Tips for a Safe and Comfortable Visit

Long sleeves and long pants that can be tucked into socks to discourage mosquito, fly, and tick bits are strongly recommended, as is proper footwear for walking in sometimes wet areas. Insect repellent also can be helpful; however, teachers and chaperones should supervise its use. A tick check should be conducted after the visit.

Teachers and chaperones should instruct students to walk in the middle of the paths when on the walking trails in order to avoid contact with poison ivy.

Chaperones

A 1 to 6 ratio of chaperones to students is ideal, particularly for the lower grades, and this ratio should not exceed 1 to 10 for any age group. Proper supervision of students is necessary at all times and is not the responsibility of Refuge Staff. Chaperones should understand that this is a classroom activity and a learning experience for the students, not a vacation day.

Things to Remind Students

• Stay on designated trails to avoid contact with poison ivy and ticks.
• Walk quietly and keep noise to a minimum in order not to disturb wildlife.
• Leave only footprints. Take all litter (lunch trash) with you. Don’t take any plant or animal material from the refuge. What you bring here take with you; what you find here leave here.
• Understand that you are here to learn about nature; that you can have fun, but that this is not “a day off.”

Things for the Teacher to do 

• Contact Tina Watson, Outdoor Recreational Planner at 302-653-6872 to plan and schedule an Environmental Education Program at Bombay Hook for your class.
• Consider participating in one of the one day training programs for teachers.
• Obtain lesson plans from the Bombay Hook website (or by calling Tina Watson).
• Get chaperones for your class – 1:6 recommended ratio.
• Consult with your bus driver to determine the exact time your bus must return to the school from Bombay Hook and make sure the Naturalist conducting your visit is made aware of this time. The bus is used to transport the children to different locations on the Refuge.
• Arrive at the refuge at the scheduled time so that the activity plan for your class is not disrupted.