GENERAL INFORMATION

Addresses:

Winter:

After June 1:

c/o Hannah Merrill
703 East Fifth Street
Port Angeles, WA 98362

Pemi West in brief...

Pemi West is a 3½ week wilderness skills and leadership program for 15-18 year-old men and women. Highlights of our program include 3 weeks of expeditioning in the Olympic National Park, Wilderness First Aid, field study of natural history and environmental issues, and service projects. We also offer a ten day backpacking trip for adults.

Expenses:

Tuition for this season is $4,000. A $500 registration fee is due with your application. This fee will be applied towards the tuition and will be refunded in full if your application is not accepted. It is not possible to refund or reduce tuition for late arrival or early departure unless you must withdraw from the program because of illness or injury. Should this be the case, we will refund one-half of the tuition for the remaining part of the program. Requests for financial aid will be considered.

Registration Fee:

The $500 registration fee will be applied toward tuition. The registration fee will be refunded if the application is not accepted or illness prevents your child's coming to Pemi West. In case of any other withdrawal, the registration fee will be refunded when we fill the resulting vacancy.

No Pemi West camper is considered enrolled until both registration fee and application are received and acknowledged.

Financial Responsibility:

It is not possible to refund tuition or make any reduction for entering late or leaving early, except in case of dismissal or withdrawal on account of illness when one-half the fee for the remaining part of the season will be refunded.

A participant will need approximately $80 for travel expenses and other incidentals. Wallets and other valuables will be stored safely during the program.

Medical Coverage:

A medical history form will be sent to you after your application is received and accepted. This form must be completed and returned by May 1. You will need to have been immunized against tetanus, mumps, polio, diphtheria and measles. You will also need to provide evidence of current medical insurance coverage. Pemi West participants are generally taken to the health clinic in Port Angeles or Seattle whenever the attention of a physician is required.

Transportation:

Try and schedule your arrival in Port Angeles between noon and 4:00pm, and your departure from Port Angeles before noon. We will pick you up at the Port Angeles airport (assuming that you will be flying) and will be responsible for your transportation until we return you to the airport on closing day. We will be contacting you closer to the start of Pemi West for the details of your transportation.

Visiting:

Because of our short season and irregular schedule, we ask that parents/relatives/friends not visit during the season. However, if you and your family would like to spend some time together in Washington after the program, we would be delighted to assist you with your plans!

Equipment:

We will send you a list of essential equipment and clothing soon after you enroll, and are always willing to assist you in making your selections. Pemi provides all of the mountaineering and climbing equipment, tents, stoves, and safety equipment. If you own your own climbing gear (helmet, shoes, and harness), you are welcome to bring it and use it if it is in acceptable condition.

Communications:

We will encourage you to write home frequently, and you should encourage family and friends to write to you!

Here's your mailing address:

If you (parents) must send a package, use only United States Postal Service, since FedEx and UPS have no way of leaving packages for Pemi West.

An occasional newsletter will be sent to parents during the season, and participants will receive a final report from one of the directors.

If it is urgent that you (parents) get in touch with your son or daughter, first contact the director of Camp Pemigewassett, Wentworth, New Hampshire, at 603/764-5833; he will then contact Pemi West base.

Drugs and Alcohol:

Simply stated, Pemi West participants and staff are forbidden to use or possess tobacco, alcoholic beverages or illegal drugs during the program. Infractions can mean immediate dismissal.

PLEASE KEEP THIS INFORMATION FOR FUTURE REFERENCE!

Pemi West complies with the National Park nondiscrimination requirements, and carries out its activities in the Olympic National Park under a Special Use Permit granted Camp Pemigewassett by the National Park Service.