VENTURING OUT PACKAGE GRADE 10 SPRING CAMP RETREAT April, 2022 Dear Parents, Re: Grade 10 Spring Camp Retreat at RKY with ALIVE Outdoors on Wednesday, May 4th to Friday, May 6th 2022 The Grade 10 students will participate in a Spring Camp Retreat at RKY Camp with ALIVE Outdoors. The programme is an extension of the students’ IB experience at York. The objective of this trip is to encourage connection, community, and outdoor learning together. We will be departing from 11 Redway Rd. at 8:45 a.m. on Wednesday May 4th, and returning on Friday, May 6th at 3:30-4:00 p.m to 11 Redway Rd. Enclosed with this letter you will find an Excursion Information Form that outlines the educational rationale for the trip, our activities, risks associated with the trip, important contact information, and financial information. Please read the information carefully as it forms the basis of your consent for your child’s participation. This excursion plays an important part in the overall educational plan for your child and supports our mission. As the whole grade level will be involved in this excursion, there will be no alternative programming during the three-day excursion. Please read through this package to ensure that you, the parent or guardian, feel comfortable with the activities and potential risks associated with this trip. Families who elect to not send their children to attend this school excursion in-person should contact their child’s teacher as soon as possible, so they can plan accordingly. Once you have satisfied yourself as to the suitability of this trip for your child, please fill out the following forms online via YorkNet by Wednesday, April 13th: Parent Acknowledgement, Consent & Release Form & Level II Code of Conduct Finally, please ensure that your child’s medical information and emergency contact information is up to date for this excursion. To confirm these details, log on to YorkNet. Yours truly,
Andrea Lossing Trip and Camp Curriculum Coordinator
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EXCURSION INFORMATION FORM Excursion Name
Grade 10 Spring Camp Retreat at RKY with ALIVE Outdoors
Date(s) and Times (And Transportation Details)
Wednesday, May 4th Depart: 8:45 am from 11 Redway Rd (Loblaws Parking Lot) Friday, May 6th Return: 3:30-4:00 pm to 11 Redway Rd Students will travel by coach bus.
Group Involved Group Leader and Staff Involved Destination Address
All Grade 10 students (Approximately 80 students) Andrea Lossing, Grade 10 teachers, other York School staff as required RKY Camp 1194 Sugar Bush Ln, Parham, ON K0H 2K0 (613) 375-6295 The programme is an extension of the students’ IB experience at York. The objective of this trip is to encourage
Activity Description and Educational Rationale 2021 | 2022
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Service Provider(s) Emergency Contact Information Approximate Cost Per Student Please note that once you have provided consent to have your child participate on the excursion you will be charged for the expenses incurred on your child's behalf for this excursion. Where, after you have provided your consent, notice is given by Wednesday, April 13th that your child cannot attend the excursion, efforts will be taken to avoid incurring expenses on your child's behalf for the excursion, and you will be only charged those expenses that could not be recouped.
connection, community, and outdoor learning together. The York School, Premier Coach, ALIVE Outdoors, RKY Camp The York School: 416 926 1325 Andrea Lossing (cell): 416 526 6595 alossing@yorkschool.com $600-$675 Cost includes site rental, accommodation, programming, food, ALIVE and RKY program staff, equipment and transportation costs. Cost does not include: Breakfast/snack on the way to camp, and lunch on the first day. The bus will stop on route for students to purchase food if they would like (suggested amount $15 per meal). Students are asked to pack a lunch for the first day at camp. Costs will be levied to student accounts after the excursion.
