Outdoor School Logistics

Hancock is nestled in a charming little canyon that is in a cellular dead zone. WiFi is available to adults and OMSI staff. It’s limited in bandwidth; however, most can access email, messaging apps, and the occasional Zoom call.

They may *think* they cannot survive without it. However, they should not have their phones at outdoor school. While accommodations and exceptions are welcome, an important part of the outdoor school experience is for students to gain confidence and independence, connect with their peers, and enjoy our unique opportunities without technological distractions. Digital and film cameras are encouraged, and we urge families only to send what they can replace.

The maximum capacity at HFS is around 100 people. Depending on your group’s size, another group may also be onsite. The groups will primarily operate independently, sharing meal times, restrooms, and occasional evening programs.

We have three different sizes of cabins. Some have six bunks (twelve beds), others have four bunks (eight beds), and the smallest have three beds. All cabins have twin mattresses, doors and/or windows, electricity, and small heaters, and the large cabins have padded cement floors. The restrooms are a short walk from the cabins.  There’s at least one outlet in each cabin. The restrooms are a short walk from the cabins.

At least one adult or high school counselor/leader needs to stay in the cabin overnight with students. More than one person supervising the cabin is welcome; generally, a 1:7 ratio will be successful. There should always be supervision in the cabins when the students are in them. If you have at least one adult per cabin that is not a teacher, you may opt for a private teacher cabin (depending on availability).

Absolutely! Working from information provided by outdoor school group leaders, we build menus with healthy and delicious options for everyone.

We can accommodate mild to severe nut, egg, soy, wheat, and other food allergies. Typically, we create variations on the main meal, for example, cooking gluten-free pasta or vegetarian sausage, to provide a similar meal for our vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free participants.

Our kitchen is not allergen-free, but we clean and sanitize all surfaces and kitchen equipment to avoid cross-contamination. We’re open to inquiries and problem-solving in advance. Parents can also send food to supplement meals and snacks if they would like. We have a refrigerator and microwave available in the dining hall, and participants will always have access to their food.

Everyone will receive a free OMSI t-shirt on the final evening of their program. The camp store is available only to family camps and rental groups, so students don’t need to bring any money.

OMSI staff will go over emergency procedures with the groups on arrival day. Since the students are the school’s responsibility, one adult (usually the onsite group leader) is designated to be responsible for medications and all healthcare/emergency decisions. Groups must bring at least one vehicle with them for the duration of the program in case a participant needs transportation to a medical facility.

OMSI staff are trained in first aid and CPR and are available to help in an advisory capacity. Basic first aid supplies and an AED are stored in the infirmary. A land line is also available in case of emergency.