Outdoor / Environmental Education Program
TEACHER INFORMATION:
Trust that you are looking forward to your upcoming visit to Amigo Centre. Our desire is
that your experience here at Amigo be a vital stepping stone in the education process.
Please help us help you by taking time to read through the teacher information and
care for all the items listed in the pre-visit checklist.
Reminders:
1. Arrival at Camp:
When your group arrives in the Amigo Centre parking lot, you will be greeted by Amigo
Staff. Please keep your students on the buses. Amigo staff will welcome your students and
give instructions to them while they are still on the bus. You’ll then proceed with
unloading from the buses and transporting personal items to the cabins.
2. Lodging:
Please have cabin assignments made before arrival to help facilitate a smooth transition
from the buses to the cabins.
Chaperones should stay in the cabin area to monitor student behavior while they are
settling in. After students put their personal items in the cabins they should use the
restrooms and then return to the pavilion for orientation.
Accommodations include seven girl’s cabins and six boy’s cabins. Each girl’s cabin sleeps
ten people, but one must be a chaperone. The boy’s cabins have a capacity of ten
students and one chaperone. All cabins are heated.
West Shore Lodge, if available, can accommodate 30 people. Please note the rate
difference for West Shore Lodge. In West Shore Lodge two chaperones are needed per
floor.
3. Staffing for Classes:
Several courses have special staffing needs. Due to liability issues the Co-op Course
requires an Amigo Instructor. If the school is providing an instructor to teach canoeing,
that instructor must be approved by the Coordinator of Outdoor / Environmental Education.
If you choose the recycling/papermaking class, two adults are needed to assist the Amigo
instructor.
Per your contract, Amigo provides three instructors, with additional instructors available at
$25. per hour.
4. Class Instructors:
Teachers and chaperones, who are leading a class, please check in with Amigo staff to
get your teaching materials for your class.
We have instructional videos on You Tube which can be accessed through our website to
also help prepare those who are teaching Fishing, Archery and Orienteering. Our website
is www.amigocentre.org and on the Outdoor / Environmental Education home page you will
find a link for the “Training Videos”.
5. Chaperones:
Orient your chaperones, so that they know what is expected of them. Please have a
chaperone assigned to go along with each study group for all classes.
6. Administering First Aid and Dispensing of Medications:
It is expected that your school be prepared to administer all prescription drugs and
medications for your group. Become familiar with your student health forms. You may need
to solicit the services of your school nurse or a volunteer for this.
This person will also be responsible to record details of any injuries or incidents that
occur during your time at Amigo Centre and treat injuries and sickness.
The school is also responsible to seek additional medical attention for injuries and illnesses
when needed.
7. Programming for Popcorn Campfire:
Amigo Staff will be responsible for the fire and making the popcorn. We will ask for adults to
assist us in serving the popcorn and water.
It is the responsibility of the school to provide the programming during the popcorn campfire
(singing, stories, skits, etc.).
8. West Nile Virus and Eastern Equine Encephalitis:
Although we feel that the risk is low, we are being proactive by taking steps here at camp to
further reduce the risk and encouraging groups to take appropriate precautions (long
sleeves and insect repellent) to safeguard themselves.
Our recommendation is that teachers be responsible for applying repellent, as
opposed to having it in the hands of students.
9. Lice and Bed Bugs:
This is something that is not fun to talk about, but indeed needs addressed for the safety
of all who stay in our cabins. Bed bugs and lice pose serious issues and we really need
your help in screening children before they come to camp to prevent a major outbreak
at camp. While we do not want any child to miss out on the opportunity to come to camp,
we need your help in being proactive in the weeks leading up to your trip to camp by having
parents treat children for nits or lice. If the problem can’t be remedied, we regretfully ask that
the child not come to camp. If you have children who have bed bug bites (often found in a
cluster of rough line on face, neck, arms or hands) please stress the importance of washing
and drying clothing and bedding before bringing it to camp.
I will be contacting you prior to your visit to care for final details. I consider it a privilege to
work with you! If you have any questions or concerns feel free to contact me by email or
phone. My contact information is cheryl@amigocentre.org or (269) 651-2811 ext. 105.
Shalom,
Cheryl K. Mast
Cheryl K. Mast
Coordinator of Outdoor/ Environmental Education
Amigo Centre
2.24.2015
Outdoor/Environmental Education Program
TEACHER’S PRE-VISIT CHECKLIST
Prior to your visit:
 1. Please fax or email the:
a) School Information form
b) a copy of your schedule
c) class rotation
Please send these forms to us at least two weeks before your visit.
Once your paperwork is received, I will call you to care for any final details regarding
your time at camp.
 2. Locate parent or teacher chaperones to sleep with each cabin group during the night.
West Shore Lodge requires a minimum of 2 chaperones per floor.
 3. Give each chaperone a copy of the Chaperone Guidelines.
 4. Assign students to sleeping groups. Girl’s cabins - capacity of nine students and
one adult chaperone. Boy’s cabins – capacity of ten students and one chaperone. In
West Shore Lodge, the capacity for each of the two floors is 13 students and 2 adults.
 5. Assign students to study groups for the courses (recommended group size is 8-12).
 6. Send medical release and photography release forms home with students to be
signed by parents or guardians.
 7. Several weeks before your trip to Amigo, send information home with students
regarding Lice and Bed Bugs. Please check students for nits, lice and bed bug bites,
and address these concerns in the weeks leading up to the trip.
