Preparing for the Olympic National Park Summer Field Research Course 2016 A guide for students and parents
Welcome! Welcome to the Summer Field Research Course in Olympic National Park! You are about to embark on the adventure of a lifetime. Over the course of two weeks, you will visit beautiful places and overcome physical and intellectual challenges with a group of people who share your passion for new experiences. On this trip, you ask the questions, you find the answers, and you go home with fantastic stories to tell. You are about to become part of an expedition team whose success depends on trust, communication, and participation. Friendships forged on wilderness expeditions can last a lifetime. A NatureBridge Environmental Science Educator and an Olympic National Park Ranger will lead your team. These educators have years of experience leading groups into wilderness areas and introducing people to the natural beauty of wild places. We hope that you have a wonderful trip that will inspire you to continue exploring and adventuring. If you have any questions, please ask us. It is our job to make sure that you get the most out of this experience. Looking forward to seeing you soon! The NatureBridge Education Team in Olympic National Park (These are the Summer Field Research Course participants from 2015!) 2015 NatureBridge. All Rights Reserved. Updated 12/3/2015. naturebridge.org Page 2
Paperwork Let s get this out of the way first! Before we head off on our adventure, we need 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. Complete the Parent/Guardian Logistical Questionnaire. Complete the Student Pre-trip Survey. Additional Preparation Look over the gear list and compile your gear for the trip. Please contact us with questions about specific gear needs or if you need to borrow equipment. Students, please prepare physically for the course through regular exercise. Students will be walking 5-10 miles per day with 30-50 lb. packs up and over mountain passes. Conditioning before your course is important for avoiding injury and staying healthy. It will add to your enjoyment and ability to participate on your course. Please return all forms by May 15, 2016. Email, fax, or mail forms and direct questions to Kaylee Weil, Summer Programs Manager email summerprograms@naturebridge.org fax 415-992-4711 mail NatureBridge Attn: Summer Field Research Course c/o Kaylee Weil 28 Geary St., Ste. 650 San Francisco, CA 94108 Course Overview The NatureBridge Summer Field Research Course in Olympic National Park will involve meeting with park scientists, developing research questions, carrying out field science investigations, and presenting results. After spending two days on campus packing and preparing, the group will set out for a campground close to the trailhead. Over the course of the next 8 days, the group will then traverse Olympic National Park while participating in scientific research. Students will explore wild places, develop camping skills, and contribute to scientific understanding of Olympic National Park while forging new friendships. The backpacking portion of the trip will take place in the heart of the Olympic wilderness. Students will then return to the NatureBridge campus on Lake Crescent and spend a day cleaning up group equipment and preparing presentations on their research projects. The final evening, the group will give presentations to community members from NatureBridge and Olympic National Park at the NatureBridge campus on Lake Crescent. Family members are also invited to attend. Some students may choose to go home with their families after the presentations while others will be picked up at our campus or brought to Seattle for transportation home the next morning. 2015 NatureBridge. All Rights Reserved. Updated 12/3/2015. naturebridge.org Page 3
Course Schedule Day Topics / activities 1 Arrival / Orientation Course schedule Teambuilding evening program 2 Intro to Olympic National Park ecology Intro to science investigations and scientific inquiry Backpack prep 3 Finish packing Intro to camping/backpacking 4-11 Backpacking course Collect data for Olympic National Park scientists Conduct independent research projects Practice camping and backpacking skills 11 Return to NatureBridge campus on Lake Crescent Clean up gear Take showers and relax 12 Analyze data Clean gear Prepare and present research projects Closing campfire Optional departure 13 Depart Arrival and Departure Times Session 1 & 2: Sunday, July 10 - Friday, July 22, 2016 Please plan to arrive at the Olympic National Park visitor center in Port Angeles, WA at 4 p.m., or make transportation arrangements with us to transport your student from the Sea-Tac airport to Port Angeles, WA on Monday, July 11. Please plan to depart NatureBridge by 12 p.m. on Friday, July 22, or make arrangements with us to transport your students to Sea-Tac that morning. Session 3: Sunday, August 7 - Friday, August 19, 2016 Please plan to arrive at the Olympic National Park visitor center in Port Angeles, WA at 4 p.m., or make transportation arrangements with us to transport your student from the Sea-Tac airport to Port Angeles, WA on Monday, August 8. Please plan to depart NatureBridge by 12 p.m. on Friday, August 19, or make arrangements with us to transport your students to Sea-Tac that morning. 2015 NatureBridge. All Rights Reserved. Updated 12/3/2015. naturebridge.org Page 4
