Announcement Details

FRENCH BROAD RIVER CAMPS

Summer 2008

"Educating and empowering the next generation of watershed stewards"

www.riverlink.org/rivercamps.asp

(828) 252-8474 x.111 education@riverlink.org

Thanks to Diamond Brand,

River Camp’s sponsor!
www.diamondbrand.com

~ Environmental Education ~ River Recreation ~ Service Learning~

~ Kids in the Creek ~ River of Words & Art ~River cleanup ~ Tree plantings ~ Canoe, kayak or raft trip ~ Tour of River Parks, stream restorations, and rain gardens ~ Rockin’ RiverFest ~ And much more! ~

Sessions:

July 7 - 11 (rising 3rd-5th grade) FULL
July 14 - 18 (rising 3rd-5th grade) FULL
July 21 - 25 (rising 6th-8th grade) FULL
July 28 - Aug.1 (rising 6th-8th grade) FULL
If a session is a full child will be placed on waiting list

Age:

Rising 3rd- 8th grade

Location:

Asheville & field trips around the watershed

Pick up and drop off at FBR Park on Amboy Road

Type:

Day camp (9am- 3pm)

Registration:

Click here for Word version

Click here for PDF version

Campers will be registered in the order in which applications are received

Cost:

$100/ session

$25 non-refundable registration fee

(one per family)

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CLICK FOR DETAILS

~ Background Information ~ Goals ~ Environmental Issues ~

~ Activities ~ General Information ~

Did you know one of the oldest rivers in the world runs right through Asheville? Discover the fabulous French Broad River —

it’s past, present and future!

Investigate a local stream’s water quality by looking for aquatic insects. Build your own watershed model and find out how human activities impact the river. Create river-inspired art and poetry, and volunteer for our Clean Stream Team. And of course, explore the river by kayak, canoe, or raft!

The goal of the French Broad River Camps is to educate and empower the next
generation of watershed stewards. The River Camps will provide the opportunity for rising 3rd-8th grade students to spend a week of their summer exploring the river and its watershed. The curriculum will include hands-on environmental education, river recreation, and service-learning projects.

Our region is currently experiencing unprecedented growth and development, and the
impacts for the river and the watershed include erosion, sedimentation, polluted stormwater runoff, degraded wildlife habitat, and flood damage. In order for us to grow sustainably, it is critical that we educate the next generation of watershed stewards and provide them with the tools and knowledge for a healthy environment.

•Provide young citizens of the French Broad River watershed an in-depth, hands-on
educational experience about their environment;
• Supplement in-school classroom curriculum with art, history, science, and recreation
components;
• Empower campers to be lifelong watershed stewards by educating them on the issues facing our rivers and watersheds, and providing concrete examples of what can be done;
• Inspire campers to make community service an integral part of their student and adult lives;

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• Clean water
• Watershed stewardship
• Point and non-point source water pollution
• Erosion and sedimentation
• Ecosystem protection (biodiversity, native and invasive species)
• Sustainable development
• Best management practices
• Environmental and cultural history
• Community service

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• Kids in the Creek water quality testing
• Enviroscape watershed model
• River of Words and Art (poetry and art lesson)
• Mobile Technology Classroom (high-tech ROVER van)
• Project WET lessons
• River games
• River animals puppet show
• River cleanup community service project
• Raingarden construction service project
• Parks and greenway tour
• Participate in Rockin’ RiverFest (August 2nd)
• EPA Brownfields program properties tour
• Best Management Practices demonstration sites tour at NC Arboretum
• Interpretive nature walks (plant and animal ID)
• Presentation by City of Asheville Stormwater Services
• Tour of Metropolitan Sewerage District wastewater facility
• Tour of RiverLink BMPs and stream restorations
• Rafting/ camping trip
*All educational curriculum will coordinate with the North Carolina Standard Course of Study

Learn more about RiverLink's ongoing Watershed Education Program offered to K-12 students doing the school year

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PICK UP AND DROP OFF - LOCATION CHANGE

Carrier Park Pavilion, Amboy Road

Map- click here

We will meet each morning and afternoon for drop-off and pick-up at Carrier Park Pavilion (this is down the street from original location at FBR Park) on Amboy Road in Asheville. The park includes a covered pavilion, picnic tables, restrooms, water fountain, parking, playground, basketball and volleyball courts, and walking paths.

A 15 passenger van will provide transportation for our field trips and will be driven by the Education Coordinator and a Camp Counselor or Intern.

