1. Dates: November 4-6, 2015 Cost:$220 Students $195 Parent Chaperones Payments: Checks must be made out to “Vaughan Elementary,” You may use the WEB store if you’d like to use your credit card and you may send cash in a sealed envelope. A deposit of $ 100 is due no later than Monday, September 14 th. Final Payment is due Friday, October 30. (Payments include transportation, all meals and camp fees, and our spring trip to Enterprise City.) 1

2. Arrival Information Your child will be dropped off at the regular drop-off time on Wednesday, November 4 th. We will have luggage tags and Sky Ranch bags ready and waiting for them on “The Island.” You will receive a text or email via Remind when we arrive at Sky Ranch, if you have already signed up for the Remind program.

3. What to Pack Sleeping bag OR sheets & blanket Pillow with pillow case Towel and wash cloth Weather appropriate clothing including a jacket/rain poncho/pants. T-shirts Sweatshirt or Hoodie Plenty of socks Shoes (2 pair of closed-toed shoes) Pajamas that are school appropriate. Brush, comb, shampoo, conditioner. Soap for the shower Deodorant Bug spray w/DEET Sunscreen Pencil Refillable water bottle Flashlight Cap/hat/visor Trash bags for dirty clothes.

4. What NOT to Pack Phones (reception is very poor and we don’t want them lost) Electronics of any kind Clothes or shoes that you don’t want to get dirty. Jewelry Curling irons, straighteners, hair dryers. Anything else that could pose a problem if lost, broken, dirty, etc. Sky Ranch, AISD, and Vaughan Elementary will not be held responsible for lost or broken items.

5. Clothing & The Weather We recommend that students bring comfortable, older clothes as they will spend most of their time outdoors*. Students will be sitting on the ground, exploring nature, fishing, hiking, etc. Be sure to watch the weather so you can pack appropriately. We recommend long pants no matter the temperature but it may be necessary to pack rain boots, a rain jacket/poncho, long- sleeve shirts and sweaters. **We always hope for good weather, but even if it is cold /rainy, we will continue outdoor classes. In the event of a heavy downpour, lightning, freezing temperatures, or high wind, we will move inside.

6. Cabins Students will be split into cabins by the teachers prior to leaving for the trip. (In the past we’ve had two girl cabins and two boy cabins) Each cabin has multiple toilet and shower stalls and all students will be required to shower nightly. Each cabin will have at least 2 adult chaperones who are responsible for managing their students and getting the students in bed by the proper time each night. Teachers, nurse, and administrator on the trip will be in a separate cabin near the student cabins and will have walkie-talkie access in the case of a night-time emergency.

7. Classes Expeditions: Students will observe reptiles, mammals, and insects and determine the difference between a learned behavior and inherited traits. Expeditions also includes the study of earthworms, composting, decomposition, recycling, and repurposing. Forces in Nature: Students will explore the forces in nature that shape our environment. They’ll learn about gravity and friction via the zip line, discover gases and pressure by building and launching air rockets, and observe the rock cycle and effects of weathering, erosion, and deposition on a hike. Limnology: Students will study inland waters, take a journey as a water molecule, conduct a water quality analysis using scientific equipment, visit Sky Lake to collect and identify minnows and micro invertebrates, and discover whether labels of a fish food producer are accurate. Ranch Life: Students will experience life on a real Texas ranch, discover natural farming methods, interact with ranch animals, ride a horse, pack a saddle bag with supplies and learn the importance and origin of barbed wire.

8. Free Time During our free time, students will have the opportunity to choose between many different options. Those options include a visit to the Sky Ranch store and Café Sky, where they can buy hats, t-shirts, snacks, milkshakes, candy, and more*. Ziplines are included for all interested students as well as time at the sports fields and in the activity center. We typically ask that you send no more than $20 with your child, $10 if they do not plan to purchase a Sky Ranch shirt.

9. Dismissal Information You will receive a text/email when we leave Sky Ranch and another when are almost to the school if you are already signed up through the Remind program. We will be back to school around 2 p.m. on Friday the 6 th. You may sign them out with us as soon as they arrive or you may make arrangements to have them picked up. We would prefer no one need to walk home with their luggage.