Outdoor School Student Handbook

The Outdoor School will be held at Camp Tadmor, located on McDowell Creek Rd near Sweet Home and Lebanon.

The facilities for use at this location are highly suited for our purposes. They include ample housing units and shower facilities for cabin groups and counselors, cabins for the teachers, a large lodge for meals and meetings, recreational areas, two indoor classroom areas and a small room for the First Aid Center. The camp also has a small pond with a variety of fresh water creatures.

When you step off the bus at Outdoor School you will be greeted by a large group of people who have been very busy preparing for your arrival.

The Director is in charge of the Outdoor School site and is responsible for making sure everything goes smoothly and that you have a fun and educational week. Helping the director is the Assistant Director as well as the Adult staff, who were formerly counselors, plan and teach all the afternoon study activities. They are also in charge of all the other parts of the program; such things as campfires, meals and recreation. A Nurse lives at Outdoor School twenty-four hours a day to take care of your health needs. A Kitchen Staff and Camp Caretaker also work hard to make your week enjoyable.

A very special group of people are the Outdoor School Counselors. These are high school students who volunteer a week of their time to help teach and to live in the cabins with you. They have spent several weeks preparing for your visit.

If you are injured or do not feel well, you must report this immediately to your  teacher, counselor or an Outdoor School staff member who will see that you visit the  nurse. The nurse is available twenty-four hours a day to take care of all your health needs. 

Any medication you bring to Outdoor School must be turned over  to the nurse. Make sure your name and the prescribed dosage are written on the  container. The nurse will see that your medication is given as required, but it is your  responsibility to show up at the infirmary at the proper time.

We do not want you to lose clothing or other possessions while at Outdoor  School. We require that you MARK ALL YOUR PERSONAL ITEMS WITH YOUR NAME using indelible ink or a sewn on patch. Your teacher will give you colored  baggage identification tags to securely attach to your suitcase, handbag and bedroll or  sleeping bag. Both sides of each tag should show your name. 

PREPARING FOR OUTDOOR SCHOOL 

There are several things you will need to do to get ready for Outdoor School.  Your teacher will help you in preparing for the study activities. Your teacher will also  give you forms that will need to be taken home and completed by our parents. These  forms will need to be returned to your classroom teacher before you leave for Outdoor  School. 

It is important that you come to Outdoor School with appropriate clothing and  equipment. Your comfort depends on being ready regardless of the weather. The  following is a suggested list of items to bring. Please do not put your family through any  needless expense. Bring older clothing and equipment that you may already have around  your home. The main thing is to have enough clothing so you can keep warm if the  weather is cold and keep dry in case of rain. Your parents will help you decide what  clothing is best to keep you clean, warm, and dry. 

CLOTHING & SLEEPING GEAR:

• Warm sleeping bag or sheet with 3 blankets
• Pillow and pillow case
• Sleep Wear
• 2-3 pairs of jeans or heavy pants
• 2-3 long sleeve shirts
• 2-3 short sleeve shirts
• 8-10 pairs of socks 
• 5-6 changes of underwear 
• Warm jacket 
• Sweater 
• WATERPROOF raincoat
• Boots
• Tennis shoes
• pair of shoes (one pair should be waterproof)
• Warm hat

BATHROOM SUPPLIES: 

• Bath towel
• Wash cloth
• Soap and container
• Comb/Brush
• Extra Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Hair dryer (optional)
• chap stick 
• Sunscreen

OTHER: 

• Letter writing materials—at least 2 postcard/envelopes pre-stamped and pencils (3-4) 
• Book to read 
• Umbrella 
• Camera 

Please do not bring any electrical or battery operated appliances other than a hair dryer. This includes Gameboys, PSPs, IPods, CD Players, etc. Also, leave all money, comic books, matches, knives, and food – including candy and gum at homePack your gear in a suitcase or duffel bag. Please do not bring a large backpack  with frame. Your teacher will tell you about any other items you will need to bring.

