Heritage Elementary School

CLICK FOR ONLINE SCHOOL PROGRAM REGISTRATION

Avid4 Adventure is very pleased to be visiting Heritage Elementary to deliver the Outdoor Education, Teambuilding & Leadership Intensive for 6th graders. This 4-day with one overnight, off-campus, outdoor experiential education program is filled with team-building, problem-solving and leadership activities, and of course our capably delivered adventure activities such as kayaking, canoeing, mountain biking and hiking.  All of this is incorporated into a cohesive curriculum that is framed within a non-competitive and supportive atmosphere led by our experienced and professional staff. All specialized equipment is provided by Avid4 Adventure, as is all instruction and safety management.  No previous experience or purchasing of specialized equipment is necessary on the part of the participants.

 

Participation Schedule

9/6	9/7	9/8	9/9
All 6th Grade Classes during normal school hours.	All 6th Grade Classes during normal school hours	All 6th Grade Classes (OVERNIGHT at Chatfield State Park)	Students return to school at normal pick up time Friday afternoon.

Schedule
Each student will spend the entire 4 days off-campus participating in the program during their regularly scheduled school day. The program will take place at a local reservoir close to campus. During the program, your student will have a chance to canoe and kayak and canoe on the reservoir, take a beautiful hike, as well as mountain bike OR climb on an artificial climbing wall.

On Tuesday and Wednesday the program will operate during normal school hours.  Please make sure to arrive on time. Students should report to their regular class, after which they will load onto buses and head for the reservoir.  On Thursday, students will depart for the reservoir at the same time in the morning and spend the night at Chatfield State Park.  They will return to school for normal pick up time on Friday afternoon.  They will need to bring items for the Overnight on Thursday morning. 
Our home for Thursday night will be beautiful Chatfield State Park, a wonderful location outside of Denver that can become your family’s local recreation destination.  Avid4 will provide a team of adventure staff, tents and full camp kitchen, hours of fun and laughter, canoeing, swimming, exploring, playing games, and S’mores over a camp fire.  Your child’s night under the stars is destined to be one of the highlights of their school year, so it’s time to start getting excited! 

What to Bring Everyday:
Avid4 Adventure will provide all necessary outdoor and safety equipment. On your participation day please bring:

1. A backpack, sized to fit your child, that can hold all personal belongings listed below.
2. Come to school wearing shorts and a tee shirt (that can get wet), with layers over to stay warm. That way, as the day warms, you can remove layers for comfort. Bring clothing for any potential weather, including at least one warm layer (fleece jacket, etc.). If rain is in the forecast, include an outer waterproof layer (rain jacket or poncho that will not soak through), and a warm layer (not cotton because it gets cold when wet), in addition to the cloths that are worn. If the high for the day is 60 degrees or below, please also include a second warm layer, long pants, and a hat. Kids have fun in all conditions, as long as they are warm!
3. A hat that provides full sun protection
4. Closed toe shoes appropriate for hiking and outdoor use and water shoes (NO flip flops; closed toed Crocs, Keens, Tevas or old sneakers are great). Wear hiking shoes to school.
5. Two full, one liter, non-breakable, non-leaking, water bottles labeled with the child’s name
6. Sunscreen (15+ SPF) with child’s name clearly labeled
7. Lunch (no refrigeration necessary and creating the minimum amount of trash).
8. Snack (we will have snack time each morning around 10:00)
9. Extra clothes (full set)
10. Sunglasses (optional)

 

What to Bring for the Thursday Overnight:
Equipment:  Avid4 will provide tents, kitchen gear (including personal dishes), and all technical gear for kids instruction, such as life jackets, helmets, etc.  The following is a suggested personal list:

ALL OF THE ABOVE PLUS THE FOLLOWING:

Gear:
Sleeping Pad & Sleeping Bag
Pillows (optional, but nice)
Flashlight or Headlamp (with batteries)
Toiletries: All vitamins, herbal supplements, over-the-counter or prescription drugs, etc. are considered “medications” and must have a note from a medical doctor for use on the trip. 
Camera (optional)
Towel

PLEASE LEAVE CELL PHONES, I-ANYTHINGS, MP3s, etc. AT HOME!  Thank you in advance for your cooperation.

