OUTDOOR EDUCATION - General Guidelines

SPECIAL RULES / INSTRUCTION SUPERVISION

ALL GRADES
1. Have all outdoor education excursions approved by principal or designate. 1. Provide both male and female chaperones for
2. Approval can include consideration of itinerary, suitability of trip activities to the mixed gender groups on overnight trips.
curriculum, travel time, safety factors, supervision arrangements, age appropriateness (refer 2. Have access to a vehicle for emergency
to board of education’s field trip policy). purposes.
3. Have board of education official sign a detailed application form for all overnight trips. 3. Designate a supervisor (e.g., teacher or parent)
4. Have parents complete parental consent forms prior to any student going on outdoor who is not the supervisor in charge of the trip to
education trip. transport an injured student to hospital.
5. For all trips requiring transportation, prepare a list of all the students in each vehicle, provide
it to the chaperones, and leave a copy at the school.
6. For overnight trips, have students provide medical information to the chaperone, including
their health card number and any special health information.
7. Make supervisors on trip aware of any students with medical problems and any student on
medication.
8. Have students on vital medication bring an extra supply. Be sure this medication is in a
clearly marked container in the supervisor's possession. Handle all medications in
accordance with the board of education's policy on dispensing medication.
9. Provide trip supervisors with a list of parent contact/emergency contact numbers.
10. Use only staff or volunteer drivers who comply with board of education requirements for
insurance.
11. Provide the teacher supervising the trip with telephone number and location of nearest
doctor, and location of nearest hospital and nearest phone.
12. Define maximum number of days allowed for outdoor education trips in board of education
policy.
13. Typical information on parent consent forms includes itinerary, date, relationship of trip
activities to curriculum, supervision arrangements, cost per student, behavioural
expectations, inherent risks, and where applicable, date and time of parent information
meeting.
14. Provide students with a list of recommended clothing and personal items suitable for the
specific activity.
15. Wear sun protection for all outdoor education activities.
16. Cel phone or portable phone is recommended.
 OUTDOOR EDUCATION - Camping
An extended overnight camping experience in an outdoor environment with students using
tents and doing their own food preparation. No canoeing.
Dorm camping - Grades 1-12
Overnight camping - Grades 4-12
SPECIAL RULES / INSTRUCTION SUPERVISION
ALL GRADES
EQUIPMENT CLOTHING/ FOOTWEAR FACILITIES SPECIAL RULES / SUPERVISION
INSTRUCTION
1. If cooking on stoves, use 1. No bare feet in campsite area. 1. Consider washroom 1. Provide instruction in lighting 1. Provide constant visual
propane/liquid gas type stoves. 2. Wear clothing in layers facilities when planning a fires and camp stove lighting supervision when filling and
2. Collect and check all suitable for the season. trip. (Supervisor lights if grade 4- lighting camp stoves (Grds. 6-
necessary equipment before 3. Clothing for overnight 2. Cell phone or regular phone 5). 8).
the trip. camping includes: within walking 2. Plan program in detail with 2. On-site supervsion when
3. Equipment includes: • sleeping bag/blanket distancerecommended. contingency plans for lighting camp stoves (Grds. 9-
• whistle or other signaling • rain gear. inclement weather. 12)
device • Wear sun protection. 3. Remove all food items, gum 3. Provide on-site supervision
• first aid kit • No jewelry recommended. and cosmetics from tents at for other activities.
• flashlight night and keep in bear-proof 4. Have at least one leader with
• shovel containers or cars. current first aid certification.
• sun protection 4. Filling and checking stoves is 5. Have some leaders with
recommended an adult responsibility. previous tent camping
5. Make students aware of experience.
• waterproofed matches
behavioural expectations, 6. Have access to a vehicle for
boundaries for activity, emergency purposes.
assembly procedures. 7. Designate an adult supervisor
6. Plan program activities that who is not the "in-charge"
are age and skill level supervisor to accompany an
appropriate. injured student to hospital.
7. No open flames near tents. 8. Recommended ratio of
8. Develop a process to account supervisors to students:
for students and to identify • Grades 4-9 - 1:8
any students who may be • Grades 10-12 - 1:15.
missing.
9. Food and drink of a nutritious
quality and quantity
appropriate for high energy
outdoor activity is needed.
 OUTDOOR EDUCATION CANOEING -
Pools - Grades 6-12
Lake Water Canoeing - Grades 6-12
SPECIAL RULES / INSTRUCTION
ALL GRADES
EQUIPMENT CLOTHING/ FOOTWEAR FACILITIES
Check paddles for cracks and 1. Wear correct fitting,
splinters. Transport Canada approved
P.F.D./life jackets, with
whistle attached for open
water canoeing.
2. Wear clothing that is
appropriate for open water
canoeing.