Cabin Living Group

At Outdoor School there will be students from five different sixth grade classes.  You will join several students from the other classes to make up a cabin living group.  Many activities will be done with your cabin group throughout the week. Many good  friendships are formed by cabin mates. 

There is always time each day for you and your cabin partners and counselors to  play games, visit, and have fun. Everyone is responsible for keeping the cabin neat and  clean. There is time set aside each morning to accomplish this task. Cooperation with  everyone in the cabin on clean-up and other activities makes for a successful cabin group. 

Hints for Cabin Clean-up

• BUNKS: Are sleeping bags or blankets arranged  neatly? Is the gear off the floor? Are suitcases under the bunks? Is the  arrangement orderly and consistent  throughout the cabin? 
• SHOES: Are shoes arranged neatly and not in the  middle of the floor? 
• CLEANLINESS: Have ledges, shelves, heaters and  windowsills been dusted? 
• FLOOR: Is the floor clean? (Check around bedposts.) 
• GROUNDS: Are there bits of paper and other litter  outside your cabin or in the area? 

Meals 

Everyone will eat meals together in the large dining hall. Delicious, well-balanced  meals are served. EVERYONE IS ENCOURAGED TO TRY ALL THE  DIFFERENT KINDS OF FOOD SERVED. You may discover how good some new  dishes can be. Second helpings are usually available and no one will go hungry.  Everyone is expected to eat all the food on his or her plates. People at Outdoor  School take pride in not wasting any of our food resources or food energy. Meals are  also a time for visiting with both new and old friends. To encourage an atmosphere  of gracious dining, practicing good table manners are emphasized.

Dining Hall Kapers

• Go-Fir: It is the responsibility of the Go-Fir to get food for his/her table group.  The Go-Fir will also get any additional servings if more is needed at his/her table  group. 
• Chopsticks: It is the duty of the Chopsticks to see that the dining hall is ready for  the meal. They work under the direction of a staff member to insure that all the tables  are properly set. It is extremely important that the K.P.’s report on time for this duty  so meals may be on time. 
• K.P.: It is the responsibility of the K.P.’s to remain in the dining hall after the  meal and see that the tables are cleared and cleaned. 

Other Duties 

• Flag: It is the job of the cabin on Flag duty to raise or lower the flag at the  beginning and end of each day. 
• Weather: It is the responsibility of the weather cabin to measure temperature,  barometric pressure, wind speed and direction, and cloud cover to make a prediction  for the day’s weather. They then present the forecast to the rest of the students so that  everyone can dress properly for the day’s activities. 
• Roustabout: It is the responsibility of the roustabout to clean various portions of  the camp to maintain a clean and healthy environment.

Table Manners

Good table manners are stressed at the Outdoor School. We have provided a list  of table manner terms that are used at Outdoor School. All students, staff, and  visitors are expected to follow these manners for dining. 

Remember:

1. Always pass to the right until everyone is served. After this, food may  be passed either direction. 
2. Receive plates with the right hand and pass with the left hand. 
3. The Host/Hostess is served first and then the food is passed on to the  right. 
4. Don’t forget PLEASE and THANK YOU when asking for articles at  the table. 
5. All meals served at the Outdoor School are prepared with a special  effort to see that they are balanced. Serve yourself all foods served and remember to take what you eat and eat what you take. 
6. Remove hats, caps, and hoods when in dining room. 
7. Only the Go-Fir is allowed to leave the table for more food. 

Terms for Table Manners: Where did I go wrong?

• Breaking up a friendship: Not passing the salt and pepper  together. 
• Finger Painting: Thumbs in the bowl or plate while  you are passing it. 
• Flagpole: Leaving spoon in cereal or dessert bowl. 
• Traffic Jam: Not passing things one at a time or in the wrong direction. 
• Vacuum Cleaner: Slurping food. 
• Full House: Talking with your mouth full 

PLEASE NOTE: Good table manners are stressed at Outdoor School. All students and staff are expected to follow these rules.

