Prince William Forest

Prince William Forest

Teacher Planning Workbook

Phone: 703.634.9041

Contents

Planning Workbook Welcome......

Your NatureBridge Planning Checklist......

As Soon As Possible:......

Planning Logistics......

Curriculum......

Fundraising

Program Logistics......

One to Two Months in Advance:......

Program Logistics......

Curriculum......

Finances......

One Month in Advance:......

Program Logistics......

First Day of Program: ……….

Logistics Information......

ATypicalDayAtNatureBridge For distribution to Parents, Chaperones, Students

Program Overview for Chaperones......

CampusGuidelinesandExpectations For distribution to Parents, Chaperones, Students

LeaveNoTraceTrailGuidelinesFor distribution to Parents, Students, and Chaperones

ClothingandEquipmentList

NatureBridgeStudentContract

Learning GroupList

PrinceWilliamForestPark

CabinCamp1-CabinRoster

Recreation Time Planner/ Chaperone Schedule

Prince William Forest Chaperone Agreement......

Directions to Cabin Camp 1......

Planning Workbook Welcome

Thank you for organizing your trip to NatureBridge! Throughout the planning process, the Outreach Coordinator, will serve as your point of contact withNatureBridge. If you ever have any questions, don’t hesitate to call 703.634.9041 or email .

If you are organizing but not attending the program, please share this Workbook with the Lead Teacher or chaperone that will be on-site. All accompanying adults should be aware of program guidelines and arrangements made between you andNatureBridge.

NatureBridge National Office Mailing Address:

28 Geary St., Suite 650 San Francisco, CA 94108

Ph: 415.992.4700, Fax: 415.992.4711

NatureBridge DC Office Contact Information:

Mailing Address Only (Not Program Site!): 777 6th St, NW, Washington, DC 20001

Ph: 703.634.9041

YourNatureBridge Planning Checklist

A successful Environmental Science Program begins well in advance of your arrival at NatureBridge. This checklist and additional information found on our website will help you prepare your students and chaperones prior to your arrival. Throughout the planning process, please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any further questions or if there are any changes to your visit logistics. We look forward to your program!

As Soon As Possible:

Planning Logistics

Read this planning worksheet first: Identify the steps that you need to take in order to see your program come to fruition. Each group tends to prepare for their program uniquely, but this planning worksheet should give you a solid foundation from which to begin.

Arrange a meeting with students, parents and faculty: Present Environmental Science, outdoor learning, and its benefits. Edit our Sample Letter to Parents to fit your needs and reflect the date, time, and location of your informational meeting. NatureBridge can often arrange for a member of our staff to make a presentation at your school, especially for first-time programs.

At this meeting be prepared to:

Introduce the program: This is a unique hands-on, environmental science-based experience for the students. Explain that students will be learning in the field with NatureBridge Educators, emphasize that our Educators hold undergraduate degree and wilderness medical certifications.

Show one of the two videos on our website: or . Follow with a short question and answer session.

Identify how the program will benefit students: With an opportunity to study in the field using Prince William Forest Park as a classroom, our interdisciplinary curriculum focuses on inquiry-based science and cooperative learning.

Ask for support of parents to help organize the trip: Parents can be involved with fundraising, bookkeeping, transportation, or serve as chaperones.

Discuss the costs, fundraising ideas and methods of payment with all parties involved, including students!

Reserve/Confirm your transportation: Methods most commonly used include school buses, carpooling, charter service and rental vehicles.

Curriculum

Determine how you can integrateyour experience: Develop your curriculum plans and objectives for the year and integrate the NatureBridge experience and curriculum. Discuss the program with your colleagues to generate questions for the NatureBridge Outreach Coordinator. The Areas of Studysection of our website contains information about our Curriculum Tracks.

Fundraising

Develop a fundraising plan: Check out the fundraising information in the Fundraising section of our website.

Scholarship Application: Complete and submit the application to Karen Oxrider, Director of Outreach and Enrollment, for a NatureBridge campus scholarship as soon as possible to maximize the potential funds for your group.

Execute your funding plan: With students and parents, emphasize group cooperation in the fundraising efforts. Carrying out a fundraising effort increases student and parent investment in the program. Some ideas are listed in the Fundraising section of our website.

Program Logistics

Prepare all your students with respect to:

Academic readiness: Prepare students within the context of your chosen California State Science Standards curriculum.

Physical readiness: Ensure that all the students as well as all the chaperones can walk approximately three to five miles a day.

Participation and behavior expectations: Emphasize cooperation and respect for others and themselves, referring to the Student Contract.

Personal preparedness: Stress to parents as well as students the importance of packing according to the Clothing & Equipment Listso that students are prepared to learn in the field.

Send out Participant Registration forms: Students and Chaperones should get these well in advance of your trip in order to have time to fill them out completely and return them to you. All completed PP forms must be brought to the campus with you when you arrive for your program. Students and adults cannot participate in a NatureBridge program without the required signatures on this form!

