6th Grade Camp Information

This year your child will have the opportunity to participate in the Sixth Grade Outdoor Education Program at Camp Cuyamaca. All sixth-grade classes will be going to camp the week of March 10th - March 14th. The cost of the five-day camp is $455.00, which includes transportation to and from camp, food, lodging, and medical insurance. There is a limited number of openings. Students will be admitted in the order their completed forms and payment are received.

Since camp activities directly correlate with 6th grade curriculum standards, we strongly encourage all students to attend; however, participation is not mandatory. Students not attending camp are required to attend school and will participate in a sixth grade "Campus Camp" at Black Mountain Middle School for the week.

All required registration forms are in a packet of information were distributed to all 6th grade students in October. PLEASE NOTE: Whether or not your child is going to camp, the (pink form) "Student Registration and Health Form" must be returned to school. The pink registration holds your child's spot to attend camp. Spots are limited. Please return by November 20, 2024.

Not attending: If your child is not attending, write their name, place an "x" across the front of the form, and "not attending" on the form, including their name and teacher's name. No other information is needed, if they are not attending.

The Medication Authorization form is to be turned in with your child's medication by March 6th. The Health Office will accept the medication form and medication from March3rd-March 7th, during school hours 7:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Forms and payments can be turned into the front office.

Forms:

• Camp forms distributed to all 6th grade students October 2024.
• Campership Applications due on or before January 23, 2025.
• ALL FORMS due January 23, 2025.

You may pay the fee in full of $455.00 by January 23rd, or in two installments of $227.50, or in four installments of $113.75.

The due dates for the installment payments are:

• 1st installment October 31, 2024
• 2nd installment November 20, 2024
• 3rd installment December 18, 2024
• 4th installment January 23, 2025

Cash or checks are accepted for payment.

Checks should be made payable to Black Mountain Middle School. In the memo line please reference 6th grade camp, your child's name, and their Science teacher's last name.

All cash payments are to be processed in the front office; a receipt will be issued. Please have your child come to the office in the morning before school starts, if paying by cash.

If the cost of camp presents a significant financial hardship for your family, a limited number of partial scholarships may be available. For further information regarding scholarships, please email the School Administrative Assistant, Monique Cordeau at mcordeau@powayusd.com.

Additional information outlining times and procedures for students' departure to camp, as well as their return to school, will be sent home the week of February 26th.

Arrangements and Safety

Where is the camp located?

Cuyamaca Outdoor School is located at 12561 Hwy. 79, Descanso, CA 91916, in the middle of the beautiful 25,000-acre Cuyamaca Rancho State Park. We have miles and miles of trails that the students can experience ‒ right from our 25-acre campus. Cuyamaca Outdoor School has been on the same site since 1946. Luckily, the buildings are newer than

that! Over the years, we have upgraded our sleeping facilities and in 2010, we built Fox Lodge.

Who are your staff and what are your staff requirements?

Our staff members work for the San Diego County Office of Education. All employees go through the employment protocols required by SDCOE, in addition to fingerprinting, CPR/First Aid certification, and a TB test. All of our instructors have degrees, many in science-related fields. Some staff have worked here more than 25 years!

In addition to our program staff, we have maintenance, custodial, and kitchen staff, including two cooks, four food service workers, and a Child Nutrition Supervisor. Every week we get rave reviews from students and visiting teachers about the quality of our food and the care that they get from our kitchen staff.

Is there a full-time nurse present while children are attending Cuyamaca Outdoor School?

A registered nurse and a health technician are in the Health Center during the day. A health technician is available all night to address students’ needs. We are equipped for emergencies with an AED, an oxygen tank, and medical supplies.

What are the housing arrangements at camp?

Cuyamaca Outdoor School has three villages, Oak, Pine, and Cedar that each have one cabin for girls and one for boys that each sleep up to 72 students. Students are arranged by gender. Each village is supervised by a credentialed head teacher, along with eight outdoor education specialists, who hike with, teach, and mentor the students. An outdoor education specialist and a camp counselor supervise their cabin during the day. A cabin leader spends all four nights with their cabin.