Outdoor School means school in the outdoors. You will spend the week learning  about things that are better or more easily studied outdoors. What better way is there  to learn about insects than to observe them in their homes or to study the chemistry of  water than sitting on the bank of a pond?

Each morning and afternoon your classmates, instructors, and you will be  exploring a different part of the camp environment. Most of the work will be done in  small groups. In a small group it is very easy for everyone to see and hear everything  and participate in all the activities. 
Learning takes places in lots of different ways at Outdoor School, such as  exploring, experimenting, and observing. You will be able to use all of your senses to  discover new things about the environment. Seeing, hearing, smelling, touching, and  even tasting are all important ways to get new information about your surroundings.  

You will also get the chance to apply your skills in reading, mathematics, and  writing. When learning in the outdoors it is often important to take notes or draw  pictures that will help you remember your discoveries for discussion and sharing  later. 

The main topics of study at Outdoor School are ecology, natural resources and  people’s relationship to the environment. Each of the Outdoor School sites organizes  the studies a little differently and may have some different activities, but everyone learns the same things.
 

• Monday
  • The day begins with the Passport Presentation at the middle school. The  passports assist the students in learning seven environmental concepts. They introduce the concept with key statements, followed by an explanatory paragraph. 
  • The sixth grade classes and their teachers will arrive at Camp Tadmor in the late  morning. They will be welcomed by the counselors and the Outdoor School staff in  the main parking lot and escorted to a community meeting. Introductions will be  made and students will be given time to familiarize themselves with their  surroundings. Each student will locate their cabin group, and they will depart to their  cabins. 
  • After the students are unpacked and settled into their cabin areas, each group will  proceed to lunch. Following lunch there will be the Welcome To Camp presentation.  This is a multimedia demonstration, which sets the stage for the week ahead. 
  • Following the presentation, there will be a special Acclimatization Walk, where  students will learn to use their senses in learning about nature. 
  • Monday afternoon will finish with some Large Group Recreation Activities. This  is a time for the students to just have some fun. 
  • After dinner the students will attend a special activity. The evening will end with  a short Campfire; singing songs, listening to stories, and enjoying the peacefulness of  the nighttime.
• Tuesday-Thursday
  • The concept Paths will take up the bulk of Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday  mornings. The activities on the Concept Paths demonstrate the functioning of seven  environmental concepts. Following each activity, the students are given time to enter  their own example of the concept in action and to find an example of the concept in  the natural world around them. 
  • Shortly after lunch students will attend a workshop where they will get to  participate in some memorable activities. The middle portion of the afternoon will be  spent doing Field Study Activities, which explore water, soil and the forest. During  this time, they will learn to identify different plants and animals in their environment. 
  • Large Group Recreation, Dinner, Class Time with Teachers and the Campfire  complete the rest of the day’s program. 
• Friday
  • ​​​​​​​After packing up, each student will meet with their cabin group to design a special model planet. Following this activity, everyone will meet for a closing  ceremony. The afternoon will conclude with a picnic.

