Teacher & Group Leader Resources
Everything you need to plan, prepare for, and lead a successful Outdoor School trip at Eagle Bluff.
start planning your outdoor school trip
After you book your trip, begin trip planning with these core resources and confirm your school’s trip details.
Start Planning:
Begin planning your Outdoor School trip.
Required Forms:
Complete and submit the required forms to begin coordinating your trip with Eagle Bluff.
- Scheduling Form
- Evening Snack Request Form
- Electronic Medical Forms (available after your Scheduling Form is submitted)
Planning Resources:
Reference these resources to help coordinate logistics and prepare for your visit.
Family Resources:
Prepare families by sharing important trip information and resources before your visit.
Chaperone Resources:
Help chaperones understand their roles, responsibilities, and expectations before the trip.
Classroom Resources:
Review these materials to extend learning before, during, and after your Outdoor School trip.
TRIP PLANNING TIMELINE
With Your School:
- Arrange transportation to and from Eagle Bluff, including at least one personal vehicle on-site for emergencies.
- Confirm with your administration your school’s policies and requirements for overnight trips, including:
- Chaperone background checks
- Student supervision and safety procedures
- Any additional district or school requirements
- Review Eagle Bluff’s Accessibility webpage and identify any students who may need additional support during their visit
- Recruit and organize chaperones, following any sign-up procedures or requirements established by your school’s administration.
With Families:
- Plan your parent/guardian communication, such as a parent/guardian meeting, informational email, or both.
- We recommend sharing the Parent & Student Resources webpage, along with the resources linked below, to help families prepare for their Outdoor School experience.
- Packing List
- Code of Conduct
- Campus Map
- Food Allergen Disclosure
- Gift Shop Price List
With Eagle Bluff:
- Complete and return your Reservation Contract (sent from our Scheduling Manager at scheduling@eaglebluffmn.org)
- Contact Eagle Bluff if you would like assistance selecting classes and activities.
With Eagle Bluff:
- Complete and return the Scheduling Form and Evening Snack Request Form.
- After your forms are received, the Scheduling Manager will send your school’s digital Access Folder and a link to the online Medical & Liability Release Form
- Your Access Folder includes your Trip Schedule, Planning Sheet, Medical & Liability Release Form, and Responses Sheet.
With Families & Chaperones:
- Share the link to the online Medical & Liability Release Form with participating students’ families and chaperones so all required forms can be completed before your trip.
With Your School:
- Review the Eagle Bluff Code of Conduct.
- Review your school’s child safety and sexual harassment policies, which must be enforced during your Eagle Bluff visit.
With Chaperones:
- Confirm you have the minimum number of adult chaperones required for your scheduled activities.
- Letter groups: 1 chaperone per group
- Backup coverage: 1 additional chaperone
- West Treetops: 2 adults
- East Treetops: 2–3 adults
- South Treetops: 3 adults
- Rock Climbing: 3–4 adults
- Review Evening Activities; download and distribute lesson plans to adults leading each activity.
Optional:
- Review the Pre-Trip Activities and Journaling resources.
With Eagle Bluff:
- Review your Trip Schedule and contact the Scheduling Manager with any questions.
- Submit any schedule change requests at least three weeks before your trip.
With Families:
- Share the Packing List.
- Send parents a link to Eagle Bluff’s Gift Shop Price List.
With Chaperones:
- Share the Packing List, Chaperone Guide, Chaperone Snapshot, Code of Conduct, and Campus Map.
- Hold a chaperone meeting to review roles, responsibilities, and expectations.
- Assign and notify chaperones who will provide additional support to students with identified needs.
Optional:
- Assign chaperones to free-time supervision denoted on the Chaperone Schedule.
- Plan a quiet group activity or meeting for the 9:00–10:00 p.m. time period.
With Eagle Bluff:
- Finalize your participant numbers (students and adults) and arrival/departure times. The Scheduling Manager will contact you to confirm.
With Your School:
- Ensure all students, teachers, and chaperones have completed the online Medical & Liability Release Form. Participants with incomplete forms will not be able to participate until a form has been submitted.
- Assign students and chaperones to class groups and record assignments in the digital Medical & Liability Release Form and Responses Sheet.
- Class groups are limited to 20 students. No exceptions.
- Assign students and chaperones to dorm rooms and record assignments in the digital Medical & Liability Release Form and Responses Sheet.
- Refer to your Planning Sheet for the number of rooms assigned to your group. Each room accommodates up to 8 people.
With Your School:
- Organize any school supplies you’ll need during your visit.
- Share Eagle Bluff’s directions with bus and car drivers. (Most digital mapping apps do not use the correct route.)
With Chaperones
- Review and share your Trip Schedule and, if using one, your Chaperone Schedule.
Optional:
- Lead Pre-Activities and/or distribute Journaling resources.
- Share Eagle Bluff’s website, photos, or videos with students to build excitement before your trip.
Optional:
- Complete the Continuing Education Unit (CEU) Approval Form to receive continuing education credit, if applicable.
- Continue learning in the classroom by completing the Post-Activities and/or Journal Pages with your students.
- Help spread the word about Outdoor School by sharing your experience on social media or with your local news outlet.
- Recognize those who helped make your trip possible. Send the names, mailing addresses, and email addresses (if available) of any organizations or individuals who donated toward your trip to giving@eaglebluffmn.org, and Eagle Bluff will send them a thank-you.
Inquire About an Outdoor School Trip
Interested in bringing your students to Eagle Bluff? Complete the Outdoor School Trip Inquiry Form below, and our Scheduling Manager will contact you to discuss your goals, answer questions, and help you explore program options and available dates.