2016-2017
School Program
Trip Planner &
Teacher Information Packet
“Enhancing the understanding, appreciation, and stewardship of the Ozark Natural Environment”
Revised 09/01/16
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
Participant history with any of the following* -
○ ADD/ADHD ○ Asthma ○ Autism ○ Cancer ○ Diabetes ○ Heart abnormalities ○ High or low blood pressure ○ Seizures ○ Stroke
Severe Allergies (check applicable) - ○ Food ○ Pollen/Hay Fever ○ Latex ○ Medication(s) ○ Metals/Minerals ○ Plants/Trees ○ Insect
bite/sting
○ Other (please specify any other medical conditions and any specific details related to severe allergies, including type of reaction) * 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, Epi-pens, over-the-counter medication, etc. participant will bring to ONSC)
Allergy or medical condition
Medication name / Strength (mg/ml)
Dosage instructions
Date began
In case of a minor headache, my child may be given - (Please CHOOSE ONE)
○ Tylenol (acetaminophen)
○ Advil (ibuprofen) ○ Call parent first ○ None
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
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
Permission to Participate Please note participant or parent/guardian signature required before acceptance into any ONSC programs.
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)
Participant/adult signature
Sign
here!
here!
Parent/guardian signature required for participants under 18
Most ONSC school programs include a t-shirt for all student participants. 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
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
Dear Teachers and Administrators,
Welcome to the Ozark Natural Science Center, Bear Hollow and the most amazing field trip experience your students
will ever take! For more than twenty years ONSC has been providing students the best in hands-on and minds-on,
outdoor, science education in the heart of the Arkansas Ozarks. All of us at ONSC eagerly await your arrival and the
opportunity to share with your students the exploration, discovery, and learning that are the core of our program.
This Teacher Packet is designed to help you plan your experience at ONSC. Please feel free to copy and share the
information as needed. All of the required forms along with information packets for parents and chaperones are
available for download on the ONSC website at www.onsc.us/school-programs. The most successful programs begin
with planning, so please read through the accompanying information, follow the recommendations found on the time
line, and contact us with any questions.
Several weeks prior to your program we will contact you to schedule your Parent/Teacher meeting. This meeting, held
at your school, is great way to provide parents with answers to their questions about the program at ONSC. The
meeting also gives our staff and your faculty an opportunity to discuss the details of your program.
We know that an annual field trip to ONSC has become a valued educational tradition for many schools. In order to help
you keep that tradition alive and aid in future planning ONSC now offers advanced registration. During your program
visit please speak with our staff about “Same Time Next Year” program scheduling.
See you soon,
Matthew Miller
Executive Director
1905 Madison 1305
In Case of Emergency
|
Huntsville, AR 72740
|
479.202.8340
|
www.onsc.us
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.
Early-release policy
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.
Program paperwork
A little bit of planning will go a long way toward the
success of your ONSC experience. Organization
and planning will make your visit to ONSC a more
enjoyable and relaxing learning experience.
All ONSC program paperwork is available for
download from our website: http://onsc.us/programschool.php
Residential Programs –
• Teacher Planning Packet –
• Program Template – (final version due at
ONSC 1 week prior to program)
• Parent Packet (English & Spanish) –
• Chaperone Packet (English & Spanish) –
Optional • Chaperone Cost Waiver –
• Request for Tuition Assistance –
• Participant Registration form - (one form is
included in each of the packets listed above)
Day Programs –
• Teacher Planning Packet –
• Program Template – (final version due at
ONSC 1 week prior to program)
• Parent Packet (English & Spanish) –
• Chaperone Packet (English & Spanish) –
Optional • Participant Registration form - (one form is
included in each of the packets listed above)
Program paperwork cont’d
Teachers will need to download: Trip Planner
for Teachers, Parent and Chaperone Packets
and the Program Template in order to start
planning your ONSC visit.
Please familiarize yourself with the sample
schedule, class options and packing lists
shown in the Trip Planner packet.
Determining how many field groups and
chaperones you will need is based on the
number of students you plan to bring. Use the
table below as your guideline:
# Students / Field Groups / Adult
chaperones
< 12 students = 1 field group = 2 adults
13-24 students = 2 field groups = 3 adults
25-36 students = 3 field groups = 4 adults
37-48 students = 4 field groups = 5 adults
49-60 students = 5 field groups = 6 adults
Teachers, administrators and parents count
toward the number of chaperones you need
for the program. School principals must
approve extra adults beyond the number you
need to bring. Extra adults will need to pay
your school $134 for their program cost.
ONSC will then include these costs on your
school’s final invoice.
Special circumstances with a student(s), such
as serious medical, learning, behavioral
issues. may require the need for additional
adults. In these instances, a Chaperone Cost
Waiver must be completed for each additional
adult you want to bring. Adults being
considered for a Cost Waiver must be familiar
with the students’ needs, as they will be with
them the entire time they are at ONSC. All
Chaperone Cost Waivers must be returned
to ONSC for consideration no later than
two weeks prior to program.
Distribute Parent & Chaperone Packets to
those attending ONSC. Participant
registration forms are in each of the packets.
