Tuesday – Thursday March 29 – 31, 2016

Facility Bunkhouses sleep between 12 and 24 same- gender individuals each Each bunkhouse is supervised by 2 or more Parent Chaperones from our school Rooms are climate-controlled and equipped with a restroom Additional shower houses are available for student use

Facility Visiting teachers stay in separate, centrally located accommodations Aside from the bunkhouses & a small clubhouse, all teaching & meeting areas are outdoors, or under covered outdoor areas

Weather Students attending in winter months should be prepared for inclement weather. Average daily high temperature in March is 63° Average daily low temperature is 43° Average rainfall is 5.81” Layered clothing will work well to accommodate cool mornings and warmer afternoons.

Student Supervision All students are supervised 24 hours a day by either the Outdoor School teaching staff, classroom teachers, and/or trained Parent Chaperones from our school. The adult/student ratios are 1:5 during the day and 1:8 at night. All chaperones and teachers will be oriented to emergency policy and procedures upon arrival at CODS.

Sharing the Experience There may be other schools at CODS with us. Schools will remain independent for the small learning groups during the day and for sleeping accommodations. Schools will be integrated during meals, recreation periods, and the evening program.

Frequently Asked Student Questions We expect our inquiring students will be filled with questions. Some of them may include the following:

Is there poison oak? The hiking trails in the state park are the only place where a student might find poison oak. For this reason, CODS requests that students hike in long pants. The students will learn about both helpful and harmful plants along the trail.

Will I find real gold? There IS real gold in that pay dirt, but it’s up to the students to find it! CODS will give them the gold vial and wish them good luck!

Is there any free time? Yes! During free time (after breakfast and dinner) students may choose from gold panning, playground (horseshoes, basketball, jump ropes and hula-hoops) or quiet games (cards & checkers). Free time will be supervised.

Will I see wild animals? Maybe. CODS shares their campus with many foothill critters, including deer, squirrels, raccoons, frogs, foxes, snakes, and hawks. Your best chance to see wildlife is on the journey through the State Park.

Will I get to shower? Yes, but only once and on the second day. At CODS, students wear their swimsuits and take 1-minute showers. If it’s cold, we don’t recommend washing your hair.

Student Expectations Demonstrate respect for nature, self, community members, the facility, and leaders. Be an inquirer. See how much you can learn! Be a risk-taker. Challenge yourself to try new experiences. Be open-minded. See how much fun you can have learning about our State’s past outside the classroom!

More Information If you need to contact us at CODS in the event of an emergency at home, please call the CODS office at (530) , x308. For more information, please visit the CODS website at