PARENT OR PARTICIPANT AGREEMENT
Dear Kroka Expeditions Parent(s)/Guardian(s) and/or Adult Program Participants,
*** PLEASE NOTE, PARTICIPANTS WHO WILL BE 18 YEARS OR OLDER MUST PERSONALLY SIGN THIS AGREEMENT FORM***
Our work would not be possible without a covenant of trust between you (the parents and guardians of our students), and us (the staff and teachers at Kroka Expeditions). By enrolling your child in this program, you will be asking us to care for their personal physical and emotional needs, while at the same time creating a safe, nurturing student community and providing fun and appropriate challenges and adventures on the farm and in the wilderness. During the program your child will be living outside, walking barefoot, working with sharp tools and fire, climbing tall rocks and trees, jumping into streams, paddling and swimming in fast moving rivers, carrying heavy loads over uneven ground, and living in the elements – all with the possibility of getting overheated or cold, sun-burned, or soaking wet, and much more. It is our job as teachers and guides to be well prepared to do all we can to protect and take care of all our students. Thus we work year-round to scout the terrain and weather, purchase and maintain the highest quality of safety and adventure equipment, to plan, prepare, and pack nourishing delicious meals, and constantly update our emergency medical training and technical outdoor skills.
In return we ask for your trust and cooperation as our most important partners in this work. By signing this agreement you acknowledge that:
- If you are a parent, you give permission for your child to participate in this program, and have been informed about the planned activities and the potential risks involved. You also accept that planned program activities and itineraries may change without notice based upon the needs of the group and the changing weather and environment
- you are confirming here that you have carefully read and understood the Kroka Handbook, (available on our website) and you believe that you or your child can take the age-appropriate level of responsibility to care for themself while at Kroka
- you have accurately completed Kroka’s medical information and emergency contact information forms, and that you or your child have no undisclosed medical or emotional problems or limitations which might affect their ability to participate in this program
- you authorize Kroka staff to give routine or emergency medical care if needed, within the limits of common sense and established wilderness medical protocols. If urgent care is necessary, you give permission for Kroka to seek professional help and/or or transport your child to a medical facility. You agree to pay all costs associated with that care and transportation
- you agree to be responsible for the repair or replacement of any items that are lost or damaged under your child’s care and use
- you give Kroka Expeditions permission to use any photographs or audio/video recordings of you or your child, taken during participation in Kroka programs, for any publicity or promotional materials, both online and in print. (Note: Kroka respects your privacy, and will never publicly publish, trade, or share your (or your child’s) name, address or contact information. However, often students make new friends at Kroka, and ask us to share the names and addresses of students within their specific program so that they can keep in touch with one another, which we are happy to do. Please let us know if you have any concerns or reservations about this.
- you understand that Kroka reserves the right to dismiss any student from the program that staff believes, in their discretion, presents a safety concern or medical risk, is disruptive, or otherwise deliberately conducts themself in a manner detrimental to the program. Use of illegal drugs, marijuana, tobacco products, alcohol, intimate relationships, sexual or other forms of harassment, sexual activity or socially exclusionary behavior, or disregarding clear instructions are examples of conduct that Kroka considers detrimental to the program, and that can lead to early dismissal. If your child is dismissed or departs for any reason, you accept responsibility for all costs of early departure whether for medical reasons, dismissal, personal emergencies or otherwise.
LIABILITY RELEASE
In consideration of the services of Kroka Expeditions Inc., their agents, owners, officers, volunteers, employees, and all other persons or entities acting in any capacity on their behalf (hereinafter collectively referred to as " KE "), I hereby agree to release, indemnify, and discharge KE, on behalf of myself, my spouse, my children, my parents, my heirs, assigns, personal representative and estate as follows:
1. I acknowledge that participation in guided rock climbing, guided river rafting, and other outdoor activities entails known and unanticipated risks that could result in physical or emotional injury, paralysis, death, or damage to myself, to property, or to third parties. I understand that such risks simply cannot be eliminated without jeopardizing the essential qualities of the activity.
The risks include, among other things: loss or damage to equipment being used; being lost or separated from guides or companions; the hazards of walking on uneven terrain; being struck by rock fall, icefall or other objects dislodged or thrown from above; the use of climbing ropes and equipment; falling objects; collision with fixed or movable objects; weather conditions; water hazards; accidental drowning; whitewater rapids will be encountered; being jolted, jarred, bounce, and shaken about; exhaustion; rafts or boats capsize; exposure to temperature and weather extremes which could cause cold water shock, hypothermia, hyperthermia (heat related illnesses), heat exhaustion, sunburn, dehydration; and exposure to potentially dangerous wild animals, insect bites, and hazardous plant life; pinches, scrapes, twists and jolts, sprains, strains, scratches, bruises, abrasions, cuts, lacerations, broken bones, fractures, musculoskeletal injuries including head, neck, and back injuries; wrist, arm, or shoulder injuries; or even more severe life threatening hazards; equipment failure; and improper lifting or carrying; transmissible pathogens or diseases; my own physical condition, and the physical exertion
associated with this activity; accidents or illness can occur in remote places without medical facilities and emergency treatment or other services rendered; consumption of food or drink; Foreign countries have their own laws and standards of acceptable conduct; food and water related illnesses; foreign political, legal, social, transportation, health, and economic conditions; different standards of design, safety, and maintenance of buildings, public places, and conveyances; local & medical facilities and providers; weather conditions; criminal activity, environmental hazards; standards of living and health standards that are not equivalent to life in the United States.
Furthermore, KE personnel have difficult jobs to perform. They seek safety, but they are not infallible. They might be unaware of a participant's fitness or abilities. They might misjudge the weather or other environmental conditions. They may give incomplete warnings or instructions, and the equipment being used might malfunction.
2. I expressly agree and promise to accept and assume all of the risks existing in this activity. My participation in this activity is purely voluntary, and I elect to participate in spite of the risks. Additionally, I agree to wear a U.S. Coast Guard approved personal flotation device (life jacket) while participating in all water activities and a certified helmet for all climbing activities.
3. I hereby voluntarily release, forever discharge, and agree to indemnify and hold harmless KE from any and all claims, demands, or causes of action, which are in any way connected with my (or my family member's) participation in this activity or use of KE 's equipment or facilities, including any such claims which allege negligent acts or omissions of KE.
4. Should KE or anyone acting on their behalf, be required to incur attorney's fees and costs to enforce this agreement, I agree to indemnify and hold them harmless for all such fees and costs.
5. I certify that I have adequate insurance to cover any injury or damage I may cause or suffer while participating, or else I agree to bear the costs of such injury or damage myself. I further certify that I am willing to assume the risk of any medical or physical condition I may have.
6. In the event that I file a lawsuit against KE, I agree to do so solely in the state of New Hampshire and I further agree that the substantive law of that state shall apply in that action without regard to the conflict of law rules of that state. I agree that if any portion of this agreement is found to be void or unenforceable, the remaining document shall remain in full force and effect. By signing this document, I acknowledge that if anyone is hurt or property is damaged during my participation in this activity, I may be found by a court of law to have waived my right to maintain a lawsuit against KE on the basis of any claim from which I have released them herein. I also agree that this document is valid for subsequent visits and participation at KE.
I have had sufficient opportunity to read this entire document. I have read and understood it, and I agree to be bound by its
terms.