2016 8th GRADE BIG BEND END-OF-YEAR TRIP The 8th grade end-of-year trip to Big Bend National Park is set for May 19-22, 2016. Students and faculty chaperones will travel out Highway 90 and visit Seminole Canyon State Park and Langtry – where Judge Roy Bean, the “Law West of the Pecos” practiced law – while en route to Big Bend National Park. We will camp for two nights in the Chisos Basin and then travel north to Ft. Davis State Park for an overnight stay. There, we will visit the old fort and McDonald Observatory. On Sunday morning, we will stop for a dip in the spring-fed West Texas swimming pool at Balmorhea State Park and then return home. Of all the activities we share here at TMI this is the one that is considered the most memorable. There is just something about four days in West Texas under the star-filled nights with all your friends that makes this adventure unforgettable.

For questions, contact: Mr. Ted Constanzo at t.constanzo@tmi-sa.org or (210) 698-6215 Please look over the following information letter, packing list, and trip itinerary. Ted Constanzo History Teacher

INFORMATION LETTER Departure: From TMI Thursday, May 19, 7:55am (please arrive prior to 7:45; seating is first come, first serve). We will load Star Shuttle commercial bus in the back of Frost Athletic Center starting at 7:30am. Return ETA: Sunday, May 22, 6:00pm TMI Frost Athletic Center. Will have students call 30 min outside of Boerne to give all a more accurate arrival time. Pick up at the flag pole. Travel Attire: Spirit Dress to Big Bend.

Meals: All meals in the parks are paid for and will be served by the Chisos Basin Restaurant (Big Bend) and Black Bear Restaurant (Ft Davis). Travel meals are not all provided. Students will need to have money for 3 meals and snack food/drinks on the road. I recommend $30-60; exactly how much is up to you.

Swimming: We will not swim in the Rio Grande due to water quality; however, I have planned a swim activity at Balmorhea State Park. Please note that the park does not provide lifeguards so it requires parent approval by signed wavier (attached). Here is the web site if you would like to view the pool conditions. http://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/balmorhea ATTACHEMENTS: Packing list, Big Bend Trip Itinerary, Balmorhea Swim wavier Trip Organizer: Mr. Constanzo, o. 210-698-6215, c. 210-843-1049 Chaperones: Fr. Kohler: 210.818.9265, Ms. Clark: 713.530.6713, Rick Faulk, Yuxi Lin Emergency Numbers: Cell reception in West Texas is spotty at best and none in the Chisos Basin. If you are unable to reach myself or a chaperone please contact a staff member on duty and leave a message. We will check for messages daily. Chisos Basin Restaurant: ph. 432-477-2292 https://www.nps.gov/BIBE/planyourvisit/index.htm Ft. Davis SP: Welcome Center - ph. 432-426-3337 #1 http://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/davis-mountains

PACKING LIST: We will be camping 2 nights in Big Bend NP and 1 night at Ft Davis State Park. The weather has been unusual this year so check the extended forecast before we leave and pack accordingly. Staying hydrated will be important; make sure students pack a water bottle.

• Clothes for four days taking into account hot dry or wet days and cool nights.

• Tent w/rainfly and ground tarp. *(If they are the student assigned to provide the tent)

• Sleeping Bag w/pillow

• Toiletries – Shower items, toothbrush & paste, soap, deodorant, etc.

• Hat & Sunscreen needed due to altitude and time spent outdoors.

• Water Bottle/CamelBak – Hiking and travel.

• Closed-toe footwear and/or comfortable hiking shoes. * All hikes less than 3.8 miles, backpack is optional water is not!

• Bathing suit/towel w/signed release Balmorhea pool (attached)

• Camera/cell phone (Optional but recommended)

• All electronic devices/charger are student’s responsibility. *Community power outlets in the restrooms at the camp sites.

• Any medications that you need. These medications must be in a zip-lock bag with all instructions. Give to Mr. Constanzo prior to departure at the bus.

• $ MONEY for 3 meals, snacks, drinks and souvenirs. ($30 - $60) If you have a movie that you would like to view while on the bus, please bring to class for approval prior to the 19th. No “R” rated movies will be accepted.

