1. Westminster Woods
"It is an age when a ropes course and challenge games -- activities that promote teamwork and trust by forcing a group to work together on a common goal -- can change the way a child views his classmates and community."

2. WHAT is Westminster Woods?
The Challenge Course at Westminster Woods is a series of individual and group activities, called elements.  With over 30 elements on the Low Ropes Course and 13 High Ropes elements, the challenge course is quite extensive.  A Challenge Course day is engaging and active both physically and emotionally.  Students might balance on cables and platforms, strategize with teammates, climb trees and cargo nets, or swing, hang, and zip through the redwood canopy.  The experience is kinesthetic, cognitive, and a lot of fun!

3. EXAMPLES of FUN!

4. Team Work…

5. Whoa…

6. WHEN do we leave? DEPART MATHER HEIGHTS ELEMENTARY:
Wednesday, September 24, 2014
PROMPTLY at 7:00 am
RETURN TO MATHER HEIGHTS ELEMENTARY:
Friday, September 26, 2014
5:00 pm

7. WHERE is Westminster Woods?
6510 Bohemian Hwy.
Occidental, CA 
Telephone: (707)
Westminster Woods is located in the redwoods of western Sonoma County, near the Russian River and the Sonoma Coast.

9. WHY is this experience beneficial?
Experiential, memorable, and fun! 
Promotes leadership development, healthy risk taking, self- empowerment, or coping skills
Students gain a understanding of themselves and their fellow group members
Participants learn how to take healthy risks, learn new skills and dare to enter into challenging situations
Students will have an opportunity to reflect, interpret, and apply what they learned to their everyday life

10. WHO goes?? Academy 6th Grade Students Mrs. Nelson and Mrs. Galliano
A minimum number of chaperones- please speak with us if you are interested in attending as a chaperone
ALL chaperones MUST be TB tested and finger printed!
Family members/chaperones are NOT permitted to attend unless prior arrangements are made with Mrs. Nelson and Mrs. Galliano
**If a student chooses not to go, prior arrangements will be made with another teacher on the school site.

11. HOW much does it cost?
A LOT!  $265 per student (including bus/driver fees) However…
$4,500 grant has been awarded for the trip!
STUDENT DONATION REQUESTED: $140
Families may arrange to make payments… please speak with Mrs. Nelson or Mrs. Galliano for more info.

12. HOW can I help prepare my child?
Carefully look over the list of Items to Bring! Begin gathering them now to ensure you have everything you need prior to departure!
Thoroughly fill out permission slip and participation form: Due Friday, September 5th
Return payment & job log NO LATER THAN: Friday, September 12th
Talk with your child about any possible fears or uneasiness about being away from home overnight…let us know if there is anything we can do to help! 

13. FAQ’s: Is the Challenge Course safe?
Yes…Westminster Woods is an institutional member of the Association for Challenge Course Technology (ACCT), and follows ACCT industry standards.  ACCT is an internationally recognized industry leader in challenge course standards creation. 
Our course is inspected on a daily, monthly, and annual basis by trained on-site staff.  In addition, we hire a third-party ACCT vendor member to perform a complete annual inspection of our course and equipment.We are proud of the extensive training we provide our staff.  

14. WANT MORE INFORMATION? Visit: www.westminsterwoods.org
Please let Mrs. Nelson or Mrs. Galliano know if you would like more information not provided on their website… we would be happy to call the Challenge Course Director for you!

15. Good Times!

16. ANY questions/concerns?