2022 Grade 5 Spring Camp Retreat Level II VO

VENTURING OUT PACKAGE GRADE 5 Spring Camp Retreat May, 2022 Dear Parents, Re: Grade 5 Camp Retreat on Tuesday June 7th The Grade 5 students will participate in a retreat at YMCA Cedar Glen Outdoor Centre. 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.

On Tuesday, June 7th, we will be leaving from 1639 Yonge Street at 9:00 am, and returning at approximately 3:00 p.m for regular pick up from school. We recommend students be dropped off at school by 8:30 am.

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. 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 Tuesday, May 17th: 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 Coordinator alossing@yorkschool.com 2021 | 2022

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EXCURSION INFORMATION FORM Excursion Name Date(s) and Times (And Transportation Details)

Group Involved (and number of students) Group Leader and Staff Involved Destination Address

Activity Description and Educational Rationale

Service Provider(s) Emergency Contact Information

Grade 5 Camp Retreat at YMCA Cedar Glen Outdoor Centre Tuesday, June 7th 2022 Depart: 9:00 am from 1639 Yonge Return: 3:00 pm to 1639 Yonge Students will travel on one coach bus.

All Grade 5 students (39 students) Barb Prevedello, Jenn Ryner, Katherine Laschowski, Danielle Barish, Amy Faba, John den Ouden, other York School faculty as needed, Cedar Glen instructors YMCA Cedar Glen Outdoor Centre 13300 Concession Rd 11, Schomberg, ON L0G 1T0 ymcagta.org/find-a-y/ymca-cedar-glen-outdoor-centre The Grade 5 Camp Retreat will be an opportunity to learn to engage in co-operative community building activities with the objective of fostering connection and strengthening relationships with both peers and faculty members.

The York School, YMCA Cedar Glen Outdoor Centre Bus Companies (Premier Coach) The York School: 416 926 1325 Cedar Glen Outdoor Centre: (905) 859-9622 bprevedello@yorkschool.com jryner@yorkschool.com klaschowski@yorkschool.com

Approximate Cost Per Student

$80-$100

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 expenses that could not be recouped.

Cost includes the programming and bus costs.

Return Level II VO Form via YorkNet by

Tuesday May 17, 2022

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Costs will be levied to student accounts after the excursion.

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Special Considerations and 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, parents are reminded to provide children with the following: sunscreen, hat and water bottle.

Sunglasses that protect against UV-A and UV-B rays are also recommended.

Students should bring: 1. A nut-free lunch and snacks (we will order lunches from the school for the students; however, extra snacks are encouraged) 2. A water bottle 3. Face masks and hand sanitizer 4. Closed-toe shoes like running shoes or hiking shoes (no sandals or Crocs) 5. PE uniform 6. Raincoat / waterproof jacket 7. Any personal medication (such as personal epipen, puffer, etc)

Activities to be undertaken by students: Students will travel by coach bus. While on site, students will be actively engaged in a variety of outdoor activities that could include mapping and orienteering, field sports, light hiking, low ropes, fire building, shelter building, large and small group cooperative games and initiative tasks. Students will take part in activities including leadership workshops.

Student preparation for excursion: Students will have orientation and training on site before beginning the activity.

Risk Assessment Specific Risks Identified: Cuts, scrapes, burns, broken bones, bruising, sprains, becoming separated from the group, slips and falls from heights, difficult natural and/or manmade terrain, the use of ladders and adventure courses, impact or collision with objects, other participants, staff or spectators.

Traffic accident when en route. Exposure to COVID-19.

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. 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. YMCA Cedar Glen staff and instructors are trained in first aid and there are medical supplies on site. All participants must take part in an approximately 30 minute safety orientation at the beginning of each visit.

Students will be given a lesson on safety, equipment use and rules of climbing before we begin.

The climbing staff are trained on all onsite climbing elements and safety protocols. All necessary safety equipment will be provided for the visit. This includes a rock climbing style harness and a safety helmet.

Teachers will carry a cellphone, 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, 1:10 staff to student ratio will be maintained 2021 | 2022

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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.

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 is weather dependent and 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.

Should we encounter hazardous road conditions on 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. If there is severe weather that would make highway driving or the trip itself dangerous, the trip would be cancelled and parents would be notified immediately.

Location of Nearest Emergency Medical Service: Brampton Civic Hospital 2100 Bovaird Drive East, Brampton, ON L6R 3J7 Arrangements to be made to transport person/group to EMS (including route to be taken): Head south on Concession Rd 11 toward King Rd/York Regional Rd 11 Turn right onto King Rd/York Regional Rd 11 Turn left at the 1st cross street onto Caledon King Townline S Continue onto Albion Vaughan Rd Turn left onto Hwy 50/Peel Regional Rd 50 Turn right onto Castlemore Rd Continue onto Bovaird Dr E/Peel Regional Rd 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.

However, if​​there​​is​​a​​major​​accident requiring EMS,​​a​​York​​School​​staff​​would​​accompany​​any​ ​student​​who​​would need​​to​​be​​taken​​to​​hospital. Teachers will keep in contact with The York School and parents will be kept updated on the incident.

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.

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Personal Electronic Equipment: Students are not permitted to use any personal electronic equipment during the trip to Cedar Glen. If a student chooses to bring a personal electronic device to school, the device must stay in their personal bag/backpack at all times. The York School will not be responsible for any lost or stolen items.

General: No food containing nuts is allowed on site or on the bus. Students shall remain with their group at all times. Students shall not leave the established routes at any time. Valuables, such as money, and dangerous items, such as pocket knives, should not be brought.

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 5 Camp Retreat to YMCA Cedar Glen Outdoor Centre on Tuesday June 7th.

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 coach bus. While on site, students will be actively engaged in a variety of outdoor activities that could include mapping and orienteering, field sports, light hiking, low ropes, fire building, shelter building, large and small group cooperative games and initiative tasks. Students will take part in activities including leadership workshops.

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, becoming separated from the group, slips and falls from heights, difficult natural and/or manmade terrain, the use of ladders and

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adventure courses, impact or collision with objects, other participants, staff or spectators.

Traffic accident when en route. Exposure to COVID-19.

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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