 8. Getting Instructors for Classes: We encourage you to find teachers and/or parents
with interest and experience in the subject that they will be teaching. If you plan to
rotate instructors, please be sure those who are teaching have a good working
knowledge of the curriculum or can observe for a class period before taking the
lead role in teaching.
Please invite those teaching Archery, Fishing or Orienteering to check out the
instructional “Training Videos” on the Outdoor / Environmental Education home page
on our website in preparation for teaching these classes. Our website is
www.amigocentre.org.
Amigo continues to partner with schools by providing three instructors for each group.
Additional instructors can be requested for a fee of $25./ hour of instruction.
 9. Send the “What to Bring List” home with students as a guideline for what they will and
will not need during their camp experience.
 10. Read “Guidelines to Live With” to your students and distribute a copy of the guidelines
to participating adults and chaperones.
 11. Bring medical and photography release forms with you to camp. The completed
medical release form will be for your use in dispensing medications and in the event of
an emergency during your time at camp. Please bring a nurse or appoint someone from
your school to distribute medications and act as the health officer. The photography
release form is optional, but allows us the freedom to use photos from your group in
publications.
 12. Please bring a copy of your cabin groups (to assist us in accounting for campers in the
event of an emergency) and three copies of the student study groups and class
rotation schedule for use by Amigo Centre staff who will be working with your group.
Thanks for all the work you do in preparing for your visit to Amigo Centre to participate
in our Outdoor/Environmental Education Program! 
Shalom,
Cheryl K. Mast
Cheryl K. Mast
Coordinator of Outdoor/ Environmental Education
Amigo Centre
2.24.2015
Amigo Centre Outdoor/Environmental Education Program
School Information Form
School ____________________________
Dates of Visit ___________________
Principal _________________________________
Contact Person’s Name ___________________________
Email Address of Contact Person ________________________________
Grade Level _________
School Phone # ________________ Best Time To Call ___________ FAX # __________________
# of Students _______ # of Adults _______ Arrival Time _______ Departure Time ________
Lunch on Day One: packed OR served by Amigo Centre (circle one)
Courses: See course descriptions on our website at (www.amigocentre.org). Circle the courses your group would like to
experience during your Outdoor / Environmental Education trip and put an asterisk by the three classes you want Amigo Centre staff
to teach. If in need of an updated copy of the curriculum for a particular course, please note that on the line for materials needed.
Note set-up details on materials needed line. Make requests for class worksheets in this space as well.
Course
Materials Needed
Archery
___________________________________________________
“A Walk on the Wild Side” - Marsh Study
___________________________________________________
Canoeing
___________________________________________________
Co-op Course
___________________________________________________
Fishing
“Historical Pictionary”
Native American Picture Writing
___________________________________________________
“Lagoon Snoop” - Macroinvertebrates
___________________________________________________
“Nature Up Close & Personal” -Nature Center
___________________________________________________
Orienteering
___________________________________________________
“Rock On” - Geology
__________________________________________________________
“Slimy & Scaly” - Reptiles & Amphibians
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
“Stepping Back in Time” – Life of Pioneers (NEW)
“Tear it Up” - Papermaking/Recycling
___________________________________________________
“Web of Life” – Relationships in Nature
___________________________________________________
“Who Goes There” - Animal Signs
___________________________________________________
“You Eat Like a Bird” – Bird Adaptations
___________________________________________________
Other ________________________
___________________________________________________
Lodging Facilities: List names of facilities you will be using and the number of people in each one.
Girl’s:
Boy’s:
Evening Options:
Check the activities you have incorporated into your schedule, noting the day, time and who is providing
leadership of the activity. Note: Amigo Centre staff are willing to lead up to three activities per evening *For Popcorn
Campfires, we ask School staff to lead the programming (skits, singing…) and camp staff make the popcorn.
Activity
_____
_____
_____
_____
_____
_____
_____
Free Time
Native American Games
Nature Game
Night Hikes
Outdoor Recreation
Popcorn Campfire*
Scavenger Hunt
Day and Time
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
Amigo led
School led
________
________
________
________
________
________
________
________
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Equipment Needed For School Led Evening Activities:
Study Groups: Have students assigned to study groups before you arrive. Please note how you are
designating the study groups (letters, numbers, animal names…). ________________________________
Schedule: (Please send a copy of your proposed schedule and class rotations along with this form)
Journal/Worksheets: Will students be completing a journal and or worksheets for classes? Yes
No
Discipline: What system of discipline do you use in the classroom that we can also use with your students?
Do you want students to have an opportunity to shop at our Camp Store?
Yes
No
If yes, note day and time(s): _____________________________________
Special Set-up Needs: (lounge, table for meds in dining hall, cooler of water for med dispensing):
Our goal here at camp is to create an environment that is tailored to meet the needs of everyone!
Thorough information for the following is not intended to single anyone out, but to provide a safe and rewarding
experience for all.
Special Dietary Needs: (vegetarians, diabetics, food allergies,…)
Students with Special Learning Needs: (i.e. autism, learning disabilities, Tourette Syndrome…)
Students of Special Concern: (i.e. behavorial concerns, anger management issues, dealing with grief/loss…)
Other Special Needs: (transportation needs for student with disabilities, severe allergies to bee stings…)
Birthdays: If anyone will be celebrating a birthday during your stay, please list their names and dates.
Additional Comments or Questions:
2.24.2015