2016 8th GRADE BIG BEND END-OF-YEAR TRIP
The 8th grade end-of-year trip to Big Bend National Park is set for May 19-22,
2016. Students and faculty chaperones will travel out Highway 90 and visit
Seminole Canyon State Park and Langtry – where Judge Roy Bean, the “Law West
of the Pecos” practiced law – while en route to Big Bend National Park. We will
camp for two nights in the Chisos Basin and then travel north to Ft. Davis State
Park for an overnight stay. There, we will visit the old fort and McDonald
Observatory. On Sunday morning, we will stop for a dip in the spring-fed West
Texas swimming pool at Balmorhea State Park and then return home. Of all the
activities we share here at TMI this is the one that is considered the most
memorable. There is just something about four days in West Texas under the starfilled nights with all your friends that makes this adventure unforgettable.
For questions, contact:
Mr. Ted Constanzo at [email protected] or (210) 698-6215
Please look over the following information letter, packing list, and trip itinerary.
Ted Constanzo
History Teacher
INFORMATION LETTER
Departure: From TMI Thursday, May 19, 7:55am (please arrive prior to 7:45;
seating is first come, first serve). We will load Star Shuttle commercial bus in the
back of Frost Athletic Center starting at 7:30am.
Return ETA: Sunday, May 22, 6:00pm TMI Frost Athletic Center. Will have
students call 30 min outside of Boerne to give all a more accurate arrival time. Pick
up at the flag pole.
Travel Attire: Spirit Dress to Big Bend.
Meals: All meals in the parks are paid for and will be served by the Chisos
Basin Restaurant (Big Bend) and Black Bear Restaurant (Ft Davis). Travel meals
are not all provided. Students will need to have money for 3 meals and snack
food/drinks on the road. I recommend $30-60; exactly how much is up to you.
Swimming: We will not swim in the Rio Grande due to water quality; however, I
have planned a swim activity at Balmorhea State Park. Please note that the park
does not provide lifeguards so it requires parent approval by signed wavier
(attached). Here is the web site if you would like to view the pool conditions.
http://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/balmorhea
ATTACHEMENTS: Packing list, Big Bend Trip Itinerary, Balmorhea Swim
wavier
Trip Organizer: Mr. Constanzo, o. 210-698-6215, c. 210-843-1049
Chaperones: Fr. Kohler: 210.818.9265, Ms. Clark: 713.530.6713, Rick Faulk,
Yuxi Lin
Emergency Numbers: Cell reception in West Texas is spotty at best and none in
the Chisos Basin. If you are unable to reach myself or a chaperone please contact a
staff member on duty and leave a message. We will check for messages daily.
Chisos Basin Restaurant: ph. 432-477-2292
https://www.nps.gov/BIBE/planyourvisit/index.htm
Ft. Davis SP: Welcome Center - ph. 432-426-3337 #1
http://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/davis-mountains
PACKING LIST: We will be camping 2 nights in Big Bend NP and 1 night at
Ft Davis State Park. The weather has been unusual this year so check the extended
forecast before we leave and pack accordingly. Staying hydrated will be important;
make sure students pack a water bottle.
• Clothes for four days taking into account hot dry or wet days and cool
nights.
•
Tent w/rainfly and ground tarp.
*(If they are the student assigned to provide the tent)
• Sleeping Bag w/pillow
• Toiletries – Shower items, toothbrush & paste, soap, deodorant, etc.
• Hat & Sunscreen needed due to altitude and time spent outdoors.
• Water Bottle/CamelBak – Hiking and travel.
• Closed-toe footwear and/or comfortable hiking shoes.
* All hikes less than 3.8 miles, backpack is optional water is not!
• Bathing suit/towel w/signed release Balmorhea pool (attached)
• Camera/cell phone (Optional but recommended)
• All electronic devices/charger are student’s responsibility.
*Community power outlets in the restrooms at the camp sites.
• Any medications that you need. These medications must be in a zip-lock
bag with all instructions. Give to Mr. Constanzo prior to departure at the
bus.
• $ MONEY for 3 meals, snacks, drinks and souvenirs. ($30 - $60)
If you have a movie that you would like to view while on the bus, please
bring to class for approval prior to the 19th. No “R” rated movies will be
accepted.