PLEASE LABEL EVERYTHING WITH YOUR CHILD’S NAME!
Clothes:
Rain Jacket or Poncho
Warm jacket
Additional warm layer (sweater, fleece, etc.)
Wind Breaker (optional)
Winter Hat (just in case)
Gloves (just in case)
Warm pants
Comfortable sneakers or shoes
Shorts
1 pair light pants (for hiking)
1 long sleeve shirt (for hiking)
Sun hat
Bathing Suit (shirts and shorts must be worn over swimsuits at all times for skin protection)
2 T-shirts
1 pair Underwear

Medications:
If you are planning on sending any type of medication with your child (prescription drugs, over the counter medications, herbal supplements, or vitamins) on the overnight camping trip, we need a Medication Administration Permission form filled out with a doctor’s signature.  Please visit our website at http://www.avid4.com/forms.html to download the form.

Alternatively, a parent may come to Chatfield during the overnight to administer medication if needed.

If your child carries an epi pen or inhaler, you will need the relevant health care plan forms, either a Severe Allergy Health Care Plan or a Respiratory Heath Care Plan.  These forms are already on file with your school, so we will obtain copies from the school.   

Contact us if you are unsure if you need to fill out this paperwork: sarah@avid4.com or 720-249-2412×8

Food:
Please pack a sack lunch, snacks, and 2 liters of water for your child on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.  Avid4 Adventure will provide a delicious dinner Thursday night, as well as breakfast, snacks and lunch on Friday.  If your child has food allergies or dietary restrictions, please make a note on the Medical Health History form so that we can properly prepare. 

Camping:
Students will be camping in their small groups and tent mates will be separated by gender.  Instructors will be sleeping between the girls and boys tents.  There are restrooms and running water at the campground.     
We will be camping in the group camping sites at Chatfield State Park.  Are you interested in learning more about Chatfield?  Check out http://parks.state.co.us/parks/chatfield/Pages/ChatfieldHome.aspx. 

Weather Contingencies
We will make every effort to conduct the program even in inclement weather. Weather is a very real part of every outdoor experience and thus can provide great learning opportunities. We have activity modifications if weather dictates. If the Intensive needs to be delayed or canceled due to severe weather, we will have a notice indicating such that can be accessed by calling 720-249-2412 x10 after 6:30 AM.

Safety
Avid4 Adventure prides itself in offering creative and instructive recreational opportunities.  From climbing and hiking to kayaking and biking, participants can experience a variety of activities.  However, please remember that all adventure activities, including those offered by Avid4, include inherent and other risks. These risks come with the territory, and are part of any recreation and adventure opportunity your child may participate in.  That is why at Avid4, we focus on running a quality program, to mitigate these risks and dangers:

• We hire staff that is proficient and tested in their area of instruction and trained in first aid and CPR.
• We have developed a risk management plan to monitor & address risks and activities in our programs.
• We inspect all of our equipment regularly.
• We precede activities with a talk about potential risks and how to avoid or minimize those risks.
• We have staff to participant ratios that provide for individualized attention and constant group management.
• Participants are oriented to the concept that safety is a top priority, and each participant becomes a member of the “safety team”. This increases hazard awareness as well as personal responsibility.
• Avid4 has written activity protocols to promote consistency and address inherent risks.
• Avid4 programs are age and ability appropriate. We believe that it’s much more important to have a great time than it is to “reach the top”. 

Please contact us if you have any further questions, or would like to review our risk management plan.

Nature of Activities
At Avid4 we are outside playing, running, kayaking, hiking, biking and climbing every day. During the day, it is often the case that students will come home with a scrape or bruise due to the physicality of activities. This is simply the nature of learning outdoor activities. For a more detailed discussion of the spectrum of risks involved in outdoor activities, please refer to our Acknowledgement & Assumption of Risks form, or talk with the Avid4 Program Director. Here is a bit more detail:

• Rock Climbing - Kids will learn about techniques, precautions, equipment and history of the sport. Top-roped climbing will take place on an artificial climbing wall, always wearing helmets.
• Kayaking & Canoeing - Our flatwater instruction program gives students a chance to learn about techniques, precautions, equipment and history of the sport. Our teaching progression emphasizes incrementally developing comfort with equipment and the environment in order to facilitate success experiences. PFD’s (life jackets) will be worn at all times.
• Mountain Bicycling -Avid4adventure’s fleet of mountain bikes can accommodate any size student. We can work with all ability levels. Riders will not only learn technique, precautions, equipment and history of the sport, but also some basics of bicycle maintenance. Helmets are worn at all times

Questions: If you have further questions, please feel free to contact Avid4 Adventure:  www.avid4.com, sarah@avid4.com, or 720.249.2412 x8.

CLICK FOR ONLINE SCHOOL PROGRAM REGISTRATION