• Monday
  • 8:30 Arrive at Middle School, tag luggage, and load on trucks 9:00 Luggage van leaves, bathroom break and load busses 9:15 Leave for camp 
  • 10:30 Arrive and meet in lodge for community meeting: welcome,  introductions and orientation 
  • 11:00 Counselors take students to cabins with luggage and then give  students a camp tour (prep for lunch and recreation) 
  • 11:50 Line up for flag 
  • 11:55 Flag 
  • 12:00 Lunch on deck 
  • 12:45 Welcome to camp presentation – lodge 
  • 1:15 Acclimatization walk – meet in study group meeting areas 2:30 Snack – dining hall area 
  • 2:45 Recreation 
  • 4:00 Cabin Time (prep for dinner and evening activities) 5:00 Chopsticks/Flag/Weather report 
  • 5:20 Line up for flag 
  • 5:25 Flag 
  • 5:30 Dinner 
  • 6:30 Evening presentation – meet in lodge 
  • 7:45 Cabin time (prep for campfire) 
  • 8:00 Campfire 
  • 9:00 Prep for bed 
  • 9:30 Lights out 
  • 9:45 HS meeting 
  • 10:45 AS and Teachers meeting
• Tuesday-Thursday
  • 7:00 Wake up 
  • 7:10 Weather/Flag/Chopsticks report 
  • 7:20 Line up for Flag 
  • 7:25 Flag 
  • 7:30 Breakfast 
  • 8:15 Cabin Time (prep for concept paths)/KP/Roustabout 9:00 Concept Paths 
  • 11:30 Cabin Time (prep for lunch) 
  • 11:40 Chopsticks Report 
  • 11:50 Line up for lunch 
  • 12:00 Lunch 
  • 12:30 Cabin time (prep for workshops, field study, and recreation) 12:45 Workshops 
  • 1:30 Field Study – meet in FS meeting areas 
  • 3:30 Snack 
  • 3:45 Recreation 
  • 5:00 Cabin Time (prep for dinner and teacher time) 
  • 5:10 Weather/Flag/Chopsticks report 
  • 5:20 Line up for flag 
  • 5:25 Flag 
  • 5:30 Dinner 
  • 6:45 Class time with teachers (staff meeting) 
  • 7:45 Cabin time (prep for campfire) 
  • 8:00 Campfire 
  • 9:00 Prep for bed 
  • 9:30 Lights out 
• Friday 
  • 7:00 Wake up 
  • 7:10 Weather/Flag/Chopsticks report – Begin packing and cleaning cabins  (this includes HS staff) 
  • 7:20 Line up for flag 
  • 7:25 Flag 
  • 7:30 Breakfast 
  • 8:15 Cabin time/ KP/Roustabout – (Awards Presentation) 8:30 Finish packing and cleaning cabins (this also includes HS staff) 9:15 Bring ALL gear to dining hall – YOU WILL NOT RETURN TO YOUR  
  • CABIN AGAIN (HS gear can go in basement) Final cabin inspection was – After inspection go immediately to lodge. 
  • 9:45 Morning activity begin in lodge 
  • 10:15 Meet in Field Study area for model planets activity 11:15 Closing 
  • 11:45 Lunch 
  • 12:30 Restroom Break 
  • 12:45 Say Good-Byes 
  • 1:00 Load up busses and depart for home 
  • 2:15 approximate arrival time at middle school
     

Rules for Outdoor School

Some behavioral guidelines are necessary at Outdoor School. These are simple,  common sense rules that students must realize are good for everyone. These guidelines  are not meant to restrict students from having an enjoyable experience, but rather to  ensure safety and equal enjoyment for all students. 

Cabins 

1. Students are not allowed to enter other cabins. 
2. Students are expected to be in bed and quiet by lights out time. 3. Students will remain in the cabins at night (except for emergencies) until  counselors wake them for breakfast. 
3. Pillow fights or roughhousing of any kind is not permitted. 
4. Students will stay with their group at all times. 
5. Directions given by counselors will be followed. 

Trails and Ground

1. Stay on the trail and walk with your counselor. 
2. No running, throwing, pushing, or using walking sticks. 
3. Students will not remove or harm any living plant or animal. 
4. Listen quietly at all times when counselor or teacher is speaking. 

Dining Hall

1. Talk quietly at your table. 
2. Only the GO-FIR is allowed up during the meal. 
3. Following the meal, each cabin group will quietly assist in cleaning their table. 4. No throwing or playing with your food. 
4. Listen quietly at all times when teacher or counselor is speaking. 

