Nature’s Classroom

MEET WITH THE NATURE’S CLASSROOM REP
A Nature’s Classroom representative will be at Back-to-School Night on Thursday, September 12 at 6:30 pm to meet with parents.

WHO: 6th and 7th grade students

WHEN: Depart Monday, October 7 at 8:30 am. Return to LTS Thursday, October 10 at 4:00 pm.

CHAPERONES: TBD

TRANSPORTATION: School bus

LODGING: Nature’s Classroom Hilltop

HIGHLIGHTS: Students will be traveling to the Nature’s Classroom Environmental Education center in Charlton Massachusetts. They will engage in various outdoor activities, team building exercises all while exploring our beautiful New England Forests.

COST: $400

PAYMENT: An Invoice is posted posted in your Veracross Portal. Payment can be made through Veracross, Venmo, or check made payable to LTS. Payment is due as follows:

• August 5 – $134
• September 5 – $133
• October 5 – $133

It is our expectation that this trip is attended by all 6th & 7th grade students. If the cost of this trip is a prohibiting factor, or you would like to discuss an alternate payment plan, please do not hesitate to reach out to our Director of Finance Courtney Bishop.

REFUND POLICY: If a student withdraws from the trip for any reason up to 60 days before the trip, the refund is 50%. Up to 30 days before the trip, the refund is 25%. With regrets, there can be no refund for cancellation within 30 days of the trip as reservations will be set.

Please read the Overview for more details. Students will be given a hard copy of the information packet at school in case you do not have easy access to a printer. Forms are due to Sean Dempsey by September 23.

*Important*
Please log into your Veracross portal to confirm that all Health Information is current and accurate.

If your child takes a daily medication it needs to be administered by a chaperone. Please pack just enough for the week in a bottle labeled with their name and dosing directions.

Our first aid kits will be stocked with band aids, pain relievers, Tums, Benadryl, etc. *We must have permission (via Veracross) in order to administer OTC medications.

Medications: Only send the amount of medicine needed for the trip. Please put it in a sealed Ziploc bag, in original container, and labeled with the student’s name and medicine type. These need to be turned in to Sean the morning of  departure. Epi Pens should be given to Sean directly on the morning of the trip.

Allergies: Nature’s Classroom can accommodate a wide variety of allergies. If you have concerns about any severe allergies, please let Sean know if you would like to discuss them. If you are sending food for your student, please speak with Sean. Food should be dropped off directly to Sean, on the morning of the trip in a cooler if necessary. DO NOT send food unless you have previously spoken with Sean. Students do not need to bring snacks. All snacks are provided at Nature’s Classroom and we do not want to attract animals to their lodging.

How to view/update your child’s medical profile:

• Click the “Update Medical Information” button under “My Household” on your parent portal home screen.
• If any section of the medical profile is blank, scroll to the bottom of the screen.
• Next to “+ Add new request”, select the entry type using the drop down arrow under “Please select entry type”.
• In the comment box, add the missing information.
• Click “Submit”. Please note: the information will not immediately be available on the medical profile.

Our “dress code” when exiting the dorms, to participate in program, is long pants and closed- toed shoes. Check the weather forecast for the days of your student’s trip. A change of clothes per day is usually sufficient. Inclement weather (rain and snowstorms) requires more pairs of socks, shoes, undergarments, and clothing in general.

Students are allowed to bring a daypack, one luggage and one sleeping gear bag.  Luggage should be dropped off outside the Fieldhouse. Students need to be at school at the regularly scheduled time. If it is raining, we will bring luggage into the Fieldhouse lobby.

ITEMS TO SEND:

• Water Bottle
• Backpack (“day pack”)
• Sleeping bag or twin sized sheets and a blanket
• Pillow and pillowcase
• Toiletries: soap (and container), shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrush, deodorant, towels, washcloth
• Pajamas
• Underwear
• Socks (at least 2 per day)
• Jeans/pants
• Shirts (short and long sleeve)
• Warm outer layer
• Gloves or mittens, scarf, winter hat
• 2 pairs of closed-toed shoes. More if a lot of rain expected (Ex: old sneakers, rain boots, broken-in hiking boots, etc.)
• Raincoat or poncho
• Sunscreen & Insect repellent (no aerosols)
• Laundry bag

Optional: Hats ~ Sunglasses ~ Slippers/Flip-Flops (dorms only) ~ Shorts (dorms only) ~ Pre- addressed stamped envelopes ~ Notebook and writing utensils ~ Camera (disposable) ~ Book for reading at night ~ Deck of cards

DO NOT SEND:

• Electronics: cell phones, smart watches, tablets, portable gaming systems, kindles, nooks, etc.
• Pocket knife or multi-tools
• Food, including candy and gum
• Medicine or medical supplies

Medications should be listed on your student’s Medication Administration Form and turned over to the school group leader to be received on-site by our medical staff.

***Please do NOT buy new clothes or shoes for your child to wear at Nature’s Classroom. Send old clothes that can get dirty.

**Please make sure that every personal item (shoes, camera, socks, etc.) is clearly labeled with your child’s name. Sharpie everything!

*If your child loses any items contact the Program Coordinator immediately. Nature’s Classroom takes no responsibility for lost items.

QUESTIONS?
Sean Dempsey