LEVEL II VENTURING OUT PACKAGE – Grade 3 Treetop Trekking Stouffville June 2022 Dear Parents, Re: Grade 3 Treetop Trekking Trip The Grade 3 classes will be visiting Treetop Trekking in Stouffville as part of their unit on plant uses and the interconnectedness of humans and the environment. Additionally, this excursion will provide students opportunities to collaborate and strengthen their communication skills through a variety of team-building activities. Students will meet at school on Tuesday, June 14th at 8:15 am (departure at 8:30 am sharp), and be dismissed from school at 3:15pm. 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 is not mandatory and is offered as a part of the year end academic activities; however, the activities planned support the development of the IB learner profile and there are many opportunities for students to enhance their teamwork and collaboration skills while exploring the outdoors. It must be understood that should you, the parent or guardian, not feel comfortable with the activities and potential risks associated with this trip, you should contact me immediately to discuss special arrangements that might be made to modify the trip for your child. However, due to the nature of the excursion, opportunities for adapting the programme may be limited. 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 Friday, June 10th: Parent Acknowledgement, Consent & Release Form Level II Code of Conduct Treetop Trekking Waiver (hard copies have been sent home with your child and are to be returned to school) 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 Coordinator alossing@yorkschool.com Ext. 1221
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EXCURSION INFORMATION FORM Excursion Name
Grade 3 Trip to Treetop Trekking, Stouffville
Transportation Details Date(s) and Times
Tuesday, June 14th, 2022 Departure from school: 8:30am Departure from Treetop Trekking Stouffville: 2:00pm Return to School at 3:00pm
Group Involved (Include approximate number)
43 Students 7 Teachers/Guardians There is a 6:1 student to staff ratio 1. Mr. Griffen Daoust 2. Ms. Charlotte Moffatt 3. Ms. Sherry Pielsticker 4. Ms. Rebecca Brown 5. Ms. Sue Gray 6. Ms. Karen McCallum-Ryan 7. Other York faculty as needed
Group Leader and any other Staff Involved
Destination Address
Activity Description and Educational Rationale
Treetop Trekking - Stouffville 3291 Stouffville Road Whitchurch-Stouffville, ON L4A 7X5 Students will be exploring plant uses and the interconnectedness of humans and the environment as per our unit on plants. Additionally, this excursion will provide students opportunities to collaborate and strengthen their communication skills through a variety of team-building activities.
Service Provider(s)
Treetop Trekking Stouffville
Emergency Contact Information Approximate Cost
The York School (416) 926-1325 Karen Nielsen : 416 926-1325 Ext # 1614 Cost per child: $55-$70 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 that your child cannot attend the excursion by Friday June 10th, 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.
Sign/Return: ● York School VO Form 2021 | 2022
Cost includes admission and transportation. Students do NOT need to bring additional money with them. Students will be receiving a packed lunch from the cafeteria. Students are encouraged to bring extra snacks. Costs will be levied to student accounts after the excursion.
Friday, June 10th
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Treetop Trekking waiver
Please complete the Treetop Trekking Stouffville waiver and return it to school. You can find a digital copy of the PDF linked here.
By: Friday, June 10th, 2022 Other Information: Sun Protection: Where a trip involves your child being outside between 11:00 AM and 4:00 PM, or the UV rating is predicted to be 3 or greater, remind parents to provide children with the following: sunscreen, hat and water bottle. Sunglasses that protect against UV-A and UV-B rays are also recommended.
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Students must pack a hat, sunscreen, waterproof jacket, a water bottle and litterless snacks. A small backpack would be helpful in order to carry these items. Appropriate apparel for physical activity and running shoes (see list below). Students are expected to follow the school’s code of conduct.
Activities to be undertaken by students: Students will travel by bus to and from Treetop Trekking. Then students will spend the day playing outdoor games and climbing across suspended obstacles and climbing structures. There will be opportunities to take a break to eat and drink throughout the day. There are no age or height requirements to participate in either of the two Treetop Trekking activities. Programme Schedule: ● 9:30am - 11:30pm - Call of the Wild Ground Games : Team building games to help develop leadership and collaboration skills. ●
11:30pm - 12:00pm - Lunch
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12:30pm - 2:00pm - Treewalk Village: Children can explore the various treehouses, which are equipped with slides, hammocks, nets, wood bridges and various small climbing structures.
Student preparation for excursion: Students will have orientation and training on site before beginning the activity. Follow-up: The children will reflect on their trip as a class.