3. Sun protection recommended.
4. No jewelry recommended.
SUPERVISION
SPECIAL RULES /
INSTRUCTION
Select water conditions 1. Before open water canoeing,
appropriate for the skill level of demonstrate competency in:
the group. • power stroke
• "J" stroke
• sweep stroke
• draw stroke
• backwater stroke
• proper entry/exit from
canoe
• self rescues into dry and/or
swamped canoes
• canoe over canoe rescue
procedures
• synchronized strokes,
positioning of paddlers, and
packing the canoe.
2. Have a rescue craft on shore
and accessible while students
are canoeing on open water.
3. Prior to water activities
successfully complete the
following swim test:
• swim 100 m continuously
any stroke
• tread water for 3 minutes
• put on a life jacket in the
water
• demonstrate the help/huddle
position.
SUPERVISION
1. Have an instructor with
Canadian Recreational
Canoeing Association Level
One Lakewater Canoeing
Certification.
2. Provide on-site supervision
when students are canoeing.
3. Have access to a vehicle for
emergency purposes.
4. Designate a supervisor (e.g.,
teacher or parent) who is not
the "in-charge" person to
transport an injured student to
hospital.
5. Have at least one supervisor
with:
• National Lifeguard Service
Lifeguard certificate, or
• Current first aid
qualifications, or
• St. John Emergency First
Aid Certificate, or
• Royal Life Saving Society
Aquatic Emergency Care
Certificate, or
• Canadian Ski Patrol First
Aid Certificate.
6. Ratio of supervisors to
students:
Grades 6-9 - 1:10
Grades 10-12 - 1:15
 OUTDOOR EDUCATION - Canoe Tripping
Traveling in groups by canoe through wilderness or semi-wilderness areas
for a period of time which includes at least one overnight camp.
SPECIAL RULES / INSTRUCTION
EQUIPMENT CLOTHING/
FOOTWEAR
Equipment includes: 1. Wear properly fitting,
 extra paddle per canoe Transport Canada
 first aid kit approved life
 waterproof matches jacket/P.F.D., with whistle
 8 m length of rope attached, at all times while
 repair kit for canoe. on the water.
2. Clothing includes:
• rain gear
• appropriate clothing in
layers
• dry change of clothing.
3. Sun protection
recommended.
4. No jewelry recommended.
SUPERVISION
ALL GRADES
FACILITIES SPECIAL RULES /
INSTRUCTION
Plan a route that is 1. Complete a trip itinerary
appropriate to age/ability of and file it with an
students. appropriate school official.
2. Develop an emergency
action plan and
communicate it to all
involved with the trip.
3. Test all candidates for
participation in a school
canoe trip for the minimum
standards in each of the
areas as outlined below:
I. WATER SAFETY
Prior to water activities
successfully complete the
following swim test:
• swim 100 m
continuously any stroke
• tread water for 3 minutes
• put on life jacket in
water
• demonstrate the
help/huddle position.
SUPERVISION
1. Have at least one
supervisor with Canadian
Recreational Canoeing
Association Level I Canoe
Tripping certification. If
the group is divided into
two trips, then have two
supervisors with these
qualifications.
2. Have at least one
supervisor with:
a. National Lifeguard Service
Lifeguard Certificate, or
b. Current first aid
qualifications such as:
• St. John Emergency First
Aid Certificate, or
• Canadian Red Cross
Emergency First Aid
Certificate, or
• Royal Life Saving Society
Aquatic Emergency Care
Certificate, or
• Canadian Ski Patrol First
Aid Certificate.
 OUTDOOR EDUCATION - Canoe Tripping continued
SPECIAL RULES / INSTRUCTION SUPERVISION
ALL GRADES
EQUIPMENT CLOTHING/ FOOTWEAR FACILITIES SPECIAL RULES / SUPERVISION
INSTRUCTION
2. CANOEING SKILLS 1. Have at least one supervisor who
Demonstrate basic competence in the has experience with:
following skills: • bug season
• power stroke • cold water rapids (recognize
• "J" stroke inherent danger and ways to
• sweep strokes avoid)
• draw stroke • cooking over open fire without a
• backwater strokes grate
• proper entry/exit from canoe • campcraft waterproofing methods
• self rescues in dry and/or during wet weather.
swamped canoes 2. Have at least one supervisor with
• canoe over canoe rescue general knowledge of the area.
procedures 3. Establish a systematic pattern for
• synchronized strokes group travel and communication.
4. Have two adult supervisors on
• packing a canoe
overnight trips.
• portaging techniques. 5. Where female and male students
Have mastered the "J" stroke. participate in a trip, provide both
Instruct students on how to handle female and male supervisors.
unexpected wind and wave 6. Ratio of supervisors to students:
conditions. 1:8.