A participant registration form is required for
all students, chaperones and teachers.
Pre & Post Visit Program Options
You will need to set a firm deadline with
students and chaperones to return their
participant forms. Your student and chaperone
forms feed into your program template, so we
recommend you collect forms 3-4 weeks prior to
your program.
The deadline for submitting your program
template & participant forms to ONSC is one
week prior to your scheduled program. No
exceptions. This deadline is necessary to meet our
staff schedule, food order and printing deadlines.
Please help us stay on schedule by submitting yours
in a timely manner.
The program template is designed for you to
enter your information directly into each
worksheet tab and save as an Excel Workbook.
ONSC do not accept handwritten forms, faxes or
PDF copies of the program template. Again,
please email your finalized program template to
[email protected] one week prior to your program.
You may submit program revisions up to one
week prior to arrival. After that time, revisions may
not be possible and/or could delay your program
start time.
You may submit your participant forms to ONSC by
scanning/emailing, faxing or mailing them if you
have not already given them to ONSC at your
Parent/Teacher Meeting. Participant forms are
due one week prior to your program.
As always, if you have any questions about the
paperwork process, please call (479.202.8340) or
email me ([email protected]) anytime! I’m here to
help you!
ONSC Packing Checklist
There are four pre-visit lesson plans and a
post visit project that can be used as a
culmination of the ONSC experience. The
four pre-visit lesson plans also contain multiple
extensions and may be used as stand-alone
units for the classroom. If you are interested
in this pre and post visit curriculum, please
contact [email protected].
ONSC Guidelines
Respect – Show respect for others, facilities,
property and the environment. Parents
assume responsibility for any damages their
child causes. If it’s not yours, leave it alone.
Remember to “take only pictures, leave only
footprints, kill only time.”
Readiness – Be prepared to participate
enthusiastically, with a spirit of teamwork and
friendship to fellow students. Bring backpack
with water bottle, rain gear, pencil and extra
socks to all activities. Be on time for all
activities.
Responsibility – Take responsibility for your
personal belongings, space and well-being.
Communicate any questions to ONSC staff –
we are happy to listen to and assist your child.
Safety – Listen to instructions at every activity.
No running! Stay on trails. No standing or
jumping on beds. One person per bunk at all
times. Do not throw rocks, sticks or any other
items.
Science – Be curious, observant. Ask
questions.
Conduct
All students should understand that their
conduct must be appropriate to the standards
of their school and ONSC. Failure to abide by
the guidelines may result in their dismissal
from the program. Should dismissal occur,
parents will be notified to immediately pick-up
their child from the program. Visiting teachers,
adult chaperones and ONSC staff will counsel
students whenever possible to avoid
dismissal.
Do not bring:
One complete change of clothing for each day,
including:
o Long pants or jeans for hiking (no shorts or
capri-pants)
o T-shirts
o Long-sleeved shirt or sweater
o Three pair of socks – During winter months,
we recommend wool or wool blend socks
o Two pair of comfortable, close-toed
shoes/boots - one pair may get wet. Please
no new shoes/boots.
o Sleepwear
o Underwear
o Weather appropriate jacket or heavy coat (a
sweatshirt is not sufficient during winter
months)
o Sleeping bag or twin-sized sheets and
blanket
o Pillow
o Toothbrush and toothpaste
o Soap, shampoo, deodorant and other
toiletries (none are provided by ONSC)
o Towel and washcloth
o Brush or comb
o Plastic or cloth bag for dirty clothes, towel
and bedding.
o Water bottle
o Sack lunch for the first day
o (Optional) Money for merchandise in a clear
Ziploc bag, labeled with your child’s name in
permanent ink. Your child will turn this in for
safe-keeping upon arrival at ONSC
A backpack will be provided for your child to use
while hiking at ONSC
Please pack the following for your child’s use on the
trail:
o Hat or cap
o Extra layer, such as a sweatshirt, sweater or
jacket
o One extra pair of socks – During winter
months, we recommend wool or wool blend
socks.
o Reusable water bottle (32 oz. capacity is
recommended; avoid excessively large
bottles)
o 2 or more pencils
o Raingear (jacket and pant set or poncho)
Cell phones, MP3 players, electronic or video
games of any kind
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
Flashlights
Alarm clock
Knives or weapons of any kind
Hair dryer, curling iron, curlers,
perfume or cosmetics
Umbrellas
Food, drink, candy, gum
Jewelry
Hot Hands or similar hand-warmer
packets
No sandals, flip-flops, open-toed or
open-heeled shoes.
ONSC Store
Students may bring money to purchase items
from the ONSC store.
Teachers do not have to collect money.
Students should bring their money in a Ziploc
bag or envelope with their name written in
permanent ink. ONSC’s administrative staff
will collect and record each student’s money
upon arrival, so please have them pack it in an
easily accessible area of their luggage.
We have a designated snack/store time in the
afternoon of day one. All student purchases
(and any change) will be bagged and labeled
with their name. Bags are tied shut and placed
in a box that will be brought to the pavilion
prior to your departure from ONSC. Most
teachers prefer to wait until they arrive back at
school to hand out the bags to their students.
