Anonymous wrote:My kid was kind of bored but said it was "fine". They went early in the year though - maybe he would have had more fun if they had more time to settle in and knew more kids. The programming sounded good, with lots of hands on learning.

My kid went in October and it was actually good because it made the kids closer and formed new friendships.

Prepare your kids for the sleeping and bathroom/shower situation. The food is bad but they’ll live. It’s not even that hiking focused, just make sure you have boots they can run in and multiple socks.

Anonymous wrote:Do people have more recent - in last few years - ODE experiences to share?

Last week's was wet but the kids loved it anyway.

Do people have more recent - in last few years - ODE experiences to share?

How was Westland's ODE last week?

Anonymous wrote:I think the point is that they usually are short on chaperones, especially those staying overnight. The teachers need the break.

Maybe 32 kids in bunks split between 2 rooms. Hopefully with a high-schooler getting SSL hours in each. If you are the only overnight chaperone for the cabin, you get your own room & bathroom. Mattresses are terrible, so maybe bring extra padding/twin-sized inflatable bed. You're fine to bring your cell, but expect to use that during breaks -- it's good to keep involved in the activities. You can arrange with teachers/other daytime chaperones to leave off every now and then to do some work on your laptop or the like.

They shouldn't be making chaperones pay a dime, either for the background check or for the event. It excludes those for whom that amount would present a not-inconsequential financial burden, even if taking off from work were a possibility.

You would think! If you have an affluent-ish PTA, they may be able to cover the event fee, but in most cases the cost of background check is the chaperone's responsibility. Adults are taking off work, whether you work an hourly pay or salaried, they are missing work to help teachers, school and other families by chaperoning!

I think the point is that they usually are short on chaperones, especially those staying overnight. The teachers need the break.

Maybe 32 kids in bunks split between 2 rooms. Hopefully with a high-schooler getting SSL hours in each. If you are the only overnight chaperone for the cabin, you get your own room & bathroom. Mattresses are terrible, so maybe bring extra padding/twin-sized inflatable bed. You're fine to bring your cell, but expect to use that during breaks -- it's good to keep involved in the activities. You can arrange with teachers/other daytime chaperones to leave off every now and then to do some work on your laptop or the like.

They shouldn't be making chaperones pay a dime, either for the background check or for the event. It excludes those for whom that amount would present a not-inconsequential financial burden, even if taking off from work were a possibility.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Chaperone. Chaperone overnight.
Kids will be tired, sleep deprived over the two days.
Most all enjoy the entire adventure tremendously.

Can't you give your kid a moment of independence for a couple nights?

Too bad you don't get it and you leave a stranger with your kid. The teachers do not stay in the same cabins. You will get it if you go.

Sorry - I went to sleep-away camp (with then-strangers), been a cabin counselor at a camp, and sent my kids to sleep away camps, outdoor ed, and scouting trips. It's generally good for kids to get away from their parents. It's not like your kid will be in a room alone with someone else. Land your helicopter!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Chaperone. Chaperone overnight.
Kids will be tired, sleep deprived over the two days.
Most all enjoy the entire adventure tremendously.

Can't you give your kid a moment of independence for a couple nights?

Too bad you don't get it and you leave a stranger with your kid. The teachers do not stay in the same cabins. You will get it if you go.

Anonymous wrote:Chaperone. Chaperone overnight.
Kids will be tired, sleep deprived over the two days.
Most all enjoy the entire adventure tremendously.

Can't you give your kid a moment of independence for a couple nights?

Get hiking shoes if forecast calls for rain for the 2.5 days your kid is attending. If no rain, 2 tennis shoes are enough. And 1 pair of flip flops/slippers for cabin bathroom.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Take hiking shoes if weather forecast is rain, if not, no need for hiking shoes. One sturdy sneakers will be enough.

Hiking shoes aren't necessary, but a second (dry) pair is. And dry socks. My kids use an old pair for the sloppy stuff.

Check the forecast for the area of site..if no rain you don't have to have a second pair. If it gives you peace of mind to have as a back-up pair though, take it. Agree dry socks and a few pairs should be packed.

Schools ask students to pack two hiking shoes. Unless your child is an avid hiker or involved in hiking outdoorsy activities, who keeps two hiking shoes around on kids with growing feet. Absurd. Schools should be buying each child a pair instead.

Hiking shoes aren't necessary. Just pack two pairs of sneakers in case one pair gets muddy/wet. Our kids have done a lot of hiking in sneakers.

Chaperone. Chaperone overnight.
Kids will be tired, sleep deprived over the two days.
Most all enjoy the entire adventure tremendously.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Take hiking shoes if weather forecast is rain, if not, no need for hiking shoes. One sturdy sneakers will be enough.

Hiking shoes aren't necessary, but a second (dry) pair is. And dry socks. My kids use an old pair for the sloppy stuff.

Check the forecast for the area of site..if no rain you don't have to have a second pair. If it gives you peace of mind to have as a back-up pair though, take it. Agree dry socks and a few pairs should be packed.

Schools ask students to pack two hiking shoes. Unless your child is an avid hiker or involved in hiking outdoorsy activities, who keeps two hiking shoes around on kids with growing feet. Absurd. Schools should be buying each child a pair instead.