Sky Ranch

1. Sky Ranch Parent Information Meeting

2. Departure • Students should arrive at school by 7:30AM. • Students should report to the East side of Stinson Field (near Key Street) with all of their necessary items. • Buses are limited in space. Pack lightly. • Duffle bags are preferred. • Pack bedding into luggage or in a labeled trash bag. • Be sure all bags and pieces of clothing are labeled with your child’s first and last name.

3. Sky Ranch Information • Location- Nestled in the piney woods of East Texas in Van, TX • 903-266-3300- use only for emergencies

4. Cabins • Students are assigned cabins with at least 2-3 chaperones in each cabin. Roommate requests are accommodated as much as possible. • Students will be in mixed-advisory cabins to encourage new friendships and team building. • Each cabin is equipped with beds, showers, and restrooms. Separate cabins for boys and girls.

5. SCHEDULE

6. Sky Ranch home edition • We will provide alternative (Sky Ranch-like) activities for those students not attending Sky Ranch. • Your child will be counted absent if they do not attend school on “camp” days. Please inform the office if your child is sick.

7. Classes • Limnology- aquatic study of freshwater • Challenges- Team building activities involving communication, trust and cooperation • Orienteering- Teams practice orienteering skills by learning Geomatics and using GPS • Forces in Nature- Learning about gravity and friction and how nature changes our environment

8. Recreation and Nighttime Activities • Open rec time- field games, zip lines, water slides, etc. • Team games • Campfires- skits, songs, and more

9. Learning Groups • Students will travel with mixed advisory learning groups as they participate in sessions. • 12-17 students per group • Learning groups are led by experienced counselors. • Teachers and parent chaperones will be accompanying the students.

10. Chaperones • We need approximately 6 moms and 6 dads per team depending on class sizes. More is better! • Chaperones can sign up tonight or with advisory teachers • By Friday for Chiefs, Patriots, and Team Genius • By October 7th for Olympians, Superstars, and Titans • Chaperones that need to attend due to medical necessity must be included on sign-up form. • Chaperones are required to attend an additional chaperone meeting. Meeting times and location to be announced. • Responsibilities include supervision in classes, cabins, mealtimes, and bed time. • Must have ALREADY completed criminal history background check. • Cost approximately $100 depending on numbers

11. Cost and Forms • Payment $195 per child (if not already paid online) • Checks should be made out to MIS and returned to student’s advisory teacher. • District Health History Form • Sky Ranch Participant Agreement • Medication Form (only if needed-available online) • Form and payment due dates: • Chiefs and Patriots: September 12 • Team Genius: September 16 • Olympians, Superstars, Titans: October 3 • Due to time constraints, no late payment will be accepted

12. Medication • Authorized HPISD staff will assist in the administration of medications to students while at camp in accordance with HPISD medication guidelines and board policy. • Guidelines will be sent home in communication folders. • Please review these guidelines carefully if your child will require medication at camp. • If you have questions, contact your child’s advisory teacher or the nurse.

13. What to bring • Detailed packing lists will be sent home. Some items include: • Sleeping bag/sheets and blanket • Pillow and pillow case • Towels • Appropriate clothing (weather) • Swimsuit with swim shirt (t-shirt) • Toiletries • Watch • Backpack • Flashlight • Sunscreen and bug repellant • Refillable water bottle • Camera (disposable preferred) • $$$ for snacks and gift shop (no more than $40) • Please label EVERYTHING

14. What NOT to bring: • Electronics, cell phones, eReaders, iPads, iPods • Valuables or breakable items • Prank materials

15. Discipline • Students are expected to follow all school rules and camp rules. • Parents of students who fail to follow directions will be called to come pick up their child from the camp.

16. Twitter Updates • Teachers will post information about our adventures on @SkyRanchMIS2013. • Instructions will be sent home to create accounts. • Tweets will be protected, so only approved followers can see images and tweets. • If your name is different than your child’s, send us a message with your twitter name so that we can identify you.

17. Meals • Food is served family-style. • Kid-friendly menus • Salad bar is available at each meal. • Dietary needs are addressed. • Please let your child’s advisory teacher know through e-mail about any food allergies or other dietary restrictions.

18. Arrival at mis • Our estimated time of arrival back to MIS is 2:30-3:00 pm • We will update twitter with more precise arrival times, so please check periodically. • Students may be picked up from school after being signed out with advisory teacher. • We must have written notice if your child is going home with another adult. • Pick-up location will also be on Stinson Field near Key street.