Select your chaperones carefully: Ask yourself – Are they good models for the students? Are they positive and upbeat? If they are parents of someone in the class, will they put the group’s needs ahead of those of their child? Are they in reasonably good physical condition? Do they feel comfortable being in charge of students? Will they discipline any child in a positive, caring fashion?

You need a minimum of one adult per trail group. A maximum of two adults will be allowed on trail per trail group (approximately 15:1student/adult ratio). If you have an excess of chaperones, some will be required to remain behind during the instructional day (9:00-4:00pm). There can be a rotation of adults from day to day, but one lead adult will be assigned to each trail group for the entire program. It is best if there are both male and female chaperones on the trip.

The main responsibility of a chaperone is to supervise students and ensure their safety during free time and transition times (before and after meals, or during sleep hours). There should be one adult chaperone supervising short showers, the sleeping areas, and other areas where students are during free times. Chaperones serve as important role models for the students. Students take their cues from adults around them. Enthusiastic and willing adults help create a tone of adventure and learning that goes a long way to providing the best experience possible for student participants. These responsibilities will be reiterated to all adult participants upon arrival to a NatureBridge program.

We suggest you do not pair a chaperone with their child. Experience has taught us that students have a difficult time making the most of their own experience when a parent is in the same hiking group. Students generally interact more freely with their group when their guardian is not present. Parents find it difficult to be impartial to the rest of the group when their own child is in the group. There will be plenty of time to socialize and interact with family members after the hiking day has concluded.

Please provide Chaperones with the CAMPUS GUIDELINES AND EXPECTATIONS and have them fill out theChaperone Agreement. They will be required to read and initial the agreement.

One to Two Months in Advance:

Program Logistics

Finalize and double-check your transportation:Please use the directions on our website and make sure the driver knows to go to Cabin Camp 1not the Main Entrance of the park.

Call or email the Outreach Coordinator to confirm your final number of student and adult participants. Changes to the number of participants after one month will result in a penalty fee.

Meet with all chaperones and discuss the following:

Program Logistics and Chaperone Responsibilities: Use our website for helpful tips on chaperone responsibilities and program logistics. See the For Chaperones section of our website.

Plan for Recreational Time: Make sure to schedule who will be on duty during student recreational times.

Collect all Participant Registration Forms: All adult participants, including teachers, need to fill out and sign this form. Your safety matters, too!

Curriculum

Planning Questionnaire: This form should be emailed or faxed as soon as is possible, but at least four weeks prior to your program date. This should be followed by a call to the Director of Operations to discuss any final details about your program. Email to .

Standards / Areas of Study:We craft programs to suit your individual group’s needs. You should follow this link: findAreas of Study on our website. This will help you narrow your program focus.

Finances

Collect funds and send the balance due to the NatureBridge National Office in San Francisco: This is due 30 days prior to your arrival at our campus. 28 Geary Street, Ste. 650, San Francisco, CA 94108

One Month in Advance:

Program Logistics

Confirm your final numbers with Outreach Coordinator

Make copies of and discuss with students:

Student Contract and Leave No Trace. Have students sign this. Bring this on the day of your program.

Clothing & Equipment List.Send this home with students so there is sufficient time to gather equipment or clothing.

Complete, copy, and return the following documents: These are to be received at our NatureBridge campus FOUR weeks in advance of your program (Email to ). Keep a copy for use by you and your chaperones for use during your program.

Cabin Groups List

At Prince William Forest Park, students sleep in cabins in groups of four. Feel free to pair students with their friends. This list is separate from their trail group assignments.

Trail Groups & Medical/Dietary Alert Form.

Students remain with the same trail group for the duration of their program. Trail groups should be no larger than 15 students and two chaperones. Please assign students to groups that will allow for the best learning environment. List the Medical / Dietary alerts on the spaces provided on this form to give us a quick reference while out on the trail.

Master Roster with all Students and Adults

Make a duplicate set of all completed Participant Registration Forms. You will keep a complete set for yourself and give the originals to the Outreach Coordinator before your program begins. NatureBridge copies will be kept accessible on campus in case of an emergency.

Review the Packing List with students one final time: Please have students adhere to the list as much as possible so as to make their stay with us as comfortable as can be.

First Day of Program:LOGISTICS

Check that each driver has:

clear directions

site address (Cabin Camp 1, exit 152B off I-95)

The NatureBridge phone number:703.634.9041

Check that each student has the following:

No electronic gear beyond cell phones (if permitted)

A daypack, packed with a bag lunch, two water bottles, bandana, pencil or pen, hat, sunscreen, and a warm layer. This should be packed separately from the personal overnight gear and ready to take on the trail upon arrival.

Have the following forms ready to hand to the Outreach Coordinator upon arrival:

Participant Registration Forms – filled out and signed by student’s guardians and all participating adults.

Changes to the Master Roster.

The NatureBridge staff will greet you upon arrival. We will provide directions for unloading luggage and getting students and adults to cabins. Students and adults will then have two separate orientations with NatureBridge staff. At this time, you can give the Outreach Coordinator allParticipant Registration Forms andStudent Contracts. You will also need to sign a Final Invoice upon arrival.

