Environmental Service TRIP INFORMATION:
TRIP DATES: September 18, 19 & 20, 2023
DESCRIPTION OF THE TRIP: This 3-day environmental service and sustainability camp is designed to introduce students to environmental service and food production practices through initiatives in local gardens and wilderness spaces. While working on projects in the school’s food gardens, local parks and outdoor spaces, students will increase their understanding and familiarity with organic food production, companion planting, tree pruning, fall harvesting, seed collection and winter gardening. It will also provide students with an opportunity to explore local, regional and global sustainability issues. Students may also have the opportunity to visit local environmental organizations, community gardens and sustainability centres.
Please note that this is a local day program and students will return home or to their boarding house each night.
GROUP EQUIPMENT: The guides will bring activity-specific equipment for the group. This will include gardening and light construction tools (work gloves, shovels, rakes, hammers, cordless drills, hand saws, …). The guides will also bring emergency response equipment (emergency communication device, first aid kit…).
ELECTRONICS/PHONES: Students should not have electronics or phones on the outtrip. Guides will collect all electronics/phones and return them at the end of the trip. Guides are not responsible for any damage to devices on the trip.
For photography, if a student would like to bring a dedicated camera (digital, analogue, or disposable), they may bring that with them during the activity.
PERSONAL EQUIPMENT: Students do not need to wear school uniform on outtrips/outdoor days. Regular clothing and running shoes are great. They should dress for the weather and arrive with the following items in a small backpack (the student’s regular school backpack is perfect).
A small backpack
Raincoat/windproof jacket
Extra warm layers (fleece jacket, extra pants)
Baseball cap
Sunglasses
Sunscreen
Running shoes
Lunch, snacks and full water bottle
MEALS/FOOD: Students should bring a full water bottle, snacks and a hearty lunch. Bag lunches will be provided for boarding students.
TRANSPORTATION/DROP-OFF & PICK-UP: Students should be dropped off/picked up at Crothall. A school bus will transport students to off-campus locations.
ITINERARY: Note: This is a tentative schedule that may change due to weather and other factors.
Sept 12: Pre-trip meeting during Community time in the Chapel
Day 1, 2 and 3 - Meet at Crothall at 8:30 AM. Depart for organic farming workshops at a local farm, community gardens or OUR EcoVillage https://ourecovillage.org/ near Shawnigan Lake. Return 3:15 pm
STAFFING: SMUS hires outdoor guides to instruct this activity. The guide pool on the trip has a combination of First Aid Certification, Farming/gardening/eco program instruction experience, Experience working in this location with similar groups.
INSTRUCTOR/STUDENT RATIOS: 2:15
STUDENT EXPECTATIONS: This is a school-sponsored outing and school rules will apply. Participants are expected to follow the guidelines set by the instructional staff. A failure to meet these guidelines or a failure to follow school rules may result in the participant being removed from the activity at their own expense.
EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT: The Leader-in charge has immediate access to: An appropriate first aid kit, Cell phone or pre-established means to communicate with the school or emergency services, Emergency Call Plan, Student Medical Information
EMERGENCY MEDICINE: Students should not be self-administering ANY medication, even if it is part of their own regular routine, without discussing it first with the guides. Students with asthma, severe allergies and medical conditions should bring a clearly labelled set of the appropriate medication and discuss the treatment plan with the guides prior to the trip.