- April 29-May 2, 2022 (departs evening of April 28 from Chesterfield Elementary): Babler, Chesterfield, Pond
- May 13-16, 2022 (departs evening of May 12 from Blevins Elementary): Blevins, Eureka, Geggie
- May 20-23, 2022 (departs evening of May 19 from Wild Horse Elementary): Ridge Meadows, Wild Horse, Woerther
.We will continue to monitor the pandemic situation over the coming year and will make changes to trip plans if needed. If the trip needs to be canceled, a full refund will be given.Fee
The trip cost is $650. A $200 deposit is due at the time of registration with two installments of $225 each due January 7 and February 4. Limited fee assistance is available to those who qualify on a first-come, first-served basis until the funds are exhausted. Contact info@prcommunityed.org, or call or text 636-891-6644 for more fee assistance information.
Note: The fee for the trip is set to meet the district requirement that all trips are self-funded and fees cover the cost for all expenses.
Registration
The Smoky Mountains Adventure is open to all fifth-grade students currently enrolled at a Rockwood School District Elementary school. Registrations must be submitted by the parent or legal guardian for the child.
Registration will take place through a random draw lottery. The lottery sign up period begins December 6 and will run continuously through Sunday, December 12 at 11:59 p.m.
- You may only register for your child's assigned school trip. You may not register for another school's trip.
- You only need to register one time for each child.
- All those registering for the lottery will have an equal chance to be drawn for the trip, regardless of when they register between now and Sunday.
On Monday, December 13, the system will randomly draw from those who have registered for the lottery and will assign students to trips:
- If you are chosen in the lottery, you will receive an email by Monday, December 13 at 4 p.m. confirming your registration. The payment option you choose when registering for the lottery (deposit only or full payment) will be charged to the payment method you have on file.
- If you are not chosen in the lottery, you will receive an email by Monday, December 13 at 4 p.m. letting you know you were not selected, but will be automatically be moved to the waitlist and will be contacted if/when a space becomes available.
In order to register online, you will need to create an account in the online registration system (if you do not already have one). In addition, your child must be added to your account prior to registering him/her for the trip program.
If your school’s trip sells out, you may sign up for a waitlist through the online registration system (your deposit will not be processed while you are on the waitlist). If no space opens on your school’s trip, there may be an opportunity to be placed on another Rockwood elementary school’s trip (depending on space availability). There is no guarantee that all students will be placed on a trip.
Register for the random draw lottery.
Travel and Lodging Accommodations
We will travel by charter coach to the Tremont Institute inside Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Our accommodations at Tremont Institute include dormitory style housing, a full service cafeteria, outdoor classroom facilities and indoor lab space. Students will be housed and supervised in single gender dorms which are equipped with heat, restrooms and showers. Meals are student friendly with healthy options and are served family style in the cafeteria. Many allergies and dietary restrictions can be accommodated. Please note any allergy or dietary restrictions at the time of registration or call 636-458-3048 for more information. Learn more about the Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont (GSMIT).
Packing List
View a list of recommended items your child should pack to ensure their succeess on the trip.
Class Instruction
Tremont instructors partner with Rockwood teachers to lead students through classes that explore the unique environment of the Smokies, develop leadership skills, and build teamwork amongst students. The staff at Tremont have a passion for sharing their knowledge with our students!
Departure Information
Students should arrive at the departure location for check-in between 8:15–9:15 p.m. on Thursday evening of their trip (see trip dates above). Upon arrival, leave your luggage in the car and proceed inside to complete the check-in process. Boarding (motor coaches) will start at 9 p.m. and chaperones will supervise the loading of luggage and students (parents are not allowed on the bus). Buses are scheduled to depart at 9:30 p.m.
Return Information
Buses are scheduled to return to the departure location at 5:30 p.m. on Monday afternoon. This is an approximate arrival time; actual arrival time will depend upon several factors, including traffic. On the return day, up-to-date return time will be posted on our Twitter feed and Facebook page. Students will remain on the bus until a parent (or designated person) checks out their student with a trip chaperone.
