Outdoor Education Camp Whitcomb- Mason October 1 & 2 Guided Study Groups: Kopplin, Zurbuchen, Ross, Hopgood (Title1 TBD) October 3 & 4 Guided Study Groups: Perry, Susedik (Title2 TBD), Gitter, Borkowski
Expectations The two days at Camp Whitcomb- Mason is a school activity. During this time, you are under the jurisdiction of the school and to respect the authority of all staff members, camp personnel and parent chaperones. We intend to keep the rules and regulations at a minimum, but certain things are expected of you. In order to help make this a really enjoyable, accident free and successful camping experience, we ask your cooperation in carrying out, to the best of your ability, the tasks required of you. Insurance Camp Whitcomb is not responsible for providing insurance. All student campers must provide their own insurance coverage. Essential Equipment Needed Sleeping bag (or fitted sheet and blanket) Pillow with pillowcase Towel and washcloth (bring even if you don t plan on showering accidents happen) Soap Toothbrush and toothpaste Comb/brush Tissue (small pack that you can carry) FLASHLIGHT or HEADLAMP Watch (if you have one) Short and long sleeve t- shirts (so you can layer) 2 pairs of PANTS (that can get dirty) Change of underwear Four pairs of socks Jacket or sweatshirt Comfortable walking shoes (old tennis) Warm pajamas Gloves RAINCOAT or PONCHO (A MUST!) Helpful (but not essential) Equipment Sunglasses - Please do not bring really expensive sunglasses as every year students loose or misplace their sunglasses while at camp. Hat Camera This can only be a camera and cannot also be a cellphone or ipod. Please do not bring really expensive cameras as every year students loose or misplace their cameras while at camp. DO NOT BRING You will be undertaking the 48 Hour Digital Detox Challenge. Your challenge is to go all 48 hours without using anything that requires batteries (except a watch, flashlight, and camera). It ll be cool to see how different your life is for 48 hours. Therefore, do NOT bring valuable electronics such as cell phones, ipods, video games, etc. THE CAMP PROHIBITS STUDENTS FROM BRINGING CANDY, GUM, SNACKS, ETC. AS THERE CAN BE A LITTER PROBLEM. ALSO, THIS ENCOURAGES UNWANTED CRITTERS IN THE CABINS. WE ASK PARENTS TO MAKE SURE THAT NO CANDY, GUM OR SNACKS ARE BROUGHT TO CAMP. WE WILL BE PROVIDING A SNACK BREAK DURING THE AFTERNOON AND EVENING.
If you have any questions about whether or not something is OK to bring, ask Mrs. Gitter or Mrs. Steiner. Before you leave for camp you must have labeled each piece of gear (permanent marker, a tag, or masking tape). It is wise to pack all your stuff into one small bag and label it. Please make sure you label your sleeping bag and pillow (we end up with lots of black sleeping bags). This will make it easier to sort your gear when you arrive at camp and carry it to your cabin. On the Bus You will ride from school to Camp Whitcomb and back on a school bus. This is about 30 miles each way and takes about 45 minutes. NO ELECTRONICS ON THE BUS- your digital detox starts when you get to school. Cabin assignments will be given during the ride. Arrival Upon arrival to camp, students are to follow directions for the unloading of the buses. All gear should be taken to your assigned cabins. Unpack, make your bed and wait in your cabin for a teacher to come and get you for the camp orientation. Cabins Cabins have spaces for 16 campers and two chaperones. The cabins are heated. Cabins for boys and girls are located in the same general area separated by a camp road. Students are not allowed to enter any cabin other than the one they are assigned to, and may not be in close proximity to the cabins of the opposite gender, or near any cabin but their own. Bathrooms A separate building has showers, toilets and sinks. The building is near the cabins, but you ll need a flashlight to find it in the middle of the night. Food Friendship lodge is the location of the dining hall. Good, balanced meals are prepared by a trained staff of camp cooks. Students will take turns as table hoppers. Their job is to set the tables, bring the food from the serving area to the tables, clear the tables and clean up the dining area for the next meal. Please list requirements for vegetarian meals or any food allergies on the attached permission slip. STUDENTS MUST BRING A BAG LUNCH AND DRINK WITH THEM FOR THEIR FIRST MEAL. THE CAFETERIA IS NOT OPEN, STUDENTS MUST BRING THEIR OWN FOOD. Each session will be served a dinner, breakfast, and lunch. Snacks and juice will be provided during the day.
