2016 OPRF OPERATION SNOWBALL

Transcription

1 2016 OPRF OPERATION SNOWBALL We ll Be Just Fine! March 4 th -6 th, 2016 Operation Snowball Adult Directors: Camp Manitoqua 8122 W. Sauk Trail Jim Geovanes Anthony Clark Ginger Colamussi Frankfort, Il jgeovanes@oprfhs.org avclark@oprfhs.org gcolamussi@oprfhs.org (815) Operation Snowball is: A weekend retreat sponsored by OPRF District 200 for the students, parents and staff of the district. Founded on the belief that with accurate information and an understanding of oneself, every person has the ability to make sound decisions regarding his or her own life. A prevention program that focuses on building skills for leadership development. A program emphasizing teens helping teens. Meeting new people and having fun. Program Overview Information is presented in large group general sessions and in smaller groups called mini-workshops. After each general session and mini-workshop, participants meet in their small groups to discuss the information and its implications on their lives. The same small groups meet throughout the weekend, and it is here that many thoughts and feelings are shared. Each small group is co-facilitated by trained teens and adults. The topics presented include communication skills, decision making, problem solving, peer pressure, coping with stress, alcohol, tobacco and other drugs information, relationships, positive mental attitude, and the healthy family, just to name a few. Participant Expectations Participants must agree to follow all OPRF DISTRICT 200, Operation Snowball and Camp Manitoqua rules. They must be able to follow the schedule of activities (7:00am-12:00am), to attend all of the sessions, share their thoughts and feelings appropriately and respect others opinions that may differ and display appropriate behavior at all times. Participants should not be in need of emotional or substance treatment. Operation Snowball is a leadership program and does not provide therapy/counseling. If you play a sport during the time of the event, please check with your coach before you sign up to attend. YOU ARE EXPECTED TO STAY AT THE WEEKEND FOR THE DURATION OF THE EVENT: this includes athletic, extra-curricular and personal/family conflicts. In addition, students should contact their teachers for assignments which need to be completed upon their return to school on Tuesday, March 8 th, Operation Snowball is a school sponsored event and is considered a field trip. All school work that is missed while on the trip can and will be able to be made up. Speaking with teachers before the event is always a good idea for participants.

2 Facilities Camp Manitoqua is located at 8122 W. Sauk Trail Road in Frankfort, Il. Participants will be housed in carpeted, heated dorm style rooms and will sleep on bunk beds (bedding supplies such as a sleeping bag or fitted/flat sheets for twin beds, blanket and pillow should be provided by student). Seven nutritious, balanced meals will be served beginning with lunch on Friday. In case of an emergency (during business hours), Operation Snowball staff, Jim Geovanes can be reached at Students will not have access to their cell phones during the weekend. Visitors will NOT be allowed during the event unless of an emergency. During the Operation Snowball event, students can call home from a phone in the Operation Snowball Nurses office. Students should see an Operation Snowball Director to utilize the camp phone. Transportation and Registration upon Arrival at Camp All participants will need to be at OPRFHS Student Activities Center by 7:45am on Friday, March 4 th. They will load school buses and be transported to Camp Manitoqua. Upon arrival to Camp Manitoqua, participants will find their designated dorm and immediately head to the large group meeting area to receive their weekend retreat materials. Participants should be prepared to turn in all over the counter/prescription medications to the nurse at registration. Cell Phones: We will ask all participants to give an adult staff member their cell phone prior to stepping foot onto the bus. The adult staff member will put their name on the phone, turn it off and give the collected phones to the adult director. Phones will be returned to participants at the high school upon return Sunday Afternoon. Ideally, leave your cell phone at home for the weekend. Family Day and weekend culmination (Sunday, March 6 th 12pm 1pm) Family day gives the families of the participants an opportunity to better their understanding of Operation Snowball. We feel that Operation Snowball is one of the most powerful and enriching programs that teens can experience during high school. Operation Snowball can be a very difficult experience to explain, even for those of us who are veterans. In an attempt to help everyone understand the weekend and because OPERATION SNOWBALL stresses the importance of the family, we want to encourage the entire family to attend this very special portion of the program. Though optional, we feel it is vital for parents to attend to truly have insight into what the participants have experienced. Families are asked to arrive at the OPRF little Theatre by 11:45am on Sunday, March 6th. The Family day program will begin promptly at 12:00. Family day will conclude at 1:00pm. Remember, all participants need to secure a ride home from OPRF on Sunday afternoon. Fees The total cost for the Operation Snowball weekend is $150. This fee includes transportation to and from Camp Manitoqua on a School Bus, 7 nutritional/balanced meals, 2 nights of lodging, all workshop materials, an event t-shirt, a secret valuable prize, and a group photograph of everyone at Operation Snowball. Payment can be made on the OPRFHS website at under online payments or can be made via check or cash. If paid online, attach a printed copy of the online receipt with your application Please make checks out to OPRFHS/Operation Snowball and turn them into the Student Activities Center, Room 174. Partial fee scholarships will be considered for students who are currently in need of financial assistance but are based on a first come, first serve basis and are not guaranteed. Please be advised that financial assistance may run out before the February 19 th deadline. Please contact Jim Geovanes ( ) or Anthony Clark ( ) if Financial Assistance is needed.

