Frequently
Asked Question
What equipment will my child need to
bring?
We provide your child (on loan) all the necessary equipment
for this trip. You will need to send them with 2 clean changes
of clothing, 4 pair of underwear, basic toiletries, two pair
of tennis sneakers, 2 pair of shorts and a few disposable
cameras.
What is your student to staff ratio?
3 staff : 8 Students
How long have you been in operation?
Wilderness Opportunities was founded in May of 1999 and has
provided over 1500 service days for at-risk and undeserved
youth nationwide.
Will my child be out with a group of
"bad" kids?
We screen our students with a thorough applicant review process
to make sure that issues they are struggling with are within
the spectrum appropriate to our services. We do not accept
kids with a history of violent behavior, recent suicide attempts,
or who are unstable due to a diagnosed mood disorder .
Can I send my child there if he/she
is on medication for behavior?
Yes. Information from you and your prescribing physician will
be gathered as part of the medical screening for program acceptance.
While on course, instructors carry and monitor distribution
of all prescription and non-prescription medications.
Can I bring my video games, CD player,
and/or other electronic devices?
No. We do not allow any electronic devices. During our expedition
fragile equipment such as CD or video games do not fare well
due to wet weather and travel. Please leave these items at
home so they can be enjoyed for future use.
Will I have contact with my child while
she/he is on course?
We do not allow our students to make phone calls. Mail, while
they are on course, is the best source of communication. Mail
is delivered to students with food re-supply and students’
outgoing mail is picked up, at this time, as well. You are
welcome to send e-mail or contact our office, however. We
will reply with an update usually within 24 hours. In order
to relay urgent messages and in case of emergency our in field
staff is equipped with a satellite phone and contact with
our administration office occurs daily.
What will my child eat?
We pride ourselves on eating very well on our expeditions.
Students are provided 3 square meals a day, including daily
fruits and vegetables. Dinner entrees vary from pasta, meat
or bean base, with vegetables or potatoes and a desert. Lunch
is usually a variety of sandwiches with fruit and a snack
bar. Breakfasts range from cheerios to oatmeal to our favorite
bacon egg and cheese breakfast burritos. While on trail students
will work in teams learning to cook over an open fire or camp
stove preparing things such as spaghetti and meatballs, soft
shelled and more....
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