Student Rights and Behavior
Behavioral Standards
The Outdoor Education program is a part of the public school system; hence there are rules and regulations. Outdoor Education rules are based on the idea that we wish to respect and protect the participants and the environment. Each student has an opportunity to attend the program, but no student has the right to interfere with another's enjoyment of the program.
Outdoor Education Student Rights and Responsibilities:
| • | Each student has the right to feel safe and respected. Therefore, each student has the responsibility to be respectful towards everyone. No one should be made to feel uncomfortable or threatened. |
| • | Each student has the right to enjoy the outdoors and the facilities at Outdoor Education. Therefore, each student has the responsibility to take care of the natural environment and to maintain the facilities. |
| • | Each student has the right to learn and enjoy the activities. Therefore each student has the responsibility to safely participate in activities, follow all directions, and allow others the opportunity to learn. |
Specific Outdoor Education Rules
| 1. | Stay with an adult leader at all times. |
| 2. | Cooperate with your leader and follow all directions. |
| 3. | Respect all students and staff members. Avoid using put-downs, name calling, or hurting other people's feelings. |
| 4. | Keep your hands and feet to yourself. Fighting will result in being sent home. |
| 5. | Respect others' belongings. Avoid touching other's hats, clothing, sleeping bags, and personal belongings. |
| 6. | Avoid using foul and inappropriate language and gestures. |
| 7. | If you have a disagreement with someone, find a way to talk it out peacefully. |
| 8. | Stay on the trails and behind your leader. |
| 9. | Avoid running unless it is part of an activity. |
| 10. | Participate only in safe and supervised activities. Avoid jumping on beds, pillow fighting, rough housing, or play fighting. |
| 11. | Enter only the cabin to which you are assigned. |
| 12. | Leave sticks, rocks, and other objects on the ground. |
| 13. | Keep noise moderate and respect cabin quiet hours. |
| 14. | Leave all food items, money, knives, and electrical devices at home. |
| 15. | Allow plants and animals to remain undisturbed by people. |
Consequences
Fighting or cabin raiding will result in students being sent home. Prohibited items such as food, money, knives, or electronics will be collected at the beginning of the week. When students break any of the above rules they will be referred to the principal's office and the following steps will be taken:
Step 1. A behavioral contract will be made and recreation time will be missed.
Step 2. Another contract will be made. Teachers and parents will be notified. Recreation time and a major activity will be missed.
Step 3. Parents or guardians will be contacted to pick up their child.
Note: Major rule infractions such as pushing, fighting, and sexual harassment may result in the student receiving an immediate second and third referral.
Social Expectations Of Students
Because Outdoor Education is a social experience as well as a learning experience, it is important that students know what type of behavior is expected of them. Outdoor Education is a school program and therefore regular school rules apply. Students are expected to act with respect for one another and for the environment.
Cabin Life
Students will live in a cabin with a high school-age Cabin leader, two or more schoolmates, and possibly students from other schools. Cabin living is a great opportunity to work together building friendships and developing a feeling of community. Students are responsible for cleaning and organizing the cabin together. One major cabin activity is planning and performing a skit to present the last evening of the week. The cooperative challenge of the cabin living situation can be a highly fulfilling aspect of Outdoor Education for students. The quality of the cabin community depends on the attitudes of the students. The most important aspects of positive attitude in the cabin involve:
| • | Being friendly and respecting others |
| • | Cooperation with the Cabin leader |
| • | Enthusiastic participation in cabin activities |
| • | Respect for the property of others and the facility |
Each cabin will discuss and write a rule list on the first day, which will be signed and posted in the cabin. If something in their cabin bothers them, they should talk to their cabin leader, naturalist, or teacher.
On The Trail
Trail time is class time. Students are expected to act with appropriate school behavior. Students should respect and appreciate the sensitivity of their outdoor natural classroom to visitors. We encourage enthusiasm, curiosity, and cooperation during trail lessons.
| A Good Trail Group | An Excellent Trail Group |
|---|---|
| Stays on the trail | Looks around to observe nature |
| Is quiet while naturalist talks | Is enthusiastic and asks questions |
| Doesn't drop trash | Picks up trash they spot along the trail |
| Stays with naturalist | Takes on responsible leadership initiative |
| Completes assigned task | Completes the assignment to the very best of their ability |
| Doesn't lose pens and other supplies | Returns dropped supplies to trail classmate or naturalist |
Dining Hall Manners
The dining hall is not just for eating. It is a place for announcements and singing songs before and after the meals. Good table manners and polite conversation are encouraged. Good manners in the dining hall include:
| • | Participate in a moment of silence before the meal |
| • | Talk only to the people at your table and keep voices down |
| • | Say please and thank you |
| • | Share food and take only what you plan to eat |
| • | Calmly pass the serving trays around the table |
Awards
There are three awards given out daily during the week at Outdoor Education. They are the "Giant Slipper", the "Golden Dustpan", and the "Super Table" award. The Giant Slipper is awarded during the night to the quietest girls' and boys' cabins. Students wake up each morning and check their cabin doorstep to see if the slipper has been left for them. The Golden Dustpan, presented by the teachers during the nightly dinner period, is awarded to the cleanest girls' and boys' cabins, while the Super Table award is awarded at all meals to the tables who do the best clean-up job.
The awards are a great way to build enthusiasm and cabin unity. Encourage your students to get in the spirit and do their best to win. Good sportsmanship is also expected, so if students don't win one day, encourage them to give "warm fuzzies" to those who do and go for the award the next day.