Campfires

1. Stay with your counselor when going to and from the campfire area.
2. Talk quietly along the trails. 
3. Only counselors and teachers will tend to the fire.
    

Our Outdoor Discipline Policy reflects our commitment to provide students with a  safe and positive learning environment in our outdoor setting. Our policy is based on the  Stayton Middle School Student Handbook and parallels the progressive approach the  students are used to, as closely as possible. Students need to realize that rules for indoor  and outdoor conduct differ somewhat and they must follow them as directed. 

Violations and Consequences: 

We will attempt to follow the steps below when students choose to disrupt Outdoor  School activities, violate specific rules and guidelines, or fail to respond positively to  warnings and reminders from students counselors and staff. 

1. Discipline Problems 
   • First Infraction – Time-out from staff member and reported to ODS  director and classroom teacher. 
   • Second Infraction – Student will be referred to ODS director. 
2. Insubordination (Refusal to Follow Directions)
   •  First Infraction – Conference with sixth grade teachers and ODS director.  Students are given a warning. 
   • Second Infraction – Student will pack bags, have an extended time-out,  and be on probation for the reminder of camp. 
   • Third Infraction – Parent will be called to take student home for the  remainder of the week. 
3. Fighting
   • First Infraction – Referral, which will result in all day, in-camp suspension. 
   • Second Infraction – Parent will be called to take student home for the  remainder of week. 
4. Theft/Vandalism/Destruction of Property
   • First Infraction – Parent will be called to take student home for the  reminder of the week.

In order to maintain an educational environment at Outdoor School, we will have  a visitation policy with the following requirements: 

• Parents must give us 24 hours notice before visiting Camp Tadmor. This will allow us to arrange a guided tour through the camp, and ensures the smooth flow of the program. 
• Visits must be arranged through the middle school office. 
• Parents will check in with the director and will remain with the assigned staff member during the visit. 
   

Because there are so many activities going on at Outdoor School students will not  be able to call parents during the week. However, if there is an emergency please call the  camp at 541-451-4270, and ask for the director or a sixth grade teacher. 

Students have a busy life at their “home away from home”. The schedule moves  quickly keeping everyone very involved in all of the activities of Outdoor School. A  letter from home is always a pleasant addition to the fun and excitement. Students are  encouraged to write home and parents are encouraged to send a letter or card to Outdoor  School. It usually takes a letter two days to arrive so mail them Monday to have letters  reach Outdoor School by Wednesday. Mail is sent out and picked up daily. Address letters to: 

Child’s Name 
Stayton Outdoor School 
Camp Tadmor 
43943 McDowell Creek Dr. 
Lebanon, OR 97355
 

Your stay at Outdoor School will be one of the most memorable in your  educational career. You will learn about nature, not just by seeing, buy by using all your senses. 

But understanding nature is only part of what you can learn. Through meeting  and associating with other people, including people your own age, high school age  counselors, staff members and teachers, you can learn much about yourself and others.  You will probably strengthen old friendships and make new ones. The memories of all  the good times can stay with you for years to come. 

To help make sure that you will remember the valuable lessons and rich  experiences, here are some suggestions: 

1. Keep your eyes and ears open and ready to see and hear. 
2. Ask questions when you need an answer. 
3. Be on time for all activities. Be prepared with proper clothing and supplies  for each activity. (Don’t forget your passport!) 
4. Smile and be cheerful! It will make things run more smoothly and everyone  will have a more enjoyable experience. 
5. Write down things you learn and feelings you have. Keep a journal. You can  look at it later and smile as you remember! 
6. Take pictures if you can. Some cameras are very inexpensive but can capture  priceless moments. 
7. Become a part of everything you experience. Don’t let anything pass you by.  Remember that this will be your only week at Outdoor School as a sixth  grader, so don’t waste a minute. 
8. Look, hear, feel, enjoy, think, laugh, love, talk, listen, sing and learn. Then  the time will be yours to keep forever.