2024 Spring Mountain Bike VO

Dear Parents,

LEVEL II

VENTURING OUT PACKAGE –

Senior School MTB Club

Re: Mountain Bike Club - Don Valley Trails (2023-24)

September, 2023

The Senior School MTB Club will explore and ride the mountain bike trails within the Don Valley Students will meet at The York School, travel to the Don Valley and then be dismissed from that location at approximately 5:45pm

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.

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 Sept 22, 2023 (any late forms will result in students not being able to ride with the group until submitted):

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,

Brian Eaton Mountain Bike Club Coach beaton@yorkschool com Ext.

1440

EXCURSION INFORMATION FORM

Excursion Name

Transportation Details

Date(s) and Times

Group Involved (Include approximate number)

Senior School Mountain Bike Club

The Mountain Bike Club sessions will take place after school on multiple dates throughout the fall and into the spring (no riding during the winter months)

The group will leave from the school at 4pm and proceed to the Don Valley Trail System via the trail behind the Rosehill Reservoir. They will be dismissed from that location at 5:45pm

Route: The group will cross three streets Mt Pleasant and Bayview have traffic lights and crosswalks Pottery Road has the staged crossing

No more than 7-8 students per ride Group

Activity Description and Educational Rationale

Service Provider(s)

Emergency Contact Information

Approximate Cost

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, efforts will be taken to avoid incurring expenses on your child's behalf for the excursion, and you will be only charged those

The Senior School Mountain Bike Club is a co-curricular activity at The York School that is intended to foster an interest in mountain bikes, nature and physical activity

The club will explore the trails of the Don Valley Trail System. Students will not be engaged in high speed downhill trails or jumping on club rides Students will only ride designated green (beginner) and blue (intermediate) trails as classified within the trailforks com app The club is open to all senior school students at the York School

The York School

Brian Eaton (416-670-2155 - mobile)

There is no cost associated with this club

Students will need to provide their own biking equipment that meets the safety requirements

expenses that could not be recouped.

Return Level II VO Form via YorkNet by

What to Bring

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.

Friday Sept 22, 2023 (forms can be submitted after this date, however, no student may participate on rides without submitted forms)

Students must have:

1. A properly fitted (as per manufacturer's guidelines) and properly worn bicycle helmet certified by a recognized safety standards association (for example, CSA, CSPC, ASTM, Snell, BSI, AS) must be worn

2 Appropriate clothing and footwear (no open shoes)

3 Water bottle

4. Protective eyewear (for example sunglasses)

5. Cell phone with Mr Eaton’s number (to contact the group if separated)

6 Bike meeting the following requirements:

a Bike size must be appropriate for the rider

b Bike must have at a minimum - front suspension (full suspension is recommended but not required) and need to be in good working order It is always recommended that bikes are serviced regularly by a qualified bike mechanic

c It is the student’s responsibility to ensure their bike is in good working order Parents will be required to sign off prior to their child’s participation that the bike being used is in proper working order

d If the supervisor identifies an issue that cannot be easily resolved and results in the bike not being safe for the type of riding that day, the student may be excluded from riding and may not return to the club until the issue is resolved

Activities to be undertaken by students

Students will travel to the Don Valley Trail System using a very short road riding route: Students will need to ride up Yonge Street in the bike lane from Woodlawn Ave to Rosehill Ave, turn east and continue along Rosehill avenue until they reach the trailhead that heads down into the ravine. We will follow this trail, crossing Mt Pleasant St at a traffic light with crosswalk and continuing down the trail to The Brickworks Students will cross Bayview Ave at the traffic lights and proceed up to Pottery Road via the Bayview bike lanes After crossing Pottery Road at the trailhead students will be in the Don Valley system and not be on public roads until we return via the same route

While in the Don Valley students will only ride trails that are designated as green (beginner) or blue (intermediate) within the trailforks app

Students will bike along double track and single track trails within the Don Valley along with paved recreational trails.