What are the cabinslike inside?

Four “dens” open into a large center room. Each den has nine bunk beds for a total of up to 18 students per den. All of the cabins have heat, drinking fountains, door locks, intercom phones, and alarms on the exterior doors (for sleepwalkers). There are two bathrooms per cabin. Each bathroom has three sinks, three restroom stalls, and three showers, including one ADA accessible toilet stall and shower per cabin. There are also bathrooms and drinking

fountains in the lodge, assembly halls, health center, and dining hall.

What are the shower arrangements?

There are individual shower stalls with curtains for privacy. The students take showers Tuesday through Thursday in the afternoon. The showers are two minutes long. Yes, only two minutes long! We recommend you have your child practice taking short showers and changing their clothes discreetly (e.g., like at the beach, under a big towel) before

arriving at camp.

Bring These Items

Label all items with your child’s name (this cannot be stressed enough), Label, label, label, and label everything.

Please use this list when packing the items your child will need for their outdoor school experience.

1. Pack everything your child brings in one suitcase or duffle bag, plus one bedroll. Please, do not tie the items to one another.

2. Weather at Cuyamaca can vary greatly. Items listed below with an asterisk (*) are absolutely necessary.

3. Please do not purchase new clothing unless it is needed. Comfortable, old clothing is fine.

4. Bunk beds and mattresses are provided in heated cabins. A lightweight sleeping bag will suffice.

5. Stamps are not available at the site. Please pack stamped, pre-addressed postcards or envelopes. A letter from home can also be sent if you submit to our front office by 3:00pm, Tuesday, March 5th. When our Administrator goes up to camp for a visit, they will take the letters with them.

Printable Packing List (PDF)

Bedding & Linens

*(1) Sleeping bag OR (2-4) blankets and sheets

*(1) Pillow

*(2) Bath towels - large (2) Washcloths for washing face Toiletries

*(1) Toothbrush & Toothpaste

*(1) Bar Soap - in plastic container

*(1) Comb or brush

*(1) Tissue packet

*(1) Chapstick

*(1) Shampoo - unscented

*(1) Sunscreen - unscented lotion only

Clothing

*(1) Heavy jacket

*(1) Heavy sweatshirt

*(2 pair) Tennis or hiking shoes

*(4 pair) Long pants

*(4) T-shirts

*(4) Long-sleeved shirts

*(4) Underwear

*(6-8 pair) Socks

*(1) Pajamas

(1) Bathrobe

(1 pair) Shower sandals

(1) Hat or cap

(1) Belt

Equipment

*(1) Water bottle with a strap (or hydration backpack)

(1) Camera (disposable)

(1-2) Laundry bag

(1) Leisure reading book

(1 pair) Earplugs for light sleepers

Stamped, pre-addressed postcards

Winter Items (November-April)

*(1 pair) Rain boots OR (6) Plastic bags to go over socks and inside shoes

*(1) Raincoat with hood, or rain poncho

*(2 pair) Gloves or mittens

*(1) Beanie

(1) Scarf

Fragrance-Free Campus

Out of concern for persons with asthma, allergies, and other respiratory problems, perfumes, colognes, essential oils, other scented products, and all aerosol spray products are prohibited.

Warm Weather Months

*(4) Short-sleeved shirts

*(1) Light jacket or hoodie sweatshirt

(2) Shorts (worn on campus only)

Don't bring the items listed below:

Items on this list will be confiscated and given to a staff member from your school.

• Cell phone (there’s no cell service)

• Candy, gum, snacks, or food of any kind

• Flashlights

• Knives, hatchets, other weapons

• Matches, lighters, or fire starters

• Hair dryers or curling irons

• Makeup

• Money

• Personal electronic devices, such as games and media players

• Jewelry or watches

• Expensive cameras

• Aerosol sprays

Cuyamaca Outdoor School is not responsible for lost, damaged, or stolen property. Please leave valuable items at home.

