OL JUNIOR SCHOOL OUTDOOR DAY Information:
TRIP DATES: Assorted dates in the 2025/2026 school year
DESCRIPTION OF THE TRIP: The Junior School OED program offers a range of 1/2 day and full day outdoor adventures for Junior School students. As part of the Outdoor Leadership course, OL students are encouraged to join these outdoor days in a supporting role. Working alongside Mr. Pope, the JS OED program coordinator, the OLs will be supporting a range of outdoor activities.
Through games and supported exploration, the JS days are designed to help JS students learn about local ecosystems, make new connections with each other and nature. Locations include a range of trails and parks in the CRD (John Dean, Goldstream…)
GROUP EQUIPMENT: The lead teacher will bring activity-specific equipment for the group. The lead teacher will also bring emergency response equipment (emergency communication device, first aid kit…).
PERSONAL EQUIPMENT: Students do not need to wear school uniform on outtrips/outdoor days. Regular clothing and running shoes are great. Wearing OL or SMUS jackets are ideal, but not required. Students 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 (a regular school backpack is great)
Raincoat/windproof jacket
Extra warm layers (fleece jacket, extra pants)
Hat/Baseball cap
Running/walking shoes
Lunch, snacks and full water bottle
ELECTRONICS/PHONES: Students should not use electronics, cell phones or headphones/earbuds while on the trip.
MEALS/FOOD: Students should bring a full water bottle, snacks and a hearty lunch. A bag lunch will be provided for boarding students.
TRANSPORTATION: Students will be traveling to and from the activity locations in a school bus, school van or the SMUS teacher’s personal vehicle.
DAILY ITINERARY: Note: This is a typical schedule for the full-day JS programs. The schedule may change due to weather and other factors. OL students will be emailed the final schedule for the day.
Sept 22: Grade 4 Outdoor day
9:00 AM - OLs meet JS OED teacher at Crothall arch
Travel by bus or car to activity location
Activities with JS students until ~ 2:00 pm
Return to Crothall ~ 3:00 pm
STAFFING: SMUS OED teachers instruct this activity. The lead teacher on the trip has a combination of First Aid Certification, Hiking certification/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.