2015-2016
School Program
parent Packet
“Enhancing the understanding, appreciation, and stewardship of the Ozark Natural Environment”
Revised 08/01/15
Dear Parents,
We look forward to hosting your child’s class at the Ozark Natural Science Center! There are several important items to mention in
preparation for the trip. Please review the attached ONSC Guidelines form with your student. For a closer look at our program and
the teacher naturalist staff, please visit the School Programs section of our website (www.onsc.us/school-program).
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Please follow the packing checklist closely so your child will be well-prepared for an enjoyable trip.
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Your child’s comfort is essential to learning. It is important to pack layers of clothing to add or remove as needed. We will be
in the outdoors in changing weather conditions.
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Participants must wear closed-toe boots or shoes. No new boots (they often cause blisters).
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Participants must wear long pants. No shorts or capri-pants will be allowed during program time.
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Raingear with head protection is required. No umbrellas please. Gloves, scarves and stocking caps are a necessity for cold
weather.
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Please involve your child in the process of careful planning and packing. They must be aware of the gear requirements and
be familiar with their gear.
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Please read and complete the participant registration form. Don’t forget to sign and date the form.
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Return the form to your child’s teacher.
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All medication must be given to your child’s teacher or school nurse prior to the visit (students are only allowed to possess
rescue inhalers, Epi-pens or medications that must be administered immediately). Please send medication(s) in their original
container with detailed dosage instructions in a zip-lock bag labeled with the student’s name in permanent ink.
The ONSC experience is much more than a school field trip. Check out our website http://www.onsc.us, for special programs, weekend
activities, facility rental, volunteer opportunities & more. Look for ONSC L.I.V.E., our newest nature venture. There’s always something
happening in Bear Hollow!
Sincerely,
Matthew Miller
Executive Director
1905 Madison 1305 | Huntsville, AR 72740 | 479.202.8340 | www.onsc.us
About the Ozark Natural Science Center:
Programs and Focus
Facilities
ONSC is a nonprofit field science and environmental
education center which exists to enhance the
understanding, appreciation, and stewardship of the
Ozark natural environment. Visitors enjoy the rugged
natural beauty of the Ozark Mountains and receive
instruction from professional field staff and guest
speakers. Grade appropriate programs are seasonally
adjusted to complement and enrich traditional
classroom education. Many programs are
interdisciplinary, bringing together natural history,
science, math, language arts and cultural history of the
region.
Programs are available for day and residential
experiences ranging from one to five days. Indoor
space is suitable for a variety of activities and a
covered pavilion provides shelter for campfires
and outdoor programs. A total of 68 participants
can be accommodated in our three climatecontrolled lodges. Each lodge is divided into
several sleeping rooms with bunk beds, restroom
and shower. Lodge amenities also include a
common lounge area and covered porch. Meals
are provided in the dining hall located in the
Ewing Centre. Vegetarian meals are available and
special dietary needs may be accommodated with
advanced notice.
During the school year, the Center’s primary focus is a
residential program for students from public, private,
home and independent schools in Arkansas and the
surrounding region. The school-based program
complements and enhances standard science
curriculum, helping teachers meet state and national
requirements for science education.
Gate Policies, After-hours & Early Pick-up
The ONSC entrance gate is open Monday through
Friday from 8:30am until 5:00pm.
In Case of Emergency
Students enjoy hiking and discovering what’s around the
next bend in the trail. They develop an understanding of
natural diversity using scientific techniques and creative
problem solving strategies. Students are encouraged to
record their observations in their naturalist journals.
Developing a sense of responsibility for others, the
environment and their own personal actions is an
important part of the program.
Location
ONSC is located in the heart of the Interior Highlands on
the Springfield Plateau, a natural division of the Ozarks.
Our 500-acre campus in the Bear Hollow Natural Area is
three miles off Highway 23 between Huntsville and
Eureka Springs, Arkansas. The central campus is
bordered by the 15,000 acre Arkansas Game and Fish
Commission’s McIlroy-Madison County Wildlife
Management Area.
ONSC’s business number is 479.202.8340.
After-hours emergency calls coming INTO the
Center are routed to our executive director
and/or program manager who lives onsite in
apartment C.
ONSC will only release a student to an
authorized adult listed on the student’s
participant registration form. Authorized adults
must provide a valid driver’s license for
photocopy before a student will be released to
their care.
Safety
Safety is our #1 priority for students, for you and ONSC
staff.
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No running on trails or in buildings
No horseplay allowed
Never allow students to go anywhere
unattended
Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water
Stay rested. Get plenty of sleep
Watch for hazards and changes in weather
conditions
Follow directions given by ONSC staff
Assist teacher naturalists on hikes, at mealtime
and during indoor activities
Remind students to have appropriate clothing,
shoes and water bottle when leaving the lodge
Remember that your enthusiasm is contagious.
Students thrive when the adults convey a
positive attitude
All tobacco products are prohibited in buildings
and on trails. A smoker’s area is located in the
parking lot for use when you are not needed for
program activities
Encourage students to respect themselves,
respect others and respect the environment
Supervise students at the meeting spots before
or after activities, please make sure the students
are following staff directions.
