At ONSC, our students (your children) are our number one priority. We take every precaution to ensure that they are safe while enjoying our programming. For many, their trip to Bear Hollow is their first trip away from home overnight. We have provided a brief summary of topics that frequently are raised by parents below. If you have any questions about the trip, please contact your child's teacher - we work closely with teachers to provide a customized experience and to ensure a successful and enjoyable visit for your child's entire class. We are happy to work with you on diet issues or other concerns if necessary.

Our Field Staff and Student Safety

ONSC executes a stringent application and interview process for all potential employees, and all employees undergo a full criminal background check as a condition of employment. We hire only professional, enthusiastic, and well-qualified field staff to work with our students. Please see our staff information page for more information. All instructors are certified in Child and Adult CPR and Wilderness First Aid. Instructors are in constant contact with administration by 2-way radio while in the field, and ONSC trains in rescue procedures including mock-rescues twice a year.

Hiking and Field Groups

Regardless of program length, your child will enjoy hiking on our trail system throughout Bear Hollow. Typically, these hikes are 3-5 hours in length and cover about 1 - 1.5 miles in that time. Our goal is not to cover ground fast, but rather to cover it well. Individual fitness levels are usually not an issue, and students with physical disabilities can usually be easily accommodated. Your child will be assigned to a field group by his/her teacher. We staff programs at a 1:10 instructor-student ratio to ensure a safe and high quality small-group experience on the trail. Each field group also has a teacher and/or parent-chaperone (see below for more information), so that every student has a minimum of 2 adults supervising them at all times.

Lodging and Dining

Lodging is by gender in one of three climate controlled lodges. There are usually 4-6 students in a room; each room has it's own restroom and private bath. Each lodge is supervised by teachers and parent-chaperones in their own rooms with radio contact to an ONSC liaison and intercom contact with other lodges. Meals are usually provided in our spacious dining hall, but may be served on the trail if weather and the program require it. In the dining hall, meals include a variety of freshly-prepared hot food items and access to a salad bar. Students may eat as much as they want, but we encourage them to "take what they need and eat what they take" to avoid food waste.

Parent Chaperones

If you are interested in serving as a chaperone on your child's visit to ONSC, please see your child's teacher for more information. Chaperone selection is up to teachers and their school administration. Please keep in mind that parent-chaperones are on the trip for safety and supervision purposes and not specifically to spend time with their child. ONSC does not allow parents to supervise their own child's field group; we believe this provides an equal experience for all students and allows parent-chaperones to focus on their supervisory role more efficiently.