Finding Your Way

Field Trip Essentials

Don't Be Caught Unprepared!

The following tips will help teachers and students get ready for your field trip to Mount St. Helens. A condensed checklist of what a well-prepared teacher should bring and a well-prepared student can be found at the bottom of this page.

Tip #1

WEATHER! Rain jackets, warm clothes, and extra clothes ------> are mandatory <------ for each individual. Sturdy shoes are also necessary for any kind of hiking! (Everyone should bring a backpack for his/her extra clothes.)

Why?

• The majority of schools come in the spring and fall seasons; both of which can vary in temperature and precipitation.
• Expect extreme conditions in mountainous areas and prepare accordingly.
• Generally speaking, for every 1,000 feet elevation gain, the temperature is 3-5°F cooler. Coldwater Ridge is 3200 feet above sea level. Johnston Ridge is 4200 feet above sea level.
• For snow levels and road closure information call (360) 449-7800.
• For current weather conditions visit the National Weather Service.

Tip #2

FOOD! Bring trash bags!

Why?

• There are no trash cans at the Coldwater Ridge Visitor Center and at Coldwater Lake Recreation Area.
• Trash bags give you and your group the means to clean up after yourselves and help keep our Monument clean!
• Eating lunch on the bus is always an option if it is cold and wet.
• Restaurants are located at Hoffstadt Bluffs and Coldwater Ridge visitor centers only. Permission must be granted from the restaurants themselves in order to eat sack lunches inside the restaurant.

Tip #3

Bring and Drink WATER!! Don't shrivel up!

Why?

• Sodas dehydrate our bodies.
• Please have each student and every chaperone bring a bottle of water with them in their backpack.

Tip #4

Prepare packets prior to your field trip.

• Color-coded worksheets - It makes is easier for students to find worksheets.
• Clipboards or 9x12 piece of cardboard and a metal binder clip - This provides a hard surface for students to write on worksheets.
• Freezer bags big enough to fit over clipboards/cardboards - It keeps student worksheets dry.
• Rubber band for each clipboard/cardboard - They hold worksheets in place during windy conditions.
• PENCILS! - Pens stop working when it rains.

The Well-Prepared Teacher

• Personal all-weather clothing
• EXTRAS OF EVERYTHING!
  • Clothes
  • Sunscreen
  • Trash Bags
  • Food
  • Water
  • Worksheets
  • Clipboard/Cardboard
  • Plastic Zip Lock Bags for boards
  • Rubber bands
  • Pencils
  • Copy of registration, itinerary, lesson plan etc.

   

The Well-Prepared Student

• Warm clothes (sweater, pants)
• Rain jacket
• Hat and sunglasses
• Extra clothes (socks, shirt, pants)
• Two sharpened PENCILS
• Student Packet:
  • Worksheets
  • Clipboard/cardboard
  • Zip lock bag
  • Rubber band
• Your willingness to learn and your SMILE!!