Level II VO Form due via YorkNet by
Special Considerations and What to Bring
Wednesday, April 13th (Along with ALIVE Outdoors Online Waiver Form AND ALIVE Student Health Info Form) Students are asked to bring a nut-free, litterless bagged lunch for the first day at camp. Bring $15 for breakfast/snack on the way to camp. See Packing List included below in this form
Activities to be undertaken by students: Students will travel to and from RKY Camp on coach buses. While at RKY Camp, students will eat in the dining hall, sleep in cabins, and will be actively involved in outdoor activities. These activities could include rock and wall climbing, hiking, backpacking, high and low ropes course activities, biking, archery, cross-bow, zip‐lining, fire‐building, cooking over a fire or camp stove, wood carving with the use of knives and fire, orienteering, team-adventure races, tennis, basketball, yoga, ultimate frisbee, football, soccer and other general sports, traditional camp games, nature connection activities and outdoor-living skills games. For some students, this program will serve as an introduction to these activities. For others, participation will provide a space to enhance their skills and help teach and encourage their peers. It is important to note that the scheduled activities may vary if the weather does not allow us to proceed as planned. Student preparation for excursion: Students are encouraged to read this document carefully and be prepared with the proper equipment and knowledge of the rules. Once on site, students will be briefed on the specific objectives of the experience and additional on-site safety rules. Students will have orientation on site before beginning the activity. Risk Assessment Specific Risks Identified: 2021 | 2022
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Students may be exposed to a number of physical injuries including: cuts, scrapes, broken bones, bruising, sprains, head injury and concussions. Students are at risk of burns from the campfire and camping stoves. Students are at risk of temperature related injuries from physical activity outdoors in the early spring and exposure to the cold including dehydration, hypothermia, and frostbite. While at camp and during travel through open terrain and on trail, students are at risk of being separated from the group, slipping on the ice, falling through ice, drowning, slips and falls from heights, difficult natural and/or manmade terrain, impact or collision with objects. While at camp, students are at risk of damage or loss of property. While on this excursion with other students and staff, students are also at risk of exposure to COVID-19. There is also the risk of a traffic accident when en route. Precautions to be taken to reduce risks: Use of Premier Coach buses with trained professional drivers. Driving will be done during daylight hours on major roadways where possible. Students will be spread out as much as possible on the coach buses. Maps and directions will be available to professional drivers. On-site orientation will include briefing on routes, boundaries, safety rules and emergency procedures, including contingency plans in case of separation. ALIVE Outdoors staff and instructors are trained in first aid and there are medical supplies on site. Teachers will carry a cell phone, medical and contact information for their groups and first aid kits. Each teacher is trained in first aid. Students will travel in small groups. At minimum, 1:15 staff to student ratio will be maintained. Precautions to be taken to reduce risk of Covid-19: Students and teachers will be asked to complete a rapid antigen test for Covid-19 and confirm that they have tested negative within 24 hours of attending this overnight excursion. Following school policy, all students and teachers will be vaccinated. All ALIVE instructors, camp staff, and bus drivers are also required to be vaccinated. As per the requirements of ALIVE Outdoors and the campsite, face masks will be worn at all times when indoors except when eating, showering or sleeping. Where physical distancing is not possible outside, masks will be required. Where a student exhibits or complains of Covid-like symptoms, they will be tested with a rapid antigen test. If a student becomes ill and tests positive for Covid-19 while at camp, the student will be moved to an isolation cabin and parents will be called to pick up their child as soon as possible. Contingency plan for bad weather/trip interruption: Indoor spaces are available for alternative activities in the case of extreme weather (eg. thunderstorms or high winds). Programme goals would be adjusted according to the situation. In the event of a student with an injury, an adult would stay with the injured students and apply any necessary first aid. A second adult would ensure the rest of the group is safe and stable. A York School vehicle will be onsite. Teachers will use this vehicle in the case that a student needs to receive medical care. Assessment of situational risks will be ongoing and the teachers will have their Emergency Medical Information Folders with them. Parents would be contacted for updates and further action plans. Should we encounter hazardous road conditions en route, we will pull off at a restaurant or public convenience until conditions improve. Parents and the school will be contacted in the event of a later than anticipated return to Toronto. Location of Nearest Emergency Medical Service: Perth & Smiths Falls District Hospital 2021 | 2022
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33 Drummond St W, Perth, ON K7H 2K1 Arrangements to be made to transport person/group to EMS (including route to be taken): Depending on the nature of the injury, a York School faculty will drive the student to the hospital. However, ifthereisamajoraccident requiring EMS,aYorkSchoolstaffwouldaccompanyanystudentwhowould needtobetakentohospital. Teachers will keep in contact with The York School and parents will be kept updated on the incident. Route: Follow Road 38 to Hwy 7/Trans-Canada Hwy in Sharbot Lake Turn right onto Hwy 7/Trans-Canada Hwy Continue on Drummond St W to your destination
ALIVE Outdoors Inc: ALIVE Outdoors Inc. is a Toronto based experiential education company founded in 2000. Over the last 18 years, we have involved over 40,000 students from Ontario independent schools in meaningful outdoor and character development based programming. ALIVE (Adventure, Leadership, Individuality, Values, Empowerment) Outdoors Inc., is an organization that specializes in outdoor experiential education. The instructor team is committed to helping make your child’s experience educational, fun, and meaningful through maintaining a supportive and enriching learning environment. We will be sharing more information about ALIVE Outdoors as well as their waiver and health form to be completed. Some information to be completed in this package is duplicated for the provider; we appreciate your attentiveness to the literature and proper completion of all forms.
