Visiting Teachers/School Administrators

“The program at Echo Hill is one of the most valuable educational experiences we have witnessed in four decades of teaching. By coupling experiences designed to heighten their awareness and appreciation of our fragile environment with rustic living, Echo Hill accomplishes that which others profess to do - have a profound impact upon children. Living together and learning to work as a cohesive unit to solve a myriad of challenges presented at Echo Hill has become a rite of passage in our urban community, one met by over three thousand students, spanning two generations. Through the efforts of the Echo Hill Outdoor School, our children have become not only aware of Pennsylvania's impact upon the Chesapeake Bay, but of our impact upon each other."
- Robert and Kristina Frick, Teachers (retired), Garrettford Elementary School, Drexel Hill, PA

“I have visited Echo Hill with fifth grade students for over 15 years. The children that I bring come thinking that they will learn about ecology, the Chesapeake Bay and their environment and they do, but they learn so much more. They learn so much about themselves and their ability to function outside the safety of their homes and school. At Echo Hill, they learn to interact with people they don’t know very well and with the natural world, which they get to know better. They get to dig deep to try things that they never dreamed they could do.”
- Ellen Chamberlin, teacher, Chestertown Middle School, MD

“Children love Echo Hill and why not? They are given freedom to explore the outdoors and, in small groups, engage in meaningful hands-on learning that relates to their lives and their interests. They get dirty, see things they’ve never seen before, and do things they’ve never done before. Exhausted students return to the classroom with two gifts from Echo Hill’s creative staff: a deeper knowledge of their environment and an enthusiastic desire to preserve it.”
- Lee Franklin, Teacher, Kennard Elementary, Centreville, MD

“As a teacher it is wonderful to see the students in a nontraditional learning environment like Echo Hill and to witness the enthusiasm and camaraderie that they bring to the various learning activities at the school. There are many team-building activities at the school, like Giant Swing and the Adventure I and II courses, and it is a joy to see the way that students learn to interact with their peers as they work together to meet the challenges that they are presented with. All of these things are wonderful life lessons that teach the children to work together to achieve a common goal.”
- Philip Zimmerman, Teacher, Roland Park Middle School, Baltimore, MD

“They love walking along the beach, feeling the wind on their skin, and finding treasures. What joy to be given permission to take home an oyster shell or a piece of sea glass.”
– Billie-Lynne Roberts, Teacher, Worton Elementary School Kent County, MD

“Although we have a wonderful textbook and a few relevant videos, nothing can compare to the ‘hands-on’ experience our urban children attain at Echo Hill. I have taught for 13 years and have never had a class experience as wonderful and meaningful as that of Echo Hill.”
– Mrs. Deytre D. Jackson, Teacher, Hamilton Elementary School Baltimore City, MD

“Surrounded by your patient, loving staff who encourage them, anything was possible! There were smiles on children who otherwise come to school hunched over from the weight of their personal responsibilities. There was laughter from children who do not even want to make eye contact.”
– Penny Muzyka, Teacher, Hillcrest Elementary School Upper Darby, PA

“The leaders provide direction, insight and energy, and fun. They have designed a program that suits the specific needs of our students. We can count on the staff at Echo Hill to help adolescents negotiate the intricacies of leadership, bonding, and learning.”
- Peter J. Caldwell, Asst. Headmaster, St. Andrew’s School Middletown, DE

“Many students learned how to take full responsibility for themselves and their own belongings. They improved their social interaction skills. Cohesiveness was enhanced. Staff professionalism was excellent.”
- Marsha Moore, Teacher, Brookland Elementary Washington, DC

“For the most part our students are from crowded streets in urban neighborhoods. They have had few opportunities to interact with nature on its own terms. They deeply appreciate and don’t soon forget the EHOS classes which teach respect and conservation values in a variety of creative ways.”
– Eduardo Gamarra, Teacher, Oyster Bilingual Elementary School Washington, DC

“While the classrooms have no walls, I witnessed boys learning about science and the environment, about themselves, about group dynamics, and about leadership.”
– Douglass E. Norry, Middle School Senior Master, Landon Middle School Potomac, MD