We look forward to offering you a wonderful experience of learning and adventure at NatureBridge in Prince William Forest Park!

tel703.634.9041

Logistics Information

Planning and Paperwork Timeline

(all forms available on our website under “Plan Your Program”)

Form / Date needed
Contract / ASAP
25% Deposit / ASAP
Scholarship Application / ASAP
Arrange Transport / ASAP
Send Student information Packet Home to Parents / When Possible
Arrange for Chaperones/Share Chaperone information / When Possible
Final Numbers Verification / 30 days prior to the program
Arrange for Parent/Student Meeting / When Possible
Planning Questionnaire / 4 weeks prior to the program
Trail Group Lists (with medical and dietary alerts) / 4 weeks prior to the program
Cabin Group Lists / 4 weeks prior to the program
Registration Forms for each participant / Upon Arrival
Student Contract / Upon Arrival
Chaperone Contract / Upon Arrival

FAQs:

Arrival and Departure Times

Monday-Wednesday Program: Mon Arrival: any time after 9:00am, Wed departure: any time before 12pm

Wednesday-Friday Program: Wed Arrival: any time after 11:30am*, Fri departure: any time before 1pm

*Groups may eat lunch on-site upon arrival on Wednesday before the program begins

(Listed times are recommended in order to use the most available program time)

Meals

Breakfast and dinner will be served in the dining lodge and lunches areeaten in the field, with each student carrying a portion of the groups’ lunch in their daypack. Fresh,local foods are used whenever possible. The dining staff can accommodate any dietary restrictions if informed in advance.

The remaining pages are informational paperwork to share with Chaperones, Students, and Parents…

tel703.634.9041

ATypicalDayAtNatureBridgeFor distribution to Parents, Chaperones, Students

7 a.m. Wake up – Chaperones supervise
Students use this time to shower, dress, pack their backpacks for a day hike, and prepare for their day.

7:00 – 7:45 or 8 a.m. - 8:45 a.m. Breakfast *schedule will depend on number of meal shifts (1 or 2), when only one meal is served, it will be at 8:00 a.m.
(meet at Dining Hall 10 minutes before scheduled meal time)
Just a five-minute walk from the cabins is the Dining Hall, where we serve healthy, filling, hot meals.
A NatureBridge Educator will run the meal, showing students the ropes in our Dining Hall. Students will learn about food and natural resources, so come to breakfast prepared to start your day learning!

8:45 a.m. - 9 a.m. Get ready for the Day and Morning Stewardship
Take this time to use the facilities and finish packing your daypack. Each learning group will take turns with morning stewardship to tidy up and clean the common spaces before venturing into the great outdoors for the day.

9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Instructional Day
During this time students are with their learning group of up to 15 students. Lunch is distributed to the learning groups and is eaten out on the trail. NatureBridge educators provide the activities and curriculum while chaperones assist with group management. Depending on your school’s social and academic needs, we will design a thematic teaching day aligned with state and national standards. Students may find themselves:

Hiking to an old pyrite mine while learning about working collaboratively with others, leadership, and personal responsibility.
Exploring a nearby creek and participating in a stream bio-monitoring project while learning about watersheds and water use.
Participating in activities focused on how humans affect the environment and learning how each of us can positively make a difference in the world.

4:00 - 7:00 p.m. Recreation Time (includes dinner time)– Chaperones supervise
Time can be structured or unstructured as decided by the chaperones. Students may use this time to shower and change, write in their journals, play on the recreation field, or relax by the fire in the dining hall.

5:00 – 6:00 p.m. OR 6:00 –7:00 p.m. Dinner *schedule will depend on number of meal shifts (1 or 2), when only one meal is served, it will be at 6:00 p.m.
(meet at Dining Hall 10 minutes before scheduled meal time)
Dinner is served in the Dining Hall. The food is nutritious and plentiful and a great end to a day spent outdoors!

7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Evening program
These large-group programs are engaging, educational, and inspiring. Activities may include a predator-prey game, exploring the nearby forest on a night hike, or sharing songs and stories around a campfire.

8:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. Quiet Hours– Chaperones supervise
This is the time for students to get ready for bed. Lights out is typically 9:30 p.m.

Program Overview for Chaperones

Thank you for joining us as a Chaperone and for taking the time to read this information carefully. Your role is integral to a successful experience for the students. The information below has been prepared with feedback from past chaperones.

Your primary responsibilitiesare: Supervision, Participation, and Safety.

In a nutshell, chaperones help the program run smoothly by:

keeping students punctual
supervising at meals, during recreation time, and in cabins and bathhouses
participating as a part of the group in an active, positive manner

What is NatureBridge?

NatureBridge is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing hands-on environmental education in nature’s classroom, fostering environmental literacy to sustain our planet.

NatureBridge has campuses in six National Parks where teachers and their students experience multi-day environmental science programs, learning about the natural world in experiential, interdisciplinary ways. Our Environmental Science curriculum is closely aligned with state and national education requirements. While at NatureBridge, students explore and observe features of the natural world led by our experienced Educators. They learn underlying scientific principles, build community, and feel empowered to be active citizens.

Preparing for Your Trip