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Topics
 
Enrollment

General Enrollment Information

Changing Information

Change Enrolled Week

Change Bus Stop Location

Enrolling Multiple Campers in the same family

Enrolling Multiple Families

Confirmation Forms

View Enrollment Information

Withdraw

How does the Waitlist operate

Payment

Paying using PayPal

Paying using check

Down Payment

When is my payment due

Payment Receipt (including tax receipts)

At Camp

First Day - Checking In

What to Wear

What to Bring

Swimming Concerns

Leaving Early

Different Bus Stop

         
General

How do the buses operate?

What is PeopleIDSoftware

Contact Information

 

 
Friendly Suggestions

Inclement Weather: Rain

Inclement Weather: Heat

Eating

Sleeping

Sunscreen

Clothing

Ticks

Poison Ivy

   

 
Enrollment
 
General Enrollment Information
Enrollment for the season begins on the first Monday of March of that year beginning at 7:00PM (according to the website hosting computer's time).  Our enrollment process is online and is automatic. Once you enroll, you have 14 days to make your payment (full or down payment).  The system automatically switches to a waitlist system (see How the Waitlist operates) for those affected weeks.  Once your payment has been properly received and recorded, you will receive e-mails from Enrollment@OutdoorEducationLaboratory.com with your payment receipt as well as a Confirmation Form.  If you do not receive your e-mails or your lose them, you can visit the website and print them directly from there.

Changing Information
Basic Account Information - Non-Enrollment: Once logged into the system, click on the Family option.  This will display all members currently in your family unit.  To edit any one person's information, click on the Personal Information option under the Function heading.

Health Form Information: Once you have enrolled your camper, you may need to change part of his/her health form.  Once you have logged into the system, you will be initially taken to the Account Information screen.  From here, you can quickly view the weeks enrolled for any of your campers.  For the selected camper, there should be buttons next to their name.  One of those buttons is labeled Health Form.  By clicking that button, you can change any or all of the information related to your camper's health.


Changing Enrolled Week
This process must be handled by one of the directors (see
Contact Information).  Changing can only be done in weeks were spots are available.  If the session is already full, you will be placed on the waiting list for that session at the end of the list.


Changing Bus Stop Location
To ensure that our bus does not exceed our maximum capacity, this option must be handled by one of the directors (see
Contact Information).  If you would simply like to change from one location to another, there will be no issue for those changes.  If you originally enrolled with No Bus - Camp as your choice for bus stops, you can only switch to a bus stop if space is available.  Our maximum camp capacity is larger than our bus capacity.  We fill the bus in a first-come basis.

Enrolling Multiple Campers in the same family
The system will guide you through enrolling the first camper automatically.  To enroll additional campers, you much first create their basic account.  During this process, the system will again guide you through the enrollment process.  You can use the Campers list on the Account Information screen to select which camper you would like to enroll or modify.

Enrolling Multiple Families
Due to the Statement of Release liability waiver forms, each family is required to enroll independently.  One person cannot sign up for multiple families in one purchase - even if attempting to ensure everyone is at the same camp the same time.  If more than one family would like to use the same computer to enroll, one family must complete the enrollment process in its entirety for their family first before proceeding to the next.  This can only be done if more than one family is present to read and confirm the Statement of Release liability waiver form.

Confirmation Forms
A Confirmation Form is automatically e-mailed to your main e-mail address upon successful receipt of payment.  The e-mail is sent from our primary enrollment e-mail address of Enrollment@OutdoorEducationLaboratory.  If this address is not on your safe list, your e-mail filters might place the Confirmation Form along with other communications into your spam or junk mailboxes.

To print an additional copy directly from the website, log into your enrollment account.  The initial page once you log in should be your Account Information screen where you can easily view camp enrollment information.  You can see each session your camper is enrolled along with the bus selection for that week.  For any session that a payment has been successfully received,  there will be a Confirmation Form button.  Use that option for each session necessary.  You can switch campers by clicking on their name directly under the currently displayed camper's name.


View Enrollment Information
To view basic enrollment information such as session enrolled or waitlisted and bus stop information, log into your enrollment account.  The initial page once logged in should be your Account Information screen which displays the campers.  Click on View Registrations to view their sessions similar to the display when you originally enrolled and each enrolled session will be marked as such.  You can view bus stop information and print Confirmation Forms directly from this screen (for any session payment has been successfully received).  If you have more than one camper attending, you can easily change the information to reflect that camper by clicking on their name directly under the currently displayed camper's name.

