Assistant principal and coach propose student backpacking trip to Great Smoky Mountains

Assistant Principal Dun Ball and Coach Brady presented a proposal to the New Philadelphia City Board of Education to organize a student backpacking experience in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in summer 2027.

Dun Ball, identifying himself as the assistant principal at the high school, said the program is intended to give students experiential learning beyond classroom tests, building self-sufficiency, leadership and ‘‘leave-no-trace’’ stewardship. The presenters said the initial trip would be roughly 50 miles on well-marked trails, with daily stretches up to about 11 miles and campsites at designated sites. Coach Brady noted the park limits groups to about 12 people; organizers’ early plan is for nine students and three teachers.

The presenters described a two-stage preparation plan: begin grant and recruitment work this summer, pitch the program in the fall, then run winter and spring practice hikes and a mandatory overnight as a build-up to the summer trip. They said students would be chosen through an application process and, if necessary, a lottery; preference could be given to upperclassmen where scheduling conflicts occur.

Organizers told the board they intend to seek external funding for gear and materials, citing the Ohio Environmental Education Fund as a grant opportunity with a mid-July application deadline. They said they would provide or arrange specialized equipment where possible and that, if grant support is not secured, they would identify alternate ways to obtain necessary gear.

On safety and communications, planners proposed a no-cell-phone rule for students while on the trip to reduce distractions, while adults would carry phones — including devices with satellite capability — for emergency contact and periodic family updates.

A procedural issue the presenters flagged for board action was a conflict between district policy and state law. They said current board policy limits field trips to 240 miles round trip beyond state lines but a newer Ohio Revised Code provision allows up to 1,000 miles; the proposed route requires board accommodation because the trip would travel roughly 470 miles from New Philadelphia. Presenters asked whether the district would authorize the longer trip and, if so, what transportation the board would support, including the possibility of using school vans.

Board members asked how students would be selected and whether the trip would be open to all high school students. Presenters said the program would be open districtwide with an application process, practice hikes, and a plan to scale up or run multiple trips if demand exceeds capacity.

The board did not take final action on the proposal during the meeting; presenters requested permission to proceed with planning, pursue grants and return with more detailed logistics, cost estimates and any requested policy changes.