August 16, To: Hiking Club Students and Parents From: Gary Banks Re: Backpacking trip to Lake Michigan

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August 16, 2018 To: Hiking Club Students and Parents From: Gary Banks Re: Backpacking trip to Lake Michigan Preparations are beginning for the annual Hiking Club fall backpacking trip, which is

1 August 16, 2018 To: Hiking Club Students and Parents From: Gary Banks Re: Backpacking trip to Lake Michigan Preparations are beginning for the annual Hiking Club fall backpacking trip, which is coming up from October This year we will return to Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness Area, where we have been several times before. The Wilderness Area is located between Lake Michigan Recreation Area to the north and Ludington State Park to the south, thus making a long hike possible. The first night we will hike in about 2 miles to a walk-in campsite in Ludington State Park. The next day we will make our way up the beach, stopping for a lighthouse tour. On Saturday and Sunday nights we will set up camp amongst the dunes, go hiking in the Wilderness Area, and swim in Lake Michigan if possible. Monday morning, we will arise early and make our way down the beach in the pre-dawn hours to meet the bus. This trip will take place over the long weekend, from Friday, October 12 (departing immediately after choir at 1:00) to Monday, October 15 mid-afternoon. Students will need to make up any work from their Friday afternoon classes. There is no school on Monday for the High School, so students will not miss school. The Fall Hiking Trip and Spring Break trip to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park are the two main annual events of the Hiking Club. The Fall Hiking Trip will give students a sense of the experience of backpacking with less of a commitment than the Smokies trip involves. There will be one training hike for this trip, on Sunday, October 6 from 12 noon until 5 PM at Pinkney Recreation Area (students who have previously been to the Smokies may be excused for a valid reason). The training hike will ensure that everyone can feel confident of their ability to carry a backpack for a full day of hiking. Departure: 1:00 pm on Friday, October 12, 2018 Return: 3:00 pm on Monday, October 15, 2018 Departure/Pickup Location: RSHS Cost: $150 per student, all food, transportation and other costs included EQUIPMENT The equipment list for this trip will be included with this letter and will be posted on the Hiking Club bulletin board in the Commons. The Hiking Club owns a number of backpacks, sleeping pads, and sleeping bags for students to borrow (for a small rental fee), and we also have some boots, outdoor clothing, and various other items which can be loaned out. Please talk to me if you have any questions about this list or would like to borrow something. Bivouac, an outfitting store at 336 S. State Street in Ann Arbor supports the Hiking Club by offering a 15% discount for active Hiking Club members. They will offer authoritative guidance in picking out gear. The cost of these items can really add up. However, you can start with some basic gear (boots, backpack, sleeping bag) and build up over the years, and you can also borrow the more expensive items from the Hiking Club. REI has lower prices on many required items that are sold under the REI brand, such as backpacks, sleeping bags, and sleeping pads, which tend to be the costlier items. They also have an excellent return policy and dividends if you become an REI member. There is usually a sale with 20% off one item sometime in October. I strongly recommend going into a store to purchase boots and backpacks and not just ordering blindly online, as proper fit is essential for these items. Online, you may find a cheaper price, and Bivouac does offer internet price matching.

2 GEAR CHECK As veteran Hiking Club members know, the Hiking Club leaders feel it is necessary that we go through a gear checking process for each hiking trip. This will be on Wednesday, October 3 from 3:10-4:30. Everyone must have their equipment checked, including everything on the equipment list. Please try to make it at this time, but if that is impossible, you may speak to me about scheduling another time. COST The cost of the trip will be $150. All food will be included. This fee will also include transportation costs. We are hiring a bus service for transporting the group. The Hiking Club owns many group items, so purchasing expensive items like stoves, cookware, and tents will be unnecessary. Any excess funds will be used to purchase group items for future trips. INTENT TO PARTICIPATE FORM Please return the following intent to participate form to me along with a check for $150 made to RSSAA by Friday, September 16 if you intend to come! At this point, given the number of chaperones and bus space available, up to 30 students will be able to participate. If I need to make a decision about some students not going due to space constraints, I will base it on the order in which the forms and money were returned. CALENDAR OF HIKING CLUB DATES September 7 September 17 October 1 October 2 October 3 October 6 October 10 October 12 October 15 Hiking Club meeting at lunch Intent to Participate form and fees due Permission forms due Hiking Club meeting at lunch Gear Check from 3:10-4:30 pm (mandatory) Training Hike, Pinkney Recreation Area, 12:00-5:00 pm Meet at Mr. Banks house, 3471 E. Pineview Drive in Dexter Hiking Club meeting at lunch (if needed) Depart from RSHS at 1:00 pm Arrive back at RSHS at approximately 3:00 pm Warmly, Please contact me with any questions. Gary Banks Cell: gbanks@steinerschool.org

