THIS LETTER IS FOR BOTH STUDENTS AND PARENTS, PLEASE READ IT, IT IS IMPORTANT!

All students MUST be on time with their gear.  Every student must bring all required items on this list and be able to carry it all in ONE load.  No Large suitcases.  Use a backpack.

Label your things.  It is easy to get them mixed up with other people's stuff.

REQUIRED

¨      Flashlight

¨      Rain coat.  This is a must.  It could even just be one of those cheap ponchos.  The fact is that coastal weather can change an awful lot.  If it rains and you get wet, it's nearly impossible to get dry.  It also can be very foggy, which can get you plenty wet too.

¨      Umbrella. It rained heavily for a full day two years ago!!! You MUST bring one!

¨      Quarters for showers (75 cents a shower; plan on at least one SHORT shower)

¨      Towel (there are no paper towels in the restrooms)

¨      Flip Flops or sandals for using while in the shower.

¨      Warm clothing: jammies, sweatshirt, jacket. Plus, jeans, shirts, socks, etc.  Don't overpack, but be prepared for one set a day.  It won't likely be hot, but one pair of shorts won't take up too much room so it's a good idea to bring that.  The coastal weather is often very cold, especially at night.  Be prepared to layer a lot in your sleeping bag so you can stay warm.  You can always cool off; you can't get warm if you don't have the clothes.

¨      Toiletries including: tooth brush, soap, deodorant.  Keep all of this in a zip-lock bag. Put your name on it!  You'll have to put it in a bear locker at night.  Label the bag clearly so it's easy to keep track of it.

¨      Bug spray

¨      Utensils for eating: cup, fork, plate, bowl (We do not want to create excess garbage!!!)  Label these clearly so you can keep track of them.

¨      Water bottles for hiking and for filling at camp.  We don't want to use bottled water. It creates too much extra waste.  Label your bottle clearly.  You might want a couple of them.  You'll need a cup for hot cocoa too!!

¨      Backpack for hiking (this might be the same backpack that you packed your clothes in!) This is a day pack just like you've used for our other hikes.

¨      Two pair of shoes and 3 pair of socks. Great walking shoes.  We're taking a 10 mile hike!  If it rains they will get wet and you need a back up pair.

¨      Sack lunch that would include snacks for day one.  We won't be stopping at stores or restaurants; do not plan for that.

¨      Pillow, sleeping bag, sleeping pad (check Gates Resale just down the street for great deals), however if you don't have anything, please let Mr. Pembroke know and he'll get what you need.  There are always extra items in people's closets.

¨      Your smile and great attitude.  This trip will be hard work and tiring at times.  Trust me, you'll MAKE it wonderful with your great attitude and willingness to spread joy.

OPTIONAL

¨      Folding camp chair.  Not everyone must have one, but if you want to sit comfortably to eat then you'll want one.  Label it!

¨      Anti-carsickness medication if you normally take that kind of thing.

¨      Money for a souvenir at the visitor center if you want something.  They have great books, hats, walking sticks, games, etc.

¨      Traveling games and electronics are acceptable for this long of a trip.  However, they are not allowed at all out of the cars.  This is a school activity and all school rules apply. 

¨      There is no cell service at the camp.  There is one pay phone.  It costs quite a lot to call out.  This can be used by the adults in a pinch. 

¨      The park phone is 707-465-7347.  This should only be used in an emergency to reach us.

Our suggestion is to pack carefully.  Use a backpack and the sleeping bag and pillow.  Unroll the sleeping back to put flat things like the towel and t-shirts.  Roll it back up tight.  Space is an issue both in cars and tents, so we don't want bulky luggage.  Be sure you know your stuff and label it.  It is terrible to lose track of your much needed gear.  You are responsible for having your own gear to sleep, clean yourself, and hike.

DAY 1:  Bring your sack lunch. We arrive at camp, eat lunch, set up our camp, then we do a scavenger hunt to learn about our surroundings.  After dinner, we'll have skits and campfire singing.  We'll be in bed between 9 and 10 and SILENT at 10.  Absolutely no, no food items are allowed in tents.  You can't even have toothpaste in there.  The smell may attract bears.  Do not plan on having snacks in tents.