Accommodations for Students with Disabilities
Reasonable accommodations will be made to afford students with disabilities an equal opportunity to participate. If a parent believes that his/her child will need accommodations, a form will need to be completed to initiate planning. To obtain a copy of the form, please contact Chloe Kersten, our Inclusion Specialist, at 636-891-6639 or kerstenchloe@prcommunityed.org.
Frequently Asked Questions
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How many students can you take on a trip? If the trip sells out, will there be a wait list?
There are 122 spots available per trip. If a trip fills as part of the random lottery draw, remaining individuals will automatically be placed on a wait list and will be contacted by Community Ed if/when a space becomes available.
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How much does the trip cost? What is the payment process?
The trip fee is $650. A $200 deposit is due at registration. The remainder will be made in two equal installments of $225 each on January 7 and February 4. There is an option of paying the balance in full when you go to register. Limited fee assistance is available. Call or text us at 636-891-6644, live chat with us on this website or email us at info@prcommunityed.org for more information.
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How are buses, activity groups and sleeping/dorm spaces assigned?
Students are assigned to buses and activity groups by trip administration prior to trip check-in. Bus assignments are made by school and/or gender. Regarding activity group assignments, two students per school, per gender are placed in a group so that students will have someone else of their gender from their school. Groups will also include students from other schools. Our goal is to create activity groups assignments that introduce students to others who may attend the same middle and/or high school. Students select their own sleeping space upon arrival at Tremont.
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Will siblings/twins be grouped together on trips?
The registration system will recognize siblings and will group them together prior to the random lottery draw. However, each sibling/twin must register for the lottery seperately.
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How are students supervised during the trip?
- At bus stops during the drive to and from the Smoky Mountains
- We stop at predetermined rest stops and gas stations that are easy to get into/out of and keep students away from busy traffic areas. Chaperones check the restrooms and buildings before letting students off the bus. When students leave the bus, they remove their name tag and hand it to the designated chaperone who returns it when students return to the bus. Chaperones check the building and restrooms after all students finish and take a headcount prior to departure.
- At the Tremont Institute
- Tremont Institute is located inside of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The Rockwood trips will be the only program taking place at the facility while we are there. Chaperones are with students during all activities, meals, dorm time and free time.
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Who chaperones the trips? Can parents go?
Rockwood teachers and employees attend the trip with the students. Parents are not allowed to be chaperones, as a goal of the trip is to foster independence among the students.
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Can my child bring a cell phone on the trip?
Students will have access to cellular service on the bus to and from the Smoky Mountains. There is no wifi available on the bus. Cellular service is unavailable for all providers inside the park and the limited wifi available at Tremont is restricted to office use. Phones will remain locked up on the bus for the time students are at the Tremont Institute. A landline is available in case of emergency and Community Ed staff are on call during the weekend to help with any problems, concerns or emergencies. Digital or disposable cameras are encouraged for picture taking.
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What happens if a child is sick/injured during the trip?
Upon arrival at the Tremont Institute, we will pick up a rental car. In the event a child is injured, two adults would transport the child to the emergency room/urgent care. There are multiple urgent cares located close by and an emergency room within 30 miles of the Tremont Institute. If an injury is severe, we will call 911. In addition, Tremont Institute staff are certified in Wilderness First Responder Training.
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What are the participation criteria and behavior guidelines for my child to attend the trip?
Trek and Travel strives to help all students find success within the program. Participatory standards include:
Physical Requirements
Throughout the duration of this trip, we expect all participants to be able to:
- Follow proper safety procedures at all times, including:
- Avoidance of causing harm to themselves and others
- Follow directions from Smoky Mountains staff and chaperones
- Stay with group inside set boundaries
- Walk unassisted on uneven terrain for extended periods of time
- Be outside in all weather conditions
- Endure travel on various types of vehicles (Charter bus, school bus, etc.)
