MAMMOTH OR BUST!!!
March 5, 2008
I sent out a letter very similar to this one a few months ago. However, I’ve made some revisions and
have included a page that requires several signatures from your parent(s) or guardian. Please read through
this thoroughly and review the information with your son or daughter. I want to discuss a few very important
points before we get into the meat of the document.
1. DONATIONS The final “donation” of $168.00 is due Thursday the 13th of March by 2:30 p.m.
(This is for everyone except the chaperones; they’ve submitted everything thus far) Please do not be late
with the last donation! Everyone has done a tremendous job at sending me the “donations” on time, which
has made my life stress free. In addition, it is the last day that I can have a check issued to pay for the
remaining balance of the “Camp.”
2. MY CONCERNS
Parents due to the nature of our “Camp” and its inherent risk I desperately need
your assistance with a few items and concerns, which are addressed on the last page. I have put over 50
hours into organizing this “Camp” and have had countless meetings, including fundraising, which I’m sure
you’ve been the brunt of procrastination. Never-the-less, it is because of your trust in your son and daughter
as well as Vista, and by Vista I hope that I can extend myself under its umbrella, that the trip has been made
possible. As you may or may not know, this is the first time that Vista has attempted such a “Camp” and in
order for us to be successful we needed everybody to buy into the idea that education and fun can extend
beyond the walls of Vista. I know we’re going snowboarding but there’s so much more that we can learn and
I believe it is a proving ground for character, leadership and C.L.A.S.S. Thus, when you arrive to the last
page, please consider what I’m asking is for the benefit of everyone.
3. MEETING TIME We’ll meet in front of Vista at 8:00 a.m. on Monday the 17 th of March. We’ll then
pack all of the vehicles, exchange phone numbers/contact information and answer any last questions. We
would like to leave by 9:00 a.m. or earlier.
I’m so stoked that you’re all going on the first ever Vista Murrieta Snowboard Club
Camp!
You’ll be
setting the standard for camps to come in the future and you’ll be known as the founding fathers and mothers
of the coolest camp. You’re example, you’re C.L.A.S.S and you’re ripping snowboarding skills are going to
benefit everyone around you, I’m counting on it.
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I would like to discuss the following issues and concerns:
a.
b.
c.
d.
Camp vs. trip
Donation (money)
Fundraising
When we’ll be leaving
e.
f.
g.
h.
What you’ll need to bring
Sleeping arrangements
Families
Lodging Rules
i. Chaperones
j. C.L.A.S.S.
k. Parental consent form
(a) .The district has mandated that our excursion be classified under the title of “Camp” not trip due in part
that I’ll be doing a fair amount of instruction with beginners, intermediate and advanced riders. In
addition, we’ll hold mini-clinics pertaining to the hardware of our snowboards and the nuances behind
stances and angles.
We’ll also review the “Skier Code” and the important role that it plays on the slopes.
The end result is that we’ll all return better riders and more aware of our equipment and our surroundings
(b) . The process that has enabled us to go on our camp is that we cannot demand payment for said camp.
We must ask for donations for those that are willing to attend. However, neither Vista Murrieta nor the
district can provide funds for everybody, especially with the unfortunate budget crisis. Thus, those that
don’t donate will be unable to attend. I know the play on words is rather unsettling but such is the
process. The following items are included in the donation:
1. $368.00—This includes lodging, gas, food (breakfast and lunch) and a three day lift ticket.
However, due to the quantity of people that initially showed interest (which is what I generated the total
cost from) contrasted to those that are actually going have created a ripple effect in our cost. Thus, I’m
going to ask that each student bring one or perhaps two of the following items, which will keep from
raising the cost of our camp. By so doing it is my intention to help pay for some of the cost for our
evening meal. Our evening meal may consist of the following: fast food, Mexican, Italian etc… The cost of
said meals will be covered by each student, $8-10 per night, which is not included in the $368.00.
A. A loaf of bread
B. A box of cereal
C. A bag of chips
A.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Barner Vehicle
John Barner
Brandon Barner
Brittany Barner
Megan Barner
Michael Flaherty
Sierra Williams
B.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Atwood Vehicle
Chad Atwood
Jaco Van Niekerk
Daniel Bertolino
Austin Machen
Tony Bertolino
D. A bag of cookies
E. Sandwich meat
F. Peanut butter
C.
