School Day Program Parent Packet

2015-2016
School
Day Program
Parent Packet
“Enhancing the understanding, appreciation, and stewardship of the Ozark Natural Environment”
Revised 09/10/15
Dear Parents,
We look forward to hosting your child’s class at the Ozark Natural Science Center! There are several important items to mention in
preparation for the trip. Please review the attached ONSC Guidelines form with your student. For a closer look at our program and
the teacher naturalist staff, please visit the School Programs section of our website (www.onsc.us/school-program).
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Please follow the “what to bring” checklist closely so your child will be well-prepared for an enjoyable trip.
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Your child’s comfort is essential to learning. It is important to dress in layers of clothing to add or remove as needed. We will
be in the outdoors in changing weather conditions.
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Participants must wear closed-toe boots or shoes. No new boots (they often cause blisters).
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Participants must wear long pants. No shorts or capri-pants.
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Raingear with head protection is required. No umbrellas please. Gloves, scarves and stocking caps are a necessity for cold
weather.
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Please read and complete the participant registration form. Don’t forget to sign and date the form.
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Return the form to your child’s teacher.
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All medication must be given to your child’s teacher or school nurse prior to the visit .
The ONSC experience is much more than a school field trip. Check out our website http://www.onsc.us, for special programs, weekend
activities, facility rental, volunteer opportunities & more. Look for ONSC L.I.V.E., our newest nature venture. There’s always something
happening in Bear Hollow!
Sincerely,
Matthew Miller
Executive Director
1905 Madison 1305 | Huntsville, AR 72740 | 479.202.8340 | www.onsc.us
About the Ozark Natural Science Center:
Programs and Focus
Facilities
ONSC is a nonprofit field science and environmental
education center which exists to enhance the
understanding, appreciation, and stewardship of the
Ozark natural environment. Visitors enjoy the rugged
natural beauty of the Ozark Mountains and receive
instruction from professional field staff and guest
speakers. Grade appropriate programs are seasonally
adjusted to complement and enrich traditional
classroom education. Many programs are
interdisciplinary, bringing together natural history,
science, math, language arts and cultural history of the
region.
Programs are available for day and residential
experiences ranging from one to five days. Indoor
space is suitable for a variety of activities and a
covered pavilion provides shelter for campfires
and outdoor programs. A total of 68 participants
can be accommodated in our three climatecontrolled lodges. Each lodge is divided into
several sleeping rooms with bunk beds, restroom
and shower. Lodge amenities also include a
common lounge area and covered porch. Meals
are provided in the dining hall located in the
Ewing Centre. Vegetarian meals are available and
special dietary needs may be accommodated with
advanced notice.
During the school year, the Center’s provides residential
and day programs for students from public, private,
home and independent schools in Arkansas and the
surrounding region. The school-based program
complements and enhances standard science
curriculum, helping teachers meet state and national
requirements for science education.
Gate Policies, After-hours & Early Pick-up
The ONSC entrance gate is open Monday through
Friday from 8:30am until 5:00pm.
In Case of Emergency
Students enjoy hiking and discovering what’s around the
next bend in the trail. They develop an understanding of
natural diversity using scientific techniques and creative
problem solving strategies. Students are encouraged to
record their observations in their naturalist journals.
Developing a sense of responsibility for others, the
environment and their own personal actions is an
important part of the program.
Location
ONSC is located in the heart of the Interior Highlands on
the Springfield Plateau, a natural division of the Ozarks.
Our 500-acre campus in the Bear Hollow Natural Area is
three miles off Highway 23 between Huntsville and
Eureka Springs, Arkansas. The central campus is
bordered by the 15,000 acre Arkansas Game and Fish
Commission’s McIlroy-Madison County Wildlife
Management Area.
ONSC’s business number is 479.202.8340.
After-hours emergency calls coming INTO the
Center are routed to our executive director
and/or program manager who lives onsite.
ONSC will only release a student to an
authorized adult listed on the student’s
participant registration form. Authorized adults
must provide a valid driver’s license for
photocopy before a student will be released to
their care.
Safety
Safety is our #1 priority for students, for you and ONSC
staff.
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No running on trails or in buildings
No horseplay allowed
Students are not allowed to go anywhere
unattended
Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water
Watch for hazards and changes in weather
conditions
Follow directions given by ONSC staff
Teachers and chaperones assist ONSC staff on
hikes, at mealtime and during indoor activities
Students must have appropriate clothing, shoes
and water bottle.
