Berkshire Adventure

Enrollment Forms

Enrollment Forms 2012

Berkshire Adventure Release Form

Prepare & Pack

Preparing for the Hiking & Biking

Stay active in sports and get out for some walks and rides this spring. The more you prepare, the more you'll enjoy your program and the better able you'll be to hike and ride safely this summer.

Packing for Your Trip

• Label the following items with your name, address and phone number.
• Bring only what you need and and pack it in a duffel or suitcase and your day pack. Participants can bring one additional set of travel clothes (e.g. jeans and a t-shirt) to wear on the plane. These will be left in the van.
• If you are flying to your trip start, you should wear your hiking boots on the plane and carry your sleeping bag and sleeping pad on the plane with you in case your checked luggage fails to arrive on time.
• You will have the chance to do laundry periodically and you will be able to leave some extra items in our van while we are on the trail, so please stick to the packing list and bring only the clothes and items listed below.
• Overland will rent or provide any specialized gear for the rafting and that gear is included in your trip fee.
• Check out some of our favorite brands and retailers to purchase items on this list.
• Please do not bring any type of knife or multi-tool like a Swiss Army knife or Leatherman tool.
• If you have any questions, please contact our office at 413-458-9672.

Clothing

• Medium-Sized Duffel Bag/Suitcase
  Please pack all your clothes and gear into a duffel bag (measuring between 3000 and 3500 cubic inches) and your day pack. You'll be able to leave the duffel bag and any extra items in our van during the trip and use your day pack for hikes and activities.

• Sneakers or Low Top Hiking Shoes
  Comfortable shoes to wear around all day and on day hikes and bike rides. Shoes should be supportive and have a good tread on the bottom for traction.


• Sport Sandals
  With a heel strap for rafting, swimming and around camp. No flip-flops or Crocs as these will not be acceptable for rafting. If you do not have sport sandals, sneakers will work fine for rafting although they will get wet so you may want to bring sneakers for rafting in addition to those you'll use for daily hikes and bike rides.


• Waterproof Rain Jacket
  Your rain jacket must be waterproof (not just water and/or wind resistant). GoreTex is one of the better-known waterproof and breathable fabrics, but there are many of these fabrics to choose from.


• Fleece Jacket/Pullover or Warm Sweater/Sweatshirt
  One only. To wear in camp on cool evenings.

• Winter Hat
  To stay warm in camp on cool nights.

• Hat
  With a visor—like a baseball cap—to keep the sun off your face.

• Long Pants
  One pair only. To wear in camp on cool evenings.


• Shorts
  Three pairs of comfortable shorts to hike and bike in.


• Shirts
  Three short-sleeve shirts or tank tops; two long-sleeve shirts.


• Underwear
  Four pairs.


• Socks
  Four pairs.
  

• Pajamas
  One pair only.


• Bathing Suit
  One only.

Hiking, Biking & Camping Gear

• Backpack
  For everyday adventures and hikes. Your backpack should have two shoulder straps (i.e., not a satchel) and be big enough to carry your lunch, snacks, two water bottles and a rain jacket or extra warm layers. A regular school backpack will work fine.

• Sleeping Bag
  Any type is acceptable. Overland will provide sleeping pads.


• Bike Helmet
  Overland will provide bicycles.


• Pillow
  Optional. Many students will use their fleece or sweatshirt as a pillow.


• Flashlight or Headlamp
  So you can see in camp when it's dark outside.


• Utensils
  6" to 8" plastic dish or bowl with top; insulated plastic mug; spoon, fork and knife. These don't need to be special camping utensils. A Rubbermaid dish (or similar) and regular eating utensils are fine.


• Water Bottle
  One of any variety. One-liter bottles are a good size to aim for, but smaller sizes are fine.

Miscellaneous Gear

• Towel
  Medium size cotton towel or synthetic camping towel.


• Toiletries
  All items should be travel size. If necessary, you will be able to restock en route.


• Sunglasses


• Sunscreen & Chapstick
  Minimum SPF 15.


• Digital Camera & Extra Batteries
  Great for documenting the trip.


• Personal Journal or Book
  Optional.


• Spending Money
  $25/week in cash.

Cell Phones, Electronics and Personal Property

Please note the following important policies:

Our programs offer the opportunity to strengthen independence and self-reliance. To maximize these benefits, we do not permit phone calls to or from our students (except in the case of emergency).

If it is important for your son or daughter to be able to call you while en route to Overland, we recommend that you purchase an inexpensive phone card that your son or daughter can use at any airport pay phone.

If you feel that it is necessary to send your son or daughter with a phone, please do not send an expensive smart phone like an iPhone or BlackBerry. Send an inexpensive prepaid cell phone instead. On arrival we will collect all phones but we have found that safeguarding these phones is problematic given that our programs move from place to place. Despite our best efforts over $25,000 in phones have been lost, damaged or stolen in the last two years alone. We regret that due to the expense involved in replacing these items, we take absolutely no responsibility whatsoever for phones, electronics or personal property brought by students and we will not make any reimbursements for lost, damaged or stolen phones, electronics or personal property.

Travel Information

DROP OFF: Cole Field House, 85 Stetson Rd., Williams College, Williamstown, Mass. at 2:00 p.m. Sunday
PICK UP: Cole Field House, 85 Stetson Rd., Williams College, Williamstown, Mass. at 11:00 a.m. Saturday
FLIGHT ARRIVAL: Albany Intl Airport (ALB) between 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 noon Sunday
FLIGHT DEPARTURE: Albany Intl Airport (ALB) between 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 noon Saturday

For any special cases, please call Overland to make arrangments if you have not done so already.

Students who fly to the trip, fly into the Albany, New York, International Airport, where Overland staff will be on hand to meet and assist all arriving students. Students who are dropped off should come to the Williams College Campus in Williamstown, Massachusetts.

At the end of the trip in Williamstown, students can either fly home from the Albany, New York, airport or be picked up in Williamstown. Overland staff will be on hand to assist all students with flights or pick-ups.

Flight & Travel Information 2012

Program Start & End Information 2012

For Parents Driving to Williamstown 2012

Mail Stops

Throughout the week, students may receive mail sent to our Williamstown office, addressed as follows:

Student’s Name
c/o Overland Group BA __ (please fill in student's section number here)
PO Box 31
Williamstown, MA 01267

Note: If you will send mail or packages vis UPS or FedEx, please use our street address--63 Spring St--instead of the PO Box.

Please write the student's name and BA section number on the envelope/package and make sure it arrives prior to the date listed below to ensure delivery to the group:

BA 1 - mail must arrive prior to June 27

BA 2 - mail must arrive prior to July 4

BA 3 - mail must arrive prior to July 11

BA 4 - mail must arrive prior to July 18

BA 5 - mail must arrive prior to July 25

BA 6 - mail must arrive prior to August 1 

Helpful Reminders

Checklist and Reminders 2011