3 2016 Operation Snowball Application and Money are due together by 3pm on February 19th! Space is Limited. NO REFUNDS WILL BE GIVEN AFTER MONDAY, Feb 22 at 3pm. ITEMS TO BRING TO OPERATION SNOWBALL 2016 A MUG!! (YOU LL BE SORRY IF YOU FORGET). SLEEPING BAG OR BLANKETS AND PILLOW BATHROOM TOILETRIES (i.e., TOWELS, WASH CLOTH, TOOTHBRUSH, TOOTH PASTE, SOAP, ETC.) FLIP-FLOPS FOR SHOWER. CONTACT WEARERS DON T FORGET YOUR GLASSES OR ANOTHER PAIR OF CONTACTS. JUST IN CASE... BRING TWO PAIRS OF BOOTS/SHOES AND EXTRA SOCKS. WEAR SHOES THAT YOU WOULDN T MIND GETTING MUDDY (e.g., OLD SNEAKERS OR BOOTS) AND CLOTHES THAT ARE WARM AND THAT AREN T TOO NICE. FLASHLIGHT ALARM CLOCK AND WRIST WATCH UMBRELLA, PONCHO CHANGE FOR THE POP MACHINE HAT, GLOVES, SCARF, WARM COAT JOURNALS, PEN/PENCIL, STATIONARY/NOTE PAPER KLEENEX NO CELL PHONES ALLOWED They will be taken if they are seen, and you may be sent home if you are found using one. If you want to use one to call for a ride when you return, we will gladly hold on to it for the weekend. Don t Bring: TV s, radios, Ipods, anything expensive, cigarettes, drugs, alcohol, drug paraphernalia or clothes, jewelry, personal property that promotes/condones violence, alcohol, tobacco and other drugs.

