Chaperone Responsibilities & FAQs Circle X camping and Camp Shalom dorm Programs

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1 Chaperone Responsibilities & FAQs Circle X camping and Camp Shalom dorm Programs Thank you for volunteering to be a chaperone! Your positive attitude and willingness to participate during the instructional day is of great importance to both students and NatureBridge staff. Remember, the students will look to you for behavior cues. We ask that you remain positive and as upbeat as possible, even in inclement weather or during challenging portions of the hiking day! What are a chaperone s main responsibilities? 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 (on the boat), the sleeping areas, and other areas where students are during free times. Chaperones will assist with group management on trail as instructed by the NatureBridge educator in charge of that group. 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. Will I be in the same trail group as my son/ daughter/ granddaughter/ grandson/ niece/ nephew? No. Experience has taught us that students have a difficult time making the most of their own experience when a family member is in the same hiking group. Students generally interact more freely with their group when their guardian is not present. Parents also 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. How many chaperones will there be on this trip? Trail groups generally consist of about 12 students. We ask for a minimum of one adult per trail group, and a maximum of two adults per trail group. If there are an excess of chaperones, some will be required to remain behind during the day hikes. There can be a rotation of adults from day to day, but one main adult will be assigned to each trail group for the entire program. Chaperone Responsibilities SAMO (updated 10/20/2011mj) p. 1

2 Will my cell phone work on site? Is there internet available? Your cell phone will NOT likely work at our program sites. However, at Circle X Ranch, there is a designated teacher and adult lounge, complete with couches, a computer with internet and a printer, and a phone available for your exclusive use. At Camp Shalom, there are land lines available for use, if requested. There is wi-fi available there as well, but no available public computer. Where will I be sleeping? If you are staying at Circle X Ranch, you will be camping outside in a tent. However, you will be sleeping on a raised cot in a large, dome tent, unless you specifically request a small, personal tent that we provide for you. You need to bring your own sleeping bag and pillow. Circle X Ranch has showers and flush toilets, and the food is catered by an outside agency. There are pit toilets by the campsite. Dietary accommodations are made for those who request it via their group leader, in advance of the trip. Refer to the Packing List for other considerations. If you are staying at Camp Shalom, you will be assigned to sleep in a dorm-style cabin with students. Cabin accommodations are bunk beds. You should bring your own sleeping bag and pillow. You may consider bringing a twin fitted sheet, as well. Camp Shalom has flush toilets, showers, and great Kosher food. The bathrooms are located a short distance from your sleeping cabin. Dietary accommodations are made for those who request it via their group leader, in advance of the trip. Refer to the Packing List for other considerations. What paperwork do I need to fill out? You will need to fill out the Participant Registration Form and return to the group leader before you will be able to attend the program. Is there a store or any place to purchase additional items if I forget something? No. May I consume alcoholic beverages during my stay, even after the students are asleep? No. This is not permitted during our programming. Emergencies happen without advanced notice. We rely on the additional support of clear-headed chaperones during such times. Chaperone Responsibilities SAMO (updated 10/20/2011mj) p. 2

3 Camp Shalom Driving Directions (dorm style cabins): Mulholland Highway, Malibu, CA (818) From Los Angeles: Take the Santa Monica Freeway (I-10) west until it turns into Pacific Coast Hwy (Route 1). Continue on Pacific Coast Hwy for 27 miles to Mulholland Hwy (Just past Leo Carrillo State Beach campgrounds). Turn right onto Mulholland Hwy. and go 5 miles. Camp Shalom will be on the right side. or Take the 101 Freeway north to Kanan Road in Calabases. Exit (turn left) towards Pacific Coast Hwy (Route 1). Turn right at Pacific Coast Hwy (Route 1) and continue just past Leo Carrillo State Beach. Turn right on Mulholland Hwy. and go 5 miles up the canyon. Camp Shalom will be on the right side. From the San Fernando Valley: Take the Ventura Freeway (US 101) west to Kanan Rd. Turn left onto Kanan and go 6 miles to Mulholland Hwy. Turn right onto Mulholland Hwy. After 1 mile the road forks-stay to the left onto Encinal Cyn Rd. After 3.5 miles, Encinal will end at Lechusa. Turn right onto Lechusa which will immediately end at Decker Cyn. Rd (23). Turn right onto Decker for 3/4 mile to Mulholland Hwy (stop sign). Turn left onto Mulholland. Camp Shalom is 2.5 miles from this point on the left side. Circle X Ranch Driving Directions (tent camping): Yerba Buena Rd, Malibu, CA (north of Leo Carrillo State Beach off Pacific Coast Highway). (310) From the South: Take CA-1 (Pacific Coast Highway) north. Turn right onto Yerba Buena Road (about 29 miles north of Santa Monica. Neptune s Net Restaurant is on the corner). From the North: Take CA-1 (Pacific Coast Highway) south or Las Posas in Camarillo to PCH south. Turn left onto Yerba Buena Road (Neptune s Net Restaurant is on the corner). From the East: Take the 101 Fwy. to Kanan Dume Rd. Follow Kanan Dume Rd. to CA-1 (Pacific Coast Highway). Turn right onto CA-1 (Pacific Coast Highway) Chaperone Responsibilities SAMO (updated 10/20/2011mj) p. 3

4 Turn right onto Yerba Buena Road (Neptune s Net Restaurant is on the corner). Leo Carillo State Park Driving Directions: W. Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, CA From the South: Take CA-1 (Pacific Coast Highway) north. Turn right into Leo Carillo State Park entrance. Go through booth and tell gate personnel you are there for the NatureBridge program. Turn left immediately into the parking lot. From the North: Take CA-1 (Pacific Coast Highway) south or Las Posas in Camarillo to PCH south. Turn left onto Leo Carillo State Park entrance. Go through booth and tell gate personnel you are there for the NatureBridge program. Turn left immediately into parking lot. From the East: Take the 101 Fwy. to Kanan Dume Rd. Follow Kanan Dume Rd. to CA-1 (Pacific Coast Highway). Turn right onto CA-1 north (Pacific Coast Highway) Turn right into Leo Carillo State Park entrance. Go through booth and tell gate personell you are there for the NatureBridge program. Turn left immediately into the parking lot. What can I expect from the day? This is a generalized daily schedule. You should expect to hike 3-5 miles each day with your hiking group. 6:45 a.m. Wake-up 8:00 a.m. Breakfast in the dining hall. 8:45 a.m. Morning meeting Teachers and Chaperones check in with their field educator. Students receive info about the day s activities from the Site Manager. 9 a.m. 4 p.m. 12:30 p.m. Field activities Hiking or exploring with your trail group. Lunch in the field. Chaperone Responsibilities SAMO (updated 10/20/2011mj) p. 4

5 4 6 p.m. Recreation time/ free time, supervised by chaperones. 6 p.m. Dinner in the dining hall. 7:30 p.m. Evening program games, learning, art, night hikes, or star gazing! 8:30 9:30 p.m. Get ready for bed, supervised by chaperones. 9:30 p.m. Everyone must be in their own tent/ cabin. 10 p.m. Lights out; sleep. Thank you for giving your time to support this field trip! If you have any other questions, please feel free to contact NatureBridge at our campus office site at Circle X Ranch (310) Chaperone Responsibilities SAMO (updated 10/20/2011mj) p. 5