Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ

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How do I know what outings are offered? Hide

The Outings staff publishes a catalog of outings each semester. It is first available at the Outings Assembly, which is always scheduled for early in the semester. Shortly thereafter, the catalog is available here on the website, on the Outings Office door on the circle in Thacher Hall, and on the Outings Bulletin Board in the MA Café. Feel free to take one; we have more.

How do I sign up for an outing? Hide

Generally, outings are filled on a first come first served basis. It is true that in rare cases, we have needed to make some proactive decisions about the composition of an outing in response to safety concerns or gender balance, but that has been exceptionally infrequent. For all practical purposes, the first students to submit signed permission forms get available spots on the outing. Permission forms are available on the Outings Office door on the circle in Thacher Hall, here on the website, or on the Outings Bulletin Board in the MA Café. Simply pick one up, fill it out, get it signed by a parent or adult guardian, and get it to the Director of Outings as soon as you know you can go on an outing.

Do outings cost me anything? Hide

In general, yes. Most outings have a cost associated with them that covers trip food, fuel, and any other incidental expenses. We work to keep the costs low and all trips have a published cost ceiling, or a maximum per student cost, more than which you will never be charged. Additionally, some trips, usually local outings, are offered at no cost to the student or family. This is an effort to make MA Outings accessible on some level to all MA students. Also, need-based financial aid is available to qualifying families. I encourage you to contact Dan Babior, MA’s Director of Admissions, for more information on financial aid for outings. Additionally, MA Outings maintains a collection of outdoor gear and clothing to lend to lend to anyone at no cost.

Who runs the outings? Hide

The Director of Outings oversees the program and manages a core group of outings leaders made up of MA teachers, alumni, and friends of the school who propose, plan, and run the outings. All outings leaders are well trained, experienced, deeply passionate, and dedicated outdoor enthusiasts committed to sharing the gifts of the wild with young people.

What if I have to drop off an outing at the last minute? Hide

We plan the outings based on the interest we get from the student body, and we consider the permission forms to be an expression of a student’s commitment to going on the outing. Last minute drop-offs can cancel an outing, complicate food and van planning, make a prepaid campsite unnecessary, and/or raise the cost of an outing for everyone, all of which are unjust eventualities for those who planned to go. Because of that we will charge you the cost of the outing whether you end up going or not. So be SURE you can go before you submit a permission slip. Check your calendar, check with your parents, check with your teachers, consult the oracle, and make a commitment on which you can follow through.

Do I need previous experience? Hide

In most cases, no. Occasionally an outing requires a modicum of previous experience, but far and away the majority of MA Outings are geared toward the beginner. We see ourselves most often as introducing kids to outdoor skills and appreciation.

How do you ensure safety on an outing? Hide

We cannot 100% guarantee safety – even driving to and from our destination introduces an element of risk – but we can and do manage the risks we take to minimize them. Our risk management protocols come from the National Outdoor Leadership School’s Wilderness Medical Institute, which is the industry leader in adventure program risk management. And we take our certifications very seriously. Each of our first leaders holds a current Wilderness First Responder or greater certification, our SCUBA trips are led by a Dive Master or Dive Instructor, and our surfing courses have a lifeguard in attendance. Additionally, remote wilderness trips carry a satellite phone. Perhaps our most effective risk management practice is our annual review of protocols and incident reports. We review any incidents that occur on trips and also near misses so that we can learn what we can from the risks we manage.

Do outings happen during class time? Hide

We run outings of many different kinds and many different durations, but typically a weekend outing will leave MA on a Thursday afternoon or a Friday morning before classes. Students are responsible for the work they miss and for notifying their teachers ahead of time of their planned absence. If those pieces are well in place, it is entirely appropriate given the school’s stance on experiential education and the value of outdoor education for a student to miss a day of classes to go on an outing.