Risk Assessment Specific Risks Identified: Students may be exposed to a number of physical injuries including: cuts, scrapes, broken bones, bruising, sprains, head injury, concussions, and slips, trips, and falls from heights. Students are at risk of temperature related injuries from physical activity outdoors. While on this excursion, 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:
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Pre-trip preparation will include briefing on routes, boundaries, safety rules and emergency procedures, including contingency plans in case of separation. All trip equipment and gear will be checked by staff before departure. Students will be oriented to new sites. Boundaries and out-of-bound areas will also be described. 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 be paired in a buddy system. At minimum, 1:6 staff to student ratio will be maintained. Everyone will exercise precautions to avoid sunburns and heat related issues by applying sunscreen, wearing a hat and/or sunglasses, and monitoring time spent in direct sunlight. All necessary safety equipment will be provided for the visit. This includes a rock climbing style harness and a safety helmet. “For liability reasons only our equipment may be used in the parks. Those with their own harnesses and helmets are asked to please leave them at home. All safety equipment is inspected daily by our staff to ensure that it is in safe working order. All helmets are disinfected after each use. Gloves are not mandatory, however many people do prefer to use them. You are welcome to bring your own gloves (tight fitting gardening or cycling gloves work best), or you can purchase them at the park when in-stock.” - Treetop Trekking There is a 6:1 student to staff ratio. Students will be given a lesson on safety, equipment use, and rules of climbing before we begin. All participants must take part in an approximately 30 minute safety orientation before each visit. The guides will explain the rules of the park and show students how to safely use the equipment. Everyone will exercise precautions to avoid sunburns and heat related issues by applying sunscreen, wearing a hat and/or sunglasses, and monitoring time spent in direct sunlight. Boundaries and out-of-bound areas will also be described. Assessment of situational risks will be ongoing and the teachers will have their Emergency Medical Information Folders with them. EMS/911 service is available in the area, maps to hospital ready, and evacuation plans from activity areas will be used. Precautions to reduce exposure to COVID-19: In terms of Covid precautions, we will follow the school’s policy at the time of the excursion. Further information will be shared prior to the excursion. Contingency plan for bad weather/trip interruption: This trip may be called off due to serious rain, high winds, or cold. If there is a need to adapt plans while on the excursion, parents would be contacted for updates and further action plans. Programme goals would be adjusted according to the situation. Location of nearest Emergency Medical Service: Markham Stouffville Hospital 381 Church Street Markham, ON L3P 7P3 2021 | 2022
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Arrangements to be made to transport person/group to EMS (including route to be taken): If a student is injured on location, Treetop Trekking personnel will respond to treat injuries. The York School and parents will then be contacted and if needed, EMS will be activated by dialing 911. One teacher will accompany the injured person to EMS while the remainder of the group stays together with the other staff. A teacher will stay with the student until the parent/guardian arrives. If there is an accident involving one of the buses en route, one teacher will leave with any injured student(s) to go to the hospital – more if there are several students injured. Contact would be made immediately with the Head of School and Division Head to let them know; a decision will be made in consultation with them regarding the best plan of action for the rest of the students. Route from Treetop Trekking Stouffville to Markham Stouffville Hospital: Ambulance Turn East on Stouffville Road Turn South on Highway 48 Turn East on Major MacKenzie Drive Turn South on Ninth Line Turn East on Church Street Arrive at hospital (east side of the street) Additional Information: - Students need to bring their snacks and water bottle - Closed-toe shoes are a must (running shoes are ideal) - Appropriate clothing for the day (dress in layers) - This excursion is not weather dependent. We will go rain or shine except in extreme rain or thunderstorms.
SPECIFIC EXCURSION RULES In addition to the expectations set out in the Code of Conduct, the following rules will apply during this trip:
Dress: Students must wear appropriate clothing for the activity, location and weather. 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. Independent Time Protocol will be followed: Students will be paired with a buddy and must not venture out alone. When given the opportunity to venture away from the group, they must remain within specific geographic limits and will check in periodically with a teacher at a specific place and time. Students will be made aware of the risks and will discuss the importance of being 2021 | 2022
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aware and vigilant. Independent time protocols will be followed and will only take place in areas deemed safe in advance.
WHAT TO BRING – TREETOP TREKKING ●
Closed-toe shoes like hiking shoes or boots.
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Weather appropriate clothing including base layers
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Waterproof jacket
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Litterless, nut-free snacks (*there is NO concession on site)
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Water Bottle
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Sunscreen
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Sun hat
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Bug spray
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 trip to Treetop Trekking Stouffville on Wednesday, June 14th, 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 by bus to and from Treetop Trekking. Then students will spend the day playing outdoor games and climbing across suspended obstacles and climbing structures. There will be opportunities to take a break to eat and drink throughout the day.
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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: Students may be exposed to a number of physical injuries including: cuts, scrapes, broken bones, bruising, sprains, head injury, concussions, and slips, trips, and falls from heights. Students are at risk of temperature related injuries from physical activity outdoors. While on this excursion, 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. 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.
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