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Smoky Mountains Adventure
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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 Get ready for the 2024 Smoky Mountains Adventure Trips!
- Smoky Parent-Child Informational Trip Meeting (Coming soon!)
- Smoky Mountain Trip Informational Powerpoint (Coming soon!)
- 2024 Parent & Student Information Packet (Coming soon!)
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!
Click HERE to register for the 2024 Smoky Mountain Adventure Trip!
2024 Trip Dates by School
- March 8-11, 2024 (bus departs March 8 at 6 a.m.): Babler, Chesterfield, Pond
- April 5-8, 2024 (bus departs April 5 at 6 a.m.): Ellisville, Kehrs Mill, Westridge
- April 19-22, 2024 (bus departs April 19 at 6 a.m.): Blevins, Eureka, Geggie
- April 26-April 29, 2024 (bus departs April 26 at 6 a.m): Ridge Meadows, Wild Horse, Woerther
- May 3-6, 2024 (bus departs May 3 at 6 a.m.): Bowles, Kellison, Stanton, Uthoff Valley
- May 17-20, 2024 (bus departs May 17 at 6 a.m.): Ballwin, Fairway, Green Pines
Fee
The trip cost is $675. A $225 deposit is due upon acceptance on the trip. If you choose the installment option, your account will automatically be set up to make three installment payments of $150 each due on December 1, January 2 and February 1. 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 will run July 17-October 31. Once the lottery runs and trip rosters are created a virtual pre-trip parent-child Zoom meeting invitation link will be sent to participating families emails in spring 2024.
- 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 July 17-October 31.
- There is no guarantee all students will be placed on a trip.
On November 1, 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 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 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 your child for the lottery, 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 lottery.
After the lottery is run on November 1, registration will be on a first-come, first-served basis. If a trip is full, you have the option to register for the wait list and you will be contacted if/when a space becomes available.
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 at 5:15 a.m. on departure day (see trip dates above). Upon arrival, leave your luggage in the car and proceed inside to complete the check-in process. Trip chaperones will supervise the loading of luggage and students (parents are not allowed on the bus). Buses are scheduled to depart at 6 a.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 120 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 $675. A $225 deposit is due upon acceptance on the trip. If you choose the installment option, your account will automatically be set up to make three installment payments of $150 each due on December 1, January 2 and February 1. There is an option of paying the balance in full. 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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How are the dorms, bunks, showers and restrooms organized?
Each gender will be assigned one of the dorm floors. The inside of the dorm building is divided up into several large rooms and same gender chaperones will sleep by all entry/exit points as well as throughout the space. All beds are bunk beds and students are able to choose their sleeping space upon arrival at Tremont. All bathrooms have private toilet stalls, shared sink space and private shower stalls. Shower time is available after daily activities (during freetime) or in the evening.
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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.
As cellular reception is not available at Tremont and student phones are locked up on the buses, please plan to obtain updates on your child's Smoky Mountain Adventure via our official X (formerly known as Twitter) page.
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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 Responders.
In cases of a child becoming ill or injured, those child's parents/guardians will be contacted.
Children who become ill during the trip will be quarantined and a parent/guardian will be required to come to the Tremont Institute in Tennessee to pick up the child. 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 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.
For questions regarding inclusion, contact Chloe Kersten, Community Ed Inclusion Specialist, at kerstenchloe@prcommunityed.org.
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How does Tremont Institute handle situations with children who have food allergies, dietary restrictions or are just picky eaters?
Information regarding a child's dietary restrictions and food allergies is asked for as part of the Smoky Mountain Adventure registration process, and there is a follow-up process to communicate with those families about each child's needs. For any additional questions about allergies or dietary restrictions, contact Inclusion Specialist Chloe Kersten at kerstenchloe@prcommunityed.org.
Learn more about how Tremont Institute addresses dietary needs and food allergy issues with students.
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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 $255. Exceptions may be made for emergency and/or documented medical reasons (i.e doctor's note).
Trip
Last Date to Receive Full Refund
March 8-11 (Babler, Chesterfield, Pond)
December 21
April 5-8 (Ellisville, Kehrs Mill, Westridge)
January 22
April 19-22 (Blevins, Eureka, Geggie)
February 5
April 26-29 (Ridge Meadows, Wild Horse, Woerther)
February 12
May 3-6 (Bowles, Kellison, Stanton, Uthoff Valley)
February 20
May 17-20 (Ballwin, Fairway, Green Pines)
March 4
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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.
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I have more questions. Who can I contact?
Contact the Community Ed office Monday-Friday from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. via the following:
- Email: info@prcommunityed.org
- Live chat on this website
- Call or text: 636-891-6644