What to Bring on a Mountains to Sound field study trip

Mountains to Sound Greenway Field Study Trips will take place rain or shine. Please prepare your students for the possibility of inclement weather conditions by making sure they wear or bring the following items to Tiger Mountain:

• Rain gear
• Boots or other sturdy shoes that students don't mind getting wet and muddy
• Warm clothing (sweater, thick socks, hat, gloves)
• Drinking water (there is no running water on site)
• Snacks and sack lunches
• Small backpack
  

  Do bugs drink spit? - Student on a field study trip
  

What not to bring

• Ipods, cell phones or any other electronic device

Important Information

• Every class should bring four adult chaperones in addition to the teacher. They will play an active role in facilitating a small group to work together.
• There are only two pit toilets at High Point, one each for boys and girls. In order to make sure we start our activities on time, and still give students an opportunity to use the facilities, please make every effort to arrive at Tiger Mountain on schedule.
•  Please bring only one class at a time to a field experience.
• Greenway staff will be there to provide engaging educational activities; we expect that you will participate in disciplining your students as necessary.
• Plan to leave all cell phones at school / home or turn them off while on the trip. Ringing phones disrupt the students' experience in the natural environment. Your Greenway leader will have a cell phone for emergencies.

Transportation to the Field Trip

If you have signed up for bus transportation reimbursement, set up the bus transportation and pay the bill. Send the Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust a copy of the bill, or bring it with you to your field experience, and we will reimburse the payee up to $100/bus.

If you are participating in the Wheels to Water free bus program follow the King County Program's specifications. Wheels to Water is a free bus program, provided by King County and Metro Transit, which connects students with water quality field trips. Buses are available for selected program sites which focus on wastewater treatment, water quality, and human influence on environmental health.

Directions to Tiger Mountain

From I-90, take Exit # 20, the High Point Way exit, just east of Issaquah. From the west, turn right (or from the east, turn left) at the end of the exit ramp onto 270th Ave SE. Take your next right onto SE 79th Street, and proceed 3/10-mile to the open gate. Continue through the open gate 4/10-mile up to the top of the gravel road to the High Point parking lot. At the sign, veer right, pull forward, and park in front of the kiosk next to the "buses only" sign. Pull forward to the far end of the parking lot. The Greenway Educator will meet your bus here, and will board the bus to welcome and orient you to the site.

Chaperone Information

Parent chaperones are an important part of making this field trip successful for the students. You will be asked to take an active role when you arrive. The class will be broken into small groups and each chaperone will assist the students as they work on defined tasks. You will receive necessary directions and materials.

Extending Your Field Experience

Your MTS staff-led field experience will take place in the morning, usually at 10:00 am. If you wish to extend your field experience into the afternoon, we suggest you use a Tiger Mountain trail map, available from Sally Kentch. Many trails are relatively flat, easy and under one mile. Greenway staff is only available to stay with your group in the morning, however, so any extension will be independent.

In Case of Severe or Dangerous Weather Conditions

In the event of severe weather conditions such as hail, snow, thunder and lightning, or very high winds, getting to or being out in the forest at Tiger Mountain could be dangerous. If dangerous weather conditions develop, your Mountains to Sound Greenway field trip leader will call and leave a message for you at your school by 8:00 am the morning of your scheduled field trip. Please check for this message before you head out to Tiger Mountain.