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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.