1. Parent Information Meeting

2.  Students should arrive at school by 7:30AM.  Students should report to the East side of Stinson Field (near Key Street) with all of their necessary items.  Buses are limited in space. Pack lightly.  Duffle bags are preferred.  Pack bedding into luggage or in a labeled trash bag.  Be sure all bags and pieces of clothing are labeled with your child’s first and last name.

3.  Location- Nestled in the piney woods of East Texas in Van, TX  903-266-3300- use only for emergencies

4.  Students are assigned cabins with at least 2-3 chaperones in each cabin. Roommate requests are accommodated as much as possible.  Students will be in mixed-advisory cabins to encourage new friendships and team building.  Each cabin is equipped with beds, showers, and restrooms. Separate cabins for boys and girls.

5. TIMEDAY 1DAY 2DAY 3 7:00-9:00Wake up Breakfast Wake up Breakfast 9:00-12:00Arrive at Sky Ranch Class 2Class 4 12:00-12:30Lunch 1:00-4:00Class 1Class 3Depart for MIS 4:15-6:15Rec Time 6:15-6:45Dinner 6:45-9:00Clue/GamesCampfire 9:00-10:00Ready for bed Lights out Ready for bed Lights out

6.  We will provide alternative (Sky Ranch-like) activities for those students not attending Sky Ranch.  Your child will be counted absent if they do not attend school on “camp” days. Please inform the office if your child is sick.

7.  Limnology- aquatic study of freshwater  Challenges- Team building activities involving communication, trust and cooperation  Orienteering- Teams practice orienteering skills by learning Geomatics and using GPS  Forces in Nature- Learning about gravity and friction and how nature changes our environment

8.  Open rec time- field games, zip lines, water slides, etc.  Team games  Campfires- skits, songs, and more

9.  Students will travel with mixed advisory learning groups as they participate in sessions.  12-17 students per group  Learning groups are led by experienced counselors.  Teachers and parent chaperones will be accompanying the students.

10.  We need approximately 6 moms and 6 dads per team depending on class sizes. More is better!  Chaperones can sign up tonight or with advisory teachers  By Friday for Chiefs, Patriots, and Team Genius  By October 7 th for Olympians, Superstars, and Titans  Chaperones that need to attend due to medical necessity must be included on sign-up form.  Chaperones are required to attend an additional chaperone meeting. Meeting times and location to be announced.  Responsibilities include supervision in classes, cabins, mealtimes, and bed time.  Must have ALREADY completed criminal history background check.  Cost approximately $100 depending on numbers

11.  Payment $195 per child (if not already paid online)  Checks should be made out to MIS and returned to student’s advisory teacher.  District Health History Form  Sky Ranch Participant Agreement  Medication Form (only if needed-available online)  Form and payment due dates:  Chiefs and Patriots: September 12  Team Genius: September 16  Olympians, Superstars, Titans: October 3  Due to time constraints, no late payment will be accepted

12.  Authorized HPISD staff will assist in the administration of medications to students while at camp in accordance with HPISD medication guidelines and board policy.  Guidelines will be sent home in communication folders.  Please review these guidelines carefully if your child will require medication at camp.  If you have questions, contact your child’s advisory teacher or the nurse.

13.  Detailed packing lists will be sent home. Some items include:  Sleeping bag/sheets and blanket  Pillow and pillow case  Towels  Appropriate clothing (weather)  Swimsuit with swim shirt (t-shirt)  Toiletries  Watch  Backpack  Flashlight  Sunscreen and bug repellant  Refillable water bottle  Camera (disposable preferred)  $$$ for snacks and gift shop (no more than $40)  Please label EVERYTHING

14.  Electronics, cell phones, eReaders, iPads, iPods  Valuables or breakable items  Prank materials

15.  Students are expected to follow all school rules and camp rules.  Parents of students who fail to follow directions will be called to come pick up their child from the camp.

16.  Teachers will post information about our adventures on @SkyRanchMIS2013.  Instructions will be sent home to create accounts.  Tweets will be protected, so only approved followers can see images and tweets.  If your name is different than your child’s, send us a message with your twitter name so that we can identify you.

17.  Food is served family-style.  Kid-friendly menus  Salad bar is available at each meal.  Dietary needs are addressed.  Please let your child’s advisory teacher know through e-mail about any food allergies or other dietary restrictions.

18.  Our estimated time of arrival back to MIS is 2:30-3:00 pm  We will update twitter with more precise arrival times, so please check periodically.  Students may be picked up from school after being signed out with advisory teacher.  We must have written notice if your child is going home with another adult.  Pick-up location will also be on Stinson Field near Key street.