Important Note: Cuyamaca Outdoor School is a fragrance-free and nut-free campus

Out of concern for persons with asthma, allergies, and other respiratory problems, perfumes, colognes, essential oils, other scented products, and all aerosol spray products are prohibited. Additionally, all products containing nuts (of any kind) or sesame seeds are strictly prohibited from all areas of the campus, including staff and adult housing areas.

Special Dietary Needs & Allergies at Cuyamaca Outdoor School

How can I prepare my child for a successful week at camp? We eat regular “family style” meals with ample helpings of food. Students practice good table manners, passing serving dishes, and using utensils to serve food. Encourage your child to try new or unfamiliar foods while at camp. Dining is part of the camp experience and a chance to practice our ICARE philosophy. Please do not send extra food (see question #4). If you have a picky eater, please review the menu with your child and develop a plan based on what your child will eat, not what they won’t. Contact the Child Nutrition Supervisor for the current menu and help with a meal plan.

My child has a special dietary need or allergy, what do I need to do? A pink Student Registration & Health Form must be completed for each attending student. Please indicate specific conditions, allergies, and dietary preferences (e.g., vegetarian, no pork, diabetes) on that form. If your child has a medically certified disability which requires special meal accommodations, the State requires that a Medical Statement to Request Special Meals and/or Accommodations that includes the most current diet orders be completed and signed by a licensed physician. Disabilities as defined by the “Americans with Disabilities Act” include metabolic diseases, food anaphylaxis, mental retardation, emotional illness, autism, speech, language and/or visual impairments, etc. We make every effort to accommodate medically necessary dietary needs. Please contact the Child Nutrition Supervisor prior to your child’s encampment to arrange necessary meal accommodations.

How is cross-contamination handled in the kitchen? We are a peanut and tree nut-free campus. We do not prepare or serve peanuts or tree nuts, including coconut. Our kitchen has dedicated space for the preparation of special meals to prevent cross-contamination. We use the Allergen “Saf-T-Zone” System (dedicated cutting board, knives, tongs, spatulas, and thermometer) for the preparation of special meals. The kitchen staff has extensive training on avoiding cross-contamination and SOP manuals and materials from the Food & Allergy Anaphylaxis Network on hand for reference.

Can I send food to camp for my child who has special dietary needs? Our policy is that NO food may be sent to camp. This is for multiple reasons: cross-contamination hazards, allergies, the presence of wildlife, and State and Federal regulations dictating that all food served be supplied by commercial sources. Students with special diets (e.g. gluten-free, vegetarian) receive instructions prior to their first meal from the Child Nutrition Supervisor, on how to receive their special meals for the week.

What substitutions and brands are available for students with Celiac disease? We do not make gluten free accommodations for dietary preferences, only for a medically diagnosed condition, in compliance with Child Nutrition guidelines. A Medical Statement to Request Special Meals and/or Accommodations must be provided to camp for us to make gluten-free food substitutions. A gluten-free menu is made available for students with Celiac disease. Items our kitchen uses include; Udi’s bread, Ener-G, Glutino snacks, Enjoy Life cookies, and Schar pasta. We also make gluten-free rice flour pancakes from scratch.

What dairy substitutions are available? We offer soy milk and Daiya dairy-free cheese as dairy substitutes. With notice, we may be able to provide rice milk. No nut milks are allowed due to our nut-free campus environment.

Use the pink Student Registration & Health Form to communicate health concerns and relevant information. Review the form for accuracy - the more we know, the better we can support your child. If your child’s health changes after submitting the form, please contact Cuyamaca. Once we receive health forms, we may contact you for clarification. During camp, we call immediately if your child becomes seriously ill or injured. We need to be able to reach you by phone while your child is at Cuyamaca.

• Illness: If your child is sick, please keep them at home. They must be free of fever and vomiting for 24 hours before arrival. You may send your child up later in the week when they are well.