- Manage their own personal needs and belongings
- Assist in care and cleaning of facility
- Share a living and sleeping space with students of the same gender and age
- Maintain a safe sleeping environment
- Independently manage their activities of daily living (i.e. toilet hygiene, bathing, eating, etc.)
Behavior Expectations
Students are expected to exhibit appropriate behavior at all times. View Community Ed Behavior Managament and Discipline Guidelines.
A parent or guardian must be willing and able to pick up the student from the Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont if their behavior dictates they must leave the trip.
A review of behavior over the previous year may be conducted if necessary to determine eligibility for the trip.
Support for Children With Special Needs
Community Ed supports the inclusion of children with varying ability levels and needs. It is essential that parents advise Community Ed Administration of any allergies, health conditions, accommodations or needs that their child may have at time of registration. Without full disclosure of a child’s needs, Community Ed may not be prepared to ensure the child’s success in the program. Enrollment will not be considered final until all requirements have been met and reviewed. Upon receipt of all relevant documentation, Community Ed will determine whether, and what, reasonable accommodations can be made. Community Ed strives to support children of all ability levels. Please note that Community Ed does not have the same staff resources available that children may receive during the normal school day. If the support a child needs cannot be provided without fundamentally altering the nature of the program, Community Ed reserves the right to deny or terminate the child’s enrollment.
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My child has special needs and may require accommodations. Who do I contact to discuss possible support?
We are happy to talk to you about any needs of your child during the trip. Please contact our Inclusion Specialist Chloe Kersten at kerstenchloe@prcommunityed.org.
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What is the cancellation policy?
See the chart below outlining the last date to receive a full refund minus a $20 processing fee for each trip. Full refunds (minus processing fee) for cancellations made after these dates is not guaranteed unless we are able to place another student on the trip as Community Ed will have already submitted non-refundable deposits for transportation and lodging. If we are not able to place another student on the trip, you will receive a maximum refund of $245 (exceptions may be made for emergency and/or documented medical reasons).
Trip
Last Date to Receive Full Refund
March 4-7 (Ballwin, Fairway, Green Pines)
December 20
March 11-14 (Ellisville, Kehrs Mill, Westridge)
January 9
April 8-11 (Bowles, Kellison, Stanton, Uthoff Valley)
February 6
April 29-May 2 (Babler, Chesterfield, Pond)
February 27
May 13-16 (Blevins, Eureka, Geggie)
March 13
May 20-23 (Ridge Meadows, Wild Horse, Woerther)
March 20
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What happens if my child gets sick at the facility? (COVID or Non-COVID illness)?
- Before the trip - students who are unable to attend school the day of the trip due to illness will NOT be eligible to attend the trip. If this occurs, we will work with you regarding possible options.
- During the trip - students who become ill during the trip will be checked for symptoms of COVID. Those who are symptomatic will be given a COVID Antigen test and quarantined. Students who become ill, regardless of COVID symptoms, will be quarantined and a parent/guardian will be required to come to the Tremont Institute to pick up the student. Students who are ill cannot ride back on the bus and must be transported separately by a parent/guardian. This is a requirement of attending the trip.
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What are the COVID-related health and safety guidelines?
The health and safety of students and chaperones is our top priority. We will continue working with district administration, the transportation company and the Great Smoky Mountain Institute at Tremont to ensure proper health and safety protocols are in place during the trips.
It is important to note that guidelines in place today may or may not be in place when the trips take place in the spring.
If the trip was to depart today:
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) previously announced that masks are no longer required on buses or vans operated by public or private school systems. Given that the requirement has been lifted, masks are no longer required on Rockwood buses. As a result, masks will also no longer be required on the buses during your child's Smoky Mountains trip.
- The mask policy while indoors at the Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont has not changed. Masks are required for time spent indoors except while eating and sleeping.
Additional information will be provided based on the status of the pandemic as it becomes available. If any of the trips are cancelled due to the pandemic, a full refund will be given.
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Where can I find additional information?
Visit our website where you can learn more about the trips and view a trip presentation. Call or text us at 636-891-6644, live chat with us on this website or email us at info@prcommunityed.org with additional questions.