By: Reka Keller, Director of Communications and Marketing
Who doesn’t remember the sense of joyful anticipation upon hearing it was time for a class field trip—the thrill of a potentially unknown destination, the lively bus ride with friends, and the freedom of learning beyond the four walls of a classroom? At Green Hedges, that excitement moves to the next level. Our students don’t just go on field trips—they experience immersive overnight retreats; they don’t just hang out—they embark on program-related expeditions and team-building adventures; and they don’t just travel locally—they go on international, week-long Spring Break trips. Every off-campus experience at Green Hedges is thoughtfully designed to reflect our mission of cultivating capable, confident, and conscientious young adults who contribute meaningfully to the greater world.
Students begin taking off-campus field trips in Lower School. While in our younger grades this may look more like a day-trip to JK Community Farm to pick fruits and vegetables for food-insecure communities, or a visit to the Capitol to learn about governmental structure, starting in Grade 4 students begin to participate in at least one overnight trip per school year. These trips are to places like Calleva, an innovative outdoor education and adventure program, or Echo Hill Camp, an ecology-based camping experience on the Chesapeake Bay. These overnight trips are designed not only to spark outdoor exploration and deepen science learning, but also to nurture personal growth—building resilience, adaptability, self-confidence, leadership, and communication skills. Students treasure these experiences, such as Grade 5’s recent reflection on their trip to Echo Hill: “It was so cool! We explored a swamp, went on a night hike to a beach to build a dam, and even studied garbology, the study of trash to understand human consumption.” Students even reminisced about the giant swing at Calleva the year before, oohing and aahing over the experience.
Meanwhile, our Middle School students participate in at least two overnight retreats annually, beginning as early as September. This year, students kicked off the school year with a two-day retreat to Sandy Hill Camp and Retreat Center on the Chesapeake Bay. Grade 8 student Soraya shared, “Since we have such a tight-knit Middle School community, we really get to know each other on the retreats.” Her sentiment is echoed by many students who enjoyed activities like ropes courses, kayaking, fishing, rock climbing, and hiking—all chosen to strengthen teamwork and cultivate a unified Middle School community. Even new students feel included; Grade 6 student Zoe noted, “I got to know everyone, and being the new student, it made the first day of school feel easier.”
Sometimes, even though a trip can be challenging for students experiencing their first time away from home, the personal growth is remarkable. As Grade 6 student Julia explained, “It was really hard at first because it was the beginning of the year and I’d never done anything like that, but once I got there it was so much fun, I didn’t even think about home.” While retreats provide a jumpstart for team-building, these opportunities continue throughout the year, with cross-grade activities that further foster collaboration and lasting friendships.
Field trips at Green Hedges extend well beyond the Greater Washington area. Each spring, Grades 6–8 are offered the opportunity to travel to destinations with unique educational experiences. Some trips focus on specific academic subjects: Grade 8 student Blaise, who visited the Bahamas last year, said, “It was so cool—we learned about marine biology and swam at the beach. Overall, it was a fantastic bonding experience.” Other trips emphasize language, like the French Immersion trip to Montreal, or service learning, such as this year’s journey to Santa de Dota, Costa Rica. Students shared that international trips allowed them to try experiences they wouldn’t have otherwise. Noah, a Grade 8 student, said, “When we went to Montreal, it was amazing because we got to spend a week with friends in a new country, tour and explore a city, and even do activities like a photography studio.”
This year, the 15 or so students who head to Santa de Dota, Costa Rica, will focus on community engagement rather than sightseeing, including a visit to a coffee cooperative, work with a local school and elderly facility, and activities centered on ethical environmental stewardship—all while strengthening their Spanish skills. Grade 7 student Mo noted that even local trips, like an advisory group visit to Vienna’s Food for Others pantry, can feel adventurous and eye-opening: “Field trips at Green Hedges are really fun because you get to meet and interact with students outside your grade or friend group.”
Green Hedges is a place for curiosity and exploration and, while every grade level experiences a variety of opportunities to deepen their understanding of the world, field trips are a particular activity where learning truly comes alive. These experiences, whether around the corner or across the globe, are what make Green Hedges not just excellent, but truly extraordinary.
Read More about Green Hedges in our recent issue of Clippings