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Acknowledgement of Risk and Waiver of Liability
Both participants and parent(s) / guardians must read this Acknowledgement of Risk and Waiver of Liability carefully and in its entirety. It is a binding legal document. Please read both sides of this page. Sign and return this form to MOSS Coordinators. If you are under the age of 18, this form must be signed by you as the participant AND by your parent or legal guardian.
I, the undersigned participant or parent/guardian, am aware that participation in McCall Outdoor Science School (“Activity”) may include activities that are risky and dangerous. Both participant and his/her parent(s) / guardian(s) (“I”) acknowledge and accept the risks and give permission for my participation in the Activity. I acknowledge that participation in this Activity has the following non- exhaustive list of particular activities that bear risk and danger and from which bodily injury or illness to myself, or my child, up to and including death, may occur: risk of severe injury or death, including drowning, in the process of obtaining water, soil, and sediment samples from various research site locations and analyzing and processing samples in a laboratory using chemical analysis methods; risk of severe injury or death in the course of swimming, wading, boating, flat water kayaking or rafting activities; entering, exiting and operating the watercraft; objects which may be encountered in and out of the water, and which may not be obvious, including debris, trees, rocks, boulders, dams, bridges, and other hazards; the watercraft may overturn, swamp and sink and result in occupants becoming separated from the craft and could cause injury including but not limited to hypothermia; feet and other parts of the body may become entrapped in or under rocks and other objects; participants may strike or be struck by objects, other watercraft and other persons, in and outside of the watercraft, swimming, wading and boating in unpredictable and variable water flows and waterways; use or operation, by others, of equipment, boats, and vehicles in the condition in which they are found; physical and sporting activities related to research, kayaking, rafting, cardiovascular exercises, and games including, but not limited to arm and leg movements, falling, carrying heavy objects, bending, jumping, lifting, propelling, pulling, pushing, running, stepping, stretching, twisting and competition in and/or practice of activities that involve strenuous exertion that could place stress on cardiovascular and/or musculo-skeletal systems and result in cuts, punctures, broken bones, joint injuries, sprains, strains, eye injuries, joint injuries, concussions, head injuries, and heart malfunctions; field trips, including sampling site locations; contact with other people or objects in the environment; activities supplemental to the Activity, such as walking, hiking, climbing, wading, or boating to and from sites of interest; exposure to inclement weather including, but not limited to snow, ice, wind, rain, sun, and extremes of cold or heat; contact with dangerous animals, poisonous plants, insects and environmental or biological hazards; risk related to transit to or from the Activity locations including but not limited to travel by bus, van, and private or rented auto; use of facilities, roads, sidewalks, parking lots, and trails that may or may not be properly maintained; staying overnight campus housing and at research site locations by camping; exposure to contaminated food and untreated water; risk related to the rendering or receipt of emergency first aid, or other emergency treatment, and transport in medical emergencies; accident or illness in locations without access to appropriate medical facilities or supplies; exposure to infectious disease and/or illnesses; and other unknown and unanticipated activities and risks.
In consideration of the University of Idaho (“UI”) permitting me/my dependent to participate in the Activity, I and my dependent hereby voluntarily accept all risks associated with participation. To the extent permitted by law, I agree to indemnify, defend, save, hold harmless, discharge and release the State of Idaho, the Regents of the University of Idaho, their agents and employees from any and all liability, claims, causes of action or demands of any kind and nature whatsoever that may arise out of or in connection with my participation in any activities related to the above-named Activity.
It is my express intent that this Acknowledgement of Risk and Waiver of Liability shall serve as a release, discharge and acceptance of risk for my heirs, estate, executor, administrator, assigns and all members of my family. The venue of any dispute that may arise out of my or my dependent’s participation in the Activity, if the University is a party to the dispute, shall be in Latah County, Idaho.
I understand I am responsible for all medical expense and/or property losses.
I am aware that if I provide a vehicle not owned and operated by the University for transportation to, at, or from any Activity site, or if I am a passenger in such a vehicle, the University is not responsible for any damage or injury caused by or arising from my use of such transportation. Furthermore, I acknowledge that I am solely responsible for any action that I take that is outside the scope of the scheduled Activity, regardless if occurring before, during or after the period of the Activity. I acknowledge that the university makes no representation with respect to the safety of any personally owned vehicle in which I may travel, or with respect to the qualifications of the driver of any personally owned vehicle. I understand that if I choose to travel in a personally owned vehicle, it is my responsibility to determine the safety of the vehicle and qualifications of the driver.