DAY 2: We get up early, eat, pack a lunch, and head out on a 10 MILE hike.  This will take us all day.  We'll be back for dinner.  You should be prepared like you were for Feather Falls. We'll have some down time for showers and rest, then dinner, then campfire fun.  In bed between 9 and 10, for SILENCE by 10.

DAY 3: We'll get up early and eat.  Then we'll have some time to explore the trails of the campground as we make our way to the visitor's center.  We'll explore there (then you'll have an opportunity to purchase a souvenir if you bring money for it).  We'll then pack lunch and camp, and load up and roll.  We'll eat lunch on the road at a rest stop. 

EVERYONE IS REQUIRED TO HELP WITH THIS EVENT.  THERE IS NO FREE RIDE.  THE ADULTS ARE DONATING TIME, MONEY, AND EFFORT AND WE AREN'T THERE TO WAIT ON YOU.  YOU MUST PITCH IN WITH COOKING, CLEANING, PACKING, AND HAULING.  BE READY AND IN A MINDSET OF COOPERATION, TEAMWORK, AND EFFORT.

We hope to be back on Friday between 5:00 and 6:00 PM.  We'll call the school from the road to update our arrival time.  Check in with the office late in the day for more accurate times.

Menu:

Day 1:

Breakfast:  Home

Lunch:  Bring a sack lunch and snacks.

Dinner: Make your own burrito

Day 2:

Breakfast: pancakes and eggs and sausage.  Cereal and milk available also.  Fruit will be on hand.

Lunch: sack lunch.  We'll have an assembly line and everyone will go through and make their sack lunch.  Meat/cheese/pb&j sandwiches.  Chips and fruit.  Water bottles will need to be filled!

Dinner:  Bbq hamburgers. Beans, veggie.  S'mores for dessert.

Day 3:

Breakfast: pancakes and eggs and sausage.  Cereal and milk available also.  Fruit will be on hand.

Lunch: sack lunch.  We'll have an assembly line and everyone will go through and make their sack lunch.  Meat/cheese/pb&j sandwiches.  Chips and fruit.  Water bottles will need to be filled!

If you have special dietary needs, please let me know!

Check our Prairie Creek Redwoods online!  You can view pictures and learn a bunch of stuff!

Camping at Prairie Creek: 6^th Grade-Chico Country Day

Hello everyone!

We want to thank you for supporting the outdoor sixth grade camping experience.  We are assembling our great group of chaperones and getting ready to give the students a memorable learning experience.  We have a few needs that we want to express.

We go to Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park in the National Redwood Park on the North Coast of California, because these trees are the tallest living organisms on the planet.  They only grow on the North Coast.  We are very lucky to have this specialized ecosystem within a half day's drive!  If you've been to Yosemite, you know that it is a wonderful park as well.  It is about the same distance as the Redwood Park, however it has much more of a commercial feel to it.  Prairie Creek Redwoods is a true camping and learning experience.  It is a special thing to hike in the old growth forest, with trees over 350ft. tall and around 2000 yrs. old. 

Other schools offer environmental camps that are quite good as well.  Some of these camps can cost as much as $1500….per child!  Our camp will cost about $2000 in total. Chico Country Day has budgeted for this trip.  The school has always paid for the campground and much of the equipment is owned by the school.  We'd like to ask you to help in a couple of ways.

If you are willing and able, we'd like to have you help us by donating food and/or money.  We will be sending out a sign-up sheet so you can donate specific items that we need.  If you prefer just to make a monetary donation, please give that to the office staff and let them know it is for the 6^th grade camping trip.  Please understand that this is not required of you, but we hope that you will consider donating.  Look at it this way:  your middle school student won't be eating the food out of your fridge for a couple of days!

We'll be sure everyone knows which car their child is in as we get closer to the trip.  This is quite a distance to drive, and while we know drivers are willing to take on this expense, donations by parents of children that are riding along are always appreciated.  If you'd like to contribute to your child's driver, you can send that directly to them or send it in a sealed envelope to one of the teachers and we'll get it to the driver.