Getting to Olympic Olympic National Park is on the Olympic Peninsula of Washington. It is your responsibility to get to and from Olympic at the beginning and end of the course. Travel options are listed below. Please note the course starts at the Olympic National Park visitor center in Port Angeles, WA, whereas the course concludes at the NatureBridge campus on Lake Crescent (30 minutes west of the visitor center by car). Travel by Plane We offer a shuttle service to and from Seattle International Airport (SEA) on the first and last day of each session. Details noted on the Parent/guardian Logistical Questionnaire. Session 1 & 2 participants should purchase tickets for a flight that arrives before 11 a.m. on July 10 and departs after 12 p.m. on July 22. Session 3 participants should purchase tickets for a flight that arrives before 11 a.m. on August 7 and departs after 12 p.m. on August 19. This service costs $50 each way ($100 round-trip). If you would like to use this service, please contact our Summer Programs Manager prior to purchasing tickets to discuss flight times. Travel by Car If you are planning to drive, please refer to our Google map for directions (a link to the map can also be found on our website). Lodging Options in the Olympic Area for Family and Friends If you wish to stay in the area before or after the trip, there are some great options for lodging either in Olympic National Park itself or in nearby communities. For lodging and camping options within the park, visit the Olympic National Park website page, "Lodging Within Olympic National Park at http://www.nps.gov/olym/planyourvisit/lodging.htm. Lake Crescent Lodge is the closest option and is in walking distance of our Barnes Point campus. Student Presentations on Last Day The final evening on campus (Thursday, July 21 and Thursday, August 18), we will host student presentations at our Barnes Point campus in Olympic National Park. Parents and families are invited to see the presentations. Dinner will be served at 6 p.m. that evening, followed by presentations at 7 p.m. 2015 NatureBridge. All Rights Reserved. Updated 12/3/2015. naturebridge.org Page 5
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 uncomfortable, while carrying too much will be a serious burden. Please read each item carefully. How to Shop For Equipment 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). REI also rents high quality backpacking gear at reasonable rates and sometimes sells used gear that is in good condition. Please note: there will be no opportunity to purchase gear once you have arrived in Olympic. Should purchasing the necessary gear for the course prove a financial hardship for your family, NatureBridge has a limited supply of backpacks, sleeping pads, sleeping bags, fleece jackets, and rain gear available 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 Olympic 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 or suitcase, which will remain at our campus, 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 in addition to personal gear. Your pack will weigh 30-50 pounds. Required Clothing for Backpacking In general, weather in Olympic is variable during the summer. Temperatures can reach the 70s and 80s 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, and a rugged sole. Waterproof is a big plus. 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 Olympic s rainstorms. 2015 NatureBridge. All Rights Reserved. Updated 12/3/2015. naturebridge.org Page 6
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 (for women) 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 flip-flops. Lightweight mittens or gloves No bulky ski gloves and no cotton. Sun hat or baseball cap 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 3500 cu. inches, 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! (Please contact us if you would like to borrow this item.) Sleeping bag and stuff sack Should be rated to at least 30 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. 2 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 with lid, 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 toothpaste, hair ties, feminine hygiene products (see note below). Knee/ankle brace Required for students who normally use them for physical activity. Consider also bringing trekking poles if you fall into 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 non-cotton (synthetic or fleece) pants are fine. No jeans. Small brush or comb Camera Students will not be allowed to bring cell phones on the backpacking portion. Binoculars Small, lightweight. 2015 NatureBridge. All Rights Reserved. Updated 12/3/2015. naturebridge.org Page 7
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. Olympic 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 may choose to have this be the same set of clothes that you use if you are flying to and from the course). Towel Bedding (like sheets, blankets, or pillow). Additional bedding besides sleeping bag is optional as the cabins are heated and have beds with mattresses. Day pack Sandals for shower house (optional) 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 bearproof canisters and/or hung in a bag from a bear wire 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 NOT to Bring Drugs and alcohol. Students will be 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 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 Olympic. First aid equipment Maps and compasses Water purification Tents and ground sheets Bear canisters Stoves, fuel, pots, group cooking equipment Toilet paper, biodegradable soap, hand sanitizer Wilderness permits National Park Service radios for emergency communication 2015 NatureBridge. All Rights Reserved. Updated 12/3/2015. naturebridge.org Page 8
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 Olympic, even at our Barnes Point campus. Cell phones are not dependable emergency devices in Olympic 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 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 Barnes Point campus, as long as they use them responsibly (not during class time ). As noted above, they may or may not have signal at Barnes Point. 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 photosharing site. Feminine Hygiene 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 Olympic. 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. Your educators are approachable and know that discretion is a priority. Additional Information We highly encourage you to take some time to become more familiar with the incredible Olympic National Park ecosystem that we are about to travel through. There are lots of resources on the Internet including the Olympic National Park Website at http://www.nps.gov/olym/naturescience/index.htm and http://www.nps.gov/olym/naturescience/elwha-ecosystem-restoration.htm. 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 Kaylee Weil, the Summer Programs Manager, at 415.758.1650 or summerprograms@naturebridge.org and we will be happy to help. See you soon! 2015 NatureBridge. All Rights Reserved. Updated 12/3/2015. naturebridge.org Page 9