I hereby certify that, with or without accommodation, I and/or my dependent is in good health and I know of no medical reason why I/he/she is not able to participate in this Activity. I hereby consent to first aid, emergency medical care and if necessary, admission to an accredited hospital when necessary for executing such care, for treatment for injuries or illness that I/he/she may sustain while participating in any activity associated with the above named Activity.
If this is a University of Idaho sponsored and conducted Activity, and if I or my dependent has a disability, food or drug allergy, dietary requirements, or any condition requiring accommodation, I will contact the Center for Disability Access and Resources (208) 885-6307 at least three weeks (21 days) prior to the start of the Activity. If this is not a University of Idaho Activity, even if the Activity is being held at University of Idaho facilities, I will contact the organization that is conducting the Activity.
Whether or not I am a student, I will abide by: the University of Idaho Student Code of Conduct, Articles II through IX at https://www.uidaho.edu/governance/policy/policies/fsh/2/2300; the behavioral expectations of the Activity; and all applicable city, state and federal laws. My failure to do so may be considered grounds for denying my/my dependent’s participation in the Activity. I agree that you may photograph or video me or my child during, and in connection with, the Activity. I agree that you shall be the exclusive owner of all images and all copyright and other rights in the images. I agree that you may use any image in any media you wish related to the University of Idaho.
By typing / electronically signing my name below, it is my intent to sign, accept and be legally bound by the terms of the Acknowledgement of Risk and Waiver of Liability as fully as if I was affixing my handwritten signature, and I agree that this electronically signed document shall be as effective, enforceable and valid as a paper version of the Acknowledgement of Risk and Waiver of Liability bearing my original handwritten signature. By typing / electronically signing my name below, I further affirm that I am the above named Participant, or if the Participant is under 18 years of age, that I am a legal guardian or parent of the Participant and that I accept responsibility for the Participant’s actions. I acknowledge that failure to submit accurate information, or falsification of the electronic signature on this document, may result in the denial of participation in the Activity.
MOSS participants and parents and guardians of MOSS participants: The McCall Outdoor Science School (MOSS) is an educational program operated by the University of Idaho, College of Natural Resources. Since 2001, students have experienced our place-based, hands-on and inquiry-based curriculum in local natural and built environments. We address Next Generation Science Standards and Common Core English Language Arts and Math standards. At MOSS, we are committed to continuous program improvement. This includes regular evaluation of student learning so that we can know how well we are meeting our program goals. Specifically, we will be exploring student outcomes from our programs through various methods including a pre- and post-program survey, short interviews with individuals and groups of students, review of field journals and other artifacts created by students, and performance assessments (i.e. creating a presentation or other product). We would like to gain your consent for your child’s participation in this process, and your child’s assent to participate. Although there are no, or very limited risks associated with this project, students may be worried that they are being “graded” by MOSS. We will assure them that the MOSS program will not be assigning grades as part of this process. By allowing your student to participate in this project, you will be helping MOSS to understand what students are gain from participation in our programs. Program outcomes may be shared with funders and programs similar to MOSS so they can learn from our work as well. If for any reason your student finds it difficult (beyond normal classroom challenges) to participate in assessment and evaluation activities they will not be required to continue. Participation in this project is voluntary and there will be no repercussions from refusal to participate. Data will be collected confidentially; student names and identifying characteristics will be excluded from our reporting. Data will be stored in locked offices and secured computers. Your signature below indicates your consent to allow your child to participate in the survey described above. IRB Approval #: 20-021
We at the McCall Field Campus & Outdoor Science School (MOSS) value providing participants with accommodations to support the best experience possible.
Effective July 1, 2025, we are required to comply with Idaho Code 67-9801: Protecting the Privacy of Women. You may review the legislation in full here: https://legislature.idaho.gov/wp-content/uploads/statutesrules/idstat/Title67/T67CH98.pdf
In accordance with this law, sleeping quarters may be shared by individuals of opposite birth sex only with written consent provided by all participants involved. If you would like to request specific accommodations related to housing, we encourage you to contact us directly. While MOSS staff do not assign individuals to designated sleeping quarters, we are available to support you in coordinating arrangements based on your needs. Please work closely with your program or event coordinator to ensure appropriate accommodations are in place.
By submitting this enrollment form, you acknowledge that (1) you have been informed of the provisions of Idaho Code 67-9801 and (2) you voluntarily choose to participate in MOSS programs with the understanding that some participants may elect to share sleeping quarters.