-Pre-Trip Meetings
-List of Pre-Trip To-Dos
-List of what to Pack
-Ground Rules for Kids
-Guidelines for food amounts and planning
COMING SOON!
-Retreat hand-out
-How to get certified to drive EPACHS vehicles
-Permission slip and Medical Form
PRE-TRIP MEETINGS
Prior to the trip, there will be 3 meetings.
1)Meeting with all leaders and teachers for the quarter
2)Leader get-together
3)Pre-trip meeting with students, and planning with teacher
4)Pack check, and food shopping
1) All teachers doing a trip in the quarter (fall or spring) will attend this meeting, as well as at least one leader from each trip triumvirate. This will be where we discuss timeline for trip planning, lay ground rules for leader-teacher cooperation, and meet/exchange contact info with teachers. This meeting will take place as soon as possible before the quarter begins (late winter quarter for Spring trips, and either end of spring or first week of fall quarter for Fall trips)
2) This is where the leaders for a trip should gather to discuss how they want to lay out the trip. They should:
-discuss how they want to start the trip (opening comments, getting kids started, ice-breakers)
-figured out who will drive what vehicles
-discuss/plan any games/classes they want to lead during trip
-plan what menu options you will offer to students, and how/when food will be purchased (Refunds can be gotten within 2 business days. Give receipt to Michelle)
-become familiar with the route they will be taking on a map
-make plans to coordinate with the On-Call Contact for your weekend
-go over the "List of Pre-Trip To-Dos" and divide up what remains to be done.
As well, this is the time to discuss personal skills strengths and weaknesses among the group, and any concerns about leading (such as "I'm not completely comfortable lighting a stove yet. Can one of you help me go over it again, or teach the kids how to do it?)
3) In this meeting, leaders will initially gather with all students attending the trip to prepare them for the experience. Here they will:
-introduce themselves, and meet the students
-show the route on a map, explain distances, talk about special attractions (i.e. swimming, hiking along a creek) and perhaps describe what it will look like
-distribute List of Gear to Pack
-explain what clothing to wear, and show examples of good shoes and clothing choices
-emphasize bringing hats, both for shade and nighttime cold. Talk about body heat loss.
-talk about socks and shoes. They should wear running shoes over fashion boots. Talk about possibly using a thick sock with a liner sock. Blisters make for miserable trips.
-show gear that they will be using (sleeping bag, pack, maybe a tent?)
-offer a few menu options for lunches and dinners. Getting student input helps to ensure that they will eat the food. See "Guidelines for Food Planning" for some possible options.
-answer any questions students have about trip/camping/anything
-lay down ground rules for student (see Ground Rules for Kids)
-talk about Pack Check and let them know what they will need to bring, that you will look through it, etc. Remind them to bring the clothes with them that they will wear on Friday for the trip.
Afterward, leaders should meet with teacher to discuss the trip and get everyone on same page. Some things to discuss:
-if teacher will be driving a vehicle
-what teacher can do with students between now and trip
-collect permission slips and medical forms
-lead students through a discussion of "1 hope and 1 fear about trip" and write up some rules they decide as a group
-talk to parents to reassure them of their child's safety
-remind students to bring all their gear to school on Thursday before the trip, for Pack Check
-discuss evacuation procedures. Decide what to do for different offenses (violent behavior, drugs, cell phones/walkmen, junk food)
-talk about sleeping arrangements (tarps vs. tents) and see what they're comfortable with
-get informed about group dynamics, interpersonal relationship issues of students
4) This meeting will be held the Thursday before the trip (or Wednesday, if Thursday is hard to negotiate). Here, leaders will:
-look over all students gear. Make sure all necessary clothing and gear have been brought. If not, make plans with student or other leaders to provide what is missing.
-they should have their clothes for the next day (Friday, to leave in). These clothes can be taken home to wear. All other clothing/gear should be left in the packs at school.
-confiscate any outside food, illegal substances, unnecessary products
-make sure each student has all necessary SOOP or rental gear (pack, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, water bottles, headlamp, etc)
-keep an inventory sheet of how many items are loaned out and to who. This will be used as a checklist to ensure that all items are returned at the trip’s end.
Afterward, leaders may choose to take a couple of students shopping for food. If this is done, parental permission is necessary. This is good practice in planning for a large group, but may take more time and effort than just buying food by leaders. Determine this among leaders.
List of Pre-Trip To-Dos
-get permission slips distributed and collected by teacher
-get leaders who will be driving certified to drive school vehicles (basically, submit your name and driver's license number.
-do meeting with teacher and kids this week
-check on reservation for campsite
-coordinate with On-Call Contact person for your week. Make sure to have their phone number, give them directions to trailhead, and go over evacuation plans.
-familiarize yourselves with the route. Possibly do a scouting trip.
-check over gear and inventory it. Talk to leaders from previous trip about any problems, anything that was used up (especially in first-aid kit), such as fuel, iodine, bandages, moleskin, etc.
