Trip Preparation
Class time spent in preparation for your visit will help prepare the students and adults for a positive experience. This preparation should include an orientation to the policies, procedures, and living arrangements. Emphasis should be placed on the realization that students will be participating in classes and be responsible for learning. The classes are experiential hands-on activities, held either indoor or outdoor.
Housing
The housing consists of open Cabins. Each room has approximately 30 beds. Males and females are housed in separate dorms. It is critical that there is adequate supervision for both males and females, (one adult per 10 students is recommended). Upon arrival, the cabin numbers will be assigned by the Program Director.
Recreation
The 4-H Center has recreational areas and equipment for use by participants. These include basketball court, sand volleyball court, softball field, patio with Gaga, and other games, and campfire area.
Curriculum
The curricula for the program address Tennessee’s Department of Education science curriculum objectives. The interactive curricula utilize hands-on scientific investigations. Some examples of classes offered are: Fossils, Physics, Wildlife, GPS, Solar System, Weather, Orienteering, Dissolved Oxygen Test, Legos Bridge Building, Rocketry, Nature Hikes, Stream Studies, and others. These classes make up the core curriculum, a standard feature, of the science program at the 4-H Center. Other free activities are offered such as: Archery, Gun Safety (laser guns will be used on stationary targets), Low ropes course, Campfire (Smores provided), Fishing, Team building games, Astronomy, Canoeing, These hour long activities are offered for a minimal additional charge per student: .22 rifles ($4.00), Woodworking ($5.00), Swimming pool- May ($5.00)
Medical and Special Needs
The 4-H Center does not provide a nurse on site. Minor medical needs can be handled by the teacher or chaperons. We recommend that you provide at least one adult with the following qualifications:*CPR certification from a nationally recognized provider
*First-aid certification from a nationally recognized provider
The Takoma Regional Hospital is less than five miles from the 4-H Center. Emergency numbers are posted by each phone. We recommend that you bring with you a copy of the school health form that parents have completed for each student. Your completed school health form should provide you with emergency contact names and numbers, list of any known allergies or health conditions requiring treatment, restriction or other accommodation while on site and for minors without a parent on site—signed permission to seek emergency treatment or a signed religious waiver. The Clyde Austin 4-H Center recognizes that school forms vary from system to system, but we need you to be prepared with updated information on each student in the event first aid and/or medication is needed by the child while traveling to, from or while at the 4-H Center.
The University of Tennessee does not provide accident insurance coverage for participants in the Camp Explore Environmental Education program at the Clyde Austin 4-H Center. The University of Tennessee strongly recommends accident insurance coverage be provided by the participant’s parent’s/guardian’s personal policy or by a school policy. Most schools have insurance providers that will insure students for one-day or overnight field trips. Please contact the proper school personnel that can provide you with information on field trip insurance, if needed. Please have a 4-H Center Field Trip Permission Form completed by the parent/guardian of each student and bring with you on the day of your visit.
The teacher or designated chaperon is responsible for transporting and accompanying students to medical care facilities if they are injured or become extremely ill during their stay. All such trips must be reported to the Program Director at the Clyde Austin 4-H Center. Check the child’s health form prior to your trip and note any special health needs—allergies, diabetes, epilepsy, hyperactivity, sleep walking, etc. Make sure appropriate people are informed of these special situations. It is the responsibility of the adult assigned infirmary duty to collect any medications and dispense them at the appropriate time. Make sure parents have provided adequate information on how medication should be dispensed. Contact the 4-H Center beforehand, if there are any special dietary or scheduling needs. Every effort will be made to accommodate your wishes.