Sheridan School Programs at the Mountain Campus

Sheridan School Programs

Come enjoy the Mountain Campus Experience!

Goals for class visits

When Sheridan School students visit the Mountain Campus, they participate in a process that begins in first grade and builds through subsequent years. Our overall goal for these trips is to enrich students' knowledge of themselves and their environment and enhance cooperation. The Mountain Campus staff works with Sheridan teachers to identify the specific needs of each class and develop supportive activities. The curriculum designed by the Mountain Campus staff is integrated with city campus studies so that it will be relevant and compatible.

Our Philosophy

The Mountain Campus exists for Sheridan Students. It’s designed to advance classroom concepts within a different “place” context for broader experiential learning. Programs take classroom concepts and use the campus’ geography and setting, to relate learning to the real world. To us, it’s not only learning an idea, it’s doing it, imagining it, feeling it, understanding it, being excited about it!
Along with advancing curriculum, the mountain campus works to develop each class as a whole. We use adventure challenge and teambuilding activities to promote class unity, self esteem, friendships, and good character. We start by creating a safe environment (both physically and emotionally), and then offer students a choice. In choosing to challenge one’s self, one finds support, accomplishment, confidence, and bonds that stay with them long after they’ve left.

Program Overview

First and Second Grade	Mountain Campus exploration Parent/child activities Overnight Stay - One parent per child

Third Grade	Nature Exploration Native American Studies (related to the central subject) Parent/child activities Overnight stay Fall - One parent per child Spring - One parent per every 2-3 children

Fourth Grade	Outdoor "survival" projects and problem solving activities designed to build confidence to be away from home and their comfort level of being at the MC American Colonial history activities/Pioneer Trail experience (related to central subject) 3 day, 2 night stay-First time without parents.

Fifth Grade	Class unity and social skills activities to encourage "four C's:" cooperation, courtesy, common sense and consideration. Culture and Conquest giant campus activity. Trust series of group initiative games to encourage class trust Ancient Egyptian and Greek activities (related to the central subject), such as constructing an Ancient Egyptian Monument using socially stratified roles. 3 day, 2 night stay both in the fall and in the spring

Sixth Grade	Activities designed to encourage students to take more responsibility for themselves and others. Environmental awareness activities Work on outdoor skills to improve self reliance 2 backpacking trips on MC property and through the Shenandoah National Park Mountain Campus service project 4 day, 3 night stay

Seventh Grade	Confidence building activities through challenges such as climbing wall, zipline and spelunking. Underground Railroad 4 day, 3 night stay in spring and fall Multi-day canoe trip on the Shenandoah River

Eighth Grade	Leadership and responsibility enhancement activities Final Expedition including rock climbing, canoeing, and white water rafting. 4 day 3 night stay fall, rafting trip in the spring