4 OPRF DISTRICT 200 OPERATION SNOWBALL GUIDELINES 1. Participants are expected to adhere to all District 200 and Operation Snowball rules and regulations. Infractions of school policy are subject to disciplinary actions. 2. All medication (prescription and/or over the counter) must be turned in to the Operation Snowball nurse at the time of registration. Self medication will not occur as prescribed and will be monitored by a qualified district staff member. ALL OVER THE COUNTER MEDICATION MUST BE BROUGHT IN THE ORIGINAL CONTAINER. Operation Snowball cannot provide over the counter medication they must bring in all of their own medications (Tylenol, Aspirin, etc). 3. Participants will not be allowed to leave Operation Snowball, nor have guests in to visit. In case of an emergency, the visitor to the camp must register with the Operation Snowball Director. 4. Participants will be assigned to cabins for housing. Participants will not be allowed in other cabins, except during specified small group sessions or mini workshops when an adult is present. 5. Operation Snowball, OPRF district 200 will not be responsible for personal items that are lost or stolen (including cell phones). 6. Participants will be expected to participate in all scheduled Operation Snowball activities (7:00am-12:00am daily). Non participation in a scheduled event must be authorized by one of the Operation Snowball Adult Directors. 7. Participants should notify the Operation Snowball Nurse, their group, or their cabin leader immediately in the event of illness or injury of any kind. Student s parents will be notified immediately by the Operation Snowball nurse in the case of a serious illness or injury. 8. Participants should not bring any portable electronic devices or excessive amounts of food to Operation Snowball. These items and over the counter or prescription medications are expected to be turned in during the registration process on Friday morning. 9. Do not exceed established camp boundaries (to be explained at the retreat) 10. Clothing, jewelry, or other personal property that promotes or condones violence, alcohol, tobacco and other drugs, etc is NOT permitted. 11. Participants will be expected to demonstrate respect, consideration and concern for themselves, fellow participants and staff at Operation Snowball. 12. Contraband Policy: Infractions of the District 200 policy regarding possession, use, or distribution of alcohol, other drugs, tobacco products, drug paraphernalia, weapons (including pocket knives), fire related materials (including fireworks, lighters, etc.) or any gang related behavior WILL result in the participants immediate removal from the Operation Snowball event. Disciplinary action for these offenses WILL take place at OPRF High School and the Will County Sherriff or Frankfort Police may be notified, if deemed appropriate.

5 OPRF OPERATION SNOWBALL 2016 PARENTAL CONSENT AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF SCHOOL POLICIES AT OPERATION SNOWBALL My child has my permission to take part in a field trip to OPERATION SNOWBALL at Camp Manitoqua, Frankfort, Illinois on March 4-6, I understand: I understand: The school districts insurance does not cover the personal property or physical liability of parents, sponsors, chaperones, or students while they are on the field trip. Parents are responsible for arranging transportation home within 30 minutes from the time that the field trip is concluded on Sunday, March 6th. Self Medication will occur as prescribed and will be monitored by a qualified district staff member. All medications must be turned into the nurse at registration on Friday. Students on the field trips are expected to follow the sponsor s directions and abide by all the rules and behavior that apply when on the school campus. All rules in the District 200 handbook apply. Students will be subject to disciplinary actions for any infractions of the District 200 guidelines. My signature indicates that I have read the above statements and the list of Operation Snowball rules. I also understand that my child will be subject to District 200 disciplinary action and possible intervention depending on the violation. Signature of parent or guardian: Family Day Registration I/We plan to attend the Family Day activities at OPRFHS on Sunday, March 6th from 12:00 until 1:00. (Siblings and extended families are invited too). Return this form to the Student Activities Office (room 174) with a check for $150 made payable to OPRFHS-Operation Snowball. You may also pay via credit card/debit card at Click onto online payments link and find the Operation Snowball tab. If paid online, attach a printed copy of the online receipt with your application Space is limited to the first 160 students that get their application and money turned in. Financial Assistance can be reviewed for student s families that are currently experiencing financial hardships. This form and money must be turned in together to room 174 by 3pm Friday, February 19th. If you have any questions, please contact your Operation Snowball Adult Directors Jim Geovanes Anthony Clark Ginger Colamussi jgeovanes@oprfhs.org avclark@oprfhs.org gcolamussi@oprfhs.org (708) (708) (708)