HISTORIC BIG BEND/FT DAVIS FIELD TRIP 2016
THUR 19 MAY - Constanzo, Clark, Kohler, Rick, Yuxi
730
Load Commerical bus ( arrive no later than 745)
755am Depart TMI for Seminole Canyon State Park
1145
Arrive at Seminole Canyon State Park
1150
Tour Rock Art
100
Eat LUNCH at the park
145
Depart Seminole Canyon State Park
215
Arrive Langtry- tour Law west of the Pecos- Judge Roy Bean
300
630
730
900
Depart Langtry for Big Bend State Park
Arrive Big Bend Camp grounds- Eat Dinner at the Chisos Basin Lodge
Move to Camp site- set up tents- free time
Campfire -Ghost Stories, star party.
1045
Tattoo (Lights out in 15 minutes)
1100
Taps (Lights Out)
FRIDAY 20 MAY
630am Wake up- ready for breakfast.
700
Breakfast at the lodge
830
Depart for the Maxwell Scenic Drive
100
Sotol vista - Homer Wilson Ranch
1030
Tuff Canyon- Geological lesson
1100
Lunch at Castolon and history tour of Ft. Castolon
1200
Depart for Santa Elena Canyon
1230
Arrive and hike into the canyon 1.8 miles
230
Depart from the Santa Elena Canyon for Chisos Basin campgrounds
400
Arrive and prep for afternoon activities- Free Time.
430
Hike to the Window 4.4 miles or Lost Mine trail
600
Return and depart for the evening meal at the lodge
700
Return camp free time and SNIPE HUNT
900
Campfire -Ghost Stories more star gazing
1045
Tattoo (Lights out in 15 minutes)
1100
Taps (Lights Out)
SATURDAY 21 MAY
700am Wake up and prep for departure
730
BREAK CAMP: Pack up and police camp area
830
Depart Big Bend for Terlingua Tx.
915
Terlingua- stop at the old town store & get breakfast
1000
Depart for Fort Davis
100
Arrive Ft Davis - lunch Pizza
200
Arrive Ft Davis- History lesson and tour the old Fort
330
400
Depart for Fort Davis State Park
Arrive and set up camp and hike to scenic loop
600
700
830
1045
1100
Dinner at the Black Bear Lodge
Camper free time
Depart for McDonald Observatory- Star gazing party
Depart Observatory for camp site
Arrive at camp and prep for a last nights sleep under the stars
1130
1145
Tattoo (Lights out in 15 minutes)
Taps (Lights Out)
SUNDAY 22 MAY
630am Wake up and prep for departure
700
BREAK CAMP: Pack up and police camp area
730
Breakfast bag meals to-go Black Bear Cafe
815
Depart Ft Davis for Balmorhea state park
900
Arrive Balmorhea state park - 2 hr swim activity
1115
Depart for Ft Stockton
1215
Lunch at Loves's I10 outside Ft Stockton
115
Depart for TMI
600
ARRIVE HOME -TMI (student will call 30 min outside of
Boerne)
Balmorhea State Park
Swimming Release Agreement for Minors
Balmorhea State Park
P. O. Box 15
Toyahvale, Texas 79786
In exchange for being allowed to swim at Balmorhea State Park I am freely signing this
Swimming Release Agreement. I understand that there are no lifeguards at the time I am
using the spring and that I am solely responsible for my health and safety and the health
and safety of children for which I am responsible while they are in the spring. For the
privilege of being allowed to enter an area of the park which would otherwise be closed to
my use, I am incurring all of the risks associated with swimming without a lifeguard
including, but not limited to, the risk of drowning. I understand that as a consequence of
these risks, I or children I am responsible for may suffer injury or death
without the reliance upon another person to help in rescue.
Understanding this, I hereby release, discharge, and agree to hold harmless the
department, its agents, employees, officers, commissioners and successors, from and
against all liability, claims, demands, and judgement which my heirs, executors,
administrators or assigns may have claim to against the department, its successors,
employees, officers, or commissioners for all personal injuries (including death), known or
unknown caused by or arising out of swimming at Balmorhea State Park.
I am 18 years of age or over or I am accompanied by a parent or legal guardian who is
authorized to sign this release for me. I have carefully read this Swimming Release
Agreement or have had it read to me, and I understand all of its terms. I am signing
voluntarily and with full knowledge of its legal consequence and of its personal risks to me
Parent(s) Signature:
Child's Name and Age:
Dates for Swimming: SUNDAY, 22 MAY, 2016