Overnight Field Trips

Field Trip Rationale:

Maria Montessori had a vision for the Montessori child, in terms of independence. She outlined a trajectory of independent activities throughout childhood to adolescence with the end goal being an independent, confident young adult.  Her hope in providing these developmentally appropriate independent tasks from 3 years old through adulthood was to give the child specific activities and time to build their independence.  

Going out into the community on field trips is a key component of the Montessori philosophy.  It is important for the children to go out and experience what they are learning in the classroom.  Field trips are connected to and support the classroom curriculum.  They are meant to encourage exploration and a deeper understanding of the curriculum. 

26-27 Overnight Field Trip Emergency & Medical — ALL families with students in grades 2nd-8th need to complete this form. 

FOR ALL OVERNIGHT TRIPS: Doctor’s Order Forms for emergency medications and prescription medications that need to be administered on a trip can be found HERE. Please reach out to your Physicians’ offices ASAP as many offices are inundated with requests at the start of school. These are due to Nurse Christy 10 days before the trip. Nurse Christy will accept medication on August 3rd–6th at the main school office between 8:00am-12:00pm.

Note: If the Doctor’s Order on file only covers the school day, another doctor’s order will be necessary on the overnight trip. 

Field Trip Chaperone Request Form — Interested in chaperoning? Please fill out this form. 

Web Store payments here

Lower Elementary

October 21–23: approx $300 per person. *Subject to change based on transportation costs*

  • 2nd-3rd grades: Camp St. Christopher/Barrier Island Program - Students will learn about life in the estuary, ponds, marsh and wetlands as they touch, discover and learn about birds, marine life, wetlands, adaptations and all things nature.  They will also play outdoor cooperative games, sing campfire songs, and camp overnight.

  • Payment due by 8/14/26. Pay in the webstore.

  • 1st grade: $30 per person, due by 8/14/26.

    • Students will enjoy ECMCS Camp at school without an overnight aspect. Camp ECMCS is built around similar science and bonding experiences throughout the day as Camp St Christopher. We aim for touch tanks and standards-based science activities. 

    • Payment due: $30, pay on website “School Store”, “Field Trips”

Upper Elementary

Camp Green River Preserve: September 30-October 2: The cost is $375 per person. Due by August 14. *Subject to change based on transportation quotes*

Due to the trip's timing, payment is due by the first Friday of the school year. Transportation is the biggest cost. 

Green River Preserve is a private wildlife preserve located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Western North Carolina. Upper Elementary Trip Rationale click here.

Middle School (6th-8th)

FALL TRIPS—August 19–21. All payments for Fall Trips are non-refundable. If deposit is not received by Friday, July 31, students will not be able to attend because camp payments and chaperone numbers will be calculated based on the number of deposits paid.

Our middle school students will begin the year with an Odyssey trip. The Odyssey trip is a time for adolescents to build community and tackle adventure.  

Due to the trip's timing, initial deposits will be due by Friday, July 31 and final payment is due by Tuesday, August 11.

***Note: Our adolescent pizza account is funding $100 per student for these trips.  

6th & 7th grades: Camp Chatuga in Mountain Rest, SC (not to be confused with the traditional 8th grade trip to Wildwater Chattooga below) — August 19-21. $300 total cost. Deposit of $150 is due on Friday, July 31 and final payment of $150 is due Tuesday, August 11.

8th grade: Wildwater Chattooga Trip in Long Creek, SC — August 19-21. $440 total cost. Deposit of $220 is due on Friday, July 31 and final payment of $220 is due Tuesday, August 11.

Middle School (6th–8th) SPRING TRIPS—More information including final cost will be available in the coming months. 

6th grade: Hike Inn, April 7-9, 2027 — 2026 cost was $540.

7th grade: MMUN, February 16-20, 2027 — 2026 cost was $2300. 

8th grade: DC Spring Trip, April 6-9, 2027 — 2026 cost was $1235.