Preparing for the Yosemite Summer Field Research Course 2015 A guide for students and parents
Welcome! Greetings from Yosemite National Park. We are very excited that you ll be joining us on our Field Research Course this year. We have some beautiful routes and exciting projects planned. All we need now is excited and well-prepared students. That s where this document comes in; here you will find all that you need to prepare yourself physically and mentally for the trip. Please read this thoroughly and call us if you have further questions. We look forward to meeting you soon. Paperwork Let s get this out of the way first! Before we head off on our adventure, we need you some information from you. NatureBridge requires you to complete the following documents before attending our program: NatureBridge Registration, Health Screen, and Participant Agreement Needs to be filled out and signed by a doctor, as well as signed by a parent or guardian. NatureBridge Backcountry Student Contract Needs a student signature. Arrival and Departure Times Session 1: Sunday, June 28 - Saturday, July 11, 2015 Please plan to arrive at our Crane Flat Campus at 2 p.m. on Sunday, June 28 and depart at 12 p.m. on Saturday, July 11. Session 2: Sunday, July 26 - Saturday, August 8, 2015 Please plan to arrive at our Crane Flat Campus at 2 p.m. on Sunday, July 26 and depart at 12 p.m. on Saturday, August 8. Student Presentations on Last Day On the last morning of the course, students will present their scientific findings to NatureBridge and National Park Service staff. Parents and families are invited to share in the last morning of the course and see the presentations. Presentations will begin at 9:45 a.m. and conclude at noon. Getting to Yosemite Yosemite National Park is in the Sierra Nevada mountains of California. It is your responsibility to get to and from Yosemite at the beginning and end of the course. Travel options are listed below. Travel by Plane We offer a shuttle service to and from Fresno Yosemite International Airport (FAT) on the first and last day of each session. Session 1 participants should purchase tickets for a flight that arrives before 11 a.m. on June 28 and departs after 4 p.m. on July 11. Session 2 participants should purchase tickets for a flight that arrives before 11a.m. on July 26 and departs after 4 p.m. on August 8. 2015 NatureBridge. All Rights Reserved. Updated 1/20/2015. naturebridge.org Page 2
This service costs $50 each way ($100 round-trip). If you would like to use this service, please contact our Summer Programs Coordinator prior to purchasing tickets to discuss flight times. Travel by Amtrak Amtrak partners with a local bus company to provide service to Yosemite National Park. To book travel on Amtrak, choose "Yosemite - Yosemite Lodge, CA (YOS)" as your destination station. We can meet you at the Yosemite Lodge station and take you to our campus at Crane Flat. Driving If you re planning to drive, please refer to our website for Google Map directions. Look for the thumbtack marking our Crane Flat Campus. It is located 1 mile east of the Crane Flat gas station. Lodging Options in the Yosemite Area for Family and Friends If you wish to stay in the Yosemite area before or after the trip, here are some options for lodging either in Yosemite National Park itself or in nearby communities. For lodging and camping options within Yosemite, visit the Yosemite National Park website page, "Staying Overnight in Yosemite: http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/where.htm Take note of the driving distance from the lodging locations to our Crane Flat campus. Yosemite Valley is a 30-minute drive to the campus, while lodging options in other areas of the park can be 1.5 hours or more (yes - Yosemite is BIG!). For lodging options outside of Yosemite, we recommend looking into the following options: o If you are coming from the West or South on Highway 140: the town of El Portal has two large hotels (the Yosemite Cedar Lodge and the Yosemite View Lodge). These hotels are 35-45 minutes from Crane Flat. The town of Mariposa is another option on Highway 140 with several hotels. Mariposa is a 1.5 hour drive from Crane Flat. o If you are coming from the West or North on highway 120: the town of Groveland and the smaller communities east of Groveland have several hotels. Groveland is a 1-hour drive from NatureBridge's Crane Flat campus. Brief Schedule for Course Day 1: Arrival at 2 p.m. Move in to cabins at Crane Flat campus. Orientation to program. Teambuilding. Day 2-3: Science skills. Gear preparation and packing. Days 4-12: Backpacking trip in Yosemite s Wilderness. Conduct scientific investigations. Day 12: Return to Crane Flat campus. Day 13: Analyze data. Prepare presentations. Day 14: Presentations to NPS and NatureBridge. Goodbyes. Departure at noon. Equipment In addition to the packing list (below), we believe it is important to provide some more information on choosing the proper gear. Packing too light could leave you cold and miserable, while carrying too much will be a serious burden. Please read each item carefully. How to Shop For Equipment 2015 NatureBridge. All Rights Reserved. Updated 1/20/2015. naturebridge.org Page 3
