Trip Activities List

One morning, Hillsmere Beach

• ¼ mile roundtrip flatwater canoeing “ride” (no paddling by kids)

One day, Holly Pavilion, Quiet Waters Park

• 1-2 mile day-hike to and from Quiet Waters (through Hillsmere community streets) with minimal elevation change
• Team-building activities, nature observation hike, journaling/reflective activities, nature art creation

One day, Holly Pavilion, Quiet Waters Park

• 1-2 mile day hike to and from Quiet Waters (through Hillsmere) with minimal elevation change
• Team-building activities, nature observation hike, journaling/reflective activities, nature art creation

One day, Maryland Appalachian Trail near Weverton Cliffs

• 4-6 mile day hike with moderate elevation change
• Food preparation in afternoon

Three days, North East, MD

• Curricular and outdoor activities led by NorthBay faculty and staff
• Sleeping in simple bunkhouses
• Exploring the Susquehanna flats by canoe and workboat

Two individual days, Key Campus

• Canoe portaging in teams around Key Campus

Two days, Maryland Appalachian Trail

• Eight-mile backpacking roundtrip split between two days
• Mostly flat open trail, with some exposed rocky terrain
• Backcountry* camping under tarps with cooking (isobutene stoves/kitchen food preparation)

Four days, Point Lookout State Park

• Frontcountry* camping in tents with cooking (propane stoves/kitchen food preparation) and 2-4 mile flatwater canoeing activity
• Day hikes with assorted curricular and outdoor activities
• Three-mile supervised walk each night along main State Park road to pavilion, beach and playing fields

One day, YMCA Camp Letts

• Low and high-ropes course facilitated by trained YMCA instructors

One day, Patapsco State Park, MD

• Beginner to intermediate mountain biking, with basic staff instruction, along well defined single-track trails
• Students provide their own bikes

Three days, Shenandoah National Park, VA

• Ten-mile day hike with significant elevation change (over 2000 feet) and rocky exposed terrain
• Four-mile backpacking roundtrip split between two days, with river crossings
• Backcountry* camping under tarps with cooking (isobutene stoves/kitchen food preparation)
• Guided tour through Luray Caverns (underground limestone caves)

Six days, Wye Island NRMA

• Frontcountry* camping in tents with cooking (propane stoves/kitchen food preparation) and campfires
• 12-15 mile flatwater canoeing trip circumnavigating Wye Island
• Day hikes with assorted curricular, outdoor and service activities
• 4-6 mile river canoeing trip on the Tuckahoe River
• Waist-deep wading allowed with PFD’s on students
• Sailing trip from Annapolis to Wye Island (approximately ½ day on the water), led by Key families, friends of the School, and alumni with significant sailing experience

Often six days, location determined annually

• Activities described in detail during winter parent information meeting

Often 3-5 days, location determined annually

• Activities described in detail during winter parent information meeting

Three days, with Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) on Smith/Port Isabel/Fox Islands

• Ferry boat ride to islands from Crisfield, MD, by contracted captains
• Flatwater canoe trip and coastal/tidal beach explorations
• Sleeping in bunks in CBF-owned lodges
• Science exploration boat ride with CBF captain
• Various land and water activities led by CBF staff members

Two days, Shenandoah National Park, VA

• 4-6 mile backpacking roundtrip, split between 2 days
• Significant elevation change and rocky terrain in the Rose River Valley region
• Backcountry* camping under tarps with cooking (isobutene stoves/kitchen food preparation)

One evening, Earth Treks, Columbia, MD

• Training toward “belay certification” at Earth Treks Climbing Gym
• Indoor top-rope climbing at various heights

Three days, Great Falls, MD

• Top belay climbing and team-building at indoor facility, overseen by Earth Treks staff and supported by Key School student/peer belayers
• Three-mile backpack trip to and from backcountry* camping facility along towpath
• Outdoor “top belay” climbing led by Earth Treks staff
• Day hike along Billy Goat “A” Trail (moderately challenging hike along rocky terrain)
• Afternoon orienteering challenge with “check-in supervision” of student-led orienteering teams
• Backcountry* camping in tents with cooking (isobutene stoves/kitchen food preparation)

Four days, Wilmington Region, DE

• Frontcountry* camping in tents with cooking (propane stoves and kitchen food preparation) and campfires
• Outdoor top belay climbing led by Wilmington State Parks Staff
• 4-6 mile river canoeing, with portage at small dam, and sporadic Class I whitewater
• Mountain biking
• Service-learning project overseen by Key and Alapocas Run State Park staff, often with hand and power-tools
• Extensive walking tours of Hagley powder mill and DuPont mansion sites

One day, South River

• 2-4 mile flatwater canoe trip to and from Hillsmere Beach

One day, Holly Pavilion, Quiet Waters Park

• Biology field study course in supervised student teams
• Moderate day hiking and science observation actviities
• ½ mile walk through Hillsmere Community streets to Quiet Waters

Five days, Assateague Island National Seashore

• Biology field study focused on ecosystem dynamics
• History study of land use between Ocean City and Assateague
• Frontcountry* camping on beach in tents with cooking (propane stoves and kitchen food preparation) and campfires
• Optional swimming opportunities with lifeguard supervision (waist-deep wading only when no lifeguard on duty)

Three days, Ohiopyle, PA

• Seven-mile Class I-III rafting trip led by guides from Wilderness Voyageurs
• Team-building activities focused on leadership
• Frontcountry* camping in tents with cooking (propane stoves/kitchen food preparation) and campfires
• Visit to Falling Waters, the renowned Frank Lloyd Wright home

Two days, Wye Island NRMA

• 3-5 mile flatwater paddle in the Dividing Creek and Granary Creek region
• Short hikes on Wye Island
• Frontcountry* camping in tents with cooking (propane stoves/kitchen food preparation) and campfires

One day, Thomas Point region

• 4-6 mile openwater kayaking and canoeing, with no skirts and basic wet exit training for those who choose to kayak
• Food preparation at lunch
• Short hike around Thomas Point Park

One day, YMCA Camp Letts

• Low and high-ropes course facilitated by trained YMCA instructors

Three days, Little Orleans, Western Maryland

• 4-8 mile day hike along Potomac River and within Green Ridge State Forest, with moderate elevation change
• Frontcountry* camping in tents with cooking (propane stoves/kitchen food preparation) and campfires
• Often experience significantly cold temperatures, with ability to use back-up cabin nearby with wood stove if temperatures are dangerously low

Often twelve to fourteen days, location determined annually

• Activities described in detail during winter parent information meeting

Five days, Shenandoah National Park or Maryland AT

• Activities described in detail during winter parent information meeting

One morning, Hillsmere Beach

• 1-2 mile flat water canoe trip on the South River
• Team-building activities
• 1-2 mile day-hike in Quiet Waters with minimal elevation change

One day, Wye Island NRMA

• 3-4 mile flatwater canoe trip
• Short hike with team-building activities

One or two days, Wye Island NRMA

• 2-4 mile flatwater canoe trip
• Frontcountry* camping in tents with cooking (propane stoves/kitchen food preparation) and campfires
• Short day hikes

Two days, Wye Island NRMA

• 3-5 mile flatwater paddle in the Dividing Creek and Granary Creek region
• Short hikes on Wye Island
• Frontcountry* camping in tents with cooking (propane stoves/kitchen food prep) and campfires