Heartland Outdoor Environmental School
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions
- 1. HOW ARE CABIN LEADERS SELECTED?
- 2. HOW ARE CABINS ASSIGNED?
- 3. DO GIRLS AND BOYS STAY IN THE SAME AREA?
- 4. IS THERE SECURITY THAT PATROLS THE AREA AT NIGHT?
- 5. WHAT KIND OF DOWN TIME DO THE CAMPERS HAVE?
- 6. WHAT TYPES OF MEALS ARE SERVED?
- 7. WHAT IF MY CHILD DOES NOT LIKE WHAT IS BEING SERVED OR IS A VEGETARIAN?
- 8. WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO LABEL THEIR BELONGINGS?
- 9. WHAT DOES A TYPICAL DAY LOOK LIKE?
- 10. WHAT TYPES OF CLASSES WILL THEY BE ATTENDING?
1. HOW ARE CABIN LEADERS SELECTED?
The cabin leaders are selected by a school representative and all screening is done by the school.
Cabins are assigned by the teachers and they typically make sure that your child is with at least one friend.
3. DO GIRLS AND BOYS STAY IN THE SAME AREA?
No. There are separate dorms for each gender.
4. IS THERE SECURITY THAT PATROLS THE AREA AT NIGHT?
There are several resident staff that live on the grounds and help maintain a secure campground. If someone comes onto the grounds who is not recognized by any of those families, the men check out who he/she is and take appropriate action.
5. WHAT KIND OF DOWN TIME DO THE CAMPERS HAVE?
We fill their day and allow for very little down time. After dinner the campers have a little time just to hang out in their cabins or play a game as a small group. The general rule is that if the camper is not with an adult, they are in the wrong place.
6. WHAT TYPES OF MEALS ARE SERVED?
Our meals are served with 5th and 6th graders in mind. The teachers have been given a list of sample meals served which they can share with you. There is cereal at every breakfast and a fruit and salad bar at lunch and dinner.
7. WHAT IF MY CHILD DOES NOT LIKE WHAT IS BEING SERVED OR IS A VEGETARIAN?
If your child does not like what we are eating we will find something for them. If your child is a vegetarian, please make sure that the teachers inform us 2 weeks in advance so that we can have vegetarian options available.
8. WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO LABEL THEIR BELONGINGS?
The best thing to do is to write on the tag of clothing with a permanent marker. For other items such as cameras, flashlights, please write your childs name with a permanent marker on an area that is visible. If they pack their sleeping bag/blankets in a plastic garbage bag, make sure that it is clearly labeled and/or decorated so they can locate it easily. Pack an extra bag for them to store their sleeping bag/blankets for the trip home since the first one usually tears on the first day.
9. WHAT DOES A TYPICAL DAY LOOK pKE?
The campers wake up about 6:45 a.m. and get ready for the day. They also have to clean their cabins before flag raising at 7:45 a.m. They eat breakfast and then go to two classes before lunch. After lunch at 12:00 p.m. they go to two more classes. After the second class in the afternoon, the campers have afternoon activity time where they pick from a variety of activities led by the staff. Dinner is served at 5:30 p.m., followed by an evening program which may include Campfire, Relays, Wacky Olympics, Skit Night, or Square Dance. Campers return to the cabins at 9:00 p.m. to get ready for bed; lights out is at 10:00 p.m. The Heartland staff will rove the cabin area around that time to make sure that everyone is quiet for the night.
10. WHAT TYPES OF CLASSES WILL THEY BE ATTENDING?
The classes are not typical school classes. Teachers select the classes from among a variety of science-based and team-building class options. Some of the most popular options include Reptiles and Amphibians, Aquatic Ecosystems, Team Challenge, Wilderness Survival, Mammals, and Birds.
