Parents

Thank you for your interest in Pathfinders. The Pathfinders Program is an amazing opportunity for students to learn about the outdoors, to learn what it means to be part of a cooperative team, and most importantly, to learn about themselves. Pathfinders is not an easy program. Students will challenge themselves, and in doing so, they will gain confidence and skills necessary for future success.

The Pathfinder experience can only be successful with a partnership between students, parents, and leaders of the Pathfinder Program. We truly cannot provide this opportunity without your support. It is essential that we work as a team. As student commitment to the program is so important, we ask that you set firm expectations of your child that they will attend every meeting. Once we have begun training, it is very difficult, if not impossible, to pick up a replacement student to fill the shoes of someone who has dropped. Many Pathfinder meetings entail safety training, and this information is essential to their participation on trips. Team training - learning how to function as a working group - is also very important. Sixth grade teams will be going out on day trips, and 7th/8th grade teams will go on a week-long expedition.

Up front, there will be a lot of paperwork - permission forms, medication forms, etc. We will gladly work through this process with you. Please make every effort to get paperwork in promptly. District policies - in place for the safety of our students - dictate that we have to have all permission and medication forms in four weeks prior to a trip. (See all trip forms on this page.)

All Pathfinder students must have proof of a physical on file with the school. Physicals are valid for two years. See the Forms and Permissions section on this page for more information about locations offering physicals at a reduced cost.

Is there a fee for the program? Sixth grade students can pay $15, which covers the cost of their Pathfinders shirt. Seventh and eighth grade students can pay $25 to help cover the costs of their week-long expedition. All food and equipment necessary for trips is covered by the program. No student will be turned away for inability to pay program fees.

Please note - Pathfinders is a true outdoor experience. Technology (phones, etc.) is prohibited on all trips. Leaders will have family emergency numbers with them on all trips should it be necessary to make parent contact. Teams will also check in with the school while on extended trips to verify good health and safety.

Safety is our priority. Almost all of our staff are Wilderness First Aid certified. Several staff have had canoe training, Maine Guide training, low ropes training, and CPR training. Every year our staff are offered new outdoor education opportunities.

Again, thank you for your interest in Pathfinders. Please contact Ethel Atkinson- Pathfinders director (eatkinson@bonnyeagle.org ), or hit the 'Leaders' tab for a specific team leader, with any questions.