Planning - Adult & Youth Orientations
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Upham Woods Adult Orientation
The adult orientation by Upham Woods staff clarifies our expectations
for the participants and serves as a good introduction to the facility. Please
arrange for those adults that don’t attend the adult orientation
to read a copy of this document.
Introduction:
Upham Woods was donated to UWEX in 1941 by the Upham
Sisters. The
sister’s goal was to have the youth of Wisconsin enjoy and
appreciate the natural surroundings. Environmental Education
and the acquisition of youth development skills have been the focus
for the 9000 youth that use the 310 acres each year. The Upham Sisters
also wanted 210 acres (Black Hawk Island) of the total 310 acres
to remain in its natural state. To accomplish this goal, all
participants are encouraged to develop a respect for themselves,
for each other, and for the land and facilities that they will be
using during their stay. Our goal is to give visiting youth
a unique “learning by doing” educational experience that
is fun and safe. To accomplish these goals we need your help in the
following areas:
Cabin Hill:
- Cabin Supervision- No youth in cabins with out adult supervision
at all times.
- Smoke Detectors- If smoke detectors in cabins are beeping
the battery needs to be replaced. Let your Upham liaison know and
they will replace the batteries.
- Exit Lights & Outside lights- Let Upham liaison
know if the emergency exit lights or outside lights are burnt out
and they will replace them.
- No Food in Cabins or Dorm- To keep mice from entering
cabins or dorms the youth should keep food out of the cabins or
dorm rooms. All snacks should be kept in the refrigerator
that is located in the back of the dining hall.
- Moving in to Cabin Hill– Participants may use the
service road ONLY to move possessions up to cabin hill. At
all other times, participants should use the lighted stairs to
cabin hill near the craft building.
- Restroom use- An adult should be made aware of any youth
leaving the cabin to go to the restroom at night. The adult will
need to decide if the need to accompany the youth to the restroom.
- Sleepwalkers – Sleepwalkers should be assigned to
the lower bunks.
- No moving bunks- The bunks are set up to meet state guidelines
and should not be moved. If you need additional bunks see
your Upham liaison and they will arrange to have you get cots from
a near by storage area. Adults in the cabin need to make
sure the cots are returned to their original storage area before
leaving camp.
- Campers Sleep Head to Toe – State law requires that
campers have their heads at opposite ends of the top and bottom
bunks. (sneeze/spray/throw up factor)
- Blocking doors- Adult cabin & dorm supervisors should
make sure that youth are not stacking bags and other gear in front
of emergency doors.
- Cabin Visits- The assigned cabin or dorm room adults make
sure that campers stay in their assigned cabins or dorm rooms and
do not visit other cabins or dorm rooms.
- Wood- Wood can be hauled by campers but fires are started
and tended by adults only. Adults should have youth keep combustibles
at least 3 feet away from the stove. Burn ONLY wood and paper,
NO TRASH!
- Back Up Electric Heat- The circuit breaker box will be
open for control of heat. The switches are marked with yellow
or orange circles. Please note that the heat is either on
or off - no adjustment exists.
- Fans- Each cabin is assigned certain fans. Please
keep them in their proper cabins.
- Brooms & Pans- Each cabin is assigned brooms and pans. Please
keep them in their proper cabins.
- Clean up procedures (cabins)– Clean up procedures
are posted in each cabin. Four things should be done: 1)
Sweep the floor, 2) Empty the trash into the Pelican, 3) Wipe down
the mattresses with the soapy water buckets (set out by the Pelican
by your liaison or in proper bath house side in cold weather),
and 4) (winter only) empty the ashes from the wood stove
into the ash bucket in your cabin, and spread ashes outside (away
from buildings) when cooled completely.
- Clean up procedures (dorm)– For clean up of the
dorm, four things should be done: 1) Sweep the bathroom, hallway,
rooms, and basement (if used). 2) Empty the trash and any
recyclables into the trash and recycling containers located next
to the main lodge, 3) Wipe down the mattresses with soapy water,
and 4) (if linens were used), pile the linens at the end of the
hallway nearest the parking lot. Please leave the doors of
the used dorm rooms OPEN when you leave, so cleaning staff knows
to mop.
- Energy Conservation– Please turn off lights and
close doors when leaving a room. Close windows at the end
of your stay.
- Cabin and room assignments- Adults in cabins & dorm
floors should know the numbers and names of those assigned to their
sleeping quarters.
