Namanu - Facilities |
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DINING HALL
The dining hall at Namanu is centrally located, with the health center close by, as well as staff quarters. Much of the site is hilly and rustic. Students, high school Student Leaders, Staff, and Teachers eat family style in the spacious dining hall. Hot, varied, and nutritious meals are prepared by our professional kitchen staff, and students are assigned to help set the tables, deliver and serve the food during the meal, and clean up after the meal on a rotating basis. The dining hall serves as a central hub of activity throughout the day, and evening campfire programs are held in a community building near the dining hall in case of inclement weather. |
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CABINS AND RESTROOMS
There are three separate cabin areas at Namanu. Each heated cabin serves 6-10 students (a few from each class) and 1-3 high school Student Leaders. Cabins are supervised by staff members. All participants sleep on bunk beds with mattresses. Students should bring a sleeping bag (or blankets) and pillow for their stay. The restrooms in the cabin areas are centrally located, and contain private stalls for toilets and showers. Some cabins feature restrooms and showers inside the cabin. In addition to the cabin area restrooms and shower houses, Namanu features a restroom / shower house building in a central location, as well as a restroom inside the nurse's station. For students who prefer it, gender-neutral bathroom and shower options include the House of Health and the bathroom facility behind the dining hall. Both are centrally located. Many of the cabins have a bathroom in the cabin, and almost all have a small separate room that serves as a private changing area. Information about these options will be shared at the orientation at the beginning of each week, and students will learn which staff members can help them access what they need. Students and Student Leaders will be given the information about private changing areas during the orientation process as well. Changing times for students and Student Leaders will be offered and planned for, on a cabin by cabin basis, under the leadership of the Program Leaders. |
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OUTDOOR SCHOOL NURSE
There is a registered nurse on site 24 hours a day while your student is at Outdoor School. The nurse takes care of injuries and illnesses as they arise, and also has commonly-forgotten items (like sleeping bags, jackets, and toothbrushes) available to lend. The nurse is available to discreetly clean soiled sleeping bags as needed throughout the week. If you have specific health care or dietary concerns, please contact the Outdoor School Program Nurse, Tom Eby: teby@mesd.k12.or.us |
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OTHER FEATURES
Weather permitting, the entire Namanu Outdoor School community gathers each evening for a campfire program at the outdoor campfire facility. Should inclement weather occur, however, the Namanu site features an open-air community gathering spot with a fireplace, benches, and a stage for evening campfire programs. Students perform skits and enjoy songs, and it is many students' favorite part of Outdoor School. Field study, the "school" part of Outdoor School, takes place throughout the site, and takes advantage of our incredible local nature. The Namanu Outdoor School site is located along the Sandy River, and features lush forests and incredible wildlife. Photos of the natural areas and some of the equipment and specimens used on field study can be found arranged by field study on the Science & Nature page. 
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