6 OPRF OPERATION SNOWBALL 2016 Participant Application Name: Age: Gender: School ID# Grade: Cell Phone # Home Address Home Phone # (street) (optional) (City) (zip) Circle T-shirt size: S M L XL XXL XXXL (SIZES ARE NOT GUARANTEED) Please rank the movie (1-3) you would like to watch on Friday Night. We will do our best to get you your top choice but cannot guarantee anything. Inside Out (PG) 2015 After young Riley is uprooted from her Midwest life and moved to San Francisco, her emotions Joy, Fear, Anger, Disgust and Sadness conflict on how best to navigate a new city, house and school. She s the Man (PG-13) 2006 When her brother decides to ditch for a couple weeks in London, Viola heads over to his elite boarding school, disguises herself as him, and proceeds to fall for one of her soccer teammates. Little does she realize she's not the only one with romantic troubles, as she, as he, gets in the middle of a series of intermingled love affairs. Lean on Me (PG-13) 1989 The dedicated but tyrannical Joe Clark is appointed the principal of a decaying inner-city school that he is determined to improve. Mini Workshops- Mini Workshops are where participants choose topics that they are interested in and learn more about them. Mini workshops are much more interactive than our traditional Operation Snowball Large Group sessions. All mini workshops are led by outside professionals in their field of expertise. Please number your top 3 choices. We will do our best to get you into your top 2 choices of each mini workshop, but will use the 3 rd as an alternate. Zumba Dance Taking the first step into Leadership (more of an individual based Leadership workshop) Diversity and Racial Equity Mediation, Relaxation & Mini Spa Treatment Let s Get Weird (Intro to Improvisational Comedy) Responsible Sexual Health Leadership Actions you can take to make a better school, community and world. List Previous Operation Snowball Experience:

7 OPRF OPERATION SNOWBALL 2016 EMERGENCY INFORMATION Parent/Guardian Name: Parent Work/Cell # OTHER PARENT/GUARDIAN, indicate relative/friend to contact in case of emergency: NAME: RELATIONSHIP PH ONE FAMILY PHYSICIAN & PHONE NUMBER HEALTH HISTORY and STATUS (Confidential): Any limitations on participants physical activities? Any special dietary requirements (ie vegetarian, food allergies): Any other known allergies, including medications? Share the participant s history of physical or emotional problems (ie arthritis, asthma, chemical dependence, depression, diabetes, epilepsy, heart problems, etc.) Please list all current medications, doses and frequency: MEDICAL RELEASE I will release any information requested to me in regards to in case of an emergency to the Operation Snowball staff nurse, and in doing so I also give my permission to seek medical aid. I further agree that should the nurse be unable to contact me, medical aid may be sought in the event of an emergency and I will cover any financial responsibilities incurred. I will not hold the nurse or staff of Operation Snowball liable for any injury or damage. I have completed the necessary information requested for my child and agree to this medical release. Parent/Guardian: Relationship Date:

8 Dear Parents and Students: Code of Conduct Agreement The purpose of this letter is to outline the rules and regulations for your son or daughter during the Snowball Leadership Retreat trip. The student s signature will act as a pledge. Students should understand the consequences if the pledge is broken. I, (student) will be responsible for the following as a member of the Oak Park and River Forest High School student body on this trip: 1. I will conduct in a courteous manner at all times. 2. I will be on time. 3. I will not drink any alcohol or use illegal drugs while on this trip. 4. I will not smoke. 5. I will not possess a weapon of any kind, including any utility knife (ie: Swiss Army knife) 6. I will not take articles or items which do not belong to me. 7. I will be in my assigned bed/room at the designated lights out time. 8. I will not be in the wrong rooms when staying at Camp Manitoqua. 9. I will not leave my cabin after lights out. 10. I will obey those rules as set forth in the itinerary. If a student is in possession of alcohol or illegal drugs or has consumed alcohol or used illegal drugs, or behaves in an inappropriate manner, their parents will be notified and they will be sent home. This will be at the parents expense and responsibility to arrange for the student to be transported home. If any of the other conduct is not upheld, parents will be notified by phone immediately of the problem. Upon return home, further action may be taken by the principal as to the student s OPRF behavior contract. I agree to the above mentioned terms and conditions: Parent s signature Date Work Phone Number Home Phone Number Student s signature Date