Whether coming for the day or for a few days, you can find all the information needed to plan your visit to Blue Ridge Outdoor Education Center here and below in the timeline. If you need assistance or have questions, please feel free to call (706) 886-7621 or email blueridgedir@campmikell.com
- Reservation Information Form (first step to securing your dates)
- Trip Details Form (Find out how many field groups and cabins you’ll have.)
- Lead Teacher Checklist
- Field Trip Planning Packet
Trip Timeline
Trip Timeline
UP TO ONE YEAR BEFORE ARRIVAL
- Email completed Reservation Information Form to blueridgedir@campmikell.com.
- Upon reservation, you will receive a reservation contract to review, sign, and return within 30 days along with a reservation deposit to confirm reservations and hold dates.
AS SOON AS POSSIBLE
- Make transportation arrangements (school bus, charter bus, other).
- Recruit physically active chaperones.
- Plan for collection of student money. Many teachers will require a non-refundable deposit from students well before the trip or they have students pay in monthly installments from the beginning of the school year.
AT LEAST 3 MONTHS BEFORE ARRIVAL
- Review our Lead Teacher Letter.
- Send letters and forms (below) home to parents and chaperones – insist that the deadline to return them is at least two weeks before the scheduled trip.
- Plan and host a Chaperone Orientation Meeting. Feel free to review our Teacher/Chaperone Orientation sheet.
- Please remember that a Health Form and an Activities Disclosure and Permission Form must be completed and turned in for all participants (students, chaperones, teachers). These forms can all be found in the Field Trip Planning Packet
- Guardian Letter
- Rules of Conduct
- Packing List
- Student Activities Disclosure and Permission Form (student must sign acknowledgement of Rules of Conduct)
- Student Health Form (we must have Permission to Treat)
- Adult Activities Disclosure and Permission Form
- Adult Health Form
- Student Letter
- Rules of Conduct
- Packing List
- Chaperone Letter
- Adult Activities Disclosure and Permission Form
- Adult Health Form
AT LEAST 2 MONTHS BEFORE ARRIVAL
- Read class descriptions:
Daytime Classes
Evening Classes
Adventure - Confirm the number of possible classes for your chosen schedule.
- Email completed Class Selection Sheet to blueridgedir@campmikell.com.
- Make requests for special services such as special dietary needs (including food allergies), medical needs, housing requirements, etc. Send completed Dietary Needs Summary form to blueridgedir@campmikell.com.
- Create student journals if you wish.
AT LEAST 1 MONTH BEFORE ARRIVAL
- Email completed Trip Details Form to find out how many cabins and field groups you will have.
- Assign each student to both a field group and a cabin group. Cabin groups should have up to 12 students and 1 chaperone. Field groups should be mixed gender and have at least 1 chaperone. Per American Camp Association guidelines there must be at least 1 adult in each cabin and each field group.
- Plan to have a check cut for the remainder of the fees if you do not plan on receiving an invoice from us during your trip.
- Encourage students and parents to visit www.blueridgeoec.com
AT LEAST 2 WEEK BEFORE ARRIVAL
- Collect forms and paperwork from parents and chaperones. Alphabetize Health and Activities Disclosure and Permission forms for Blue Ridge staff.
- Review Last Minute Reminders.
- Make name tags for students that include their cabin and field group names.
- Review Rules of Conduct with students.
- Make copies of cabin and field group lists for all adult attendees.
ONE WEEK BEFORE ARRIVAL
- Check the weather forecast for Toccoa, GA and make sure everyone packs appropriate clothes for the weather.
- Tell us if anyone’s birthday falls during your trip so that we can arrange a small observance including a hearty song and a treat!
DEPARTURE DAY
- Collect medications. Please check that students have brought needed medications (especially inhalers, epi pens, etc.). We require that all medications are locked unless under the controlled possession of the individual responsible for administering them. This means that all medications need to be in the possession of the person that administers the medications, OR locked in that individual’s room or car, OR locked in the Blue Ridge OEC office.
- Be sure everyone has bedding, appropriate clothes and layers, and water bottles.
- Pack vehicles
- Have a safe trip. We will see you here!
ARRIVAL AT CAMP MIKELL PROPERTY
- When you approach Toccoa, please give us a call to let us know you are near. Our office number is (706) 886-7621. We will meet you near the bus parking lot!
- Help organize adults to unload luggage from vehicles.
- Turn in Health and Activities Disclosure and Permission forms to Blue Ridge OEC staff.