Extended Outdoor Ed Trips
Extended outdoor education trips begin in Middle School. These trips are a natural extension of the learning that goes on in the classroom, with science and social studies often providing the basis for each trip. The trips also help to foster a sense of community and togetherness among students.
Third Grade Overnight: Walker Creek Ranch
The third grade overnight trip takes place in the spring at Walker Creek Ranch, an outdoor education site which focuses mostly on environmental education and experiences. The students take hikes, fish or search for “critters” in the ponds, and complete team building activities during the day and night away. One of the overall favorite memories for most third graders is the campfire complete with s'mores!
Fourth Grade Overnight: California Gold Country Trip
The fourth grade culminates their intensive study of the California Gold Rush by taking a trip to the historic town of Columbia. Students, parents, and teachers dress up in period clothing and participate in authentic Gold Rush activities for two days. Students participate in a scavenger hunt, perform their own Gold Rush skit, and enjoy the scenery of Tuolumne County. The trip brings to life the many different things that were studied in a rich, interactive way.
Fifth Grade Overnight
The fifth grade overnight is close to "home," at Point Bonita in the Marin Headlands. Located in a YMCA camping facility, the students sleep over one night in dorm rooms. There are two primary purposes for the trip: 1) camaraderie and building strong group relationships; and 2) learning about the environment close to school. This science and social bonding trip takes place at the beginning of the school year and prepares the children for the year ahead in a purposeful yet relaxing way.
Sixth Grade
Sixth graders take a two-day camping trip in the early fall. Past trip locations have included Point Reyes and Angel Island.
Seventh Grade Trip: Joshua Tree
Each spring, the entire seventh grade class spends a week at Joshua Tree National Monument hiking, rocking climbing, and learning about nature and the desert ecosystem. While at Joshua Tree, students share leadership responsibilities and chores. The trip also tests and expands the character of students who are asked to step outside familiar, comfortable and traditional roles to explore more of themselves, others, and the natural world. Students often cite the Joshua Tree trip as one of the most memorable experiences of their time at MCDS.
Eigth Grade Projects
Towards the end of their 8th grade year, students have the option of participating in the 8th grade play, or in one of two off-campus projects: Field Oceanography and Studio Art.
Students participating in Field Oceanography, spend three weeks exploring different marine environments around the Bay, including Duxbury Reef, Limatour, Stinson Beach, Point Reyes, and China Camp.
Studio art students spend three weeks deeply immersed in the world of art. They alternate creating their own works of art in an off-campus studio with visits to art museums around the Bay Area.