HISTORIC BIG BEND/FT DAVIS FIELD TRIP 2016 THUR 19 MAY - Constanzo, Clark, Kohler, Rick, Yuxi

730 Load Commerical bus ( arrive no later than 745) 755am Depart TMI for Seminole Canyon State Park 1145 Arrive at Seminole Canyon State Park 1150 Tour Rock Art 100 Eat LUNCH at the park 145 Depart Seminole Canyon State Park 215 Arrive Langtry- tour Law west of the Pecos- Judge Roy Bean 300 Depart Langtry for Big Bend State Park 630 Arrive Big Bend Camp grounds- Eat Dinner at the Chisos Basin Lodge 730 Move to Camp site- set up tents- free time 900 Campfire -Ghost Stories, star party.

1045 Tattoo (Lights out in 15 minutes) 1100 Taps (Lights Out)

FRIDAY 20 MAY 630am Wake up- ready for breakfast.

700 Breakfast at the lodge 830 Depart for the Maxwell Scenic Drive 100 Sotol vista - Homer Wilson Ranch

1030 Tuff Canyon- Geological lesson 1100 Lunch at Castolon and history tour of Ft. Castolon 1200 Depart for Santa Elena Canyon 1230 Arrive and hike into the canyon 1.8 miles 230 Depart from the Santa Elena Canyon for Chisos Basin campgrounds 400 Arrive and prep for afternoon activities- Free Time. 430 Hike to the Window 4.4 miles or Lost Mine trail

600 Return and depart for the evening meal at the lodge 700 Return camp free time and SNIPE HUNT 900 Campfire -Ghost Stories more star gazing

1045 Tattoo (Lights out in 15 minutes) 1100 Taps (Lights Out)

SATURDAY 21 MAY 700am Wake up and prep for departure

730 BREAK CAMP: Pack up and police camp area 830 Depart Big Bend for Terlingua Tx. 915 Terlingua- stop at the old town store & get breakfast

1000 Depart for Fort Davis 100 Arrive Ft Davis - lunch Pizza 200 Arrive Ft Davis- History lesson and tour the old Fort 330 Depart for Fort Davis State Park 400 Arrive and set up camp and hike to scenic loop 600 Dinner at the Black Bear Lodge 700 Camper free time 830 Depart for McDonald Observatory- Star gazing party

1045 Depart Observatory for camp site 1100 Arrive at camp and prep for a last nights sleep under the stars 1130 Tattoo (Lights out in 15 minutes) 1145 Taps (Lights Out)

SUNDAY 22 MAY 630am Wake up and prep for departure

700 BREAK CAMP: Pack up and police camp area 730 Breakfast bag meals to-go Black Bear Cafe 815 Depart Ft Davis for Balmorhea state park 900 Arrive Balmorhea state park - 2 hr swim activity

1115 Depart for Ft Stockton 1215 Lunch at Loves's I10 outside Ft Stockton 115 Depart for TMI

600 ARRIVE HOME -TMI (student will call 30 min outside of Boerne)

Balmorhea State Park Swimming Release Agreement for Minors

Balmorhea State Park P. O. Box 15 Toyahvale, Texas 79786

In exchange for being allowed to swim at Balmorhea State Park I am freely signing this Swimming Release Agreement. I understand that there are no lifeguards at the time I am using the spring and that I am solely responsible for my health and safety and the health and safety of children for which I am responsible while they are in the spring. For the privilege of being allowed to enter an area of the park which would otherwise be closed to my use, I am incurring all of the risks associated with swimming without a lifeguard including, but not limited to, the risk of drowning. I understand that as a consequence of these risks, I or children I am responsible for may suffer injury or death without the reliance upon another person to help in rescue.

Understanding this, I hereby release, discharge, and agree to hold harmless the department, its agents, employees, officers, commissioners and successors, from and against all liability, claims, demands, and judgement which my heirs, executors, administrators or assigns may have claim to against the department, its successors, employees, officers, or commissioners for all personal injuries (including death), known or unknown caused by or arising out of swimming at Balmorhea State Park.

I am 18 years of age or over or I am accompanied by a parent or legal guardian who is authorized to sign this release for me. I have carefully read this Swimming Release Agreement or have had it read to me, and I understand all of its terms. I am signing voluntarily and with full knowledge of its legal consequence and of its personal risks to me

Parent(s) Signature:

Child's Name and Age:

Dates for Swimming: SUNDAY, 22 MAY, 2016