Mission Statement: The goal of the Ridgewalker Hiking Club is to encourage fitness, team work, and to create a lifelong love of nature.

Hikes: all hikes are mandatory. Students will be allowed to miss one hike with a parent excuse. If more than one is missed, that student will not be going on the Havasupai hike. An unexcused absence from a hike will automatically drop that student from the club.

Behavior/character: We have devised a point system to track student participation and behavior. If a child accrues 10 points they will be dismissed from the club. If they reach 8 points, the parent will be notified.
Missed hikes= 5 points each Referral= 5 points each
Each grade under 70%= 5 points After school detention= 2 points
Absence= 2 points Late report= 1 point for each day late
Negative attitudes/behaviors on hikes= 2 points
Three warnings at practice (includes behavior, inappropriate dress, etc)= 2 points

Good attendance is mandatory to be in the hiking club. Students with excessive tardies and absences from school may be dismissed from the club, as it is a privilege.

Parent volunteers: are always welcome. Due to the number of people we can take into a wilderness area, we will need to know prior to the hike which parents would like to go. Any parent wanting to volunteer must fill out a volunteer form and turn it into the office for approval at least 2 weeks prior to the hikes.

Equipment: Good walking shoes are mandatory, hiking boots are not.
Two 1-liter bottles are recommended for carrying drinking water.
We will provide backpacks for all hikes and tents for overnighters. Sleeping bags are the responsibility of the student/family.
T shirts will be available for purchase at a later date.

Fees: There will be an approximately $60 fee for the Havasupai hike.
We may ask for donations (Tax Credit donations are welcomed and encouraged) and volunteers for fundraisers to help cover camping fees and other expenses.

Trip Checklists: A checklist containing all the necessary information will be provided and discussed prior to each trip. Please be certain all personal items (clothing, eating utensils) are labeled with student's name. Pack and check items off the checklist to ensure all essential (food/water) items are included.

Transportation: It is the parent’s responsibility to pick up students after workouts (unless they are riding the activity bus). Because most hikes/trips are on weekend days, parents need to provide transportation to and from school. Most trips have been scheduled on non-school days to have the least impact on academics.
Reports: All Ridgewalker members are required to turn in a trip summary consisting of a minimum one page. The summary will be due by the next Ridgewalker meeting after the hike.

After School Conditioning/Club Meetings: Beginning Wednesday, October 3rd, Ridgewalkers will meet the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month to participate in after-school conditioning. Suitable clothing & shoes must be worn to school on these days.

These requirements must be met to stay in the club and to attend the final, most difficult hike, Havasupai Canyon:
1. Have successfully completed all training hikes (1 excused is acceptable).
2. Turned in all trip summaries.
3. Successfully completed after-school conditioning.
4. Remained a student in good standing (academic, attendance, and behavior).

We sincerely hope Ridgewalkers in one of the most rewarding and memorable events for your child this school year. Should you have any further questions or concerns, please call the Ridgewalker Club sponsors at Desert Vista Elementary School, 982-1110. Our extensions are listed below.
Thanks for your support!

The Desert Vista Ridgewalker 2007-2008 Sponsors,
Connie Earl X5931
Kym Frantz X5905

Parent(s):
Please complete and return the following forms prior to the first hike.