3. RELATED AREAS
Familiarize students with:
• basic first aid and hypothermia
• personal camping and canoeing
equipment and repairs
• suitable clothing
• camping skills and safety
• environmental concerns
• use of a compass
• map reading.
Postpone trip if there is any
indication of inclement weather or
cold water conditions severe enough
to put students’ safety at risk.
Teach skills in proper progression.

SPECIAL RULES / INSTRUCTION
EQUIPMENT
Equipment includes:
• kayak with adequate flotation
in nose and stern to prevent the
kayak from filling with water
and sinking
• kayak paddle.
SPECIAL RULES / INSTRUCTION
OUTDOOR EDUCATION - FLAT WATER KAYAKING
Pool - Grades 6-12
Base Camp Kayaking - Grades 6-12
CLOTHING/
FOOTWEAR
1. Wear correctly fitting and
Transport Canada approved
P.F.D./life jacket, with whistle
attached for open water kayaking.
2. Wear clothing that is appropriate
for open water kayaking.
3. Sun protection recommended.
4. No jewelry recommended.
OUTDOOR EDUCATION - Lake Swimming Grades 4-12
ALL GRADES
FACILITIES
1. Choose water conditions
appropriate for the type of kayak
being used and the skill level of
the group. (Flat water involves
paddling on lake water or river
where no rapids exist and eddies
are very slight).
SUPERVISION
SPECIAL RULES / SUPERVISION
INSTRUCTION
1. Teach skills in proper progression. 1. Provide on-site supervision by
2. As a prerequisite for open water qualified instructor when students
kayaking, demonstrate basic are kayaking.
competence in: 2. Have instructors with a basic
• launching kayak kayaking instructor’s certification
• getting in and out from the Ontario White Water
• emptying the kayak (beach and Association, the Canadian
dock) Canoeing Association, the
• T-rescue American Canoeing Association
• wet exit or the British Union of Sea
Kayaking.
• forward stroke
3. Have a rescue craft on shore and
• back stroke accessible while students are
• front sweep kayaking on open water.
• stopping 4. For the purpose of providing first
• draw stroke aid coverage, have at least one
• bracing. supervisor with:
3. Prior to water activities, a. Lifeguard certificate, or
successfully complete the b. Current first aid qualifications
following swim test: such as:
• swim 100 m continuously any • St. John Emergency First
stroke Aid Certificate, or
• tread water for 3 minutes • Canadian Red Cross
• put on life jacket in water Emergency First Aid
• demonstrate the help/huddle Certificate, or
position. • Royal Life Saving Society
Aquatic Emergency Care
Certificate, or
• Canadian Ski Patrol First
Aid Certificate.
Ratio of instructors to students:
Grades 6-8 - 1:8
SUPERVISION
 ALL GRADES
EQUIPMENT CLOTHING/ FOOTWEAR FACILITIES SPECIAL RULES / SUPERVISION
INSTRUCTION
Equipment includes: 1. Wear appropriate swimming 1.Use a swimming area that is: Written parental permission for child 1. Provide on-site supervision.
• buoy line attire. • clearly marked to be involved in any swimming 2. Have one supervisor with current
• whistle or other signaling 2. sunscreen recommended. • free from hazards activity is desirable. Permission note certification :
device 3. No jewelry recommended. • roped off with floating devices can indicate child’s swimming ability • National Lifeguard Service
• first aid kit(s) 4. Tie back long hair recommended. • of suitable water temperature (e.g. non-swimmer, capable Lifeguard Certificate
• throw line • reasonably clear. swimmer). Waterfront option, or
• reaching assists. 2.No swimming in fast moving rivers Identify and observe non-swimmers. • National Lifeguard Service
or streams. Follow posted rules and regulations Pool Certificate with two years
3.Prior to trip, check with local of swimming area. waterfront experience
authorities to determine whether Use a definite counting system at 3. Provide at least one other adult
water is safe for swimming. regular intervals (e.g., number supervisor in addition to the
students and every 15 minutes blow lifeguard.
whistle and have them count off). 4. Have access to a vehicle for
Use a buddy system. emergency purposes.
No swimming if there are any
indications of bad weather. 5. Designate a supervisor (e.g.,
No swimming after dark. teacher or parent) who is not the
Swimming allowed only in "in charge" supervisor to
designated area. transport an injured student to
No distance swims. hospital.
Position lifeguard so s/he is clearly 6. Lifeguard to swimmer ratio: 1:25.
visible to all swimmers at all times.
In an emergency situation, lifeguard
is in charge.
Have an emergency action plan in
place.
Inform students of acceptable
standards of behaviour in the water.
No diving.
No flotation devices.
Practice an emergency water drill
(e.g., assemble on shore with 3 loud
whistle blasts).
Length of swim depends on skill and
age of swimmers, condition of
atmosphere, condition of water, time
of day.
Teach skills in proper progression.