Purchases may also be made at any time
through our online store: https://ozark-naturalscience-center.myshopify.com/. All online
purchases prior to your program will be
bagged, labeled and boxed with the other
purchases.
We accept cash, check and money orders
made out to ONSC, as well as Visa,
Mastercard and Discover.
Pre-Trip Check List
Use this checklist to plan your ONSC experience
4-6 weeks prior…
ONSC will contact your school to schedule the ONSC Parent/Teacher Meeting.
Arrange bus transportation for your scheduled trip(s) with the following times: Arrival 10:00 am/Departure 12:30 pm.
Notify parents of whether or not your school cafeteria will offer the option of providing a sack lunch for students and
adult chaperones for the first day of your ONSC visit. Second-day lunches will be provided by ONSC.
Download the 2016-2017 ONSC forms, packets and program template from our website: www.onsc.us/schoolprograms/.
Begin enlisting & conducting background checks for trustworthy & physically capable adults to serve as chaperones.
Send copies of ONSC Parent Packet home with each student for parent/guardian to complete.
3-4 weeks prior…
Collect student, adult chaperone & teacher participant forms & begin entering into Program Template.
Check all Participant forms for parent/guardian/participant signature at the bottom of the page.
Collect all student Emergency Action Plans (asthma, seizure, food allergy, etc.) from school nurse.
ONSC will conduct Parent/Teacher Meeting at your school (if located within 50 miles of ONSC campus)
At the parent meeting, give ONSC staff member all participant forms if you have entered them into the template. This
will save you the time/cost of having to copy, scan, fax or mail them later.
2-3 weeks prior…
Last call for participant forms from students. All forms must be received by ONSC one week prior to program.
Chaperone waiver request forms due 2 weeks prior to program for consideration of waived program costs.
1 week prior…
Finalize ONSC Program Template (saved as Excel workbook format). Email to [email protected].
ONSC must have all participant forms one week prior to your arrival for program.
Remind students what necessary/seasonal equipment to bring (What to pack list).
Explain behavioral expectations for students attending the program and set clear consequences for poor behavior
Before departure to ONSC…
Get a headcount of all students, teachers and adults attending ONSC. If you have the opportunity, please call
(479.202.8340) or email [email protected] your headcount; names of absences/additions to program; and/or any
changes to the field group or lodge assignments.
Collect all student medications from school nurse and students. ONSC office manager will meet you at the pavilion to
collect these for check-in upon arrival.
Upon arrival at ONSC…
ONSC staff will board the bus to welcome everyone and give initial instructions. Students should remain seated and
quiet.
Please inform program liaison of ANY absences.
ONSC office manager will collect ALL student medications (including inhalers) from teachers
ONSC administrative staff will collect and itemize student money for our store.
NOTE: Program T-shirts are included in the cost of the program for every student. Students wishing to purchase additional
merchandise should bring their money in a sealed envelope or Ziploc bag with their name written in permanent ink. Adults may
purchase merchandise prior to departure or during non-program activities, 8-5pm.
Notes
Curriculum and Program Options…
Sample Schedule
A sample schedule for a typical 2-day, 1-night program follows:
Day 1
10:00
10:50
12:00
3:45
4:15
5:30
6:30
7:45
8:30
9:15
Day 2
Arrival, move into lodges *
ONSC Orientation & Intro activities
(Adult orientation meeting)
Field Investigation start and lunch
on the trail
Snack & Store Time
Recreational Time
Dinner – Ewing Centre
1st Session of Classes
Evening Class #1
Evening Class #2
Return to lodges
7:15
7:30
8:30
10:45
11:45
12:30
Personal belongings packed &
at pavilion
Breakfast - Ewing Centre
Pickup trail lunch & Morning
Field Investigation
2nd Session Classes
Lunch
Group photo / Load bus and
depart
*The actual program schedule may change based on day length, time of year, and special program considerations. Please note that
school arrival time is 10:00 a.m. and departure time is 12:30 p.m. Other arrival and departure times may be arranged with advance notice.
CURRICULUM DESCRIPTION
School programs at ONSC feature hands-on classes designed to engage students in outdoor natural science education. A brief description of
program components follows. Please note your selection of classes for 2016-2017 on the program template.
OZARK NATURAL HISTORY FIELD INVESTIGATIONS
Participants will hike in small groups and explore sections of ONSC’s trail system. Students will learn about Ozark wildlife, plants, geology,
erosion causes and consequences, Ozark natural divisions, and how all the components interact and affect each other. Students will also
learn about succession and what types of plant and animal species are unique to different forest types.
NIGHT DISCOVERIES
Few people visit the forest at night without an artificial light source. This unique experience includes a discussion of nocturnal animals and
an opportunity for students to experiment with and better understand their own night vision and other senses. Astronomy is included
(weather permitting), as well as listening for night sounds, and calling owls.
JOURNAL
Each student receives a field journal upon arrival. The vocabulary used in the instruction of the classes is reiterated in the text of the journal.
In addition, directions and space are given for the students to write down information learned and discoveries made during the program.
This may be done during allotted class time or on their own. The journal may be used in the classroom as a follow-up to the ONSC
experience.