Please feel free to ask questions or add to
discussions during program activities, but please
set a good example and be respectful.
Turn off or silence cellular phones or other
electronic devices during programming.
Teachers and chaperones are responsible for students in
the lodges, during meals and during transition between
classes.
Supervision
ONSC Staff
Matthew Miller – [email protected]
Executive Director
Becky Olthof – [email protected]
Program Manager
Sonja Rodden – [email protected]
Office Manager
Scott Dendler – [email protected]
Bookkeeper
Foodservice
Loretta Crow
Brenda Jones
Kristine Rawlings
Accommodations
Sleeping accommodations are provided by gender in our 3
climate-controlled lodges. Supervision in the lodges is provided
by the students’ teachers and adult chaperones. Each room
has two or three sets of bunk beds, cubby spaces for clothing
and gear, a private vanity, toilet and shower.
Meals are prepared fresh daily by our professional kitchen
staff. Parents should communicate dietary restrictions and/or
food allergies to ONSC via email at [email protected] or
479.202.8340 at least one week prior to arrival at ONSC.
Caretaker
Paul Rawlings
While at ONSC, program participants will receive
instruction from our professional field staff. All
Teacher Naturalists have a minimum of a
Bachelor’s degree.
Lead Teacher Naturalist
Dan Hicks
Teacher Naturalists
Steve Keltner
Maya McElfish
Kate Barnes
Students are supervised at all times by their teachers,
chaperones or ONSC Staff. An ONSC liasion is on 24-hour-duty
and instructors remain on site for the duration of the program.
School faculty select adult chaperones; chaperones must be
physically capable of supervising students at all times and
participate in moderate physical activity over rough terrain.
Please see our parent-chaperone guidelines available at our
website for more information.
Dr. Joanie Patterson
Zev Alexander
Rachelle Williams
All ONSC personnel undergo full background
checks as a condition of employment. All
employees are trained in first aid, CPR and
emergency procedures and receive training in
participant safety and rescue protocols annually.
Teacher Naturalists have various levels of First Aid
& CPR certifications.
Hunting
NO hunting is permitted on the 500-acre ONSC campus and
Bear Hollow Natural Area. Because limited hunting is
permitted on the nearby Madison County – McIlroy Wildlife
Management, all program participants wear orange vests
during hunting season as a precaution.
Contact Information
Ozark Natural Science Center
1905 Madison 1305
Huntsville, AR 72740
ONSC business & after-hours emergency number 479.202.8340
Office hours – Monday through Friday – 8:30 am – 5:00 pm
http://www.onsc.us
ONSC PACKING CHECKLIST
Please follow the checklist closely. Students should be involved in the packing process so that they are aware of clothing and
other items packed. Please note that it is not necessary to buy anything. During cold weather months, be sure ample clothing is
packed.
REQUIRED CLOTHING AND GEAR
Two complete changes of clothes, including:
Long pants or jeans for hiking (no shorts or capri pants)
T-shirts
Long-sleeved shirt or sweater
Three pair of socks- during the winter, we recommend wool or wool blend socks.
Two pair of comfortable shoes; one pair may get wet
Sleepwear
Underwear
Jacket or heavy coat (weather appropriate, a sweatshirt is not sufficient)
Comfortable, practical, sturdy sneakers or hiking boots. All shoes need to be close toed and close heeled (no sandals, flipflops, or shoes with open sides, and please no new boots!)
Sleeping bag or twin-sized sheets and blankets
Pillow
Toothbrush and toothpaste
Soap, shampoo, deodorant, and other toiletries (none are provided)
Towel and washcloth
Brush or comb
Plastic or cloth bag for dirty clothes
Water bottle
Money for merchandise (optional)
A backpack will be provided for your student to use while hiking at ONSC:
Please pack the following for your child’s use on the trail:
Warm gloves and hat (as weather appropriate)
Extra layer such as sweatshirt, sweater, or jacket
One extra pair of socks- during the winter, we recommend wool or wool blend socks.
Reusable water bottle (32 oz. capacity recommended; avoid excessively large bottles)
2 or more pencils
Raingear (jacket and pant set or poncho)
Camera with student’s name (optional)
DO NOT BRING:
 Cell phones, TV, radio, tape, CD, or MP3 players, electronic or media devices of any kind
 Flashlights
 Alarm clock
 Knives or weapons of any kind
 Hair dryer, curling iron, curlers, perfume or cosmetics
 Umbrellas
 Food, drink, candy, gum
 Jewelry
 “HotHands” or similar hand-warmer packets – please help us keep our trails clean by using warm gloves instead
ONSC IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY LOST OR DAMAGED PERSONAL ITEMS
ONSC PARTICIPANT GUIDELINES
The following guidelines are essential for the safety, enjoyment, and well-being of all participants. Students and
parents should read the following information together.
Respect
• Show respect for other students, ONSC staff, and chaperones.
• Respect ONSC facilities and property; participants will assume financial responsibility for any damages they
cause.