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PACKING LIST (from ALIVE Outdoors)
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SPECIFIC EXCURSION RULES In addition to the expectations set out in the Code of Conduct, the following rules will apply during this trip: General: Students are expected to abide by The York School Code of Conduct while on school trips. The chance of injury or mishap during this excursion will be reduced when the student follows instructions at all times, wears appropriate clothing and exhibits effective self-care. Students will be briefed on specific rules and guidelines throughout the duration of the excursion and are expected to ask questions if they are unclear of anything. The ALIVE Outdoors instructors and camp staff will be treated as students would treat their York School teachers. COVID-19 Precautions: As per the requirements of ALIVE Outdoors and the campsite, face masks will be worn at all times when indoors except when eating, showering or sleeping. Where physical distancing is not possible outside, masks will be required. Curfew: Students are required to be in their cabin by 10:00 pm, or when directed by staff. Dress: Students must wear appropriate clothing for the activity, location and weather. Students need not wear the school uniform. Students are representing The York School and casual wear rules will be in effect: clothing must be neat, clean and should not display objectionable words, phrases, pictures or symbols. Students must dress respectably and never let their undergarments or midriffs show. Students must wear shoes or boots that are suitable for extended periods of walking. Personal Electronic Equipment: Students are not permitted to bring personal electronic equipment such as laptops. A no cell phone policy will be in effect while students are on site. Students are expected to not use cell phones during their time on site. Student cell phones will be collected by the supervising teachers, stored in a safe place and returned to students while on the bus ride home. Cabins: Cabin arrangements will be assigned by supervising teachers. Students are required to keep their personal belongings neat and tidy. Students may not enter another student’s cabin or bunk area without permission. Independent/Free Time: Students must stay within prescribed boundaries and with a buddy during free time. Participation: Student participation in activities is mandatory and they must be on time. Dining Hall: As a community space, students are expected to contribute to the success of the community by using proper table manners, helping with light duties (setting or sweeping) and talking at a reasonable ‘indoor’ volume. What Not to Bring: No food containing nuts is allowed on site or on the bus. Valuables, such as money, and dangerous items, such as pocket knives, should not be brought.
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT, CONSENT, AND RELEASE The following sets out statements to which you, the parent(s), must agree by signing electronically below in order for your child to be permitted to participate in the intended trip. Should you have questions regarding any of the statements below, you may contact the Trip Coordinator, Andrea Lossing, at alossing@yorkschool.com (416-926-1325 Ext. 1221). I/We understand, as the parent or guardian of the student named above, that students on The York School trips are expected to participate fully in all activities undertaken during and in preparation for the trip, and that they must conduct themselves in a manner befitting of their role as ambassadors for the school community. I/We further understand that all students will be bound by The York School Code of Conduct and any additional rules and regulations listed in this information package and/or discussed and implemented while on the trip, and that any infraction of these rules may, at the discretion of the trip leader, result in the immediate return of the student to Toronto. Responsibility and payment for these arrangements will be borne by the parent/guardian. Any infraction of these rules may, at the discretion of the Division Head, result in appropriate disciplinary action including suspension from subsequent trips. I/We have reviewed the contents of this information package and Code of Conduct expectations, rules and consequences with our child. I/We, the undersigned, consent to the participation of our child (as noted above) in The York School Grade 10 Spring Camp Retreat on Wednesday, May 4th to Friday, May 6th 2022. Details concerning this event, including activities, travel, supervision, location and safety precautions have been communicated to us and are understood. In particular, we are aware that students will be engaged in the following activities: Students will travel to and from RKY Camp on coach buses. While at RKY Camp, students will eat in the dining hall, sleep in cabins, and will be actively involved in outdoor activities. These activities could include rock and wall climbing, hiking, backpacking, high and low ropes course activities, biking, archery, cross-bow, zip‐lining, fire‐building, cooking