1.
2.
3.
Palmer Vehicle
Chuck Palmer
Jim Heath
****
G. Jelly
H. Plastic Zip lock bags
I. Brown paper bags
D. Hemm Vehicle
1. Megan Hemm
2. Justin Nitti
3. Chuck Hayes
4. Jen Bouck
E.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Kneeland Vehicle
Scott Kneeland
Derrick Duran
Chandler Sinclair
Matt Kalata
Anthony Triolo
.
Thus, could each person within the following vehicles please bring the following items to share with everybody:
1. Vehicle A
A loaf of bread and a bag of chips.
2. Vehicle B
Sandwich meat and a bag of cookies
3. Vehicle C
Condiments, zip lock bags and brown paper bags
4. Vehicle D
A jar of peanut butter and Jelly/honey
5. Vehicle E
A box of cereal (some sugar free) and a bag of bagels
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These are items that I thought might be readily accessible at your home or could be purchased at a minimal
cost.
The club will purchase other necessary items such as; milk, eggs, butter, hamburger, hot dogs, Gatorade,
soda, donuts?, more sandwich meat, bread, snacks of all sorts and more food etc… We need to keep in mind
how much it will cost to feed a group of 22 hungry snowboarders for four days.
(c) .There are several people that have yet to submit their fundraising money and until they do so we’ll not
see a positive dollar amount until they pay. As you may or may not be aware, they’ve been placed on a
“No Go” list until they’ve cleared their balance and they won’t be able to go on any further camps with the
snowboard club.
(d) . Please arrive at the front of Vista by 8:00 a.m. on Monday the 17th of March; we’ll by leave 9:00 a.m.
It should take us six or seven hours to get there and there will be no speeding or crazy driving—we want
to arrive alive. We should arrive to Mammoth with plenty of time to get situated in our rooms and go over
all of our rules and expectations. Our departure time on Thursday the 20th will depend on what time
we leave the resort:
1. If we leave by 2:00 p.m. we should be back to Vista by 8-9:00 p.m.
2. If we leave by 4:00 p.m. we should be back to Vista by 10-11:00 p.m.
(e) . You’ll need to bring the following
and
1. Enough clean clothes for four days.
2. Toiletries.
3. Board, boots & bindings.
4. Extra coat, gloves, pants if possible.
5. Plastic/rubber flip flops to shower with.
6. Pajamas—sleep wear (appropriate)
7. Camera? (optional)
8. Money to buy souvenirs (optional)
9. Pillow (optional)
10. Snacks (optional)
11. Flip-flops
12. A bathing suit
13.ALL OF THIS NEEDS TO FIT IN TWO BAGS;
have a lot of room for multiple bags!
Do not bring the following:
1. A board bag; we won’t have enough space.
2. Any contraband! We are bound by the
the same school rules: drugs, alcohol,
tobacco, pornography etc…
3. Inappropriate movies, DVD’s
4. No dance clothes. We won’t be clubbing!
5. No inappropriate clothing
a gear bag and a clothing bag!!!! We don’t
(f) . Rooms will be segregated by gender and there will be absolutely no cohabitation with members of the
opposite sex. All bedroom doors will remain open during daylight hours and locked during sleeping hours.
Nobody will be permitted to “hang out” in a room of the member of the opposite sex unless we’re all in
there together—all 22 of us. Those that choose to break said rules will be dealt with severely, which will
be discussed at a later time towards the later part of this letter. We are going on this camp to learn how
to ride better, not to hook up! Sorry! There are enough beds for 26 people, 95% of which are bunk beds.
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There are two rooms that have queen beds which will go to the chaperones; there will be eight
chaperones, including myself
(g) .Upon arrival, we’ll divide everyone into families of three or four. Families will be divided based upon
ability not friendships. A chaperone will be responsible for your well being throughout the day. They will
call attendance four or five times a day, on and off the snow, at which time it will be mandatory that you
respond. We want everyone to have a killer time but we also want everyone to be safe and return home
in the same condition that you left.
When we’re riding, one person within the family unit will carry a
walkie-talkie, which s/he will be able to communicate directly with his/her chaperone should anything
arise that would necessitate immediate attention. Each family unit must stay together during the day.
