Anonymous
Post 02/21/2024 14:52     Subject: Re:Outdoor lab - safety
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I'm not sure what you mean by "crimes." Are we talking you know that they have been convicted of crimes with a nexus to children? Or are we talking that you don't like the edibles they use on Saturdays? In any event, when the volunteer screening process was trotted out, it was advertised that it included a sex offender screening. And at my son's school, we had to be on the screened list to chaperone outdoor lab. Additionally, screening or not, parents who are on the sex registry wouldn't be able to chaperone for that reason alone. That said, if you have concerns about individual parents, and it seems like you do, then yes you should chaperone. Remember your sleep pad -- it's not a cushy volunteering gig.


Do chaperones sleep on the ground or is it raised? I feel as though the tents are raised.

Where do chaperones sleep vs kids? Where do the kids change? Who helps kids to the bathroom in the middle of the night?

The school is refusing to commit to match-gender adults to kids.


What? That doesn't seem right. They definitely put moms with girls and dads with boys. Also, they kids took buddies to the bathrooms. They weren't escorted by the adults.

Anonymous
Post 02/21/2024 14:46     Subject: Re:Outdoor lab - safety
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I'm not sure what you mean by "crimes." Are we talking you know that they have been convicted of crimes with a nexus to children? Or are we talking that you don't like the edibles they use on Saturdays? In any event, when the volunteer screening process was trotted out, it was advertised that it included a sex offender screening. And at my son's school, we had to be on the screened list to chaperone outdoor lab. Additionally, screening or not, parents who are on the sex registry wouldn't be able to chaperone for that reason alone. That said, if you have concerns about individual parents, and it seems like you do, then yes you should chaperone. Remember your sleep pad -- it's not a cushy volunteering gig.


Do chaperones sleep on the ground or is it raised? I feel as though the tents are raised.

Where do chaperones sleep vs kids? Where do the kids change? Who helps kids to the bathroom in the middle of the night?

The school is refusing to commit to match-gender adults to kids.


https://outdoorlab.org/about/facilities/

I am sure that kids CAN change their clothing, but my son absolutely did not. He and his buddies smelled. The kids took themselves to the bathroom, even in the dark. There wasn't a lot of sleeping going on, and they're old enough to escort themselves anyhow.
Anonymous
Post 02/21/2024 14:25     Subject: Re:Outdoor lab - safety
Anonymous wrote:I'm not sure what you mean by "crimes." Are we talking you know that they have been convicted of crimes with a nexus to children? Or are we talking that you don't like the edibles they use on Saturdays? In any event, when the volunteer screening process was trotted out, it was advertised that it included a sex offender screening. And at my son's school, we had to be on the screened list to chaperone outdoor lab. Additionally, screening or not, parents who are on the sex registry wouldn't be able to chaperone for that reason alone. That said, if you have concerns about individual parents, and it seems like you do, then yes you should chaperone. Remember your sleep pad -- it's not a cushy volunteering gig.


Do chaperones sleep on the ground or is it raised? I feel as though the tents are raised.

Where do chaperones sleep vs kids? Where do the kids change? Who helps kids to the bathroom in the middle of the night?

The school is refusing to commit to match-gender adults to kids.
Anonymous
Post 02/21/2024 14:21     Subject: Re:Outdoor lab - safety
I'm not sure what you mean by "crimes." Are we talking you know that they have been convicted of crimes with a nexus to children? Or are we talking that you don't like the edibles they use on Saturdays? In any event, when the volunteer screening process was trotted out, it was advertised that it included a sex offender screening. And at my son's school, we had to be on the screened list to chaperone outdoor lab. Additionally, screening or not, parents who are on the sex registry wouldn't be able to chaperone for that reason alone. That said, if you have concerns about individual parents, and it seems like you do, then yes you should chaperone. Remember your sleep pad -- it's not a cushy volunteering gig.
Anonymous
Post 02/21/2024 13:37     Subject: Outdoor lab - safety
Anonymous wrote:What was the Oakridge incident?

My 5th grader is riding the bus back and forth during his class time out there. He didn't want to deal with anyone's dads snoring or girls seeing him in his jammies.

School offered the bus ride out of the gate.


Two 5th graders had inappropriate contact.
Anonymous
Post 02/21/2024 13:36     Subject: Outdoor lab - safety
Thanks everyone. There are adults in our school community with histories of various crimes, and I don’t want my kid to be at risk at all. The school refuses to explain how parents are matched with kids and don’t explain where they will change, etc. I was feeling like I was overreacting but I am feeling less so now.
Anonymous
Post 02/21/2024 13:02     Subject: Outdoor lab - safety
Which schools do it as an overnight trip and which do it as a day trip now?
Anonymous
Post 02/21/2024 12:50     Subject: Outdoor lab - safety
I wouldn't let me kids go or stay there unless under direct parental supervision. I blame it on APS staffing. APS hires and protects people that abuse and should not be working with children.
Anonymous
Post 02/21/2024 12:34     Subject: Outdoor lab - safety
What was the Oakridge incident?

My 5th grader is riding the bus back and forth during his class time out there. He didn't want to deal with anyone's dads snoring or girls seeing him in his jammies.

School offered the bus ride out of the gate.
Anonymous
Post 02/21/2024 10:39     Subject: Outdoor lab - safety
Anonymous wrote:I am confused by your post - my 5th grader went to outdoor lab earlier this year but nobody stayed overnight...it was just a day trip.


Ever since the Oakridge incident, it’s my understanding that each school decides whether to have the kids spend the night or not.
Anonymous
Post 02/21/2024 10:21     Subject: Outdoor lab - safety
Protect the children from adults? I hope you know the incident was between two children not an adult and a child?
Anonymous
Post 02/21/2024 10:02     Subject: Outdoor lab - safety
Just pick your kid up at the end of the day
Anonymous
Post 02/21/2024 09:59     Subject: Outdoor lab - safety
If you are this worried, don't have your child spend the night. Or volunteer yourself to chaperone.

I also think your school should be able to answer any of these questions. My kid is in 4th, but I know our 5th grade classes have gone the last few years and stayed over night.
Anonymous
Post 02/21/2024 09:56     Subject: Outdoor lab - safety
I am confused by your post - my 5th grader went to outdoor lab earlier this year but nobody stayed overnight...it was just a day trip.
Anonymous
Post 02/21/2024 09:49     Subject: Outdoor lab - safety
Hello,

Since outdoor lab made changes, our school hasn’t gone to stay overnight since prior to Covid. Where do the kids change now? Where do the two adults sleep in the tent? Is there any protection for the kids from the adults?

I don’t recall raptor requiring a background check - am I remembering incorrectly?

As the parent of a 5th grader I am concerned but also trying not to ruin a fun class trip. Thanks!