EXCURSION INFORMATION FORM
Grade 6 Challenge Week
Depart: Wednesday, May 7th, 2025 at 8:00am from Canadian Tire Parking Lot at Laird & Eglinton (825 Eglinton Ave East
Return: Friday, May 9th, 2025 at 4:00pm arrival at Canadian Tire Parking Lot at Laird & Eglinton (825 Eglinton Ave East
(Also a day trip to Brickworks on Tuesday, May 6th 2025: Depart school at 9:00 am and return by 3:00 pm prior to regular dismissal)
Group Involved
Group Leader and any other Staff Involved
Destination Address
Activity Description and Educational Rationale
Grade 6 students
Sherry Pielsticker, Michael Black, and six other Middle School faculty
Wednesday, May 7th to Friday, May 9th: The Double Tree Hilton (Formerly known as Novotel Ottawa Centre)
33 Nicholas St, Ottawa, ON K1N 9M7 613 230 3033
Tuesday, May 6th:
Day Trip to Evergreen Brickworks
550 Bayview Ave, Toronto, ON M4W 3X8
This trip gives students the opportunity to learn about science, humanities and French in a fun, exciting and hands-on way The objective of this trip is to enable students to participate in learning activities, experience community and be a part of a group while touring in Ottawa. Students will explore connections among the three subject areas through interactive tours and activities, walks and hikes, and discussions presented by various providers The Challenge Week experience will help students create a culminating year-end project Service Provider(s) Wednesday, May 7th to Friday, May 9th in Ottawa: Georgia Hardy Tours
Tuesday, May 6th in Day Trip: Evergreen Brickworks, Stock Transportation
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 expenses that could not be recouped.
Andrea Lossing (in Toronto)
At School: 416.926.1325 ext 1221 Cell Number: 416 526 6595
$1100-$1300
Cost includes: Cost includes any entrance fees or instructional fees as well as hotel accommodation, hotel security, bus charters, tour directors and specialists costs and programmes.
Meals included in cost: breakfast and dinner daily are provided
Cost does not include:
Daily lunches: Wednesday through Friday and any additional snacks (recommendation for students to bring $25-$30 daily for lunch and snacks). It is also suggested that students bring nut-free snacks for the bus on Wednesday (Day 1). Students can bring their lunch on
Return VO Form via YorkNet by
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.
What to Bring
Activities to be undertaken by students:
Wednesday to save the cost of one lunch OR they can purchase a lunch at the ONRoute stop.
Note: Students are also required to bring their own lunch and a water bottle to Evergreen Brickworks on Tuesday May 6th
A 50% non-refundable deposit will be levied to your account upon receiving a completed Venturing Out Package The remainder of the cost will be charged at the end of the excursion
Tuesday, February 25th, 2025
Packing List included below
Wednesday, May 7th to Friday, May 9th in Ottawa: Students will take part in moderate walking in urban areas including walking tours, visits to the Parliament Buildings, Ottawa museums and galleries, and local attractions
Students will also explore local natural attractions on foot including parks and nature reserves. Students will also take part in interactive activities at various museums and view visual presentations, participate in bowling, and eat meals at restaurants The group will travel by chartered bus around the area
Tuesday, May 6th at Evergreen Brickworks:Students will travel by yellow school bus to and from Evergreen Brickworks While there, students will take part in outdoor activities including walking on hiking trails, participating in nature games and large group games, and hands-on outdoor learning workshops.(Students are required to bring lunch and a water bottle)
Student preparation for excursion:
Students will participate in a pre-trip itinerary information sessions with teachers which will also outline safety and expectations Teachers will prepare students in class through the curriculum
Follow-up:
In the weeks following challenge week students will be working on an in-class project The project will focus on concepts learned during Challenge Week.
Risk Assessment
Specific Risks Identified:
Students may be exposed to activities with a risk of 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 getting lost or separated from the group, as well as damage or loss of property. While on this excursion with other students and staff, students are also at risk of exposure to allergens and illness. There is also the risk of a traffic accident when en route or within the city
Precautions to be taken to reduce risks:
Pre-trip preparation will include briefing 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 Buddy systems will be outlined with students Students will be monitored while in urban areas and during independent time, Independent Time Protocol will be followed At minimum, 1:8 staff to student ratio will be maintained There will be regular check-ins with students to monitor energy levels and adjust accordingly Teachers will carry a cell phone, medical and contact information for their groups and first aid kits. York staff is trained in first aid and CPR.