3 RUDOLF STEINER SCHOOL OF ANN ARBOR HIKING CLUB FALL TRIP INTENT TO PARTICIPATE Please return this form to Mr. Banks with a $150 nonrefundable check (made to Rudolf Steiner School of Ann Arbor) by Friday, September 17, 2018 What: Hiking Club Fall Trip When: October 12-15, 2018 Where: Nordhouse Dunes and Ludington State Park near Ludington, Michigan Parents: My son/daughter,, has discussed the Hiking Club Fall Trip with me and has my permission to attend. (Note: This is not a permission slip.) I understand the $150 payment will be refunded only in the case of injury or illness that prevents my student from attending since non-refundable costs will be incurred before the trip begins. (Please contact Mr. Banks if payment of this money is prohibitive so we can make an arrangement.) Signed: (parent) Phone: Students: Name: I agree to make a commitment to this trip and understand that the Hiking Club Fall Trip requires the following: make a commitment to be part of the group attend Tuesday Lunch meetings to plan the trip and learn wilderness skills attend the training hike on Saturday, October 6 from 12 noon until 5 PM (can be waived if you have previously attended the Smokies trip and have a legitimate reason for not attending) obtain proper clothing and equipment and prepare it in advance participate in the equipment check on Wednesday, October 3 help plan meals and do my part in preparing the food Students who do not show a sufficient commitment or who do not appear to be prepared will not be allowed to attend. Signed: (student)

4 Rudolf Steiner School of Ann Arbor Hiking Club Trip- Field Trip Permission Slip My Child (Print child s name here): has my permission (parent s signature below) to travel with his/her class via car with parent/employee drivers and seat belts and/or rental vehicles, on the Hiking Club Training Hike. I understand that the participants of the activity will be hiking and preparing for the upcoming Hiking Club Trip to the Manistee River Trail. I understand that my child will be participating in outdoor education, wilderness skills and nature study. Training Hike Details: Saturday, October 6 from 12:00 5:00 pm Meeting place is Mr. Banks Home, 3471 E. Pineview Drive, Dexter, MI Hike will be starting at Pickerel Lake in Pinckney Recreation Area. As in all activities, I understand that there is an inherent risk in having my child participate in the field trip described above. We (I) agree to release the Rudolf Steiner School and its faculty and staff from any and all claims, including claims for negligence, arising from or relating to my son or daughter s participation in this trip, including claims for injury, loss, damage, or expense resulting from accident, war, disaster, sickness, quarantine, terrorism, or government restrictions. We (I) also agree to indemnify the Rudolf Steiner School and its faculty and staff, and hold them harmless, of and from all released claims and all resulting actual attorney s fees and costs, settlements, judgments, interest and bonds. We (I) authorize the chaperones to seek medical treatment for my student if they deem it necessary. Parent/Legal Guardian Signature: Date: *Special Notes about this trip: For all practice hikes, students should have water, appropriate hiking clothing and boots, rain gear, and the backpack they plan to bring on the trip packed with pounds. Hike will happen rain or shine. Please indicate whether your student will be attending: Will be attending Unable to attend. Reason: Please meet at Mr. Banks house (address above). Several drivers are needed to help with carpooling. Please contact Mr. Banks if you can help.

5 Rudolf Steiner School of Ann Arbor Hiking Club Equipment Sharing Agreement Student Name: Date: Parent Name: I do not need to borrow any equipment I am willing to loan the following items: I would like to borrow the following items, if available: Following is a list of items currently available to borrow from the RSHS Hiking Club: Item requested Item Description/Comments Items loaned (filled out by Mr. Banks) Backpack (many available) Sleeping bag (many available) Sleeping pad (a few available) Stuff sack/dry bag(s) Clothing (boots, rain gear, and some other clothing available) please list what you need Other items requested please list I, (student), agree to take good care of these items and to return them in cleaned and good condition within three (3) days of the end of the trip for which they were borrowed. In the event of unusual damage, the Hiking Club Sponsor agrees to attempt to get manufacture s repairs. In the event of loss or repairs that cannot be made, I agree to pay a reasonable amount to replace the items up to the amount of the replacement cost. To make it possible to continue sharing equipment, we suggest a rental fee of $10-$60 per trip, depending on your means, the number of items borrowed, and the length of the trip. Rental fees may be paid to the Rudolf Steiner School of Ann Arbor and notated Hiking Club Fee. Fee donation amount: Student Signature: Hiking Club Sponsor: Parent Signature:

This letter begins the planning of the annual Hiking Club adventure to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

January 7, 2015 To: Hiking Club Members and Parents From: Gary Banks Subject: Spring Break Backpacking Trip Dear Parents and Students, This letter begins the planning of the annual Hiking Club adventure