over a fire or camp stove, wood carving with the use of knives and fire, orienteering, team-adventure races, tennis, basketball, yoga, ultimate frisbee, football, soccer and other general sports, traditional camp games, nature connection activities and outdoor-living skills games. For some students, this program will serve as an introduction to these activities. For others, participation will provide a space to enhance their skills and help teach and encourage their peers. It is important to note that the scheduled activities may vary if the weather does not allow us to proceed as planned. Our emergency contact information is up to date. I/We agree to update the information with the trip leader if changes occur prior to the trip start date. I/We have reviewed the Trip Plan and are aware that this excursion may expose my/our child to the following risks: Use of Premier Coach buses with trained professional drivers. Driving will be done during daylight hours on major roadways where possible. Students will be spread out as much as possible on the coach buses. Maps and directions will be available to professional drivers. On-site orientation will include briefing on routes, boundaries, safety rules and emergency procedures, including contingency plans in case of separation. ALIVE Outdoors staff and instructors are trained in first aid and there are medical supplies onsite. Teachers will carry a cell phone, medical and contact information for their groups and first aid kits. Each teacher is trained
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in first aid. Students will travel in small groups. At minimum, 1:15 staff to student ratio will be maintained. Precautions to be taken to reduce risk of Covid-19: Students and teachers will be asked to complete a rapid antigen test for Covid-19 and confirm that they have tested negative within 24 hours of attending this overnight excursion. Following school policy, all students and teachers will be vaccinated. All ALIVE instructors, camp staff, and bus drivers are also required to be vaccinated. As per the requirements of ALIVE Outdoors and the campsite, face masks will be worn at all times when indoors except when eating, showering or sleeping. Where physical distancing is not possible outside, masks will be required. Where a student exhibits or complains of Covid-like symptoms they will be tested with a rapid antigen test. If a student becomes ill and tests positive for Covid-19 while at camp, the student will be moved to an isolation cabin and parents will be called to pick up their child as soon as possible. I/We, the undersigned, grant the trip supervisors appointed by The York School permission to act on my/our behalf and to consent, to any medical, dental or surgical treatment, including pain relief and admission to hospital which may be required for my/our child, in the opinion of a qualified medical practitioner if, after reasonable attempts have been made to contact me/us at the phone numbers provided to the school, I/we cannot be reached. I/We do hereby release The York School, its directors, employees and its agents, from every manner of suit, claim or legal action which may arise as a result of an injury to, or the death of, my/our child sustained by reason of my/our child’s participation in this excursion. As parent(s) of the child above, I/we 1. acknowledge that I/we understand the statements made regarding the intended excursion with respect to expected behavior, consequences for misbehavior, and the details of the trip, including activities and risks; 2. consent to my/our child’s full participation in the trip and to the school taking the measures set out above in response to any medical emergency that may arise; and 3. release the school from legal action arising from injury or death according to the terms set out above.
CODE OF CONDUCT I understand, as the parent or guardian of the student named above, that students on The York School trips are expected to participate fully in all activities undertaken during and in preparation for the trip, and that they must conduct themselves in a manner befitting their role as ambassadors for the school community. We further understand that all students will be bound by The York School Code of Conduct and any additional rules and regulations listed in this information package and/or discussed and implemented while on the trip, and that any infraction of these rules may, at the discretion of the trip leader, result in the immediate return of the student to Toronto at the parent/guardian’s expense and that any infraction of these rules may, at the discretion of the Division Head, result in disciplinary action. We have reviewed the contents of this information package and Code of Conduct expectations, rules and consequences with our child.
Please Note: This copy of the Venturing Out Package is for reference only. Log on to your YorkNet account at https://yorkschool.myschoolapp.com/app#login to complete your child’s VO Package and give consent for their participation in this excursion. 2021 | 2022
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