TMS Outdoor Education 2026
March 3, 2026
Dear Thomas Middle School Families and 7th Grade Students,
The 7th-grade students will be taking a field trip to the Sunrise Lake Outdoor Education Center in Bartlett, Illinois. We are excited about the opportunity to provide your child with an engaging outdoor education experiences. Please see below for additional trip details.
WHEN IS THE FIELD TRIP? The field trip will take place during the regular school day, so your normal transportation procedures to and from school can be followed.
- Gamma Team will attend on Monday, April 6th
- Delta Team will attend on Tuesday, April 7th
WHAT WILL IT COST? There is a transportation fee of $13.00. Students should turn in this payment via cash or check to their PACK Teacher by March 15th. Please submit payment in an envelope labeled with your child's name and PACK. If financial assistance is needed, please reach out to a TMS Administrator.
PERMISSION SLIP: It is linked HERE and below and is due by March 15th. PLEASE COMPLETE THE FIELD TRIP FORM AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. For planning purposes, we are unable to accept permission slips after March 15th.
WHAT SHOULD THE STUDENTS BRING? The majority of the activities at Sunrise Lake will happen outdoors in the woods regardless of the weather conditions. As such, students should come prepared to be outdoors in any weather. It is highly likely that students will get muddy and wet. For that reason, they will need to dress appropriately. The following gear is suggested:
Jacket/Ponchos or sweatshirt with layers underneath
Long pants
Boots encouraged - close-toed gym shoes work as well (Crocs/open-toed shoes are not permitted)
Lightweight backpack
Extra pair of socks
Water bottle with name labeled
Individual hand sanitizer
Sunblock
Hat/Sunglasses
Disposable lunch, only if not selecting D25 provided lunch
WHAT CAN'T THE STUDENTS BRING - NO CELL PHONES: In order to get the most out of this outdoor education experience, we want to provide students with the opportunity to be fully present in nature. For that reason, cell phones are not allowed on this trip, including the bus to and from the field trip. Students may bring their phones to school but must leave it in their locker. Thomas staff and Sunrise Lake staff will have phones should an emergency arise. Staff will take pictures of each group and will share those photos at a later date.
FOOD INFORMATION: On the day of the field trip, students may bring lunch from home or buy a school lunch as specified in the permission form.
WHAT ABOUT EMERGENCIES: If you need to get a hold of your child, please call the Thomas Middle School main office and they will be able to quickly route you to the TMS administrator at Sunrise Lake who can connect with your child. Staff onsite at Sunrise Lake will be using walkie-talkies while on the wooded campus. Additionally, if Thomas Middle School staff needs to reach you, staff onsite will have access to student emergency contact and medical information. A Thomas Middle School nurse and administrators are attending both field trips.
Please reach out if you have any questions. This will be a fun and educational experience for all!
- Gamma Team Leader - Jodi Cyr - jcyr@sd25.org
- Delta Team Leader - Kate Renno - krenno@sd25.org
Thank you,
Lori Naumowicz
Principal
