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 dorms. 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 dorm 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, Chromatography, 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 ($2.00), 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.