Selecting appropriate gear is a process that can be overwhelming and expensive. Check your current collection of clothing and gear, and only buy or rent what you really need. If possible, borrow from friends or relatives. Many participants will come with a combination of purchased, borrowed, and rented gear. Keep in mind that you will be in the rugged backcountry and therefore function is far more important than fashion. We suggest that you rely on the expertise of knowledgeable salespeople to make your gear selections, rather than just purchasing items online. There is no substitute for actually trying on boots, gear, and clothing. One retail chain with a comprehensive selection is Recreational Equipment Inc. (REI), with outlets throughout the country. REI also rents high quality backpacking gear at reasonable rates and sometimes sells used gear that is in good condition. Please note that there will be no opportunity to purchase gear once you have arrived in Yosemite. Should purchasing the necessary gear for the course prove to be a financial hardship for your family, NatureBridge has a limited supply of backpacks, sleeping pads, sleeping bags, fleece jackets, and rain gear available for participants to borrow. Please let us know well in advance what your needs are and we will try to find gear that fits you. Two Bags When you arrive in Yosemite to prepare for our backpacking trip, you will want to have two bags for the two different parts of the course. Your backpack, containing all items on the equipment checklist. For more information on the type of backpack, see below. Another small bag which will remain at cabins at base camp, containing clothes to wear on campus before and after the backpacking expedition. Packing List Students will carry 10-20 pounds of food and group equipment, so the more you can do without, the lighter your pack load will be. Your pack will weigh 30-45 pounds in the end. What NOT to Bring Drugs and alcohol. This is a federal offense in Yosemite National Park. Students will be investigated by a federal law enforcement ranger and sent home at the expense of their parent or guardian. This includes cigarettes and e-cigarettes, even if a student is 18 years old. NatureBridge will provide the following items. You do not need to bring any of these items. Food or snacks (unless you have highly specialized dietary need that you have discussed with our staff ahead of time). We take great pride in providing students with tasty, nutritious meals in the frontcountry and backcountry, and will make sure everyone is well fed. Due to precautions against bears and mice, we have limited storage for extra food, so we ask that you do not bring any. You are welcome to bring a few snacks for your transit to and from Yosemite. First aid equipment Maps and compasses Water purification Tents and ground sheets 2015 NatureBridge. All Rights Reserved. Updated 1/20/2015. naturebridge.org Page 4
Bear canisters Stoves, fuel, pots, group cooking equipment Toilet paper Biodegradable soap and hand sanitizer Wilderness permits National Park Service radios for emergency communication Required Clothing for Backpacking In general, Sierra summers are dry. Temperatures can reach the 80s and 90s during the day, and fall to the 30s and 40s at night. Summer snowstorms and afternoon thunderstorms are also possible. A good layering system is necessary in order to accommodate the varying conditions. Broken-in hiking boots or sturdy athletic shoes This may be the most important piece of equipment you wear. It is not necessary to purchase a pair of expensive, heavy, all-leather hiking boots. Lightweight boots or athletic shoes with good ankle support are just as comfortable and more affordable. No skate shoes. The perfect boot is lightweight, has a leather or nylon/leather exterior, good padding, a rugged sole. A brand new boot (even well-fitted) can cause serious blisters and ruin your trip. Please, if you buy new boots, make certain they are broken-in before you arrive...start wearing them at least a month before you arrive. WaterPROOF rain jacket and pants Gore-tex or seam-sealed coated nylon. No insulated snow parkas. No rain ponchos or plastic rain gear they shred apart easily and will not protect you very well in Yosemite s thunderstorms. 