Withdraw
If you find that you will be unable to attend a session enrolled, use the online Request Withdraw option.  Using your Enrollment Account, use the View Registration option, then Request Withdraw for each week desired.  To receive a refund of any payments, you need to request the withdraw no later than two weeks before the start of the session.  Even though our program is popular, we cannot find replacements on short notice since many people on the waitlist make alternative plans.  Eligible refunds will be done by our director responsible for financial aspects and usually happen within a two week time window from the request.

Inclement Weather
Outdoor Education Laboratory does not cancel camp due to inclement weather.  During light rain, camp continues normally so campers should come prepared.  During severe weather, campers will be protected appropriately and camp will continue in an adapted fashion. 
On hot days, campers are encouraged to carry water as they can do normally everyday.

Automatic Withdraw: Payments must be made within the specified time period indicated upon enrollment for the corresponding sessions (14 days past enrollment).  If payment has not been successfully received within that time frame, the system will automatically withdraw the participants.  Re-enrollment is possible, but the process must begin at the beginning.  For an extension of time past the stated time frame, contact one of our directors (see Contact Information).  We will be happy to work to resolve any issues.


How does the Waitlist operate
Once a session is full, individuals can still be placed on the waitlist.  Many sessions have people that must withdraw for one reason or another and we then turn to the waitlist.  A broadcast message is usually sent to those on the waitlist via e-mail to fill the vacancies.  The first family that responds to the e-mail by successfully clicking on the enroll button found within the e-mail will be thus be enrolled.  Our system is automated and will automatically shut off when all positions are filled.
 
Payment
 
Payment using PayPal
Once you have enrolled for at least one session, you will be able to pay instantly online using PayPal (www.PayPal.com).  Upon each successfully purchase, the completion page will be displayed with the option to Pay Online.  You can also access this feature on several other pages (Account Information and Classes/Purchases).  Look for the Pay Online button (the button will only be present if you have eligible payments).

Once you are at the Pay Online screen, you will be able to select from individual orders or your total remaining balances.  Outdoor Education Laboratory only allows PayPal to be used to pay for full balances.  If you wish to take advantage of the down payment option, PayPal cannot be used.  Once you have decided which payment option you would like from those presented to you, click on the orange Pay button to be taken to the actual PayPal website.

From the PayPal website, you can pay using an existing account, create a new account, or just pay without any account at all.  There are no costs to you associated with using PayPal.  Once you have paid and the transaction has posted as COMPLETED, PayPal will automatically send notification to the enrollment website and your account will be marked as paid.  Both the PayPal website and this website will send out receipts indicating payment has been posted.  You will also receive a Confirmation Form automatically at the same time.  You will be able to visit both websites to obtain additional copies should your e-mailed version not arrive.


Paying using check
If you would prefer to not pay online or you would like to take advantage of the down payment option, then you will need to mail in a check (see
Contact Information).  Please mail in your check with an order invoice to help OEL match your check with your account (the invoice is automatically e-mailed to you as well as automatically printed for you upon successful enrollment).

Down Payment
If you would like to take advantage of the down payment option, you cannot use PayPal - check or money order only.  The order invoice will indicate the proper amount to pay for a down payment.  This amount is a fraction of the total cost of the program.  You can pay the remaining balance at any point in time but your total payment is due no later than two weeks prior to the start of the session enrolled.  Your initial payment is still due within the original payment window (14 days past enrollment) to secure your enrollment.

For example using possibly factious information, you enroll on May 1 for a session that begins June 14 and send your down payment within the initial payment window (14 days past enrollment) to secure your enrollment.  Your remaining balance would be due no later than June 1 which is two weeks prior to the start of the session.


When is my payment due
Your initial payment must be made within the original payment window specified on your enrollment (14 days past enrollment).  If you have not made any form of payment within that time, the system will automatically withdraw you from the session to allow another family to enroll.  If your payment is made through PayPal, the transaction must be COMPLETED by the time specified (some transactions will be marked as PENDING if you use a bank account transfer without a backup source for example).

If you take advantage of the down payment option, your initial payment must still be received within the original payment window (14 days past enrollment) and the remaining balance will be due no later than two weeks prior to the start of the session.


Payment Receipt
The system will automatically e-mail you a receipt when your payment has been successfully received.  If you use PayPal, they will also send you a payment receipt.