Remember that your enthusiasm is contagious.
Students thrive when the adults convey a
positive attitude
All tobacco products are prohibited in buildings
and on trails. A smoker’s area is located in the
parking lot.
We Encourage students to respect themselves,
respect others and respect the environment
Teachers and chaperones are responsible for students
during transitions between classes and meal times.
ONSC Staff
Supervision
Matthew Miller – matthew@onsc.us
Executive Director
Students are supervised at all times by their teachers,
chaperones or ONSC Staff. An ONSC liasion is on 24-hour-duty
and instructors remain on site for the duration of the program.
School faculty select adult chaperones; chaperones must be
physically capable of supervising students at all times and
participate in moderate physical activity over rough terrain.
Please see our parent-chaperone guidelines available at our
website for more information.
Becky Olthof – becky@onsc.us
Program Manager
Sonja Rodden – sonja@onsc.us
Office Manager
Scott Dendler – s.dendler@onsc.us
Bookkeeper
Foodservice
Loretta Crow
Brenda Jones
Kristine Rawlings
Food Service
Meals are prepared fresh daily by our professional kitchen
staff. Parents should communicate dietary restrictions and/or
food allergies to ONSC via email at loretta@onsc.us or
479.202.8340 at least one week prior to arrival at ONSC.
Caretaker
Paul Rawlings
Hunting
While at ONSC, program participants will receive
instruction from our professional field staff. All
Teacher Naturalists have a minimum of a
Bachelor’s degree.
Lead Teacher Naturalist
Dan Hicks
NO hunting is permitted on the 500-acre ONSC campus and
Bear Hollow Natural Area. Because limited hunting is
permitted on the nearby Madison County – McIlroy Wildlife
Management, all program participants wear orange vests
during hunting season as a precaution.
Contact Information
Teacher Naturalists
Steve Keltner
Maya McElfish
Kate Barnes
Dr. Joanie Patterson
Zev Alexander
Rachelle Williams
All ONSC personnel undergo full background
checks as a condition of employment. All
employees are trained in first aid, CPR and
emergency procedures and receive training in
participant safety and rescue protocols annually.
Teacher Naturalists have various levels of First Aid
& CPR certifications.
Ozark Natural Science Center
1905 Madison 1305
Huntsville, AR 72740
ONSC business & after-hours emergency number 479.202.8340
Office hours – Monday through Friday – 8:30 am – 5:00 pm
http://www.onsc.u
ONSC What to Bring CHECKLIST
Please follow the checklist closely. During cold weather months, be sure ample clothing is packed.
CLOTHING AND GEAR
 Long pants or jeans for hiking (no shorts or capri pants)
 T-shirts
 Long-sleeved shirt or sweater
 Socks - we recommend sending a second pair in case one gets wet
 Comfortable shoes that can get wet and muddy
 Jacket or heavy coat (weather appropriate, a sweatshirt is not sufficient)
 Comfortable, practical, sturdy sneakers or hiking boots. All shoes need to be close toed and close heeled (no sandals, flipflops, or shoes with open sides, and please no new boots!)
 Hat or cap, gloves or mittens, extra socks for colder weather wear
 Water bottle
 Pencil and small notebook
 Small backpack
 Camera (optional)
 Money for merchandise (optional)
DO NOT BRING:
 Cell phones, TV, radio, tape, CD, or MP3 players, electronic or media devices of any kind
 Knives or weapons of any kind
 Umbrellas
 Food, drink, candy, gum
 Jewelry
 “HotHands” or similar hand-warmer packets – please help us keep our trails clean by using warm gloves instead
ONSC IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY LOST OR DAMAGED PERSONAL ITEMS
ONSC PARTICIPANT GUIDELINES
The following guidelines are essential for the safety, enjoyment, and well-being of all participants. Students and
parents should read the following information together.
Respect
 Show respect for other students, ONSC staff, and chaperones.
 Respect ONSC facilities and property; participants will assume financial responsibility for any damages they
cause.
 Respect the personal property of others. If it is not yours, leave it alone.
 Respect the environment: “Take only pictures, leave only footprints, kill only time.”
Readiness
 Be prepared to participate enthusiastically in all activities.
 Bring a spirit of teamwork and friendship for your fellow students.
 Follow the “what to bring” checklist and be familiar with your gear.
 Bring a backpack with water bottle, rain gear, pencil, and extra socks with you to all activities.