• Medication at camp: We must have a Medication Authorization Form signed by a California M.D., P.A., or N.P. for all prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medication - no other practitioners are accepted. This is required for cold medications, nasal sprays, ointments, vitamins, homeopathic remedies, herbals, etc. No medication may be added to the form once signed by the physician. - EXCEPTION: If the OTC medication is listed on the back of the pink Student Registration & Health Form, then just check 'Yes' for permission to administer from the camp supply.

• Handling of medication: All medication must be in the original containers.
• No baggies, pill boxes, or pills mixed in a single bottle.
• Do not send any medication in luggage. All unauthorized medication will be returned to the school.
• We cannot accept or administer any international medication.

Mobility Issues: Crutches are not allowed at Cuyamaca. Please call to discuss options.

Trail Safety: We have poison oak and stinging nettle at camp. For student safety and comfort, we require long pants on trails and recommend more than one pair. Capris and leggings are not appropriate for hiking.

1. My child has asthma and needs to carry his inhaler at all times. Is that okay?

We do not allow students to carry inhalers. When students are on campus, their inhalers are available in the Health Center. When off-campus, our staff will carry, make available, and monitor medications for their students. If a student submits written physician-authorized permission to carry, two inhalers must be sent in case one is lost.

2. My child needs an EpiPen for her allergy, how is that handled at camp?

Prescribed epinephrine auto-injectors are kept in the Health Center when students are on campus. When off-campus, our staff will carry all prescribed, emergency medication labelled with the student’s name, allergy, and course of treatment. All staff are trained in the use of auto-injectors.

3. My child has issues with bedwetting and is afraid others will find out. What are your procedures?

Please note this issue on the pink Student Registration & Health Form. We ask these students to select a bottom bunk. Cabin leaders can then easily wake them at specified times to use the toilet. Some students put on pull-ups in their sleeping bag and wake early to dispose of them, while others take medication before bed. If an accident occurs, your student must let the cabin leader know. After taking the group to breakfast, the cabin leader will have the soiled bedding laundered and replaced on the bed. We are discreet in all communications and procedures.

4. My child has never spent a night away from home. Can he call home if he gets homesick?

Have some practice sleepovers at a trusted friend or relative’s home. Pack a personal item from home like a stuffed animal and include positive and upbeat notes. Avoid telling your child that you will pick them up if they get homesick, as they may then give up too easily. We ask homesick children to talk with their teacher and read letters from other students who survived homesickness while at camp. We do not have them call home on the first night. If their anxiety continues, we call parents and develop a plan that may include a call with the child.

Camp Cuyamaca Health Office:

Phone: 760-765-4110 FAX: 760-765-3001

Instructions for Completing Medication Authorization Form

All prescription and over-the counter medications are kept locked in the health center and will be administered only as authorized by the parent and child’s Recognized Medical Authority*. Important: We cannot administer any medication you send for your child without this signed form.

Steps to complete the Medication Authorization Form:

1. Medication must be prescribed by a Recognized Medical Authority*. International medications, including those from Mexico or authorizations from Mexican physicians are not allowed by law.

2. Prescription medication must be provided in the original container labeled by a California pharmacist; non-prescription medication must be provided in the original container.

3. All medication, both prescription and non-prescription, requires a signature, medical license number, and complete, legible instructions from a Recognized Medical Authority*. Homeopathics, herbals, vitamins, and supplements all require a completed and signed medical authorization form.

4. Verify that all medications are properly labeled: a. Medications are in their original containers b. Prescription medications are properly labeled by the California pharmacy, including:

1) Student’s name (prescription must be for the student only, no other name will be accepted) 2) Medication name

3) Precise dosage instructions, quantity, and frequency

4) Prescribing authority’s* name

5) School initials. Example: “Twin Peaks” is TP c. Non-prescription medications are properly labeled, including:

1) Manufacturer’s label with the medication name, dosage, and instructions

2) Child’s name (first, last, and initial) and the school’s initials.

Example: Amanda C. Garcia (TP) d. Spanish labels must be translated to English on the Authorization Form e. Medications may not be expired.