The use of a coach bus company and professional driver for all bus services Driving will be done during daylight hours on major roadways where possible Maps and directions are available to the driver The York School communicates dietary and medical needs to Georgia Hardy Tours in advance and they communicate these needs to restaurants and other providers
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 Risks will be assessed by teachers on an ongoing basis and there will be continuous communication with each other and the leadership at The York School
Contingency plan for bad weather/trip interruption:
Students will dress for the weather and outside of extreme temperatures many of the activities will run as scheduled Some walking tours may be altered to bus transport if necessary. Depending on the nature of the interruption the route and itinerary will be altered. In the event an activity cannot take place, the itinerary and 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
Location of nearest Emergency Medical Service:
Wednesday, May 8th to Friday, May 10th 2024 in Ottawa: Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario 401 Smyth Road Ottawa, Ontario K1H 8L1 (613)-737-7600
Tuesday, May 7th 2024 at Evergreen Brickworks: Sick Children’s Hospital 170 Elizabeth St, Toronto, ON M5G 1E8 (416) 813-1500
Arrangements to be made to transport person/group to EMS:
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 Route taken will be based on current location at time of incident
Additional Information:
- Students should travel with a photocopy of their health card and parents are encouraged to keep the original at home
- The students will travel in TWO separate chartered buses Stops will be arranged along the way for food and washroom breaks and teachers will be in contact between the buses.
- At times the students will be split up into smaller groups and supervised by York Teachers as well as Georgia Hardy Tour guides. Teachers will have cell communication between one another.
- Students will be given the opportunity to submit room requests and teachers will create appropriate room assignments of 3-4 per room Students will share a double/queen bed
TENTATIVE ITINERARY
This is a draft itinerary Timing and programming details can change A final itinerary will be sent out prior to the departure. Itineraries are slightly different for each bus to accommodate the numbers at each of the venues and planned programming.
Wed May 07, 2025
7:45AM
Meet at The Canadian Tire on Eglinton and Prepare for Departure
Canadian Tire - 825 Eglinton Ave E Toronto, ON M4G 4G9
8:00AM
Begin the Journey to Ottawa!
6 hours will be allocated for this drive to accommodate a lunch stop
2:00PM
Indigenous Experiences at MĀDAHÒKÌ FARM
4420 W Hunt Club Rd, Nepean, ON K2R 1E7
4:00PM
Transfer from Mādahòkì Farm to The DoubleTree Hilton Hotel to check-in
5:00 PM
Check-In
The Doubletree by Hilton Formerly Known as the 'Novotel Ottawa' 33 Nicholas Street Ottawa, ON K1N 9M7
5:15 PM
Check-in and freshen up before departing for tonight's dinner
6:00 PM
Walk to The Grand Pizzeria for Dinner
Start the 5-10 minute walk to tonight's dinner
6:15 PM
Dinner at The Grand Pizzeria!
74 George St, Ottawa, ON K1N 5W1
7:15 PM
Depart for Hidden InSite Parliament Challenge
Meeting Location: 46 1/2 Sparks Street.
7:30 PM
Hidden InSite Parliament Challenge
9:00 PM
Return to Hotel on Foot in preparation for Lights Out
10:00 PM
Security Confirmed to Monitor the Halls from 10pm - 6am Nightly
THU MAY 8
8:00 AM
Breakfast at hotel
8:30 AM
Depart for The Canadian Museum of History
8:50 AM
Approx Arrival time at The Canadian Museum of History
Canadian Museum of History (& Children's Museum)
100 Laurier St, Gatineau, Quebec K1A 0M8 +18197767000
9:00 AM
After checking in with the museum, the group will proceed to the Children's Museum ahead of their 10:00am guided tour at Canadian Museum of History
11:00 AM
Transfer to Byward Market for Lunch & Supervised Independent Time
11:30 AM
Lunch & Supervised Free Time in Byward Market
Ahead of your afternoon activities, enjoy lunch and supervised free time in Byward Market.
12:30 PM
Transfer to The Supreme Court of Canada
12:45 The Supreme Court of Canada
Tour begins at 1:00pm
Enjoy a tour of the federal buildings + a mock trail at The Supreme Court of Canada!
301 Wellington St, Ottawa, ON K1A 0J1
2:00 PM
Transfer to The Canadian Science & Technology Museum
Following The Supreme Court, board your coaches and transfer to The Canadian Science & Technology Museum
2:30 PM
Canadian Science and Technology Museum
Chain Reaction Program
4:00 PM
Transfer to The Hotel ahead of dinner
Following the workshop and some free time to explore the museum, transfer to the hotel to freshen up ahead of tonight's dinner and activities
4:30 PM
Approx. Arrival time to the hotel
The group will have a small amount of time to freshen-up ahead of dinner.
