Gazette.Net: Schmidt Center in Brandywine overcomes odds, celebrates 40th anniversary

In 1971, the first group of students visited the William S. Schmidt Outdoor Education Center in Brandywine, sleeping in pup tents and washing their hands with water trucked to the site from a nearby school.

Forty years later — and with 15 buildings now on site — Prince George’s County high school students planted a tree as part of a celebration commemorating the center’s decades of teaching children about water pollution, reusable fuels, compasses and animal habitats outside of a classroom setting.

“More students now don’t get an opportunity to experience the outdoors,” said Sylvester Conyers, the center’s supervisor. “I think it’s critical we equip these students with these experiences so they feel comfortable in the environment and they can make decisions in their communities.”