5. Fold this form and place it in a zip-lock baggie with all the medications (both prescription and nonprescription in original containers) and forward the bag to your child’s school 3 weeks before your child visits camp.

a. Label the baggie with your child’s full name and school initials (use masking tape).

b. DO NOT send any medication to the site in your child’s suitcase.

Thank you for your cooperation and your time in completing this form. This is important information that will help make your child’s experience safe and enjoyable!

If you have any questions regarding your child’s medication or these instructions, please contact your school or the nurse at Cuyamaca Outdoor School: (760) 765-4110 or FAX: (760) 765-3001.

* Physician, Physician Assistant, or Nurse Practitioner licensed to practice in the State of California

Homesickness is a form of separation anxiety normally experienced by children (and often grownups) when they’re away from home for extended periods. It’s especially common for those with little or no previous experience being away from home. One study showed that nearly 96% of children who spent time away at a camp reported feeling some degree of homesickness during their stay. Homesickness is completely normal!

We’ve prepared some coping strategies to help students and parents deal with homesickness. Sure, they’ll miss home, but they’ll be prepared if and when it occurs. Overcoming a bout of homesickness can do wonders for a child’s self‐esteem and independence. Cuyamaca Outdoor School is truly a classroom for life’s lessons.

DO'S:

• Educate your child. Explain that everyone misses something about home when they are away. Tell them that homesickness is normal and that it means that there are a lot of things about home that they love.
• Talk to your child about their upcoming trip. Ask them to imagine how it might feel to be away from home/parents, to meet new people, to hike on a trail out in nature, to sleep in a cabin with other students, to eat three meals a day in a dining hall, to use school restrooms all week, etc.
• The idea of showering in the cabin may cause anxiety for some children. Remind your child that they will have access to an individual shower stall with a curtain for privacy. Explain that they will not have to undress completely in front of others. Have them practice getting undressed and dressed while wrapped in a towel or bathrobe. Assist them with securing a towel if this is new for them.
• Discuss coping strategies they can try if they do become homesick: keep busy, read a book, talk to a friend or to an adult, or write a letter (send self-addressed stamped envelopes or postcards). Tell them to remember that they will only be away for a few days and will be kept busy doing all the fun outdoor school activities.
• Allow your child to practice sleeping over at a friend's or relative's house.
• Pack a comforting personal item from home, like a stuffed animal.

DON’TS:

• Don’t force your child to attend against their wishes. This may leave them feeling that they have very little decision control. You and your child should be in agreement about whether or not to attend.
• Don’t tell your child that you’ll come get them if they get homesick. This implies a message of doubt that could undermine their confidence and independence. Also, please remember that children are not allowed to use the office phone during their stay. Cell phones should remain at home. Homesickness is completely normal. Our experienced staff, along with the classroom teacher attending from your child’s school, will help with normal, routine homesickness. However, the classroom teacher may contact you if your child experiences severe and prolonged homesickness.
• Although you may be experiencing some separation anxiety of your own, try not to convey these feelings to your child, as this may cause them to feel unsure about being on their own. When saying goodbye to you child on the morning of the trip, be positive and upbeat. Try not to cry and let that be the last image your child sees. Smiles and positive reinforcement will empower your child to go forward with confidence.
• If you write letters, keep them simple and positive. Say such things as: “How are things going? Have you made some new friends? I hope you’re having a great time!” Avoid such comments as “I’ve cried every night since you left,” “Your little sister/brother keeps asking where you are,” or “We all miss you very much.”

If you have any questions or concerns about your child’s upcoming trip to camp, please reach out to 760‐765‐3000.

CONSEJOS PARA PADRES SOBRE LA NOSTALGIA

La nostalgia o añoranza es una forma de ansiedad por separación que normalmente experimentan los niños (y, a menudo, los adultos) cuando están lejos de su hogar durante períodos prolongados. Es especialmente común para aquellos niños con poca o ninguna experiencia previa con estar fuera de casa. Un estudio mostró que casi el 96% de los niños que pasaron tiempo en un campamento reportaron sentir algún grado de nostalgia durante su estadía. ¡La nostalgia es completamente normal!

