for Parents and Caregivers

The GOS Welcome Package

GOS outdoor immersion and mentorship programs are a unique avenue to overall health and well-being for kids, and our best foot forward in preparing children for a rapidly changing world.

Thank you for your trust.

Chris Green, Program Director, GOS.

Your Communications Lead

To arrange for late drop-off or early-pickup, refer to your program lead in your welcome email. Please enter their name and number into your contacts list for ease of reference.

If you cannot get through, you can also contact Program Director Chris Green at @ 519-400-9507 or email at chris@theguelphoutdoorschool.com.

For account related questions, contact admin team admin@theguelphoutdoorshool.com

Drop-Off & Pick-Up @ Stone Road

Location is 733 Stone Road East. It is a public parking lot, with an entrance right at the train tracks on Stone Rd between Victoria and Watson. Link to a MAP here.

Drop - Off / Start time is listed on your confirmation of registration.

GOS instructors gather and wait for participants for up to 15 minutes after start time. If you will arrive later than 15 minutes past, make arrangements with your communications for a meet-up with an instructor by phone and/or escort your child into the program area.

Pick-Up

Please do your best to arrive punctually at your pick-up time. Participants have already had a thrilling and exhausting experience. We get that life happens, and trust that parents will commit to arriving on-time, and communicate late arrivals with lead staff, by call or text, ahead of time.

It is essential to make contact with a GOS instructor before leaving pick-up or drop-off.

What to bring: Clothing, Tools, Food, and Water

Clothing

Please equip your child for a full day in the outdoors, with eye to all weather possibilities for the day.

  • prioritize layers: anticipate changing temperatures and levels of activity throughout the day

  • a wool base layer in cold weather and cool mornings. Wool is breathable and stay warm even when wet

  • durable, waterproof or resistant footwear, with a good tread.

  • rain gear / shells as needed.

  • an extra pair of socks

  • sun protection (e.g. a brimmed hat)

  • Please contact us if you need support in choosing or sourcing these items.

Tools

Our programs allow that some participants (7 yrs +) can bring tools, such a knife or fire making gear. These items are not required, though for older groups, they are fun and even encouraged.

Knife Guidelines:

The GOS Online Store carries various knives, great for bushcraft: colourful and age appropriate. If you’re child is bringing a knife, please note

  • instructors should be notified that the participant has a knife

  • the blade should be no longer than the width of their hand

  • it must be a Fixed blade (non-folding & with sheath) or Folding & Locking

  • knife use requires respecting our agreements, and instructors reserve the right to take possession of a knife for the remainder of a day in response to poor / dangerous use.

Food & Water

Containers​: Please make your best effort to keep disposable wrappers to a minimum. We ask that participants enjoy a ​boomerang ​lunch (everything that comes in, goes out again), and ideally pack a litter-less lunch (Tupperware and reusable containers only)

Food:​ GOS ​programs can be physically demanding. We encourage that participants bring a balance of whole foods for snacks and lunch, including high protein, fatty items, veggies, fruits and nuts. Sugary treats should be limited as they don’t supply sustained energy to keep your child going. Nuts are acceptable unless otherwise indicated by your program lead. If your child has a severe nut allergy, we can make the accommodations necessary. Please contact your program lead or manager.

Water:​ ​There is no drinking water source on site. Pack your child with enough water for the day.. Imagine that you are preparing for a rigorous daylong hike where no refills are available. We ask that participants not be sent with one-time use, disposable plastic water bottles. Please pack water in a durable, refillable container.

Supporting your child,
Supporting the group

Guelph Outdoor School is committed to supporting the healthy growth and inclusion of every child that comes out to our programs. We endeavour to meet the physical & developmental and social & emotional needs of everyone present; In order to create a safe environment, As challenging behaviours arise, we work with kids and families to identify strategies to help orient kids to maintaining healthy relationships at our programs and wherever the go.

In some situations, to ensure the safety of all participants, we may contact caregivers to pick-up the child early, with a commitment following up to work out a pathway back as early as the following week. These circumstances fall into the 4 main areas:

physical aggression, unable to follow staff safety and prompts, bullying, and presenting as a flight risk (running away).

We work to allow learning from small mistakes, and we maintain the right to remove a child from program at the discretion of staff and program manager.

At GOS, we know that getting kids nature connected is one of the most important investments we can make. Registering for our outdoor immersion programs is a great start. Here are a few ways to keep the momentum going:

Get Nature Connected Yourself.

Kids watch adults to know what’s of value and what’s important. When parents, caregivers, and the adults in our kids’ lives are engaged in nature connection, kids are naturally motivated to engage. This can look like asking questions and showing your curiosity and enthusiasm with kids, telling stories of the natural world, showing your authentic excitement, and getting outside as a family whenever possible.

Guelph Outdoor School offers a variety of adult outdoor programs: from one-time weekend workshops to year-long courses. This is a great way to build a culture of nature connection around yourself and join other adults who see value there as well. As always, we are committed to financial accessibility, so check out sliding scale options here.

Encourage Teachers and Schools

Get into conversation with your child’s school about how they deliver experiential learning and provide outdoor opportunities for kids. GOS offers a variety of supportive options of teachers, classes and schools. Help us spread the word!