Middle School Outdoor Adventures

Printable Version of the letter and permission slip is here. 

 

 

 

September 15, 2011

Dear 7th and 8th Grade Students and Parents/Guardians,

            We are looking forward to our 2-day camping, hiking, and canoeing excursion into the beautiful Green Mountain National Forest on Thursday and Friday, September 29th and 30th. We will be camping and recreating at Grout Pound. The educational goals of this trip are to build collaboration skills and community within the middle school. This trip is a part of school and attendance is required (unless there is an emergency or illness preventing a student from attending).  

Below is a packing list of personal items that each student will need. Please help your child to pack light and pack smart, checking the weather for the trip dates. It is likely that it will be quite cold at night. We will be carrying our gear a short distance and use daypacks for longer hikes of several miles. If you cannot acquire any of these items, please tell me by Friday, September 23 at the very latest. I can gather up a lot of the supplies from the Youth Program offices at World Learning in Brattleboro. Friends and classmates may also have gear to lend. Please do not feel like you need to go out and purchase gear. Students must bring their packed backpack to school on Wednesday, September 28th, the day before the trip. We will unpack and repack bags to make sure students have everything that they need.

 

Packing list for students (please check the weather before packing):

Large Backpack (with waist belt,) lined with a trash bag to make waterproof

Daypack (that is comfortable to carry), also lined with a trash bag

Change of underwear

2 pairs of socks (wool or fleece recommended)

Extra shirt

Extra pair of pants (not jeans or other heavy cotton fabric)

Long underwear

Hat with brim for sun

Hat for warmth (Wool or Fleece)

Gloves

Fleece jacket or sweatshirt (no cotton, please!)

Rain gear

Bathing suit (optional)

Stuff sacks for organizing (helpful, but optional)

Sleeping bag (rated to at least 30 degrees F) in a stuff sack (lined with trash bag)

Sleeping pad

Sturdy hiking boots or shoes

4 trash bags

3-4 full water bottles (32 oz. bottles)

Toothbrush/deodorant/other small, necessary toiletries

Small amount of toilet paper in a ziplock bag

Small Flashlight or headlamp

Spoon, fork, and bowl with lid (plastic or metal only)

Insulated cup or mug

Life jacket (only if you have one)

Prescription medications (these must be given to Bethany, Louise, or Ron at the beginning of the trip)

Optional items: compass, journal and pen, camera in a waterproof case, sunglasses, bandana

           

            Please note that students need to arrive at school at 8am on Thursday, September 29th, ready to go. They should have eaten a good breakfast before arriving (or have one with them). Students may be picked up at 4pm on Friday afternoon.

            Bethany, Louise, and Ron have a great deal of experience leading outdoor trips such as this one. Bethany is certified in CPR and first aid and Ron is a former EMT. We realize that this will be the first camping and/or hiking trip some students have been on. We hope to make it an enjoyable and challenging experience. We are excited to share our love of the outdoors with this wonderful group of students and to use this opportunity to build a stronger Middle School community and enhance this semester’s curriculum.

 

All the best,

Bethany Hobbs, Louise Hodson, and Ron Bos Lun,

Middle School Advisors and Teachers

 

 

Compass School Parental Permission Form

for Middle School Camping Trip

 

Activity: Middle School Camping Trip

 

Person(s) in charge: Bethany Hobbs, Louise Hodson, Ron Bos Lun

 

Chaperones:  

 

Destination: Grout Pond

 

Leaving: 8:00 am, Thursday, September 29, 2011  

Pick up from Compass: 4:00pm, Friday, September 30, 2011

 

Mode of Transport: Compass School Bus

 

Cost: $25 for food, transportation, and equipment (This fee can be deducted from Student Activities Account or can be paid via check or cash to school. It can be waived in cases of hardship.)                                                               

 

I hereby grant permission for __________________________________________

                                                                     (student name)

to travel by school bus and to participate in the 7th-8th grade school trip to Grout Pond. I authorize the school personnel to seek emergency medical care including transportation to the emergency room. I also authorize medical personnel to administer whatever emergency treatment is necessary.

 

 

Signature of parent or Guardian                                                   Printed Name

 

In case of emergency, please call: (day)________________________________

 

                                                         (night) ______________________________

 

If there is no answer, please call: _____________________________________

I, the undersigner, hereby agree and understand that while on this trip I will adhere to school rules and regulations and all other conditions set forth. I also understand that any infractions will be dealt with upon return and that I may be asked to leave early, which could require my parents driving to Grout Pond. I also understand that no money will be refunded if I am asked to leave early.

 

____________________________________________________ date: _____________

                               Signature of student

____________________________________________________ date: ______________

                               Signature of parent