THE MISSION AND VISION OF BRANCHES OUTDOOR SCHOOL
In addition to the mission and values presented by Camp Lutherwood Oregon, which you can explore on our About page HERE, we have a few Branches Outdoor School-centric ideals that pertain to our program.
THE THREE RESPECTS
During their trip with us, students are expected to follow the Three Respects that we observe here at camp.
RESPECT THE ENVIRONMENT
We consider every space here on camp its own environment. If we’re walking around the trails we’re going to follow the principles of “Leave No Trace” and leave wildlife be as they are. If we are inside a building, whether it’s for meals or sleeping, we make sure to keep the building clean and do our best not to cause damage to property or materials.
RESPECT EACH OTHER
We are always looking out for our peers here at Branches Outdoor School, so we want to be mindful of everyone and their boundaries. We are considerate of people’s personal space and property, culture and lifestyles, and identity.
RESPECT YOURSELF
We want to make sure you are having the best trip possible, and a big factor in that can be whether or not you are taking care of yourself. We are always moving, so we need to make sure we are drinking enough water and filling our tanks at the dining hall. We have some pretty long days, so getting an appropriate amount of sleep is incredibly important. These are just a few of the things you can do to keep yourself in tip-top shape during your trip with us.
THE MISSION
Branches Outdoor School is an opportunity for every student in Oregon to discover and engage in nature with their peers, and to grow through our program.
OUR VALUES
- To be a welcoming community for people of all ages, abilities, faith experience, race, ethnicity, immigration status, financial capacity, gender identity, sexual expression, and sexual orientation
- Equitable access and diversity of outdoor learning
- Balancing play and discovery with reflection and restoration
- Responsible, accountable stewardship of our land, facilities, and resources
- Open space for learning and exploration of the natural world
- Fun, play, and laughter
- Creating lasting memories and positive relationships with peers, nature, and learning itself
EXPECTATIONS
In order for everyone to have the best experience possible, we like to outline our expectations of both the school and us as a provider. This way, there is a clear image of what both parties need and we can help each other to create a fantastic experience for the students.
EXPECTATIONS OF BRANCHES OUTDOOR SCHOOL
Pre-Trip:
- Providing transportation for all student participants and school personnel.
- Printing and distributing information to students and families in advance of the Branches Outdoor School program.
- Arranging interpretation and translation services to ensure every family and/or student has Branches Outdoor School information in their primary or preferred language or reading system.
- Providing school-produced liability waivers, permission, photo release, and health forms for students.
- Filling out your pre-trip information such as Cabin/Trail Groups, dietary restrictions, etc.
Supervision:
- Obtaining/screening all adults for your trip, we require an adult-to-student ratio of 1:10.
- Student supervision post-evening activity up until breakfast.
Medical:
- Collecting all student medication in their original containers.
- Provide a designated nurse/first-aid provider. This person will be responsible for the distribution of medications, contacting guardians in case of any illness or emergencies, and addressing any minor ailments.
Payments:
- Once your trip has been organized with us we will send you a Service Agreement, this must be signed and your deposit must be made by the designated date or your reservation will be under threat of cancellation.
- Any changes to your Agreement (participant numbers, arrival/departure date, etc.) must be made 3 weeks prior to your arrival.
Food:
- You will need to bring any snacks your students might require (these can be reimbursed through outdoor school funding)
EXPECTATIONS OF BRANCHES OUTDOOR SCHOOL
Pre-Trip:
- In-person or virtual school visits to provide information for families and answer any standing questions they may have.
- Coordination of outdoor school logistics and programming that includes field studies, recreation time, evening activities, and daily meals.
Supervision:
- We will provide staffing for all activities during the day. They will lead all lessons and evening activities.
Medical:
- We will have first-aid supplies and a place to keep medications securely locked.
- All staff are First-Aid/CPR trained in case of extreme emergencies.
Food:
- All meals are provided as a part of your trip.
- Alternate choices that cover all provided dietary restrictions.