My child is reluctant
to attend your program, but I think it would be good for him. Should I send him
anyway?
It depends. We ask that
participants arrive with a positive attitude and a willingness to participate
in the group process. This is not a rehabilitation program, a survival program,
or a therapeutic program for "at risk" children; it is a fun, exciting, and
challenging adventure program for the general population. A participant who is
a behavior problem or continually disrupts the group process may be sent back
to Base Camp and sent home without a refund. Therefore, you should not send
your child here if he or she does not want to accept the challenge. It is
natural to be apprehensive about attending a program where you will be
challenged both physically and mentally. However, we design our programs to be
age-appropriate and to strike a balance between being too challenging and not
challenging enough. If you think your child will enjoy the outdoors and
camping, and is willing to give the activities his or her best shot, he or she
will probably have a great experience here. If your child is reluctant or
nervous, it may help to visit us or to have your child call some of the former
participants on our reference list.
I'm still not clear on
what gear I will need to provide
All activity and camping
equipment is provided for our Outdoor
Discovery, Classic Adventures and
Specialized Trips, including tents, sleeping
bags, and backpacks. If you are going on an Earth Exploration you will be provided
with a detailed equipment list. You will have to purchase some items. Most
items can be purchased through Wilderness Adventure at Eagle Landing's Base
Camp Store.
Will I be carrying a
lot of weight?
Participants in the 13-18 age
group will carry a backpack containing all your personal items (sleeping bag,
sleeping pad, water bottle, clothes, etc.), in addition to a portion of the
group gear (cooking pots, tent, or stove). It is important to pack lightly,
since the overall weight of your pack largely depends on the weight of your
personal items. Our leaders spend considerable time at the beginning of the
session assisting participants with packing appropriately. The average weight
of a pack is 35 lbs.
All Pathways trips and all
one-week Tracks trips utilize a permanent campsite and do not move from
campsite to campsite each night; therefore the weight they carry is minimal.
You will use a daypack to carry a water bottle, snack items, and extra
clothing. Two-week Tracks participants will spend their second week moving from
campsite to campsite and will carry a backpack containing their personal items
(sleeping bag, sleeping pad, water bottle, clothes, etc.), in addition to a
portion of the group gear (cooking pots, tent, or stove). During their second
week, groups will not backpack large distances with their packs; they will take
what they need for the day and their packs will be shuttled to the
campsite.
What will we be eating?
All groups (ages 13-18) will
be carrying a nutritious combination of lightweight, dehydrated backpacking
food and non-dehydrated perishable goods such as cheese, bagels, tuna, and
fruit. All the dehydrated food is high in the carbohydrates and protein needed
to provide energy while on the trail as well as other nutrients found in the
pasta, vegetables, and sauces. Delicious desserts are also provided to
complement each dinner.
Outdoor Discovery
participants will have each breakfast and dinner is prepared by the group in an
established kitchen area over camp stoves. Sample meals are macaroni &
cheese, soups, pancakes, eggs, etc. During activities groups will carry a
nutritious combination of lightweight, dehydrated backpacking food and
non-dehydrated perishable goods such as cheese, bagels, tuna, and fruit. All
the dehydrated food is high in the carbohydrates and protein needed to provide
energy.
Will I be able to
shower?
Outdoor Discovery (ages 8-12)
will have a few opportunities to shower in a shower house during one week
programs. Otherwise you will not be able to shower in a bathroom facility
during your trip. However, your group will often be near a creek or river. You
will have the opportunity to bathe near the water source using biodegradable
soap in accordance with Leave No Trace principles. Before departing on your
last day, you will be able to shower at our Base Camp facility.
If we're camping each
night, where will we be using the bathroom?
1-week Outdoor Discovery
groups will have bathroom facilities available the majority of the time, but
not all of it. Group leaders will spend time at the beginning of each trip
introducing a method known as troweling, which involves digging a 6" cat hole
and burying all human waste. Toilet paper is provided and we abide by Leave No
Trace principles when it comes to disposing of all waste products. When near
their permanent campsite, Outdoor Discovery participants will utilize
port-o-pots with sinks for hand washing.
What happens if I get
sick or injured while away from Base Camp?
In our Outdoor Discovery, Classic
Adventures and Specialized Trips, your
group will be met frequently by activity instructors and shuttle drivers. If
you become ill or injured, your leaders will contact Base Camp where someone
will meet your group to bring you back to Base Camp or the nearest medical
facility. For medical emergencies, your group leader carries a cell phone or
can use a phone at the nearest location to contact Base Camp. We answer our
phones 24 hours a day throughout our summer program.
Will I be able to
communicate with my parents?
If you are going on an Outdoor Discovery, Classic
Adventure or a Specialized Trip you will
need to rely solely on letters. Since this is a wilderness experience there are
no phones; just remember "no news is good news." Parents are called whenever a
participant returns to the Base Camp due to illness, injury, or disciplinary
problems. If you have chosen to explore the world with e2 then you will call
home when you land at your destination, in the middle of the course, and just
before you return home.
How much spending money
do I need?
It is not necessary to bring
spending money for Outdoor Discovery,
Classic Adventures and Specialized Trips. A credit amount is
pre-determined by your parents. If you are going on an e2 trip, we recommend
bringing $50 per week in Travelers Checks.
Is airfare included on
the Earth Exploration trips?
WAEL will purchase
your ticket and pay for 50% of the airfare from a major U.S. city. Explore
Vietnam & Trek to Thailand are from Los Angeles, CA (LAX).
Will I need a passport
or visa?
If you are going to either
Thailand or Vietnam you will need a passport. Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory
and therefore you only need a valid ID. Wilderness Adventure at Eagle Landing
will arrange any visas that are needed.
Do you offer Trip
Insurance?
We do and we highly recommend
purchasing trip insurance for any of our trips. When you register we will
automatically send you information regarding trip insurance.
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