A fifth-grade field trip to Lake Macbride State Park in Solon, Iowa took a devastating turn Tuesday. According to the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were called to the lake around 12:10 p.m. and pulled an adult’s body from the water just over thirty minutes later. A child from the group is still missing, and the search continues. The Iowa City Community School District confirmed that fifth graders from Borlaug Elementary were on a School of the Wild outing when the incident occurred. Identities of the adult and child have not been released.
In a statement, the district said its thoughts are with the family and friends of those affected, adding that it will continue providing support across the school community. Counselors and district resources are expected to remain available in the days ahead as students and staff process what happened.
For those of us on the Suncoast, this story carries a particular weight. We live surrounded by water, from the Gulf to our rivers, lakes, and bays. If you have kids or grandkids in school, you’ve probably signed a field trip permission slip or volunteered as a chaperone yourself. That’s why it’s worth asking the practical questions: how many adults are supervising, what water safety measures are in place, and what happens when a group gets near the shoreline. It isn’t about blame. It’s about making sure every outing comes home safely.
What safety questions do you ask before your child or grandchild goes on a school trip? Let us know in the comments.