1-2 fleece jackets, wool sweaters, or down jackets Not too bulky. No cotton! 3 pairs wool or synthetic socks Should be synthetic, polyester, or wool. No cotton socks they hold on to moisture and can cause blisters. Underwear and sports bras Long underwear, top and bottom (tights) Lightweight silk, wool, or synthetic. No cotton! 2 T-shirts One for hiking; one for in camp. No tank tops heavy backpacks chafe bare shoulders. Students with fair skin can consider wearing a lightweight, synthetic long-sleeve hiking shirt to protect their arms. 1-2 pair shorts Lightweight, quick dry. No cotton. For hiking or wading in water. 1 pair pants Quick-drying hiking pants. No cotton, no jeans. Warm hat ( beanie ) Extra pair of lightweight shoes or sandals To wear in camp, potentially for stream crossings. No flipflops. Lightweight mittens or gloves No bulky ski gloves. Sun hat or baseball cap 2015 NatureBridge. All Rights Reserved. Updated 1/20/2015. naturebridge.org Page 5
1-2 bandannas To serve as your plate for trail lunches and for other personal needs. Required Personal Gear for Backpacking Personal medications 2 sets of each that you take (in case one gets misplaced or damaged), for duration of 14 days. This includes inhalers and epinephrine pens. An adult will distribute personal medications (prescription and over-the-counter) during the backpacking trip. Backpack Capacity of at least 65L (4000 cu. in.), internal frame packs preferred. Your backpack must have sufficient space to carry your clothing, food, and some group gear, including a bear canister. Your pack must have well-padded shoulder straps and a thick padded waist belt. Try it on in the store! Load it up with 40 pounds! Walk around! Sleeping bag and stuff sack Should be rated to at least 20 F or lower. A mummy style bag with drawstring hood is preferable. We prefer bags with synthetic fill (Polarguard, Primaloft, etc.) because, unlike down and flannel, they insulate even when wet. If you already own a down bag, be aware that extra care is required to keep it dry. A bulky, flannel sleeping bag is not adequate for the backpacking portion of this trip. Be sure your sleeping bag can be compressed into its own small stuff sack. Sleeping pad Thin, lightweight mattress that insulates you from the cold ground. Ridgerest and Thermarest are examples of the type of sleeping pad to consider; a closed-cell foam or inflatable backpacking pad is acceptable. 3 large-sized garbage bags For protecting pack and other gear from rain. Sunglasses Must be dark and screen ultraviolet light. The sun is powerful in the mountains! Lightweight bowl, spoon, and small mug 2 water bottles Quart or liter-sized with leak-proof screw top. Flashlight or headlamp with spare batteries Small and lightweight. Chapstick and small tube of sunscreen Both at least SPF 30. Other toiletries* Toothbrush, small tube of toothpaste, hair ties, feminine hygiene products (see note below). Journal and writing utensils Journal must be at least 5 x 7. No small reporter flip pads. Knee/ankle brace Required for students who normally use them for physical activity. Consider also bringing trekking poles if you fall in to this category. Prescription glasses (if you need them), back-up pair, hard case You must bring two pairs in case one breaks. Contact lenses and solution can be brought on the trip, but you must also bring prescription glasses as a backup. Optional Gear for Backpacking Warm pants for cold nights Pajamas, sweatpants, or fleece pants are fine. No jeans. Small brush or comb A small paperback book or field guide Camera Students will not be allowed to bring cell phones on the backpacking portion of the course. 2015 NatureBridge. All Rights Reserved. Updated 1/20/2015. naturebridge.org Page 6
