1. 6th Grade Outdoor Education 2012 Parent Information Night Bonnie Branch Middle School Hosted by: Team 6

2. What is Outdoor Education? Outdoor Education is a two-and-a-half day program designed to help students develop educational, cultural, social, physical and recreational values. Outdoor Education is a program in which students participate in a number of exciting outdoor-based activities. Outdoor Education is a program in which students spend two nights in gender-based, chaperoned cabins. Outdoor Education is a program in which parents serve as cabin counselors, activity presenters, or presenter assistants.

3. What are the purposes of Outdoor Education? To help students develop a positive attitude toward learning by experiencing a natural environment firsthand To encourage students to apply knowledge and skills acquired in the classroom to real-life situations To encourage students to apply scientific processes, such as observing, measuring, classifying, and hypothesizing To foster within students an awareness, concern, and respect for our natural environment To develop a sense of positive self-esteem To provide students, parents, and BBMS staff members an opportunity to develop a deeper community relationship

4. Where will Outdoor Education take place? Bonnie Branch will be using the facilities of Camp Letts (a YMCA facility). PO Box 208 Edgewater, MD 21037 800-963-6000 is our contact number for Camp Letts

5. When will Outdoor Education take place? Departure From: Bonnie Branch Middle School Date: Tuesday, May 15, 2012 Time: Approximately 9:00 am

6. When will Outdoor Education take place? Return To: Bonnie Branch Middle School Date: Thursday, May 17, 2012 Time: Approximately 2:00 pm Pick-up Procedures Students may be driven home from Letts by a chaperone, after being signed-out Students may also be signed-out once they return to school Students may also ride their bus home with all of their luggage

7. What do students do at Camp Letts? Activity Rotations (examples) Canoeing, fishing, seining, water cycle investigation, hiking, challenge courses, orienteering, sports, poetry, crafts, scavenger hunting, archery, perspectives, tie-dye, others Teambuilding Cabin cheers, kitchen duty, clean-up, problem solving, Cabin Olympics Dance Talent Show Introduction to Wild Life Environmental Protection

8. How much does the Outdoor Education program cost? Student Cost: $130/student Parent Cost: $100/parent Fee covers the cost of: 1 commemorative ODE t-shirt per student and chaperone use of the Camp Letts facility transportation to and from the facilities two nights’ accommodations meals, drinks, and snacks purchase and/or rental of equipment payment for programs offered/taught by Camp Letts staff

9. How much does the Outdoor Education program cost? Payments may be made in full or in installments. Money must be turned-in between April 10 and April 19 (there are payment options). Students will be allowed to pick cabin groups once a minimum $10.00 payment is received, permission and medical forms are completed and submitted, and the payment and t-shirt form are submitted. Checks may be made payable to Bonnie Branch Middle School, and must include your child’s first and last name on the memo line. If you have any concerns regarding payment for the Outdoor Education program, please contact a sixth grade teacher.

10. What if there are medical concerns? All medication is distributed by a nurse. Medication is not allowed in any cabin, unless held by the child’s parent. Students may only go to the nurse with a chaperone. The nurse’s instructions are to be followed without exception. Parents may distribute medication to their children. Parents may bring food if there is a dietary concern; please contact the student’s homeroom teacher if this is the case.

11. What if there are medical concerns? More importantly… Any student requiring medication at any time MUST have a medication order from a physician. Medication Information Medication Information Student medications already taken at BBMS (PRNs) are automatically taken to Letts. Doses given beyond the hours of the regular school day require physician’s order. Parents must also sign a release allowing for emergency medical procedures to be performed in case they are necessary. Permission FormPermission Form No student may carry medication (even aspirin, etc).

12. What will students need to take with them? Essential equipment: (a fully detailed list will be distributed in April) Sleeping bag OR two single sheets with a blanket 2 pairs of jeans/long pants/jogging pants NO SHORTS or CAPRIS! 4 short-sleeved shirts and 2 long-sleeved shirts 1 sweatshirt, sweater, or jacket Undergarments and socks for 4 days Pajamas

13. What will students need to take with them? Essential equipment: Toiletries: toothbrush and toothpaste soap deodorant (a must) at least two towels shampoo comb/brush feminine hygiene products (if applicable)

14. What will students need to take with them? Essential equipment: flashlight with new batteries rain gear (poncho/coat; boots/cover shoes) 2 large plastic trash bags (1 for dirty clothes and 1 for cabin trash) reflection journal (notebook and pencil)

15. What will students need to take with them? Optional equipment: sunscreen lotion bug repellent (no sprays) pillow and pillow case small board game or cards reading material camera and film (students are responsible) fishing equipment (please mind the hooks) sunglasses fanny/waist pack

16. What are students not allowed to take with them? Prohibited equipment: knives/weapons food, gum, candy, or soda matches, cigarettes, drugs, or alcohol ANY electronic devices (including cell phones) curling irons or straighteners roller blades money (there is nothing to purchase)

17. What will students need to take with them? Names should be written on EVERYTHING. Talent show participants will be allowed to bring necessarily approved materials.

18. Discipline Policy During the weeks prior to Outdoor Education, it is especially important that all sixth graders continue to demonstrate appropriate, courteous, and safe behaviors during school, on school busses, during special school functions, and on school trips to ensure their participation in the Outdoor Education Program. Because student safety is our primary concern, students who continuously break county or school rules may not be able to attend the Outdoor Education trip. Students have received information concerning ODE Alerts. Please review this policy with them and return the bright orange form.

19. Discipline Policy Failure to follow the Howard County Public School System’s Code of Conduct and Bonnie Branch’s School Discipline Policy may also result in a child’s exclusion from the Outdoor Education Program while we are at Camp Letts. Parents will be notified if this action is necessary through a phone call and will have to pick up their child from the Camp Letts facility. These policies will be communicated to your child several weeks prior to the trip.

20. Are volunteers needed for Outdoor Education? YES! Volunteers are needed to make this experience successful! Volunteers can assist the teachers with Outdoor Ed. Preparations (organizing the materials, making phone calls, reviewing databases, etc.). Volunteers may also sign up to spend one day at Camp Letts. Chaperones are needed to accompany the 6 th grade to Camp Letts for the entire three-day trip. The cost is $100/adult chaperone. NURSES NEEDED! If you are a registered nurse and would like to donate your services, please let us know as soon as possible. Prorated amounts can be made for chaperones only staying one night. This is based on meal times.

21. Extra Information Visitors are welcome. They are expected to sign in at the Nursing Station (Fisher Hall); here, they must pick up a visitor pass. Visitors must have their visitor pass with them at all times. If you are visiting during meal time, please let us know ahead of time if possible. We are charged per person. If a child needs to leave camp, Mrs. Byron or Ms. Johnson must be notified as soon as possible. If possible, please let us know before we depart for camp.

22. Chaperone Night There will be a Chaperone Night at the beginning of May to discuss the specific responsibilities of chaperones.

23. Important Dates All forms referenced will go home on March 1 Chaperone forms are due 4/19 Last day to turn in ODE papers is 4/19 Early payment is much appreciated Donations are extremely appreciated

24. Contact Information Website http://bbmsoutdoored.hcpss.wikispaces.net/ Email address Byron- Holly_Byron@hcpss.orgHolly_Byron@hcpss.org Johnson- ttjohnson@hcpss.orgttjohnson@hcpss.org Klose- doreen_klose@hcpss.orgdoreen_klose@hcpss.org