• Respect the personal property of others. If it is not yours, leave it alone.
• Respect the environment: “Take only pictures, leave only footprints, kill only time.”
• Respect quiet time in the lodges and on trails.
• Respect shared living spaces by keeping your belongings neatly stowed.
Readiness
• Be prepared to participate enthusiastically in all activities.
• Bring a spirit of teamwork and friendship for your fellow students.
• Follow the packing checklist and be familiar with your gear.
• Bring a backpack with water bottle, rain gear, pencil, and extra socks with you to all activities.
• Be on time for all activities.
Responsibility
• Take responsibility for your own personal items throughout your stay. The ONSC is not responsible for lost or
damaged personal property.
• Share responsibility for cleaning dining area, lodges, and living spaces.
• Be responsible for your well-being; communicate any questions or concerns to the ONSC staff. They will be
happy to listen and assist you.
• Wash hands before every meal and be responsible for personal hygiene.
Safety
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Listen to all safety instructions before and during every activity.
No running at any time.
Stay on trails at all times.
Do not stand on beds. Only one person at a time on top bunks.
Do not pick up or throw rocks, sticks, or other items.
Science
• Be curious
• Be observant
• Ask good science questions
• Listen to the answers to your questions
• Record your findings in your ONSC-provided journal
All students should understand that their conduct must be appropriate to the standards of ONSC at all times and that
failure to abide by the guidelines may result in their dismissal from the program. Visiting teachers, adult chaperones,
and ONSC staff will counsel students whenever possible to avoid dismissal.
PARTICIPANT REGISTRATION FORM
Participant Name
PARENT / GUARDIAN NAME
Email
CLASSROOM Teacher
Mailing Address
City
State
Zip
CELL #
WORK #
HOME #
Other #
Date of birth / age
Gender
Current Height
Current weight
Lbs.
Participant history with any of the following* -
○ Asthma
○ Cancer
○ Diabetes
○ Heart abnormalities
○ High or LOW blood pressure ○ Seizures
○ Stroke
○ Other (please specify any other medical conditions) __________________________________________________________
* Participants with severe medical conditions, must submit a copy of their CURRENT Emergency Action Plan to onsc at least 1 week prior to arrival at ONSC
Medications - (please list ALL medication(s) including inhalers, over-the-counter medication, etc. participant will bring to ONSC)
ALLERGY/MEDICAL CONDITION
MEDICATION / STRENGTH (mg/ml)
Dosage instructions
Date began
Allergies/ Dietary Restrictions - (Please
Please list specific details related to allergy, including type of reaction)
reaction
○ Food ○ Pollen/Hay Fever
○ Other (please be specific)
○ Latex
○ Medication(s)
○ Metals/Minerals
○ Plants/Trees
○ Insect bite/sting
personal information not included above -
Local Emergency contact -
(in addition to parent/guardian, those listed also have permission to pick-up youth participants)
Name(s)
Telephone #
Relationship
Name(s)
Telephone #
Relationship
Most ONSC school programs include a student tt-shirt. Please select student size Adult or Non-Program T-Shirts and other merchandise may be purchased in our business office or online at http://www.onsc.us/shop-store.php
Youth Large
Adult Small
Adult Medium
Adult Large
Adult X-Large
Adult XX-Large
Please complete & sign reverse side →
Program Permission & Waivers:
Media Acknowledgment I grant permission for any photos or videos taken of participant or any artwork or statements made during educational
programs at the ONSC can be used for ONSC’s public relations program.
No, please do not use participant’s photographs or statements
Participate in ONSC Education Study ONSC may conduct a study on its education program. The information gathered will be used to improve the program at ONSC. Names will
not be used in any publication of this study.
No, please do not include participant in education study
Tick Awareness –
Ticks are common throughout Arkansas and may carry disease. ONSC advises participants to check themselves for ticks during
program and in the days following. The Lyme Disease website (www.lymediseaseassociation.org) has information on tick removal and tick
transmitted disease.
I (participant or parent/guardian of participant) have read the above statement about ticks and Lyme disease and understand
this inherent outdoor risk.
Permission to Participate acceptance
cceptance into any onsc programs.
Please note participant or parent/guardian signature required before a
I assume any and all of the inherent risks and any other risks incidental to the nature of these activities which are not
specifically foreseeable. I will hold ONSC harmless from any and all liability, actions, causes of action, debts and claims and
demands of every kind and nature whatsoever, whether for bodily injury, property damage or loss otherwise which may arise
from mine or my child’s participation. By signing this waiver I release ONSC and its staff from any negligence incurred. My child
enters into this activity voluntarily, and I take full responsibility for the decision for him/her to participate or not to participate.
Date
participant name (printed)
Sign
here!
here!
Participant/adult signature
Parent/guardian signature required for participants under 18
Ozark Natural Science Center
A non-profit field science and environmental education center and conference facility in northwest Arkansas
1905 Madison 1305 ● Huntsville, AR 72740 ● 479.202.8340 ● www.onsc.us
Revised 08/01/2015 – ONSC Participant registration form – v150801.doc