Binoculars Small, lightweight. Trekking poles Recommended for students with knee or ankle issues. Mosquito repellent We heavily discourage DEET products because DEET is a very powerful chemical that sometimes burns holes in synthetic fabrics. Consider citronella or other non-deet products or wearing sleeves and pants when bugs are bad. Yosemite s mosquito season is usually very short and most of the time, students will not need any repellent at all. Gear for Cabin Days ( Frontcountry ) Consider items that you will appreciate before or after a long expedition in the wilderness. These items will not go on the backpacking portion of your course. Extra clothes and PJs for first couple and last couple of days. You can bring extra hiking clothes or clothes that you might normally wear to school just know that you will be out in the field and potentially getting dirty. One slightly nicer set of clothing for the presentations on the last day, such as a collared shirt or similar and a nice pair of shorts or jeans. You will set these aside to keep them clean for the last day. The presentation event is quite casual; we just want you to feel confident while presenting. Towel Pillow Other toiletries*: shampoo, deodorant, soap, mouth wash, hair products, lotions *On your backpacking trip, everything with any sort of scent will have to be stored in a limited number of bear-proof canisters that you will carry with you. This includes all food, toiletries, toothpaste, lip balm, sunscreen, medications, etc. Space in these canisters is very limited, and bears will readily go after any scented items not properly stored. For this reason, students are restricted to only toothbrush, toothpaste, sunscreen, and lip balm on the backpacking part of the course. Soap, shampoo, deodorant and lotions can be retrieved from storage upon your return to cabins. What About Cell Phones? One of the beautiful opportunities about the Field Research Course is to unplug from electronics and social media. Depending on your service provider, your cell phone may not work at all in Yosemite, even at our Crane Flat campus. Cell phones are not dependable emergency devices in Yosemite National Park. Our educators carry emergency radios with National Park Service frequencies. Furthermore, the rugged nature of the trip and the potential for varying weather conditions is not a suitable environment for expensive electronic devices. As such, it is our policy that students do not take cell phones on the backpacking portion of the course. They may have them at our Crane Flat campus, as long as they use them responsibly (not during class time ). As noted above, they may or may not have signal at Crane Flat. We recognize that many students also use their phone as their primary camera. We recommend that students bring a separate digital camera or disposable camera. Alternatively, we will send one ipad (encased in a rugged, protective case) with each trail group for educational purposes (field guides, educational aps). Students can share the ipad to take photos. At the end of the course, photos will be compiled and posted on a photo sharing site. Feminine Hygiene 2015 NatureBridge. All Rights Reserved. Updated 1/20/2015. naturebridge.org Page 7
Menstruation is a concern for many young women when they go backpacking. A change or increase in physical activity can alter your menstrual cycle. We recommend you bring twice the number of supplies you normally use during your period to ensure that you will be covered if this occurs. Even if you do not expect to get your period, we recommend you bring a small amount of supplies in case you fall into the cycle of other participants. If you are prone to yeast infections, bring Monistat as a precaution. At NatureBridge, we practice a Leave No Trace camping ethic. Therefore, we pack out all that we pack in. Each student will receive double-bags to dispose of used feminine hygiene products and toilet paper at the beginning and middle of the backpacking trip. These bags will be carried out and disposed in a dumpster. Used products stored in this manner typically do not attract animals. Another option is to avoid carrying waste by trying a reusable feminine hygiene device, such as the Diva Cup or Mooncup. We recommend you try it out before coming to Yosemite. Lastly, know that if you need help, educators have been trained and are very experienced in helping you deal with your period in the backcountry. There is somebody menstruating on every trip with females attending. Your educators are approachable and know that being discreet is a priority. There will always be at least one female educator on your course. Conclusion There is a lot of information in this document and we know that it can feel a little overwhelming to embark on an adventure like this. We want you to be prepared, not anxious about the trip. If you have questions, or concerns, please contact the Summer Programs Coordinator at 209-259-1125 or summerprogramscoordinator@naturebridge.org and we will be happy to help. See you soon! 2015 NatureBridge. All Rights Reserved. Updated 1/20/2015. naturebridge.org Page 8