Logistics and Risk Management Information

Logistics

Driving directions to the SkyCenter campus:

Take Catalina Highway to the top of Mt Lemmon. Keep in mind this distance is uphill driving and from the base of the mountain to the entrance of our facility at the summit, it takes at least one hour of continuous driving (90 minutes from campus). Be sure to have at least a half a tank of gas. Take Speedway east to Wilmot, turn left, Wilmot turns into Tanque Verde, continue on Tanque Verde and turn left on to Catalina Hwy. Continue on that up the mountain (approximately 30 miles).

There are two major destinations on Mt. Lemmon- Ski Valley and Summerhaven. You want Ski Valley -- turn right on to Ski Run Rd.

• Keep an eye out for the SkyCenter sign on the right, which is shortly before your turn.
• If you enter the town of Summerhaven you have missed the turn!

On Ski Run Rd, approximately 2 miles up the road, there is a restaurant on your right and ski lifts on your left. Continue driving past these two locations, past the parking lots and through the open Forest Service gate. This is the observatory road. There will be a Mt Lemmon SkyCenter sign on the gate. Do not be misled by other turnouts along the way.

Map of SkyCenter campus:

Important notes about the SkyCenter campus to alert chaperones and students to:

• Keep group volume low.
• Keep lights low or off at night (including flashlights and headlights).
• Be respectful of other groups on campus by keeping our distance and keeping the volume down.
• Speak politely to tourists and other users of the mountain we do encounter.
• Communicate with teacher chaperones and other leaders if you are taking a group hiking outside the gates (sign out on the whiteboard).
• Shut the doors to every building behind you every time. The wildlife have organized.
• Every room has its own thermostat. Be sure students and chaperones know how to use them and set them reasonably. Ask if you are not sure.
• Do NOT give out gate codes for any reason.
• Avoid being alone with a single student out of sight and earshot of the group, even for a bathroom break. Ask another student to stay back as well in such a scenario.

General Conduct Agreement for Participants

I have read and agreed to abide by the following rules while at the Sky School:

1. Alcoholic beverages or illegal drugs (including marijuana) are not permitted on campus, in any building thereon, or at any function sanctioned by the University of Arizona either on- or off–campus. Possession, use, ownership, or sale is included in this prohibition.

2. Handling of any type of fire-protection equipment including alarms, hoses, extinguishers, spray heads, etc., is strictly forbidden except when fire emergencies require. Full participation in drills and response to any fire alarm is required.

3. Firearms and explosives of any kind are prohibited on site or during participation in UA Sky School activities. Other dangerous devices such as gas-powered weapons, slingshots, pocket knives of any size, etc., are also prohibited.

4. Cost of damage to or theft of any university property will be billed to the School District, which will pass on these costs to me or my guardian.

5. I will attend all activities, will participate appropriately, and will complete all assignments.

6. I will remain at the Mount Lemmon Field Station with a chaperone or teacher, except during planned group activities and field investigations. Dormitory chaperones will serve as “parents away from home”. I will be required to seek permission from chaperones concerning other extracurricular activities, and must comply with the chaperone’s decision. I understand that there will be limited free time before bedtime.

7. I will be in my dormitory room each night at the hour dictated by daily activities. Chaperones will conduct a room check at 9:30 p.m. Lights out will occur at 10:00 p.m, after which quiet hours will be observed.

8. The rules that apply at my school also apply at the UA Sky School. Sky School is not a vacation destination, nor a nature camp. It is a science school much like the school I attend every day. Where rules are not explicitly stated, behavioral expectations of my regular school instructors should apply.

9. If I am dismissed from the program for any reason deemed necessary by University of School program staff, it is my parent/guardian’s responsibility to provide transportation for me from the Mount Lemmon Field Station to home immediately.

10. I will act courteously and responsibly to other Sky School participants, instructors, and staff.

Risk management protocols

Before taking your student group in the field:

• You should be provided with a copy of your students’ medical releases and you are familiar with potential risks as well as necessary first response
• Verify that all safety equipment is packed and in good working order
• If leaving MLSC campus, sign out on whiteboard with intended destination, group size, and return time.

Always carry a standard field kit (i.e. what you need to be safe with your group)

• route plan (and map if need be)
• first aid kit
• sunscreen, if not included in first aid kit
• flashlight
• radio / phone
• plastic tarp in case of rain/snow
• extra warm clothes
• extra snacks
• extra water
• repair kit

What instructors need to communicate to students before leaving campus:

• if lost, stay in place
• no fires
• no rock throwing without permission
• no rock scrambling / tree climbing without permission
• no killing animals (including insects)
• leave no trace principles

  In the event of a medical issue or emergency, MLSC staff will

1) consult with school staff or program director to discuss a course of action, by radio if necessary.