Hemos preparado algunos consejos para ayudar a los estudiantes y padres a lidiar con la nostalgia. Por supuesto que los estudiantes van a extrañarán su hogar, pero estarán preparados si es que esto sucede. Superar los sentimientos de nostalgia puede hacer maravillas para la autoestima y la independencia de un niño. La Escuela al Aire Libre Cuyamaca es verdaderamente un salón de clases para las lecciones de la vida.

Lo Que Se Debe Hacer:

• Eduque a su hijo. Explíquele que todos extrañan algo de su hogar cuando están fuera. Dígale que la nostalgia es normal y que significa que hay muchas cosas del hogar que aman.
• Hable con su hija sobre su estancia que se aproxima. Pídale que se imagine cómo se sentirá estar lejos de casa/padres, conocer gente nueva, caminar por un sendero en la naturaleza, dormir en una cabaña con otros estudiantes, comer tres comidas al día en un comedor, usar los baños en el campamento toda la semana, etc.
• La idea de bañarse en la regadera/ducha en la cabina puede causar ansiedad en algunos niños. Recuérdele a su hijo que tendrá acceso a un cubículo individual de regadera/ducha con cortina para su privacidad. Explíquele que no tendrá que desvestirse por completo frente a los demás. Puede dejarlo que practique cómo desvestirse y vestirse mientras está envuelto en una toalla o bata de baño. Enséñele cómo mantener la toalla envuelta ajustada de manera segura si esto es algo nuevo para ellos.
• Discuta las estrategias que su hija puede emplear si siente nostalgia: mantenerse ocupada, leer un libro, platicar con una amiga o con un adulto, o escribir una carta (envíe con su estudiante sobres o postales con estampilla y su dirección). Dígale que recuerde que solo estará fuera unos días y que se mantendrá ocupada haciendo todas las actividades divertidas de la escuela al aire libre.
• Permita que su hijo practique estar fuera de casa, dejándolo dormir en la casa de un amigo o pariente.
• Incluya en su equipaje un artículo personal de casa que sea reconfortante, como un peluche.

Lo Que No Debe Hacer:

• No obligue a su hija a asistir al campamento en contra de sus deseos. Esto puede hacerla sentir que tiene muy poco control sobre sus decisiones. Usted y su hija deben estar de acuerdo sobre asistir o no.
• No le diga a su hijo que irá a buscarlo si está extrañando o siente nostalgia. Esto transmite un mensaje de duda que puede perjudicar su sentido de seguridad e independencia. Recuerde que los estudiantes no pueden usar el teléfono de la oficina durante su estadía. Los teléfonos celulares deben permanecer en casa. Sentir nostalgia es algo completamente normal, y nuestro personal con experiencia, junto con el/la maestro(a) de la escuela de su hijo que estará presente, lo ayudarán a superar los sentimientos de nostalgia normales. Sin embargo, el/la maestro(a) de la escuela de su hijo puede comunicarse con usted si su hijo experimenta una nostalgia grave y prolongada.
• Si usted siente cierta ansiedad de separación, trate de no transmitir estos sentimientos a su hija, ya que esto puede hacer que se sienta insegura acerca de estar sola. Al despedirse de su hija en la mañana del viaje, hágalo de manera positiva y alegre. Trate de no llorar y deje que esa sea la última imagen que vea su hija al despedirse. Las sonrisas y el refuerzo positivo le permitirán a su hija a seguir adelante con confianza.
• Si escribe cartas, manténgalas sencillas y positivas. Escriba cosas como: “¿Cómo van las cosas? ¿Has hecho nuevos amigos? ¡Espero que lo estés pasando muy bien!” Evite comentarios como “He llorado todas las noches desde que te fuiste”, “Tu hermanitao sigue preguntando dónde estás” o “Todos te extrañamos mucho”.

Si tiene alguna pregunta o inquietud sobre la estancia de su hijo(a) en el campamento, comuníquese con nosotros al 760-765-3000.