Thank you all for supporting our school.  We know that we all are often frustrated by school budgets and how funding seems so short for the education of our children.  We appreciate that you all put your children first.  This is just one of the many reasons Chico Country Day is the wonderful school that it is.

Sincerely, the Administration and The Sixth Grade Teaching Staff

Prairie Creek Camping:  CCDS 6^th Grade-Mr. Pembroke/Mr. Najera 2010

Trip Itinerary:

Day 1: 

J       Good Manners Matter:  Our whole experience will take one big step UP if everyone uses good manners on this adventure.  We all need to say please, thank you, and excuse me.  Students must understand that the adults are giving them a huge gift in time, money, and effort.  Please be respectful and understanding of this and us Good Manners!

J       7:30 Meet at school and begin loading vehicles.  Attempt to get kids' gear into the care they are riding, then find room in trucks for overflow.

J       Trucks need coolers, food containers, kitchen gear, and large tents.

J       8:00-9:00 Depart as soon as possible.  Drivers have maps and cell phone list.

J       Arrive at Elk Prairie Campground-between 1-2 PM.

J       1:00-2:00 Arrival. Eat lunch sack lunch you brought from home..

J       1:30-3:00 Set up camps, tents, gear, and kitchen. Everyone helps! Get acquainted with immediate campsites and restrooms.  Students are to use the buddy system for restrooms and are not allowed to ever leave the immediate area without an adult and the teachers' knowledge!

J       3:00-assemble together for pre-scavenger hunt conversation.  Field journals and writing utensils in hand.

J       3:15 Break into groups with an adult, go on hunt with field journals.

J       5:30-all groups need to be back.  Share some learning/clean up for dinner.

J       6-6:30  Dinner begins.  All students must be responsible for own eating utensils.  All students must be willing to help with community kitchen duties and are encouraged to offer their assistance. 

J       7:30- Walk to Amphitheater for evening of skits and song

J       9:00- return to camp for jammie and teeth time, get into tents for quiet time.

J       10:00 all quiet at camp-State Park Rules

Day 2:

J       7:00-7:30 Wake up time.

J       8:00 Breakfast

J       8:30-pack sack lunch in assembly line.  Get daypack filled for the day and dressed in hiking gear.

J       9:00- depart for 5 mile hike to Fern Canyon/parking lot picnic area

J       11:30-12:00 Arrive at parking lot for lunch.

J       1:00 Head back to Fern Canyon and walk up the canyon a bit.  The creek is running too fast to go too far, but we can enjoy the views without getting wet.

J       1:30-2:00 Depart for 5 mile return hike to campground.

J       4:30-5:00 Return to camp. 

J       5:00-5:30 Rest, Shower, General relax and cleanup before dinner time. 

J       5:30-6:30 Quiet time in tents filling out Field Journals

J       6:30-7:00 Dinner begins

J       7:30-7:45 Walk to Amphitheater for more plays, songs, and learning.

J       9:00- Return to camp for jammie and teeth time, get settled into tents for quiet time.

J       10:00 all quiet at camp-State Park Rules

Day 3:

J       7:00-7:30 Wake up time.

J       7:30-8:00 Breakfast

J       8:00-8:30 pack sack lunch in assembly line.

J       8:30-9:30 Pack personal gear, clean tent, and take down tent.  EVERYONE HELPS!

J       9:30-11:00 Groups go to visitor's center for souvenir shopping. 

J       11:00-11:15 Final check of campground, load into cars and check with Mr. Pembroke for final departure.

J       11:15 Drive North on Newton B. Drury Parkway one mile to take a picture with Big Tree. Mr. Pembroke will take all of these pictures.  I want to be last in line on the return drive.

J       11:45- Head for home.  Gas in Trinity right off freeway.  Lunch on the road.  Stop at the rest stops on 299 again for safety and bladder joy.

J       5:00-6:00 arrive at school.  Unload gear, call Mr. Pembroke on his cell so he can check off his list.