There will be no splitting up. I need you to watch out for each other, as well as support each other during
the day and night.
(h) . The lodging that is being provided to us does not come cheap. It is not a hotel to be trashed or treated
poorly. It’s a residence, a rather large one at that and we’re going to leave it the exact same condition as
we found it. We would like to remain in good standing with the owner and return next year. Thus, please
treat the home like it was your own.
(i) The chaperones have the final say in all matters, mine being the final. Please be respectful of our
position and our desire to provide the most killer experience for you. In addition, everyone will be treated
with respect, kindness and courtesy. Please be respectful of others, their property and possessions.
(j) The acronym of C.L.A.S.S. will be as relevant as if we were at school. We are ambassadors from Vista
and we’ll conduct ourselves accordingly. I can’t stress how important it is that everyone conducts
themselves in such a manner that would warrant future camps. Everything that we do or don’t do will lay
the foundation for years to come. It is on shoulders and your shoulders alone! I have complete trust in
you and your ability to conduct your self accordingly.
—The last page will need to be signed by a parent or guardian and returned
to me by March 10th, 2008—
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I. Parental responsibility I need your help and consent for the following items:
A. Due to the quantity of students and vehicles that we are taking, it would be highly unfair and unjust to
those that are able to continue snowboarding for the remainder of the camp to return early if a student is
injured. Thus, if your child is hurt and can no longer participate we are asking that you come to Mammoth
to pick up him or her. We understand that it would be an inconvenience and a sacrifice on your behalf.
However, students can not be left alone and unattended at the residence. Nor can we ask any chaperone
to stay with him/her all day; they will be busy with their on-snow monitoring of their family groups. This is
the only means that we can maintain fairness for the majority. Thus, if you would please fill in and sign the
following blanks.
I, ____________________________________, understand that if my child,
______________________________________ is hurt or injured during the Vista Murrieta High School
Mammoth Snowboard Camp and can no longer participate (snowboard) that I will drive to Mammoth Lakes,
CA. and pick up my child. I, ____________________________________, understand the inherent risk
behind the support and I willfully allow my child to participate in this activity.
____________________________________
________________
Signed
Date
B. We have a stellar group of students that are going to Mammoth and I have full faith that they will act
and behave accordingly. However, in the event that their behavior is inappropriate and they are not able to
adhere to the rules and regulations that we’ve established for our camp, as well as those that pertain to
Vista Murrieta High School (this is a school sponsored event) then we are asking that you pick up your son
or daughter. We are in a very litigious state and we don’t want anything to happen to your son or daughter
that would comprise their well being. Thus, for the benefit of all we would ask that you please comply with
our request regarding said issue in the unlikely event that they choose not to abide by the “Camp” rules.
I, ____________________________________, understand that if my child,
______________________________________ fails to abide by the rules and regulations established by
Vista Murrieta High School that I will drive to Mammoth Lakes, CA. and pick up my child. I,
____________________________________, understand and have read all of the expectations and rules
that coincide with the Vista Murrieta High School Snowboard Camp and acknowledge the importance of
strict obedience to the rules stated in this letter. I, ____________________________________, willfully
allow my child to participate in this activity.
____________________________________
Signed
________________
Date
C. It is my greatest desire and intention in that we all return in the same physical condition as when we
left. However, in the highly unlikely event that your son or daughter does sustain an injury and you’re not
able to be reached, I ask that you please give me permission and authorization to get him or her proper
medical attention.
I, ____________________________________, understand that if my child,
______________________________________ sustains an injury and requires medical attention or
treatment, and that communication is unable to be established between myself,
____________________________________, and Chad Atwood that I,
____________________________________, hereby do give consent and authorization for treatment of my
child if all attempts at communication have failed.
____________________________________
________________
Signed
Date
If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to e-mail me here at Vista. Before, I close I feel that I
should relay the following about myself and my credentials:
 Twenty years of instruction experience, including level II certification.
 I’ve built snowboard parks all over the western United States.
 I organized and ran events for Bluetorch, Quiksilver, Vans and Rusty
 I was the third highest ranking judge in the western United States for U.S.A.S.A and U.S.S.A.S.A.
 I rode professionally for three years.
Thank you for allowing your son/daughter to ride with us and I look forward to meeting all of you!
Sincerely, Mr. Atwood
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