 Be on time for all activities.
Responsibility
 Take responsibility for your own personal items throughout your program. The ONSC is not responsible for
lost or damaged personal property.
 Share responsibility for cleaning dining area, and classroom areas.
 Be responsible for your well-being; communicate any questions or concerns to the ONSC staff. They will be
happy to listen and assist you.
 Wash hands before every meal and be responsible for personal hygiene.
Safety
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Listen to all safety instructions before and during every activity.
No running at any time.
Stay on trails at all times.
Do not pick up or throw rocks, sticks, or other items.
Science
 Be curious
 Be observant
 Ask good science questions
 Listen to the answers to your questions
All students should understand that their conduct must be appropriate to the standards of ONSC at all times and that
failure to abide by the guidelines may result in their dismissal from the program. Visiting teachers, adult chaperones,
and ONSC staff will counsel students whenever possible to avoid dismissal.
PARTICIPANT REGISTRATION FORM
Participant Name
PARENT / GUARDIAN NAME
Email
CLASSROOM Teacher
Mailing Address
City
State
Zip
CELL #
WORK #
HOME #
Other #
Date of birth / age
Gender
Current Height
Current weight
Lbs.
Participant history with any of the following* -
○ Asthma
○ Cancer
○ Diabetes
○ Heart abnormalities
○ High or LOW blood pressure ○ Seizures
○ Stroke
○ Other (please specify any other medical conditions) __________________________________________________________
* Participants with severe medical conditions, must submit a copy of their CURRENT Emergency Action Plan to onsc at least 1 week prior to arrival at ONSC
Medications - (please list ALL medication(s) including inhalers, over-the-counter medication, etc. participant will bring to ONSC)
ALLERGY/MEDICAL CONDITION
MEDICATION / STRENGTH (mg/ml)
Dosage instructions
Date began
Allergies/ Dietary Restrictions - (Please list specific details related to allergy, including type of reaction)
○ Food ○ Pollen/Hay Fever
○ Other (please be specific)
○ Latex
○ Medication(s)
○ Metals/Minerals
○ Plants/Trees
○ Insect bite/sting
personal information not included above -
Local Emergency contact -
(in addition to parent/guardian, those listed also have permission to pick-up youth participants)
Name(s)
Telephone #
Relationship
Name(s)
Telephone #
Relationship
If your school program includes a student t-shirt, please select student size .
Contact your child’s teacher about t-shirts.
Adult or Non-Program T-Shirts and other merchandise may be purchased in our business office or online at http://www.onsc.us/shop-store.php
Youth Large
Adult Small
Adult Medium
Adult Large
Adult X-Large
Adult XX-Large
Please complete & sign reverse side →
Program Permission & Waivers:
Media Acknowledgment I grant permission for any photos or videos taken of participant or any artwork or statements made during educational
programs at the ONSC can be used for ONSC’s public relations program.
No, please do not use participant’s photographs or statements
Participate in ONSC Education Study ONSC may conduct a study on its education program. The information gathered will be used to improve the program at ONSC. Names will
not be used in any publication of this study.
No, please do not include participant in education study
Tick Awareness –
Ticks are common throughout Arkansas and may carry disease. ONSC advises participants to check themselves for ticks during
program and in the days following. The Lyme Disease website (www.lymediseaseassociation.org) has information on tick removal and tick
transmitted disease.
I (participant or parent/guardian of participant) have read the above statement about ticks and Lyme disease and understand
this inherent outdoor risk.
Permission to Participate Please note participant or parent/guardian signature required before acceptance into any onsc programs.
I assume any and all of the inherent risks and any other risks incidental to the nature of these activities which are not
specifically foreseeable. I will hold ONSC harmless from any and all liability, actions, causes of action, debts and claims and
demands of every kind and nature whatsoever, whether for bodily injury, property damage or loss otherwise which may arise
from mine or my child’s participation. By signing this waiver I release ONSC and its staff from any negligence incurred. My child
enters into this activity voluntarily, and I take full responsibility for the decision for him/her to participate or not to participate.
Date
participant name (printed)
Sign
here!
Participant/adult signature
Parent/guardian signature required for participants under 18
Ozark Natural Science Center
A non-profit field science and environmental education center and conference facility in northwest Arkansas
1905 Madison 1305 ● Huntsville, AR 72740 ● 479.202.8340 ● www.onsc.us
Revised 09/10/2015 – ONSC Participant registration form – v150910.doc