SEA KAYAKING Expedition TRIP INFORMATION:
TRIP DATES:
June 8, 2026 (on-water training and prep day; return home for the night)
UPDATED: June 9, 2026 (adjusted program due to winds. Local sea kayaking and hiking day; Students return home for the night)
June 10-12, 2026 (overnight/away trip).
DESCRIPTION OF THE TRIP: This 5-day sea kayaking and camping trip is designed to introduce students to sea kayaking while paddling on the ocean. The first two days are local on-water training days, where students practice their skills in protected waters. Students then return home for the night. The next morning, students will head out on their kayaking and camping expedition for 3-days/2-nights. During this expedition the students and sea kayak guides will paddle in relatively protected waters (Ex. Salt Spring Island, Southern Gulf Islands…) while they develop and refine their paddling, navigation and rescue skills. As an overnight camping trip, students will also develop their camp skills such as cooking over camp stoves, setting up tarps and tents.
TRIP PRE-REQUISITES:
Students must be able to swim 25 meters
A current tetanus immunization (generally good for 10 years).
GROUP EQUIPMENT: The guides will bring activity-specific equipment for the group. This will include double or single sea kayaks, paddles, PFDs, paddling jackets/pants... The guides will also bring emergency response equipment (emergency communication device, first aid kit, spare masks, sanitizer and cleaning supplies…).
PERSONAL EQUIPMENT: We have a wide range of clothing and equipment available to students for the trips. This includes sleeping bags, foamies, rain coats, rain pants and clothing items such as fleece layers and puffball jackets. Yes, please try to borrow gear and clothing from friends and family first, but if you get stuck, we can help. Students will do a gear check with their guides prior to the trip. At that point the guides will outfit the students with any missing items. The following link will allow you to access the SEA KAYAKING EXPEDITION EQUIPMENT LIST.
GEAR CHECK DETAILS: All sea kayaking trip participants will complete an equipment check with the guides. Students should bring EVERYTHING with them to school on day 1 of the trip. . It’s fine if they are borrowing items from OED (we have lots of great gear to lend out) but they should bring everything they do have.
NO ELECTRONICS/PHONES: Students should not bring any electronics or phones on the outtrip. This includes airpods or similar headphones. Any devices will be collected by guides/instructors and returned 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.
MEALS/FOOD:
Students should bring a full water bottle and bag lunch on day 1, 2 & 3. All other meals will be provided. Students will be cooking meals in camp under supervision of the guides.
TRANSPORTATION: Students will be traveling to and from the activity by school bus or school van driven by one of the guides.
DAILY ITINERARY: Note: This is a tentative schedule that may change due to weather, water conditions, etc.
JUNE 8:
8:15 AM. Meet guides at DERBY (the OED building at 3410 Shelbourne)
On-water training day and expedition prep
Ready for pick up from DERBY at ~ 3:15 PM
JUNE 9: (Adjusted due to winds)
8:15 AM. Meet guides at DERBY (the OED building at 3410 Shelbourne)
On-water kayaking and hiking day
Ready for pick up from DERBY at ~ 3:15 PM
JUNE 10:
8:15 AM. Meet guides at DERBY (the OED building at 3410 Shelbourne)
Depart for expedition
JUNE 12:
Pack up camp, paddle out to pickup location.
Return to DERBY, pick up for ~1:30 pm
ACCOMMODATION: Students will be sleeping in 2-4 person tents or under tarps.
CAMPING LOCATION: The group and guides will be camping at locations in the Southern Gulf Islands.
STAFFING: SMUS hires professional outdoor guides to lead the trip or a company to provide the guiding services.
INSTRUCTOR/STUDENT RATIOS: 2:10
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: On Middle School trips, ALL medication that is coming on the trip must be documented in advance and held by the SMUS Chaperone/Outdoor Education guide. To facilitate that, the following things all need to happen prior to the trip:
Update your child's SMUS medical form on the SDS to include any medication your child takes regularly.
If you have chosen to keep your child's medication or medical information private and would prefer that it is not added to SDS, please email jake.mccloskey@smus.ca with medication/medical updates so that we have the information for the outtrip.
All medication should be packaged as outlined below.
A parent/guardian must deliver the medication to the SMUS Chaperone/OED guide prior to departure for the trip.
MEDICATION PACKAGING: Medications should be clearly packaged (ideally in a ziplock or similar bag to keep items waterproof and organized), and where possible they should be in their original container with the prescription label. The package should include with the following information:
Medication name (Brand & Generic):
Reason for taking the medication:
Exact dose/quantity to be taken:
Timing / frequency of doses:
Known side effects:
Storage requirements (e.g., refrigeration):
Additional Notes:
Medications can be classified into three categories:
Life-saving and Emergency Medications (e.g., Epipen, Asthma Inhaler, Insulin, etc.): These must remain with the student at all times. All SMUS Chaperones and Outdoor Education guides on the trip must be made aware of where this medication is kept and its specific purpose and use.
Essential Medications: These fall into two categories (prescribed and over-the-counter) and are permitted on trips provided that the information is updated on SDS and the medication is packaged and given to the SMUS Chaperone/Outdoor Education guide before the trip departs.
Prescribed by a physician (e.g., Concerta for ADHD).
Over-the-counter items (e.g., daily antihistamines for severe seasonal allergies).
Non-Essential Medications: These may include vitamins, melatonin, etc. and should not accompany the student on the trip in most cases. If you are uncertain whether a medication should be classified as essential, please reach out to jake.mccloskey@smus.ca prior to the trip
