Elms Environmental Education Center

Dress ...

• for outside weather on the day your child is attending, we will be outside!
• for temperatures about 10 degrees COLDER than at home and school. Elms & Sotterly are near the water and therefore the temperature tends to be cooler.  It also tends to be morewindy.
• in layers.
• in clothes and closed-toe shoes which can get wet and soiled.*
• in rain gear when rain is expected.
• in hats, gloves, scarves and winter coats during the late fall and winter months.
• Pre-apply sun block and insect repellent if desired.**

Food and Drink:

• Pack in reusable containers, if possible.
• Be prepared to recycle and compost any lunch remains.
• Bring a reusable water bottle (labeled with your name). Drinking water is available, but not cups.

*5th Graders - Students feet will get wet, so dress accordingly.

**Sunscreen and insect repellent are recommended in the warmer weather.  Please remember that this is an outdoor field trip and your student runs the risk of sunburn and tick exposure. It is best to apply sunscreen and insect repellent before leaving home. Students who bring sunscreen and insect repellent with them will need to apply it to themselves.  Chaperones may apply suncreen/ insect repellent to their child only.  It is against school policy for any adult to apply sunscreen/ insect repellent to anyone other than their own child.

You will be notified by your teacher if your field trip is cancelled.

The decision to cancel is usually made by  8:00 am.

Programs are not necessarily cancelled by weather. They will be cancelled for safety reasons,for example lightning or cold water if canoeing, and also for system-wide weather cancellations (including delayed arrivals and early closures).

Programs WILL be cancelled if steady rain is expected for the majority of the period from 10:00 to 2:00. They will also be cancelled for a combination of two or more of the following factors: rain, strong wind, and cold temperature.

Winter programs are based indoors with significant outdoor activities. The ratio of indoor to outdoor time is adjusted based on the above factors. No programs are conducted entirely indoors. The Elms building is not designed to hold classes indoors for a full day.

If you would like to communicate with us, feel free to call us the day before questionable weather. Anytime ...

In the event of hazardous weather during the field trip the instructors will take every precaution to keep your student safe. We follow the NCAA guidelines for lightning & severe weather. Weather is monitored constantly throughout the day.

In the event of lightning, all individuals will seek shelter in the house (or other available shelter - turkey shed/ cottage at Sotterly) .  They will remain in the shelter for at least 30 minutes after the last flash of lightning or sound of thunder before returning to any outdoor activity.

In the event of a tornado warning, all individuals will seek shelter in the basement of the house (or other available shelter - turkey shed/ cottage at Sotterly) staying away from windows and doors.  They will remain in the shelter until the treat of the warning has ended.

Chaperones are expected to serve as active program assistants. Chaperones for Pre-K through 4th and 7th grade programs should be prepared to serve as small group leaders.

Chaperones for the 5th grade canoeing program should be prepared to serve as competent canoe aides in the boats.

In addition, please remember it is an outdoor environment and a physical program. We will be walking on trails in the woods and on the beach. Chaperones can expect to walk approximately one mile with their groups.

Elms Environmental Education Center

Residential (Overnight) Gear Checklist

Item

Lunch for 1^st day

Refillable water bottle

Sleeping bag

Pillow

2 changes of appropriate outdoor clothing

2 changes of underclothes and socks

Toothbrush & toothpaste

Warm jacket

Sleeping gear (sweat suit works great)

Rain gear

Extra pair of shoes (no open toe shoes allowed)

Plastic bag for wet clothes

Towel for changing into dry clothes

Optional

Sunscreen*

Insect repellant*

Water shoes

Flashlight

Camera

Hat

**Please note:**

Students are responsible for their own gear.

Students should not bring:

Video games

Electronics (cell phones will be permitted for safety reasons)

*Sunscreen and insect repellent are recommended in the warmer weather. Please remember that this is an outdoor field trip and your student runs the risk of sunburn and tick exposure. It is best to apply sunscreen and insect repellent before leaving home. Students who bring sunscreen and insect repellent with them will need to apply it to themselves. Chaperones may apply sunscreen/ insect repellent to their child only. It is against school policy for any adult to apply sunscreen/ insect repellent to anyone other than their own child.

2/2013