REGISTRATION

Deadline extended to June 23

To register, submit a completed application and payment for each applicant. Spaces cannot be held without receipt of both the application and camp fee. Early registration is highly recommended. Camps reaching maximum enrollment will be closed and campers will be placed on a waiting list.

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REGISTRATION DISCOUNTS

Any parent/ guardian who is a member of RiverLink (individual or family level) can waive the $25 registration fee. To sign up for membership please visit http://www.riverlink.org/membership.asp.

Siblings can apply under one $25 registration fee- please indicate camper names on checks.

PAYMENT

Camp fees are $100 per camper. Non-refundable registration fee is $25 per family.

Payment in full is due at the time of registration. Payments can be made with Visa, Mastercard, or check. There is a returned check fee of $35.00.

REFUND POLICY

A refund must be requested in writing (email or mail) or by phone prior to June 20 to receive a full refund of $100 + After Care fee. Cancelation after July 1 will not be refunded except for extenuating circumstances or emergencies. Please allow up to six weeks for refunds. We are not able to refund the $25 registration fee.

ARRIVAL

Camp begins promptly at 9:00 each day. Please be aware that because of field trip plans, campers need to arrive on time and early dismissals may not be possible. Arrive at Carrier Park Pavilion ready for a fun day at camp between 8:30 and 9:00 each morning. Any camper arriving before 8:30 may not have supervision.

DEPARTURE

Please note that After Care from 3-5pm has been canceled. All campers must be picked up at 3:00pm at Carrier Park Pavilion.

SNACKS AND LUNCH

Camp will break for a morning snack around 10:30, and lunch around 12:00. Please send a snack and a lunch with your child each day- food will not be provided (except on camping trip). Campers staying for After Care may want to bring an additional afternoon snack. We will provide a cooler for lunches and drinks.

WHAT TO BRING

• Campers are responsible for applying their own sunscreen before camp each day
• Sunglasses and a hat
• Snack(s)
• Clothes and shoes that can get wet- bathing suit and crocs/ sandals
• Towel
• Raingear
• Prescription medications, as indicated on registration form.
• Campers must bring a full water bottle each day.
  We will provide refills.

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ACTIVITIES

Activities will take place on land and water in Asheville and field trips throughout the watershed in Buncombe, Madison, Transylvania and Henderson counties. Activities are adapted from our Watershed Education Program offered to K-12 students during the school year, adapted from national water education curriculum and focusing specifically on the French Broad watershed.

CAMPING TRIP

There is an OPTIONAL camping trip at the Hot Springs Campground on the FBR the Thursday night of each session. We will be joined by raft guides from NOC who will prepare us for our rafting trip and tell river stories around the campfire!

Campers are asked to bring:

• Sleeping bag and pillow
• Overnight bag with pajamas, toothbrush and toothpaste, soap, and any other personal items
• Extra snacks for Thurs and Fri
• Anything needed for Friday rafting trip- bathing suit, towel, water shoes

We will provide:

• Tents and all other camping supplies
• Dinner Thurs, breakfast and lunch Fri.

If campers do not to participate in the camping trip, they will be shuttled to meet up with the camping group for rafting on Friday morning. CAMPERS NOT GOING ON THE HOT SPRINGS TRIP ARE ASKED TO MEET AT CARRIER PARK BY 8:00AM ON FRIDAY.

ROCKIN’ RIVERFEST- Saturday, August 2nd

RiverLink’s annual festival to celebrate the river is on August 2, 2008 at French Broad River Park.  We invite all campers to attend to tell the community about their experience at River Camp! River Campers will be leading our Kids Parade from 11:00-11:30am OR we may enter a RIVER CAMP RAFT in the Raft Race that is part of this event, if there is enough interest!

PARENT PARTICIPATION

We invite parents to volunteer with River Camps! If you would like to participate in any of the activities currently on the schedule, please send times and days you are available to education@riverlink.org.

If you can’t participate during the week, please join us on Friday at 3:00pm for a camper presentation for parents!

CHANGES

Due to the possibility of changes in enrollment levels, activities, and weather conditions, we reserve the right to make changes in the schedules when necessary. We will inform you of any changes before the program begins.

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CAMPER CONDUCT

RiverLink reserves the right to dismiss, without a refund, any camper whose conduct we deem to be unsafe or inappropriate. We will be participating in activities for which safe behavior and respect for the environment are critical, and any camper that cannot comply with instructions will be asked to sit out or sent home.

GENERAL POLICY

RiverLink does not discriminate on the basis of any characteristic protected under the law.