Parent / Guardian Forms
Mailing Letters to your childUsing the Mailing Letter Instructions above (#4), you may send letters to the site they are attending. Please do not send “care packages” with food or candy to children at Outdoor School.
Please be cautious in the word choice in your letters. Sharing your feelings of sadness at their absence can spur homesickness in your child. Instead, focus on how much you are looking forward to hearing about their week at Outdoor School when they get home. Mail is distributed daily to students, but may take several days to reach the Outdoor School site from Portland, so please plan ahead. It is recommended that you mail the letter to your child by the Friday before your child attends Outdoor school. Letters sent to our main office in Hillsboro will not make it to your child. |
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What happens if my child gets hurt or ill at Outdoor School?
Every Outdoor School site has a licensed nurse to respond to illnesses and injuries. Nurses are on-site the entire time students are at Outdoor School. Additionally, every Outdoor School staff member is certified in first aid and CPR. In the unlikely event that your child becomes ill or is hurt, the nurse will contact the parents/ guardians as soon as possible.
Are Outdoor School staff trained in first aid and CPR?
Yes. Outdoor School requires every staff member to be certified in first aid and CPR. In addition, most staff members are trained to respond to severe allergic reactions.
What medicine should I pack for my child?
Every Outdoor School site maintains a supply of over-the-counter medications. If your child takes prescription medication, you will need to give their prescriptions to their teacher in the original container and include any special instructions on the student medical form. You will also fill out a Student Health History Form in English or a Student Health History Form in Spanish
Does the Outdoor School program accommodate children with special dietary, educational and/or medical needs?
Yes. Be sure to share any concerns about your child's participation at Outdoor School with your child's teacher. Teachers will share your child's needs with our staff (the site supervisor, the cook, and the nurse) at least two weeks before your child attends Outdoor School before they arrive. Sometimes, our cooks and nurses call parents to clarify any concerns relating to dietary, medical, and/or special needs.
What happens if my child gets homesick?
A little homesickness is very common at Outdoor School. Our staff and teachers work to keep children active and engaged in the activities at Outdoor School. Most homesickness fades away after the first night. To help prepare your child for success before their departure, encourage them to have a good time; and clarify that you want them to enjoy Outdoor School, build memories and return home with stories to tell them. For many students, this trip is their first extended period away from home. Reassuring your child about the fun you want them to have will decrease the likelihood of homesickness.
How are high school Student Leaders trained and selected?
Student Leaders (SL’s) must be in 10th, 11th, or 12th grade and in good academic standing to be eligible to volunteer at Outdoor School. SL’s are required to have approval from teachers, guidance counselors, and parents; they must also demonstrate responsibility, enthusiasm, and leadership skills. Student Leaders receive extensive hands-on, interactive training both in-town and on-site before the younger students arrive. Student Leaders work under close supervision of Outdoor School staff and classroom teachers.
Cabins & Bathrooms: Who will share my child's cabin? Are the restrooms private?
Students stay in cabins with typically 8 to 12 other students, and a Student Leader. Teachers make cabin groupings prior to arriving at Outdoor School. Bathrooms are either in the cabin or in a nearby building and are furnished with flush toilets, sinks and showers with hot water. Bathrooms are equipped with single-stall toilets and showers. If the student’s cabin and bathroom assignment does not meet the student’s comfort level, ODS staff will work with the parent to create a solution that ensures student safety and comfort.
Are the cabins heated?
Yes. All cabins at Outdoor School are weatherized and heated. Students sleep on bunk beds with mattresses.
What is the weather going to be like at Outdoor School?
The weather at Outdoor School sites is quite variable. Temperatures at Outdoor School are often a bit cooler and with more precipitation than in neighboring towns. Students should come prepared for any kind of weather. Students need to bring warm clothing and rain gear with them but every Outdoor School site has rain ponchos and warm coats that students can borrow.
What should my child pack for Outdoor School?
These are our recommended packing lists: Packing List - English and Packing List - Spanish
Please bring older clothing and equipment that you already have around your home. There is no need to buy new items. Be sure to pack enough clothes for your child to layer and to change if they get wet. Choosing fleece (or another warm, quick-dry fabric) is better than cotton, which takes much longer to dry once wet. Please pack your gear in a suitcase or duffel bag. Do not bring a large backpack with an external frame. We recommend you mark your first & last name on ALL of your items with a permanent marker. Please leave all valuable items at home.
Where and when will my child be attending Outdoor School?
