Cat Tien National Park Grade Five Field Trip

Parent Meeting Friday, 22 January 8:15 in room A409 (Mrs. Johnson’s Classroom) More information will be given at this time, and permission slips and packing lists will be distributed.

The Departure

Wednesday, February 24 Buses will depart SSIS at 8:30AM. Trip duration: 3 hours Arrive in Cat Tien for lunch. Students should arrive at SSIS as they would a normal day between 7:45am and 8am. Students will meet in their classrooms.

The River Crossing All students will wear life jackets.

All meals are served at the restaurant at Cat Tien. The Food

A cabin at Cat Tien Facilities

Rooms fit 2-4 students. All rooms have a bathroom and air conditioning.

Room Plan for Cabins Headquarters

Park Headquarters

Cat Tien National Park: Activities

Enduring Understandings (These guide our learning on the trip) 1.Organisms and their environments are interconnected. Changes in one part of the system will affect other parts of the system. 1.Matter needed to sustain life is continually recycled among and between organisms and the environment. 1.Humans can alter the living and nonliving factors within an ecosystem, thereby creating changes to the overall system.

A paved trail in the park

A Day At Cat Tien 7:00 – 8:00Breakfast 8:00 – 9:00Primate Centre 9:00 – 10:00Science Investigation 10:00 – 11:00Leadership Session: Group Challenge 11:30 – 12:30Lunch 12:30 – 2:00Journaling & Rest 2:00 – 3:30Moon Bear Center 3:30 – 4:30Science Investigation 4:30 – 5:30Choice 5:30 – 6:30Dinner 7:00 – 8:00Animal Spotting Tour 8:00 – 9:00Bonfire (Student Led Activities) 9:00Sleep

Morning sunrise at Cat Tien

A nature trail in the park

Unique species in the park

Moon Bear Rescue Center

Moon Bear Viewing Platform

Leopard Rescue Area

The boat to Dao Tien Primate Center

Gibbons at the Primate Center

Learning about primates in Vietnam

Student-Led Bonfire Activities

The Departure from Cat Tien

Friday, February 26 We will leave Cat Tien just before lunch. Students will take a packed lunch for the bus. Students should be back at school for normal dismissal at 3PM (traffic depending). Families will be called if we are delayed.

Additional Information

Packing List Clothing School uniform (wear on bus on Day 1 – Feb 24) 4 T-shirts—cool and comfortable 2 pairs of comfortable pants 1 pair of sport shoes or tennis shoes 1 pair of slip on shoes or sandals (ie. Crocs) 3 pairs of comfortable shorts 4 pairs of socks 4 changes of underwear Pajamas/sleeping clothes Raincoat or poncho! Hat Jacket or long-sleeved shirt for evenings Other Items Backpack (big enough for day hikes) Small duffle bag or suitcase to pack all items Nutritious snacks for the bus ride (no snacks in rooms at Cat Tien) Watch or small travel alarm Flashlight (torch) with new batteries Water bottle – reusable Insect repellent! Sunscreen (sun block/cream) Toiletries: toothbrush, toothpaste, hairbrush/comb, shampoo, and soap Plastic bag for dirty clothes Extra towel/washcloth Small pack of tissues, moist wipes, and hand sanitizer Book to read on bus and/or during “down time” Pencil case with sharpener, eraser, and a few color pencils Any medication you may need with instructions (give to teacher)

Optional Items Digital camera (NOT on a cell phone, Ipad, or music player) Some spending money no more than 500,000 VND (for souvenirs at Dao Tien) Cards or small travel games (no electronics) Pillow (if you want your own)

FAQs Regarding Emergency Situations In an emergency, the doctor from the Bear Rescue Center will do primary first-aid. The Cat Tien headquarters has a vehicle to take the students to the hospital in the town, 24 km away. The hospital has an ambulance that could come retrieve the injured party. If needed, the hospital will have an ambulance take the injured person to Ho Chi Minh City. Approximate Response Times: Ambulance response time (from time called to get to the park): 40 minutes To get ferry operator and get across to mainland: 5-10 minutes To get to the hospital in town: 45 minutes