Student preparation for excursion:

Students must be comfortable riding a bike on dirt trails All students will be assessed by Mr Eaton prior to riding trails

Before going on mountain bike trails, students must demonstrate competency to the teacher/supervisor in: stopping changing gears turning going up and down hills in control negotiating obstacles

Depending on interest, students may be put into groups based on their riding ability and skill level Appropriate trails will be chosen based on rider ability

Students need to ensure their bike is in proper working order and that they have appropriate clothing and a proper bike helmet

Students must bring a water bottle.

Students will be briefed on concussion prevention strategies and procedures and rules of the trail, as well as the importance of reporting any head injury or symptoms related to a suspected concussion

Risk Assessment

Specific Risks Identified:

Risks associated with traveling by bike: Cuts, scrapes, burns, broken bones, bruising, sprains, concussions, becoming separated from the group, traffic accidents while biking on/crossing roads

Precautions to be taken to reduce risks: Trails used will be selected and inspected by a faculty member prior to use. 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, 1:10 staff to student ratio will be maintained.

Rules of the Trail for Off-Road Cycling will be reviewed

Instruction will be given on the proper position of a bicycle helmet (for example, brow of helmet is at eyebrow level) Students must cycle at a speed that allows them to control their bike in a safe manner.

Students will be encouraged to anticipate other trail users especially around corners and establish communication, be prepared to stop if necessary and pass safely.

Everyone will exercise precautions to avoid sun burns and heat related issues by applying sunscreen, wearing a hat and/or sunglasses, and monitoring time spent in direct sunlight Students will have water with them in either a water bottle that fits in a water bottle cage on their bike or a hydration backpack

Contingency plan for bad weather/trip interruption: This trip is weather dependent and may be called off due to heavy/persistent 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: Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre 2075 Bayview Ave, Toronto, ON M4N 3M5

Arrangements to be made to transport person/group to EMS (including route to be taken):

The Don Valley trail system is very close to Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre EMS would be contacted for any major issues beyond standard first aid Toronto EMS has authority over which hospital will be used. One teacher would travel with the student and one teacher would stay with the rest of the group

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 You 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 running shoes or proper bike shoes as they will be on their bikes for up to two hours

Personal Electronic Equipment: Students are encouraged to have a cell phone with them to be in contact with the supervisor in case of getting lost and to communicate with parents about any late arrivals to the school.

Independent Time Protocol will be followed: After a proper riding assessment has been completed and students have ridden the trails numerous times and are familiar with routes, they may be allowed to ride in groups of three Groups smaller than 3 will not be permitted and students are not permitted to ride alone They must remain on the designated trails agreed upon with the supervisor and remain within certain geographic limits Students will check in periodically with a teacher at a specific place and time Students will have cell phone contact numbers for all supervisors. Students will be made aware of the risks and will discuss the importance of being aware and vigilant

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, Barb Prevedello, at bprevedello@yorkschool com (416-926-1325 Ext 1439)

I/We understand, as the parent or guardian of the student named above, that students on 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 the Don Valley Trails for the Mountain Bike Club during the 2022-2023 school year.

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 the Don Valley Trail System using a very short road riding route: Students will need to ride up Yonge Street in the bike lane from Woodlawn Ave to Rosehill Ave, turn east and continue along Rosehill avenue until they reach the trailhead that heads down into the ravine We will follow this trail, crossing Mt Pleasant St at a traffic light with crosswalk and continuing down the trail to The Brickworks. Students will cross Bayview Ave at the traffic lights and proceed up to Pottery road via the Bayview bike lanes. After crossing pottery road at the trailhead students will be in the Don Valley system and not be on public roads until we return via the same route

While in the Don Valley students will only ride trails that are designated as green (beginner) or blue (intermediate) within the trailforks app.

Students will bike along double track and single track trails within the Don Valley along with paved recreational trails

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: Cuts, scrapes, burns, broken bones, bruising, sprains, concussions, becoming separated from the group, traffic accidents while biking on/crossing roads

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 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.