-get a firm number on kids going
-rent extra gear, if necessary (talk to Mason for Redwood. otherwise, REI?)
-arrange for Friday leaving time with teacher, and time for pack check
meeting.
-gather extra warm clothing to be distributed to students who don't bring it. (we have a bunch)
-buy food for the trip.
Gear List
Individual Gear
Each student will need to provide, or borrow from SOOP (talk to teacher or SOOP leaders in advance to borrow items) the following items. These should be brought to the Pack Check which will happen the day before the trip. Also bring the clothes that you will wear on Friday.
-IMPORTANT! Permission slip and medical forms ***You cannot attend trip without these!****
-Lightweight (plastic is good) bowl or plate (a Tupperware works nicely)
-spoon and fork
-1 pair pants (nylon or polyester are better than jeans)
-1 pair shorts
-2 shirts
-1 warm long-sleeve shirt (for afternoon/evening, or cold and windy days)
-1 warm jacket (it will be cold at night)
-water-proof jacket (if don’t have, SOOP can provide. Talk to leaders)
-2 pairs good socks for walking (can use one pair thick socks with one pair thin liner socks inside)
-Good hiking shoes (hiking boots or athletic shoes with ankle support preferable, running shoes work)
-Underwear for 3 days
-warm sleep clothing (long underwear, or long-sleeve pajamas with pants are good options)
-hat with a brim (for shade during day)
-warm hat (wool or fleece are good) (It gets cold at night!!)
-sunscreen
-bandana (useful to wipe things with) ****Check with teacher to see if this could be a problem b/c of colors associated with gangs. Many high schools are sensitive to this****
-toothpaste
-toothbrush
-feminine hygiene products (for ladies)
******Other hygiene products, such as deodorant, and make-up/hair-styling products, are discouraged. You are welcome to bring them if you choose, but be aware that animals and insects are attracted by their scents, so you may attract mosquitoes, bees, or mice if you wear them/have them in your tent.
Optional:
-vest
-gloves
-more warm clothing if you get cold easily
-water-proof pants
-camera
-sandals (to wear around camp)
-swim suit ***If your trip will have a swimming place***
-sunglasses
-a book (preferably small and lightweight)
-a journal to write in (you might do some thinking in the woods)
Individual gear that SOOP will provide:
(this will be loaned to you, and will be responsible for making sure its returned in good condition)
-backpack
-sleeping bag
-sleeping pad
-headlamp
-water bottles
-whistles ??????????
Group gear that SOOP will provide:
-tent
-stoves
-cooking pots
-maps
-food
-tarps (to sleep on if it’s nice out)
-first-aid kits
Stuff leaders should make sure comes along:
-extra warm clothing
-extra eating stuff (plastic bowls, utensils)
-extra batteries for head lamps
-pocket knife
-fuel for stoves
-strong rope and stuffsack(s) (to hang food. Cool skill to teach kids)
Ground Rules for Kids
-No drugs, alcohol, or illegal substances
-No electronic devices (pagers, cell phones, video games, Discmen)
-No swearing
-No violence (physical violence or violent language)
-Respect everyone in the group. That includes fellow students, SOOP leaders, and your teacher.
-Respect nature. You are entering Nature’s territory. Respect it, just as you ask people to respect your home when they visit it. That means:
-No littering
-No taking home of anything you didn’t bring with you
-“Take only photographs and leave only footprints”
***IMPORTANT!!***
If you bring any of these banned items, they will be confiscated, and punishment will be received, just as if you were in school.
If you are violent on the trip, punishment will occur. This could include your removal from the trip and return home.
Food Guidelines
Planning amounts for groups can be difficult. The best idea is to sit down with a couple kids before you shop, and figure out the math on how much you’ll need. Assume that kids will eat a lot. Better to have too much than too little! Hungry campers are unhappy campers!
Food choice can be a tricky subject for students. By giving them some choice in the menu, hopefully this will ensure that they will eat and be happy. It also will help to empower them in planning and decision-making for a group. Be creative, do whatever you want. Some possible ideas are below.
Possible menu options:
DINNER
-Burritos (dehydrated beans, tortillas, cheese, salsa, rice, some veggies)
-Pasta (noodles with red sauce or pesto, some veggies, cheese)
-Flat-bread pizzas (pitas, tomato sauce, cheese, toppings)
-TVP Sloppy Joes (TVP may be a foreign idea, but it tastes pretty similar to ground beef) (TVP, seasonings, tomato paste, veggies, buns/rolls/bread)
-Quesadillas (tortillas, salsa, cheese, veggies)
-Dehydrated soup (many different flavors. Combine with something hearty)
LUNCH
-Pita bread, sliced bread, rolls, tortillas,
-Cheese, PB&J, salami (smoked-kind), deviled ham (looks like cat food), hummus
-Fruit
BREAKFAST
-Oatmeal
-Granola with powdered milk
HOT DRINKS
-Hot cocoa
-Apple cider
-Tea (doubtful if kids will want this)
DESSERT
-Fruit (they really like it!)
-S’mores (if you can build fires)