Students and Families

• Classroom teachers - your child's classroom teacher will attend with your child's class and participate in many activities with your child such as: hiking on the trails, eating meals, recess and they will make rounds at bedtime.
• Naturalists - our experienced Naturalists provide the instruction on the trail and coordinate all activities. Foothill staff collectively bring more than 150 years of experience working with students in overnight programs.
• High School Counselors - these selected high school students will be helping your child in the dorms, such as getting ready for the day and arriving at hikes on time and prepared. They are trained and coached throughout the week to provide the best care for your child.
• Bus Drivers - Foothill Horizons will be transporting most school groups (along with a classroom teacher) on our own buses driven by our own Foothill staff, who all know and live by our motto: kids come first.

Our number one priority is the physical and emotional safety of every child. 

• Though we look and feel like a camp, we are still a school, and all school rules apply. 
• Because our classes are held outdoors - we have additional rules to ensure the safety of all. 
  • Both you and your child will sign the back of the Health Form indicating to us that you have read and understand our discipline policy. 
• We will remind your students of that policy soon after they arrive. 
• Students will be guided by our staff and counselors to make healthy and kind choices, however, students who are not safe may not get to stay. 
• If after some warnings, your student continues to make unsafe or poor choices, we will contact you and inform you of the behavior. 
• If after that call home, your child continues to misbehave, we will call you and ask you to come pick up your child and take them home.

Note to parents:

Please email Foothill Horizons Outdoor School at foothillhorizons@stancoe.org to request copies of any forms listed in the dropdowns below.

• If your child takes medication, you must fill out the Medication Authorization Form  (Petición para la administración de medicamento). 
  • Upon arrival, our Registered Nurse reviews all paperwork and medications. 
  • Your child will receive their medication at the times selected on the form.
• Our Health Clerk and all our Naturalists are trained in CPR/First Aid and can administer authorized medications.
• We strive to provide exceptional care for every student who attends the program. Families will need to write down any medical needs, medications, and recent illness or injuries on the Student Health Form (Información sobre la salud).
  • Our health office staff is available to help students between 7am and 9:30pm; 2 trained staff members are on call all night.
• Our Health Clerk and all our Naturalists are trained in CPR/First Aid and can assist with caring for your child’s minor bumps and bruises.  We will contact the guardians who are listed on the Emergency Contact portion of the student’s health form if your child becomes ill or injured.

Email us to Request a Form, Policy, or Document

• Please email Foothill Horizons Outdoor School at foothillhorizons@stancoe.org to request copies of any forms listed in the dropdowns below.
  • Students With Special Diets
  • Estudiantes con dietas especiales

Email us to Request a Form, Policy, or Document

• Day: (209) 532-6673
• Night: (209) 422-8220

• If your child becomes ill, is hurt, or is unable to participate in activities, we will call you immediately.
• If your child is homesick, we will first encourage them, then contact you to work together to determine next steps, including continued support or pickup.
• Non-emergency phone calls can divert valuable staff resources, can increase homesickness, and are generally discouraged. 
• Classroom teachers often communicate with families and classes through school platforms (e.g., ParentSquare) and regularly upload photos. Families are encouraged to use these platforms to connect with teachers. Please note that teachers can only use their cell phones during breaks, so responses may not be immediate.

Please email Foothill Horizons Outdoor School at foothillhorizons@stancoe.org to request copies of any forms listed in the dropdowns below.

• 3 Day Program
• 4 Day Program
• 5 Day Program

Email us to Request a Form, Policy, or Document

• Each week, our students discover that they can be happy without their cell phones or video games. They feel less stressed and anxious and experience a greater sense of calm.
• Children need time to be fully present and engage in authentic, real-life activities, friendships, and experiences.
• We do not allow cell phones in places where children sleep, shower, or change. This ensures your child feels safe.
• We want children to focus on being themselves, free from distractions and the fear that someone might take their picture and post it on social media.

• See The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt
• See our "Stanislaus Rewired and Inspired" Campaign webpage,”  led by Stanislaus County Superintendent Scott Kuykendall

• Foothill staff do their best to share photos daily; however, we cannot photograph every child each day. 
• Classroom teachers often communicate with families and classes through school platforms (e.g., ParentSquare) and regularly upload photos. Families are encouraged to use these platforms to connect with teachers. Please note that teachers can only use their cell phones during breaks, so responses may not be immediate.
• By signing the back of your child's Student Health Form, you provide consent for us to photograph and/or record your child's image and voice. 
  • If you choose to not give consent, you can simply cross that section of the paragraph out on the back of the form, and we will not include your student in photos.

• We have many ways to check in with children, giving them opportunities to share their needs or talk about anything that may be bothering them.
• All of our staff care deeply about children and are attentive to changes in attitude or behavior. From our cooks to our health office staff, everyone pays attention and wants the best experience for your child.
• Classroom teachers spend time with students throughout the day—attending classes, going on hikes, and even helping with bedtime.
• We also use daily student check-in slips, which give students the option to write notes to let an adult know if anything is on their mind. Classroom teachers and staff read these slips and address concerns as soon as possible.

• Nurses, paraprofessionals, counseling staff, teachers, and all Foothill staff work together to be inclusive and welcoming, ensuring every child has the chance to explore nature, engage in science, and challenge themselves.
• Physical support: ADA-accessible facilities, all-terrain wheelchairs, modified hikes and activities, and designated areas to assist with toileting, showering, and dressing.
• Behavioral support: Designated break areas, ear protection, fidgets, extra time, or no time restrictions—see Common Adaptations for details.
• For students who might otherwise be unable to participate, we offer our Parent Shadow program/Acuerdo para la sombra parental.
  • Please note: The Parent Shadow program is not intended for students or families who are anxious or nervous about participating.
• For more information about when Foothill requires extra support, available support options, and the care we provide (and do not provide), please see Planning for Students Who Need Accommodations.
• Come to our Open Houses in the Spring and Fall, or call us to discuss details and options!

Email us to Request a Form, Policy, or Document

• Nighttime accidents are very common. If a student has an accident, we will handle it discreetly—no one will ever know.
• If a child wakes up at night, their dorm counselor will assist with changing bedding, providing clean clothes, and showering if desired.
• If the child notices an accident in the morning, they can place affected items on their bed and tell a counselor or staff member. We will clean up, wash, and replace the bedding.
• Occasionally, we may wake a child at a designated time to reduce the chance of an accident.
• If your child uses nighttime protection, contact us and we will explain how we ensure their privacy.
• Please let us know if this is a concern by noting it on your child’s health form, telling their teacher, or giving us a call.
• As always, your child’s privacy is our top priority.