Camp Bell & Siren:
If camp bell or siren is sounded everyone should meet in lower
level of lodge. Adults or counselors should count the number
of campers. (Please don’t use air horns to wake campers up)
- Lightening and thunder- Bring youth indoors. If
on the water get off as soon as possible. Normal programming will
commence 20 minutes after the last lightning is seen or the last
thunder is heard.
- Lost Participant- Upham staff calls 911 as soon as a lost
participant is reported. Everyone should report to the Dining
Hall and a confirming head count should be performed. If
a participant is determined to be missing, the Group Leader, First
Aid Coordinator, and (if possible) four adults should report to
the Kiwanis Room to receive instructions on search procedures. Remaining
adults should keep youth calm and in the Dining Hall until further
notice.
- Fire-our staff will inform group what to do once the group
is in the lower level of the lodge.
- Tornado Warning- our staff will inform group what to do
once the group is in the lower level of the lodge.
Duplex:
Upham staff can be reached in the duplex building after normal
operating hours. The duplex is the only building with a garage.
911:
You can call 911 from the phone in the lodge or use your cell phone. The
telephone is in the first room on the right when you enter on the
porch side of the lodge. Emergency services will ask for the
address of Upham Woods. The address is on the wall by the phone. You
can use your cell phone if life threatening.
1st Aid Coordinator:
Visiting groups will provide a health supervisor who is certified
in a minimum of first aid and CPR. Ask if they have brought
proof of certification, cards or copy.
- Medications- All meds for youth under age 18 are to be
locked & a bound log kept by First Aid Coordinator. The
only exceptions that can be used on the trails are prescription
inhalers, epi-pens, insulin syringes or other medication or device
used in the event of life-threatening situation.
- Adult meds- Should be kept at a location separate from
the youth medications and inaccessible to youth at all times.
- Health Form- All health forms including the adult forms
should be kept by the meds. University policy requires us
to keep a copy of your health forms. Please give them to
Upham staff before you leave, or make copies and mail them back.
- Night Location- Group leader and health supervisor should
let the liaison know where they are sleeping at night so they can
be reached in an emergency (and vice versa).
- Tick checks
Boundaries:
- Set Boundaries- North boundary is the Wisconsin River,
South boundary is Highway N, West boundary is the cabin they are
staying in or bath house (depending on which is further), and East
boundary is the nature center. Visiting group should notify
the liaison if any activities will be going out of those boundaries. Groups
wanting to go to Sunset Rock will need to get a throw ring from
Upham staff before they can go.
- (Winter only) – The frozen river is OFF-LIMITS at
all times unless you are accompanied by Upham Staff.
- Supervision in boundaries- The youth should be
under adult supervision at all times, including within the cabins. State
law requires that a one to ten ratio of adults to youth be kept
at all times. Waterfront activities required a one to eight
adult to youth ratio.
- Fences- Fences are extremely delicate and should
never be sat upon. Adults should enforce the fences as boundaries
and ensure that they are not used as benches.
- Appropriate dress– Please check before leaving
cabins and between meals to ensure that youth are properly dressed
for the weather (rain gear, hats, gloves, boots, etc.) Inappropriately
dressed youth will be sent back to the cabins before an activity
begins. Also, please encourage youth to carry water bottles
on hikes to prevent dehydration/overheating.
Adult Expectation Sheet:
- Adults Read- Adults need to read and sign the adult
expectation sheets and keep them with the health forms.
- Discipline procedure – What is your group’s
procedure for discipline? What is your procedure for signaling
the group’s attention? We will try to remain consistent
with your policy if possible.
Dining Hall:
- Upon arrival - Please get updated meal count to the Food Service Director or your Upham Woods Liaison as soon as possible after arrival. This will assure that the correct amount of food is prepared for the groups first meal.
- Hours – 7:30 am breakfast, 12:00 pm lunch, 5:00 pm dinner in spring, fall and winter. 8:00 am breakfast, 12:00 pm lunch and 5:30 pm dinner during the summer.
- Table occupancy – Cook Staff will determine the number of place settings per table based upon the group size. Normally there should be a maximum of 10 people at a table. If youth are high-school age, ask leader if they are mature to be at a table without an adult. Otherwise there must be at least one adult at each table.
- First meal- Upham staff can give the dining hall procedures
at the first meal. The Dining hall Supervisor will lead the
procedures for every meal after.
- Set Up- The Dining Hall Supervisor (DHS) and set up youth
need to report to the Dining Hall 15 minutes prior to the meals. Michelle
counts out the plates needed, if you need more ask Michelle. Make
sure the youth take only what they can carry. If items are
dropped on the floor they weaken and will eventually break, also
it’s extra washing.