“Having worked now in the city schools for over 25 years, I can honestly say there are few experiences available to our children that compare to the rich, deep, and expansive learning that is at the core of the Echo Hill experience. Few of our students have the opportunity to kiss a fish from the Chesapeake Bay or take in the wonder of a night sky far from the city or take a long, wet nature hike with their friends. Echo Hill Outdoor School opens a new and very exciting world for our kids.”
– Patrick Pope, Principal, Hardy Middle School Washington, DC

“At Friends, we strive to help children grow to be open-minded, reflective, and well-rounded. Echo Hill’s program perfectly supports our philosophy of working together to develop both individual and group potential in an inclusive, respectful, and supportive environment.”
– Greta Rutstein, Director of Academic Administration, Friends School of Baltimore Baltimore, MD

“Even days when I was exhausted, grumpy, and searching for energy, there was always someone to put a smile on my face. There were so many moments when I wanted nothing else than to be doing what I was doing, where I was doing it, and with whom I was doing it.”
– Stanley Dunn, Teacher, Echo Hill Outdoor School

“You are certainly in a wonderful location, but for me it is the people that you hire and train that pull it off in splendid fashion. I applaud you for having the dedication and commitment to help make a difference in the lives of our students. I often have students who have gone on to Upper School and college tell me that their experience at Echo Hill was one of the highlights of their Episcopal Experience.”
– Win Shafer, Teacher, Episcopal Academy

“I have been bringing my sixth grade students to Echo Hill for about 10 years now. We use the challenge course program with our students. This program has always been well organized and highly engaging. One of my favorite aspects of the program is that it truly challenges the students. The staff does an excellent job of pushing the students to go one step further than they think they can. Counselors also work on leadership and cooperative skills with my students. This is a character building experience for all involved. My pupils talk about the experience for weeks after we return to school.”
– Mrs. Trina Honer, Teacher, Galena Middle School Kent County, MD

“What impresses me most is the ability of your staff to educate and enthuse our students and our faculty… I applaud you for having the dedication and commitment to help make a difference in the lives of our students.”
- Visiting Teacher

Students

“The classes were exciting and educational. The teachers cared. It was probably the best week of my life.”
- Student

“One of the most important things is that I learned was to cooperate with others, not just care about myself. I really got to know the people in my tribe better. We helped each other in things when we were in trouble. I really felt good about doing all of these things. Thank you for the best time of my life.”
– Student

“Mostly I learned about myself. I may not be as athletic as other people, but I found out that I do have something inside of me that some people don’t have; something inside of me that said, “Keep going!’ when I thought I couldn’t. I can do things that other people enjoy without being teased about what I look like. These are some of the things that I learned about myself. I also learned that the people in my class like me and make me feel good.”
– Elisa G., Student

Parents

“In those five days you were able to instill responsibility, increase self-confidence, teach new skills, open up new friendships, and increase an appreciation of our environment for Matthew.”
– Carolyn Purdy, Parent

“Our son has matured in many ways during this short but substantive experience...it was a wonderful adventure for him. It is one that neither he nor we will ever forget.”
- Parent

Organizational & Grantors

“The residential outdoor education programs offered by Echo Hill are exemplary models. Echo Hill Outdoor School is the epitome of what hands-on experiential environmental and outdoor education programs for students and teachers should be.”
– Mary Bea Preston, Maryland State Department of Education

“Participants gained leadership traits over their stay, with improvements occurring across all categories of leadership qualities.”
- College Study

Other Comments

"The knowledge each student learns about himself may be your most lasting lesson. The impact the Outdoor School has on developing interpersonal relations and self-concept is tremendous. Students are placed in group and individual situations that cannot be duplicated in the classroom. Therefore they have to summon help from within and from others… something they frequently have never had to do before."
- Anonymous

"Routines established before and during the excursion provided a structured and safe environment for the students. Students and teachers were mutually respectful and students were held accountable for following the rules, participating in the collection of samples, and writing in their journals."
- Susan K. Laber, MSDE Site Visitor Baltimore, MD