5:20 PM
Begin the walk to dinner
5:30 PM
Dinner at Zak's Diner
Enjoy dinner at this iconic Ottawa restaurant
14 Byward Market Square, Ottawa, ON K1N 5S7
6:30 PM
Depart for Funhaven
7:00 PM
Funhaven !
8:45 PM
Return to Hotel for Lights Out
FRI MAY 9
8:00 AM
Breakfast at hotel
9:00 AM
Depart for Toronto with an en route stop at Diefenbunker
10:00 AM
Diefenbunker Guided Tour
Arrival at Diefenbunker: Canada's Cold War Museum for a tour + workshop Note: this museum is mainly underground 3929 Carp Rd, Ottawa, ON K0A 1L0
4:00PM
Approx Return Time at Canadian Tire on Eglington
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 Students must wear shoes or boots that are suitable for extended periods of walking
Curfew: Students are required to be in their own rooms by 9:00 p m, or when directed by staff
Cell Phones and Personal Electronic Equipment: Students are not permitted to bring personal electronic equipment such as mini DVD players, laptops, and pocket video games. Student cell phones will be permitted on the bus to and from Ottawa as well as during our Lunch Out in Byward Market Cell phones will be collected upon arrival by teachers and redistributed first for our Lunch Out and then again on the return trip The trip is to allow students the opportunity for face to face interaction, exploration and engagement without the use of technology as a distraction In the event you should require contact with your child, you are asked to contact your child’s Home Room teacher through email.
Rooms: Room arrangements will be assigned by supervising teachers There will be 3 or 4 students in a room Students are required to keep their personal belongings neat and tidy Students may not enter another student’s room without permission
Independent/Free Time: Students must stay within prescribed boundaries during free time, always travel with a buddy and communicate with a teacher their whereabouts. Each person will be partnered for safety In trips of odd numbers, there will be one group of three students Students will be responsible for the whereabouts of their buddy and for informing teacher leaders if the buddy is late or ill etc Independent time protocols will be followed and will only take place in areas deemed safe in advance 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.
Participation: Student participation in activities is mandatory and they must be on time and prepared
General: It is imperative that students listen and comply with the expectations set out by the supervising teachers In order to maximize the potential of the excursion everyone needs to be working together to ensure the group is safe. Student’s will be courteous, respectful and polite when dealing with the community.
Note: The excursion is 2 nights and 3 days and there will not be an opportunity to launder any items Many of the activities take place outside so be sure to pack weather appropriate clothing
4 pairs of socks
2 pairs of shoes (one sturdy pair good for walking, one indoor pair for hotel)
2 pairs of pants (and 2 pairs shorts)
4 t-shirts
2 long sleeve t-shirts
2 sweaters or sweatshirts
1 warm jacket
Rain coat
Mittens, scarf
Warm hat
Water bottle
Pajamas!
4 pairs of underwear
Toiletries
Book
small backpack
sunscreen
baseball/brimmed hat
Things to do on the bus: deck of cards, movies, games, books to read
Personal medications (Any personal medication should be given to the teachers at buses in ziplock bag with written instructions For epipens and puffers, please ensure that the student carries one epipen on them and gives one to the teacher)
Additional Items:
Nut-free snacks for the bus
Camera
Packed lunch for bus (optional)
Pocket money ($60-$80) for lunches, souvenirs, gifts)
What Not to Bring:
No food containing nuts is allowed.
Excessive amounts of candy should not be brought
Valuables, such as money, cell phones, electronics (ipads, laptops, gaming devices), 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 Divisional Principal or Experiential Educator, 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 Ottawa, Ontario on Wednesday, May 7th to Friday, May 9th, 2025 as well as a day trip on Evergreen Brickworks on Tuesday, May 6th 2025.
Details concerning this event, including activities, travel, supervision, location and safety precautions have been communicated to me/us and are understood In particular, I/we am/are aware that students will be engaged in the following activities:
Wednesday, May 7th to Friday, May 9th in Ottawa: Students will take part in moderate walking in urban areas including walking tours, visits to the Parliament Buildings, Ottawa museums and galleries, and local attractions Students will also explore local natural attractions on foot including parks and nature reserves Students will also take part in interactive activities at various museums and view visual presentations, participate in bowling, and eat meals at restaurants The group will travel by chartered bus around the area
Tuesday, May 6th at Evergreen Brickworks: Students will travel by yellow school bus to and from Evergreen Brickworks. While there, students will take part in outdoor activities including walking on hiking trails, participating in nature games and large group games, and hands-on outdoor learning 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:
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 getting lost or separated from the group, as well as damage or loss of property While on this excursion with other students and staff, students are also at risk of exposure to allergens and illness There is also the risk of a traffic accident when en route or within the city
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