2) apply field medical treatment consistent with your expertise and seriousness of injury. You are not in a wilderness area and so should not attempt to treat serious injuries that are beyond your training or equipment (e.g. neck injuries). If you do choose to apply a treatment, make sure that you are already familiar with the student’s medical history in their packet.

3) if necessary, call 911 to direct emergency response. If necessary, send a responsible adult or participant to nearest road / trailhead to meet emergency responders. Remember that your primary job is not to provide primary care but rather to maintain the safety of the injured participant and of the larger group while coordinating an effective response. Use the team around you if needed.

Inclement weather / lightning policy

Programs will continue regardless of inclement weather including snow/rain but may be changed based on conditions (e.g. astronomy programs, outdoor programs). Programs will be immediately moved indoors if lightning is visible or if forecast (on the judgment of MLSC director). If indoor movement is not possible due to field location, programs will be paused or conducted outdoors under natural shelter.

Child abuse policy

A. All MLSC staff will have passed a background check and undergone abuse prevention/recognition training. No instructor will be ever alone with a student.

B. In the case of abuse suspected, immediately consult with the program director to determine next steps which may include:

• Making a written report to the program director
• If possible, discuss situation with school group leader.
• Talk with the student about suspected maltreatment (e.g. scroll down to Talking With the Child)
• If reasonable suspicion or direct allegation exists, then the program director proceeds with legally mandated reporting procedure via the AZ Department of Child Safety

C. Any staff that feels that they have been placed in a situation that appears (but is not actually) compromising will record the incident with the program director in writing immediately.

Child abuse reporting

The bottom line is that if you see, hear, or are otherwise alerted to the possibility of abuse or neglect of a child, you should let one of the teachers know. Teachers are mandated reporters.

More information Who should report child abuse? According to Child Protective Services (CPS): “Any person who reasonably believes that a minor is or has been the victim of physical injury, abuse, child abuse, a reportable offense or neglect that appears to have been inflicted on the minor by other than accidental means or that is not explained by the available medical history as being accidental in nature, or who reasonably believes that there has been a denial or deprivation of necessary medical treatment or surgical care or nourishment with the intent to cause or allow the death of an infant who is protected under A.R.S. § 36-2281, shall immediately report or cause reports to be made of this information to a peace office or to Child Protective Services in the Department of Economic Security, except if the report concerns a person who does not have care, custody or control of the minor, the report shall be made to a peace office only.”

School teachers have an obligation to report this, and should know the appropriate channels. This is why it may be a good idea to talk with the teacher chaperones about reporting.

When should a report be made? Again, according to CPS: “A report should be made when any person, who reasonably believes that a child under 18 has been abused, neglected, exploited or abandoned. A report of suspected abuse, neglect, exploitation or abandonment is only a request for an investigation. The person making the report does not need to prove the abuse. Investigation and validation of child abuse reports are the responsibilities of child protective service workers. If additional incidents of abuse occur after the initial report has been made, make another report.”

More resources and information For more information on definitions of abuse, see Categories of Abuse and Neglect at [1]

Again, the bottom line is that if you have any reason to suspect a child is being abused in any of these ways, talk first to their teacher, who should report it.

If you have further concerns about the reporting, approach the Sky School Director, Education Coordinator, or one of the senior Graduate instructors.

Weapons policy Arizona Board of Regents policy, 5-302 to -303, prohibits the use, possession, display or storage of any weapons, explosive device, or fireworks on The University of Arizona campus and on all land and in all buildings owned or under the control of The University of Arizona on behalf of the Arizona Board of Regents, except as provided in ARS§ 12- 781. No concealed carry permit exempts a person from this policy.

Drug policy We have a non-smoking campus. Adult participants will be asked to smoke outside the MLSC campus, where fire danger level permits. Use of any other drugs will result in immediate dismissal from the program and will require parent/guardian to pick up the student immediately from MLSC.

Fire safety No fires are permitted in any form (candles, matches, lighters, etc), anywhere on the campus. In the event of a fire on the campus, the following steps will be taken:

1) staff sound an alarm

2) staff notifies Mt Lemmon fire department by calling 911

3) staff evacuate all participants from all buildings

4) all participants and staff meet at main gate

5) program director takes head-count and, if needed, initiates search for missing participants.

Student supervision Staff will register planned daily routes with program director before taking students off-campus. Lost participants will be expected to remain in place or to take shelter as nearby as possible, and to await rescue. In the event that a student's location is unknown, the following procedure will be followed:

1) ask program participants for last known location of participant and MLSC staff search this location

2) MLSC staff search all campus indoor and outdoor spaces

3) if program director decides the participant is lost, call 911 to initiate search and rescue