- Meal Time- Everyone else should report to the dining hall
about 5 minutes before scheduled meal, with hands washed or use
of hand sanitizer. PLEASE be on time! Students should
NOT enter the dining hall until instructed to by DHS. Peanut
butter and jelly is available for those how need protein supplement
(i.e. vegetarians) and those who absolutely can’t stand any
other food. Greatly encourage consumption of other provided
food first. Salad and cereal will be dismissed by tables,
adults help keep it going. Everyone should take they time
at the salad bar, so food doesn’t get crossed over. Also,
take small portions so everyone gets some and to eliminate waste.
- Clean up- Announcements (i.e. Lost and Found) should be
given after the clean up carts are moved into the dish room.
Tobacco Products/Smoking: Allowed only
on the porch of the Welcome Center.
Programming specifics:
- Orientations- Adults teaching any class or activity where
Upham equipment is being used need to meet with an Upham staff
member for an orientation on set up, clean up, and rules of equipment
use.
- Foot wear- Youth should wear close-toed shoes for Peanut
Butter Mountain and Blackhawk Island hikes.
- Check-In/Check-Out procedure for waterfront – State
law requires a check-in/check-out procedure for all waterfront
activities. This applies to Blackhawk Island hikes, Voyageur
Canoe, and canoeing. Please provide Upham staff a list of
your group’s participants if possible.
- Hazing/Harassment – Please do not engage in any
initiations, skits, or activities that might be detrimental to
the emotional health and safety of a camper. This includes
intentionally scaring kids with ghost stories, playing practical
jokes, pranks, or traditions such as the “Walk of Shame” or “Under
the blanket in the desert.” Activities where campers
may be surprised, singled out or put on the spot are not appropriate
for the goals of camp.
Liaison will:
- Hand out radios to the Group Leader and 1st Aid Coordinator;
instruct them in use and location of new batteries.
- Give the Minority Log Form, User Evaluation, and Group Clean-up
Checklist to the Group Leader. The Minority Log form must
be filled out and returned to the Liaison prior to group departure.
- Meet with the 1st Aid Coordinator to:
- Decide where the Health forms and medications will be located
(911 room or 1st Aid room in the Welcome Center.)
- The 1st aid person should keep the key to the medication
lock box. When leaving, the key should be left hanging
in the lock.
- Show the Minor Injury log and Medication log to the 1st Aid
Coordinator. Minor injuries and medications dispensed
must be recorded in these logs. For major injuries, an
Incident Report form (located in the 1st Aid room) must be
filled out and brought with the Health form of the injured
to the nearest care facility.
Upham Woods Youth Orientation
While you are here at Upham Woods Environmental Education Center,
one word should guide all your behavior. That word is RESPECT.
RESPECT YOURSELF:
- Before you do something be sure it is safe.
- Don’t run (or an ankle grabber will get you) so you won’t
trip over a root\rock.
- If you are hurt or sick, tell an adult.
- Stay within the boundaries described by the staff. Boundaries
are the cabins, the Nature Center, the road and the river. (PBM
with staff members only!)
- Stay off the docks and beaches
- Use the stairs to go to the cabins
RESPECT EACH OTHER:
- Help each other when you can.
- Be careful not to do any thing that would hurt the feelings or
injure another.
- Come to programs and meals prepared. Being prepared means
having on the proper clothing for activities; washing hands before
entering the dining hall.
- Be on time for meals and activities.
- Table setters arrive 15 minutes before the meal.
RESPECT YOUR TEACHERS and ADULTS:
- Listen carefully to instructors.
- Always let an adult know where you are.
- Raising your hand when you have a question or comment allows
everyone to hear.
RESPECT the BUILDINGS and EQUIPMENT:
- Keep food , gum, and beverages out of the cabins and dorms. Food
should be stored in the dining hall.
- Be careful not to break anything.
- Please tell us about anything that is broken.
- Do not sit on the fences, they are not strong enough to hold
your weight.
- Do not ring the camp bell. It is for emergency purposes
only (such as tornadoes, fire, etc.) The staff will continuously
ring the bell in these situations.
RESPECT the NATURAL ENVIRONMENT:
- Stay on the trails (erosion, poison ivy, etc.)
- Turn off trail lights and close doors to save electricity and
fuel.
- Observe and share pieces of nature, but no collecting.
- Pick up any litter you see.
- Stay away from wildlife, enjoy from a distance. If an animal
approaches acting aggressive or docile, tell a staff member.
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Adult & Youth Orientations
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