Outdoor Education Frequently Asked Questions
• WHAT ARE THE SLEEPING ACCOMMODATIONS? We offer 12 bunk cabins. Each cabin sleeps 10
people and has a full bathroom.
• ARE THE CABINS HEATED? All of our cabins are year-round facilities. They do have heat and
ceiling fans.
• WHAT ARE THE BATHROOM FACILITIES? Each cabin has it’s own bathroom including showers
with hot water. There are other restroom facilities around camp for students to use when they are not in
their cabins.
• WHAT SHOULD THE CABIN LEADERS BRING FOR THE CABIN? It is recommended that
chaperones bring items such as; an alarm clock, hand soap, bath mat, extra pens/pencils, and board/card
games for the students to use in the cabin.
• AS A CHAPERONE, WHAT AM I RESPONSIBLE FOR? You will be expected to participate in all
outdoor school activities such as; classes, devotions, and evening activities. You are also responsible for
supervising free time and are expected to help keep crowd control in class.
• WHY DO I HAVE TO GIVE YOU MY SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER ON THE HEALTH FORM? We ask for a social
security number in the event that we need to take you (or your student) to the emergency room – the hospital will need it. We shred all health forms at the end of each outdoor education season.
• WILL MY STUDENTS BE IN CLASSES WITH ANOTHER SCHOOL? There are occasions when one
or more schools will be at the outdoor school at the same time as your students. Your school will have
your own cabins and classes. You will be combined with the other school(s) during meal times, at devotions, and often for the evening activities.
• DO I NEED TO BRING LINENS? Yes. Bring linens or a sleeping bag, as well as a towel.
• WHAT IS THERE TO DO DURING FREE TIME? There are several options for students during free time. The playground area, including the basketball, volleyball, shuffleboard and gaga courts are all available. If your students want to go to the ball field, on a hike, or to the creek they will need to have an adult with them.
• CAN MY STUDENTS TAKE INITIATIVES CLASS IF THEY’RE NOT 8TH GRADERS? Yes. Initiatives is the first class for all groups participating in the ropes course experience. However, we also offer this as a separate class for schools that would like to see their students begin to learn to work together and communicate.
• WHAT FOOD IS AVAILABLE FOR SOMEONE WITH SPECIAL DIETARY NEEDS? If you (or your student) are a vegetarian or have specific allergies there is still food available! The sooner you let Black Rock Retreat know your specific needs, the better equipped our kitchen staff will be to serve you.
You can email us at: outdoor@blackrockretreat.com
• WHY CAN’T MY STUDENT BRING A CELL PHONE? We ask that students not bring electronic equipment (including cell phones, iPods, Gameboys, etc.) for a few reasons. We don’t want these things to get lost, stolen, or broken. We also want your student to experience life without these distractions for the duration of their stay. Remember when you were in school and took field trips? You survived without a cell phone. If you need to reach your student in an emergency, you can call Black Rock Retreat at (717) 529-3232 or you may ask the lead teacher from your school for a contact number.