NW Outdoor Science School is one of many Outdoor School providers in the state. Please ask your teacher or school when you will be attending Outdoor School. The Fall Session (Oct - Nov) schedule is released at the beginning of the school year. The Spring Session (March - June) is typically released before November.
How much does Outdoor School cost?
Northwest Outdoor Science School is a program of NWRESD. Outdoor School is free for students enrolled in an Oregon public or charter school because of Measure 99 and the Outdoor School Bill.
Every Outdoor School site has a licensed nurse to respond to illnesses and injuries. Nurses are on-site the entire time students are at Outdoor School. Additionally, every Outdoor School staff member is certified in first aid and CPR. In the unlikely event that your child becomes ill or is hurt, the nurse will contact the parents/ guardians as soon as possible.
Are Outdoor School staff trained in first aid and CPR?
Yes. Outdoor School requires every staff member to be certified in first aid and CPR. In addition, most staff members are trained to respond to severe allergic reactions.
What medicine should I pack for my child?
Every Outdoor School site maintains a supply of over-the-counter medications. If your child takes prescription medication, you will need to give their prescriptions to their teacher in the original container and include any special instructions on the student medical form. You will also fill out a Student Health History Form in English or a Student Health History Form in Spanish
Does the Outdoor School program accommodate children with special dietary, educational and/or medical needs?
Yes. Be sure to share any concerns about your child's participation at Outdoor School with your child's teacher. Teachers will share your child's needs with our staff (the site supervisor, the cook, and the nurse) at least two weeks before your child attends Outdoor School before they arrive. Sometimes, our cooks and nurses call parents to clarify any concerns relating to dietary, medical, and/or special needs.
What happens if my child gets homesick?
A little homesickness is very common at Outdoor School. Our staff and teachers work to keep children active and engaged in the activities at Outdoor School. Most homesickness fades away after the first night. To help prepare your child for success before their departure, encourage them to have a good time; and clarify that you want them to enjoy Outdoor School, build memories and return home with stories to tell them. For many students, this trip is their first extended period away from home. Reassuring your child about the fun you want them to have will decrease the likelihood of homesickness.
How are high school Student Leaders trained and selected?
Student Leaders (SL’s) must be in 10th, 11th, or 12th grade and in good academic standing to be eligible to volunteer at Outdoor School. SL’s are required to have approval from teachers, guidance counselors, and parents; they must also demonstrate responsibility, enthusiasm, and leadership skills. Student Leaders receive extensive hands-on, interactive training both in-town and on-site before the younger students arrive. Student Leaders work under close supervision of Outdoor School staff and classroom teachers.
Cabins & Bathrooms: Who will share my child's cabin? Are the restrooms private?
Students stay in cabins with typically 8 to 12 other students, and a Student Leader. Teachers make cabin groupings prior to arriving at Outdoor School. Bathrooms are either in the cabin or in a nearby building and are furnished with flush toilets, sinks and showers with hot water. Bathrooms are equipped with single-stall toilets and showers. If the student’s cabin and bathroom assignment does not meet the student’s comfort level, ODS staff will work with the parent to create a solution that ensures student safety and comfort.
Are the cabins heated?
Yes. All cabins at Outdoor School are weatherized and heated. Students sleep on bunk beds with mattresses.
What is the weather going to be like at Outdoor School?
The weather at Outdoor School sites is quite variable. Temperatures at Outdoor School are often a bit cooler and with more precipitation than in neighboring towns. Students should come prepared for any kind of weather. Students need to bring warm clothing and rain gear with them but every Outdoor School site has rain ponchos and warm coats that students can borrow.
What should my child pack for Outdoor School?
These are our recommended packing lists: Packing List - English and Packing List - Spanish
Please bring older clothing and equipment that you already have around your home. There is no need to buy new items. Be sure to pack enough clothes for your child to layer and to change if they get wet. Choosing fleece (or another warm, quick-dry fabric) is better than cotton, which takes much longer to dry once wet. Please pack your gear in a suitcase or duffel bag. Do not bring a large backpack with an external frame. We recommend you mark your first & last name on ALL of your items with a permanent marker. Please leave all valuable items at home.
Where and when will my child be attending Outdoor School?
NW Outdoor Science School is one of many Outdoor School providers in the state. Please ask your teacher or school when you will be attending Outdoor School. The Fall Session (Oct - Nov) schedule is released at the beginning of the school year. The Spring Session (March - June) is typically released before November.
How much does Outdoor School cost?
Northwest Outdoor Science School is a program of NWRESD. Outdoor School is free for students enrolled in an Oregon public or charter school because of Measure 99 and the Outdoor School Bill.