If you need to print an additional receipt from OEL, log into your enrollment account.  The initial page presented to you when you log in is called Account Information.  On the right hand side, there should be a drop-down option box under the sub-heading of View Payments.  You can view individual payments listed by the amount and the date or you can opt for the Payment Summary which will display all payments for the summer.  The Payment Summary is the option if you need a tax receipt for your payments.

 
At Camp
 
First Day - Checking In
The Confirmation Form that you receive either via e-mail or from the website will contain the bus stop location/address as well as the departure times in the morning and the arrival times in the afternoon.  Each day, we will have a counselor wearing an OEL shirt at the bus stop to greet everyone and to ensure the safety of the campers.  On the first day of camp, take your camper to the counselor who will have a list of campers to check you in.  If you have any additional questions, the counselor will be happy to help.  Our buses do run on schedule, so make sure that you are there with enough time before the bus departs.  If you would prefer, you may drive out to camp, check in the with director of the site, and visit the site briefly with your child.

What to Wear
We suggest, since students will be outdoors, that they wear long pants and comfortable old shoes (campers might get wet and muddy), not sandals. Many camper do choose to wear shorts.

What to Bring
Campers should bring a lunch every day, a change of clothes (possibly including shoes), and rain gear if it looks like rain (we do not cancel for inclement weather). Soft drinks are available for $0.50. Water will also be available. Refrigeration is provided.

Swimming Concerns
Red Cedar is currently the only campsite featuring a swimming pool.  Our pool is supervised by certified lifeguards and chemically tested several times a day to ensure safe swimming conditions.  The pool ranges from 3 feet to a maximum depth of 5 feet with stair entry in the shallow end
.  Campers wishing to use the swimming pool during recreation time should bring their own suit and towel. Swimming time occurs during the lunch-time hour and usually in the afternoon for a brief period.

You can view the rules for the swimming pool as they are posted at camp by clicking here.


Leaving Early
If you intend for your camper to leave early during the middle of the day, we require a written note for liability reasons to be given to the director of the campsite for the week.  If possible, we will have your child ready and waiting for you at the standard drop-off/pick-up location.  If you arrive at camp on short notice, your camper might be in the middle of the activity.  Depending on the activity, you may have to wait until the group returns.  If you call ahead, that will help ensure your camper will be ready upon your arrival.

Different Bus Stop
If you need to change the method by which your camper will be going home either by a different bus stop location or if you intend to pick your child up from camp, we require a written note to be given to the director of the campsite in the morning.  If the director has not received the note and the parent is not present at the standard pick-up time, we will follow the normal pick-up procedure you selected upon enrollment.  We will not allow a camper to not ride the bus if the enrollment form indicated a bus stop location unless we have written (not verbal) notice of the change.
 
General
 
How do the buses operate?
For your convenience, we offer bus service to our camps at no additional charge.  We contract with a local bus company and provide our own staff for supervision.  Our staff arrives 20 minutes before the scheduled departure time the first day to help with checking all campers in on the first day.  All other days, they arrive 10 minutes before the scheduled departure time.  In the afternoon, our staff will wait with your camper until you claim them.  Our staff cannot transport any camper for any reason.

What is PeopleIDSoftware
PeopleIDSoftware is the website that handles the enrollment information for Outdoor Education Laboratory.  The website processes the actual enrollment as well as payment information.  PeopleIDSoftware.com and OutdoorEducationLaboratory.com have been constructed to work with each other.  OutdoorEducationLaboratory.com contains information related to the actual camp operations and PeopleIDSoftware.com contains information related to enrollment and financial matters.  All of your personal information can only be accessed by necessary directors or staff in order for standard camp operation.  None of your information will ever be sold or used by a third-party.

Contact Information
 

Mailing Address:

Outdoor Education Laboratory
PO Box 10134
Olathe, KS  66051-1434

Main Office Phone Number:

(913) 780-3213

Camp Questions/Problems:

glamb@OutdoorEducationLaboratory.com

Website Questions/Problems:

Webmaster@OutdoorEducationLaboratory.com

All of our directors who answer calls and questions are certified teachers in the Greater Kansas City area.  Due to this fact, they are teaching during the business day and cannot answer calls.  We do try to respond as quickly as possible.  To help expedite your response, contact the appropriate e-mail address.  We only make phone calls a few hours a night so that we do not disturb families at home.  We can respond to e-mails at any point in the day.

 
Friendly Suggestions
These suggestions are simply some things to think about.  We suggest doing your own research or consult your family’s doctor.

