Q: What do you do when it rains?

Hike, play games, build forts, explore creeks, teach lessons, … basically, the same things we do when the sun is shining. We put on our rain gear and continue our Forest Wild day. We make sure that everyone is wearing appropriate clothing: warm layers, if necessary, and rain jackets/pants or ponchos. We usually stay active to stay warm by playing running games and hiking. If there is lightning or thunderstorms in the area, then we follow our lightning drill protocol.

Q: Are there shelters for the kids?

No, we are outside in the elements all day with the addition of hanging tarps from trees sometimes. 

Q: What do you do if there’s lightning?

We follow lightning drill protocol, which is similar to what we do at Outward Bound: stay low, off ridges, away from wide open spaces, out of water or drainages. We often find a cluster of rhododendrons and spread out into “lightning drill” if the lightning is close by: 2-3 miles or closer. We count the seconds between seeing the lightning and hearing the thunder: every 5 seconds represents about one mile of distance between the storm and us. When it is 3 miles away, we are moving into lightning drill. When it is 2 miles away, we should be in lightning drill position

Q: What should my child have in their backpack?

What to Pack for Summer at HCFW

Because High Country Forest Wild is an all-outdoors program, it is essential that your child be properly prepared with appropriate clothing for cold and wet weather, and with adequate food and water for nourishment, energy, and warmth. We burn lots of extra calories out here just moving and keeping our bodies warm! 

REQUIRED EVERY DAY:

• Water bottle (at least 1 liter/1 quart) full of WATER (not juice or other beverage)

• Rain jacket with a hood (water-proof, not water-resistant; rain pants recommended)

• Extra clothing layer to stay warm, i.e., long-sleeve sweater/shirt, non-cotton (polyester, fleece, wool, etc.)

• Bandana (for sweat, pee, snot, or to use as a napkin)

• Lunch and two snacks (one for morning; one for afternoon)

  • No refrigeration is available (or microwaves, etc.)

  • No trash will be left on site: your child will pack it up and take it home. We practice Pack It In; Pack It Out.

  • Your child will carry this lunch in their backpack all day. Make sure it's not too bulky.

• Small journal or notebook, in a zip-loc bag (or I can pretty much guarantee it will get wet eventually)

• Pen or pencil

• Positive Mental Attitude

OPTIONAL:

• Hat with brim (to keep off sun/rain)

• Bug spray

• Sunscreen

• Personal hand sanitizer (We will have hand-washing stations available as well as hand sani in our first aid kits.)

• Colored pencils, crayons

• Book to read 

• Extra bottom layer/underwear for bathroom accidents (If you think this may be an issue.)

• Knife:  Our staff will teach a knife lesson to each student, who may then take a practical test to earn their 'knife privilege' at Forest Wild. Knife use is always fully supervised by staff. We also have HCFW knives available for participants to use.

• Remember, your child must be willing and able to carry everything they bring. Pack only what they need.

Please pack all of the above in a backpack with two (2) shoulder straps (not strings) that your child can wear comfortably for hours. 

Your child will need to carry these items with them at all times, on hikes, explorations, trips to the garden, adventures through the woods. 

​

What NOT to bring (please leave these items at home/in car):

• Phones/iPods/electronics (anything with an on/off switch)

• Candy or gum

• Stuffed animals

• Toys

• Anything valuable (it may get lost or broken at Forest Wild)