Dear Parent or Guardian,
We are excited about having your child attend American Outdoor Schools educational programs. Our staff desires that each student feels welcome and involved with the program to gain the most out of this experience. Following are a few items that will help to make your child’s time with American Outdoor Schools the most profitable.
Preparation for Outdoor School can be started in the home as well as at school. Encouraging a mindset that this field trip is an extension of school as opposed to a summer camp experience will be helpful for your student as well as their teacher. Attention to forms, deadlines or meetings set up by your school will make the pre-planning process run more smoothly.
Clothing and shoes of the proper type will make a huge difference in the comfort experienced by your child while attending American Outdoor Schools. Please refer to the Equipment List for Outdoor Education, keeping in mind that layering clothes is essential, a rain poncho is often a great idea, just in case...and closed-toe shoes help keep your child’s feet safe on the hiking trails. Check with your child’s teacher for any school dress codes that will be extended to Outdoor School.
Mail to students is available at many locations. All mail should be sent early in the week (or the week prior to Outdoor School) and addressed as follows:
Please check with your child’s teacher to see if this will be an opportunity during Outdoor School. We request that candy and junk food not be sent to your child while at Outdoor School.
Phone calls home by students are reserved for emergency situations. Years of experience has shown that calling home will usually aggravate homesickness. Many schools set up a communication system to relay safe arrival and any emergencies. By the end of Outdoor School, students are eager to share all that they have learned when they return home.
Discipline is used to maintain an atmosphere of learning and fun with an emphasis on respect for others. If the guidelines are not followed, the “GO” procedure is followed in cooperation with the school. Please refer to the Discipline and Guidelines Procedure for more information.
Thank you for allowing you child to participate in American Outdoor Schools. We look forward to providing many opportunities and experiences that will be learned from and remembered.
Serving you and your students,
American Outdoor Schools Staff
