2026 Lutherlyn Trip
How was the Upper Elementary Trip to Lutherlyn?
Ms. Jackie recently sat down with five fourth-grade students who returned from the annual Upper Elementary trip to Lutherlyn. Through this immersive experience, the children extended their classroom learning into the real world, a hallmark of Montessori education. Read below about the kids’ experience, what the teachers value, and why The Glen sends both Upper Elementary and Middle School to this environmental educational opportunity.
What did the kids think? Here is what they had to report …
Ms. Jackie: What was the most surprising thing about the Lutherlyn trip?
Carol: The cabins! They were like a mini hotel. They were really nice.
Liam: They let us do an actual archaeological dig!
Zoe: My mom is a professional chef, so I know about good food, and I thought the food at Lutherlyn was good.
Isabelle: Nature is fascinating!
Calvin: How many different types of caterpillars we found.
Ms. Jackie: What did you learn at Lutherlyn?
Zoe: A lot about Native Americans
Calvin: People were living in this area 10,000 years ago.
Liam: Coal mines pollute rivers badly, and wetlands can reduce that pollution.
Carol: Coal mines can be orange inside.
Isabelle: At Lutherlyn, you can walk where George Washington walked.
Ms. Jackie: What would you say to the third-graders who will go to Lutherlyn next year?
Isabelle: Don’t be scared. Enjoy it! It’s going to be really fun.
Zoe: Beg for s’mores.
Liam: The bounce pillow is fun. Also, it’s okay if you’re homesick. There are chaperones to help you, and you’ll be surrounded by your friends.
Calvin: The food is excellent.
Carol: The Rec Room is really fun, and the cabins are really nice.
Ms. Jackie: What was the best part of the Upper Elementary’s annual Lutherlyn trip?
Liam: The Erica and Todd Show (Erica and Todd are the counselors at Lutherlyn, and they are great!)
Isabelle: I liked spending time with my classmates and getting to know them better. Sitting around the campfire telling stories and singing songs was the best.
Calvin: the s’mores
Carol: the bounce pillow
Zoe: watching everyone do their skits
And the teacher perspective – why is the Lutherlyn trip so valuable?
Ms. Rachel: I love watching the students bond during our time at Lutherlyn! From educational activities and group-building exercises to settling into cabins, choosing bunks, and challenging hikes, students find ways to support, encourage, and connect with one another. These shared experiences build friendships and a sense of community that carries us through the entire school year!
Ms. Marybeth: As Maria Montessori said, “When children come into contact with nature, they reveal their strength.” I saw all the children’s strengths during our time at Lutherlyn and more. I saw them take risks, try new and challenging activities, build friendships, create memories, get dirty, and connect with nature by being outside. This was more than just a field trip; it was a way for all of us to work together and help guide the children as they find themselves and work together. I saw each and every child’s inner light shine bright and bold during our time. This trip made the Glen feel like more than a school but home.
Finally, The Glen’s larger purpose in sending students to Lutherlyn and this amazing Environmental Educational experience:
Through this immersive experience, the children extended their classroom learning into the real world, a hallmark of Montessori education. The trip offered rich opportunities for hands-on exploration in water chemistry, archaeology, astronomy, and space science, as well as identifying native and invasive plant and animal species, including birding experiences, all of which they will explore in more depth in the classroom. Students also engaged in language work inspired by the natural environment, using found objects to spark creative expression and deepen their understanding of parts of speech.
Beyond the academic connections, the experience supported independence, collaboration, and social responsibility. Through group-building activities that emphasized both verbal and nonverbal communication, students worked together toward shared goals while learning to navigate life in a community setting. For many, it was their first experience living and learning away from home, providing valuable opportunities to practice leadership, problem-solving, and grace and courtesy in an authentic environment.
In true Montessori fashion, the Lutherlyn trip fosters meaningful growth by letting students learn through direct experience, connect with one another, and build confidence in themselves and their place in a larger community. Upper Elementary attends Lutherlyn once a year, while Middle School students have more time in this group setting and attend twice during the academic year.