We believe that experiencing the outdoors and learning about nature are wonderful things that everyone should enjoy.  We are proud to help children learn more about the natural world around them through our program.  Since our program is outdoors, there are a few things that we would like for you to keep in mind to help us provide a wonderful and safe experience.

 

Inclement Weather: Rain
Outdoor Education Laboratory does not cancel camp due to inclement weather. During light rain, camp continues normally so campers should come prepared. During severe weather, campers will be protected appropriately and camp will continue in an adapted fashion.  Campers should come ready with rain coats as well as a change of clothes to help stay warm and dry.

During heavy thunderstorms including lightening, campers take shelter inside buildings.  At Sycamore Springs, the main cabin works well.  At Red Cedar, campers take shelter in the most secure building which is the bathroom/pool building.  If there is a tornado warning issued, campers will also take shelter.  Depending on the situation, campers at Sycamore Springs may use another building as the director sees fit.  Both campsites receive weather alerts and updates on the director's cell phones.


Inclement Weather: Heat
Outdoor Education Laboratory does not cancel camp due to inclement weather. On hot days, campers are encouraged to carry water as they can do normally every day.  Campers need a good night’s sleep.  Drinking lots of water and eating healthy also help.  As you do every day, campers should drink more water than soda or sport drinks.  If possible, avoid other intensive outdoor activities such as sports to allow the body a chance to relax.

At camp, they should drink water throughout the day and not wait until they are thirsty.  Most professionals indicate that waiting until you are thirsty means that your body is already experiencing initial dehydration.  Drinking water is always available to your camper.  Headaches, stomach aches, and feeling tired could all be indicators that your camper needs to drink more water.


Eating
Campers are encouraged to eat well-balanced meals.  Campers should eat a large breakfast – even if they normally do not.  At camp, your camper will be moving plus handling natural weather conditions which require more energy.  In most standard classrooms, you child sits more than they do while at camp.  Meals that are not properly balanced may make your child have less energy, experience more fatigue, or become tired.


Sleeping
Since campers will be enjoying many activities while out at camp, they need lots of energy to be at their best.  Please avoid activities that either have your camper stay up late or requires them to get up early.  Tired campers are usually experience fatigue and do not enjoy their experience as much.


Sunscreen
To help protect skin from the damaging effects of the sun’s rays, campers are encouraged to wear sunscreen.  It is best if parents apply the sunscreen at home to ensure a proper coating.  Lotion with a SPF (sun protection factor) of 15 or higher that is waterproof or sweat proof is recommended.  Campers may bring out their sunscreen to reapply at lunchtime.  If a counselor’s assistance will be required, please send out a spray lotion instead of a cream.

If your camper will be attending the Red Cedar location and swimming in the pool, your child may wear a swim shirt to help block the effects of the sun.  To help keep our pool as clean as possible, campers must change into the shirt right before swimming to help keep dirt out of the pool.


Clothing
To ensure that your camper is as safe as possible, we recommend that campers wear long pants and comfortable old shoes (campers might get wet and muddy), not sandals.  Many campers do choose to wear shorts.  Expect that your child will get wet and muddy, so don’t send them in their favorite outfit and consider not purchasing new clothing just for this experience.  Several campers that are sent with new clothes or new shoes do not immerse themselves in the full camp experience because they are afraid to get dirty and upset their parents.


Ticks
As with all outdoor activities, you should check your child’s body for ticks.  According to the American Red Cross, to remove ticks, use tweezers to grasp the tick at its head, closest to the skin.  Pull firmly until it lets go.  Wash the bite area with soap and warm water.  If rash, flu-like signals or joint pain appears, seek medical attention.  You can avoid ticks by wearing long sleeves and long pants, hats, pulling long hair back in a ponytail, using insect repellent and by wearing light colored clothing so that ticks are easily detectable.


Poison Ivy
Poison Ivy, medically called contact dermatitis, is a condition in which the skin becomes red, sore, or inflamed after direct contact with a substance, such as the poison ivy plant.  Not everyone that comes in contact with poison ivy will get the rash.  In most cases, the rash will itch for approximately two weeks.  There are both prescribed as well as over-the-counter medicines that can help heal the skin.  At OEL, we remove the poison ivy plant from the main areas and main paths, however, as different counselors explore with their groups, they may encounter the plant.  Our counselors attempt to avoid poison ivy for both themselves as well as the campers.

 

 

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