Cabin Inspections Staff members will inspect cabins each day. Students will not be allowed on the buses at the end of each session until staff members have inspected the cabins. We are the guests of Camp Whitcomb and wish to return in future years. Outdoor Education Activities and Objectives Canoeing Students will learn to canoe safely on a small bay of Lake Keesus. This activity is lead by certified camp staff and lifeguards are on duty during the activity. Letterboxing Students will be given the opportunity to practice their orienteering skills to find caches of hidden stamps using handheld GPS units. This activity will be referenced to throughout the year in World Geography class. Lake Life Students will investigate a lake ecosystem. Using microscopes and stereoscopes, they will examine and compare various specimens to compile a list of the lake s species to determine the health of the lake. Nature Hike Students will follow a trail on a hike through various landforms on the camp property. They will visit a prairie, deciduous forest, and a coniferous forest. Along the way they will stop at various stations to learn more about these areas. Cooperation Students will participate in activities designed to get to know one another and to use cooperation, communication, and leadership skills. This year it includes writing a skit to be performed at camp that evening. Team Challenge Students will work with their teammates to complete an outdoor challenge. This will allow students to develop their ability to work together, get to know each other s strengths and practice leadership skills.
Schedule of Activities
Attention Parents Camp fees are $80 per student. Most people pay this fee as part of the school fees paid at SIS registration. Any arrangements or payment plans made regarding your school fees, apply to camp as well. If you have questions or concerns about your camp fees, please contact the SIS Main Office. No child will be denied a camp experience based on ability to pay. Please check the general health condition of your child before sending him/her to camp. If special medical attention or dietary program is required during his/her stay at camp, please let us know on the permission slip. We will be checking over the information provided on the permission slip and contacting parents for clarification if necessary. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact: Mrs. Gitter mgitter@shorewood.k12.wi.us (414)963-6951 ext. 6304 Mrs. Steiner ksteiner@shorewood.k12.wi.us (414)963-6951 ext. 6302 Because of the heavy camping gear, please provide transportation to and from SIS. If your student takes the bus, we will back to SIS in time for them to ride the bus home EXCEPT during session I on WEDNESDAY. We will not return to SIS until 3:10 even though on Wednesday school is out at 2:15. Medication at Camp Students are not allowed to carry medication of any type at camp unless it is an inhaler (clearly labeled with their name) or an epi- pen and both of these items are a part of the health plan on file with SIS nurse. Any medication listed on the permission slip MUST be sent with your child to camp or you will be called to bring them to SIS prior to your student being allowed to attend camp. Please only list medication that your child will definitely need at camp. If there is an as needed medication, please describe how to determine the need. If a student requires medication at camp, it will need to be brought to SIS no later than Friday, September 27. The medication is required to be in the original packing. OVER THE COUNTER MEDICATION needs to be in the original packing with dosing instructions and clearly labeled with the student s first and last name PRESCRIPTION MEDICATION needs to be in the original container from the pharmacy with the student s name and dosing on the label Please send only enough medication for the time the students are at camp. If additional medication is provided, it will not be returned. If it is a prescription medication, most pharmacies will issue a duplicate container for no additional charge. Parent Chaperones We will need parent chaperones to attend camp with the students. Typically, parents drive out to camp after work and arrive at camp before dinner at 6:00 pm. Parents eat with us, stay for the evening activities, spend the night in the cabins with the students, and join us for breakfast before leaving camp. The arrival and departure times are flexible as the only time that we need you at the camp is for supervising the cabins from approximately 9:45 pm to 7:00 am the next morning. If you are interested in attending, please complete the signup process using the link below: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1rvpbfudg3acml0wc01ftqlusyfp4- Og2HhBNio2Js2E/viewform#start=invite NOTE: This can also be accessed from Mrs. Gitter s Webpage in the Outdoor Education tab. (http://www.shorewoodschools.org/page.cfm?p=3208) This can also be accessed from Mrs. Steiner s webpage under Announcements (http://www.shorewoodscience.com) Typically we ask for fathers to supervise the boy cabins and mothers to supervise the girl cabins.