GOS Weekly Nature Immersion & Mentorship Programs

A Welcome Package for Parents & Caregivers

We consider our programs to be among the most effective, preventative, and non-clinical avenues to overall well-being and healthy childhood development - on all the metrics.: social / emotional, cognitive / academic, & physical / developmental. It is our hope that our programs are an investment in kids and future adults - compassionate and service-oriented, happy, balanced, and resilient.

We’d like to acknowledge you for your commitment to that end, and for your trust and support.

See you out there.

Chris Green, Program Director, GOS.

Communications

Direct communications with Lead Instructors can be made by phone / text between 8am and 4:30pm regarding late drop-off / early pick-up, unexpected changes & absences, emergencies.

Communication by email is welcome anytime for participant support and planned absences. Your Lead Instructor email is listed in your welcome letter.

For general questions about our programs, contact Program Co-Ordinator Manny Ford @ 416-305-3119 or email at manny@theguelphoutdoorschool.com

If you cannot reach Manny / Program Co-Ordinator, and require immediate communication about your child in programs, contact Program Director Chris Green @ 519-400-9507 or email at chris@theguelphoutdoorschool.com.

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

GOS instructors are committed to working with parents, caregivers, and organizations to support kids in getting as much out of our programs as possible. Lead instructors are compensated for phone and email communications outside of program as needed. Instructors also need rest to deliver great programs. Please honour their time by having discussions at drop-off/pick-up. We also know that some issues come up outside of programs and need prompt resolution, in which case you can contact your lead instructor or propgram co-ordinator outside of program hours if needed.

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 arrive later than 15 minutes past, make arrangements 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.

Instructors can accommodate late drop-offs or early pick-ups, but parents should also note that our programs are structured with an intentional progression throughout the day - where a start and end together is ideal.

Please Note: we do our best to stay open in all weather conditions - we don't like cancelling. However, when the weather makes it unsafe for staff & participants to drive or be in the woods (high wind, extreme cold or dangerous road conditions), we may cancel programs for the day, and communicate the decision to families directly by 7 am.

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. This means:

  • providing your child in your care with layers, to anticipate changing temperatures and levels of activity throughout the day

  • providing a wool base layer in cold weather, which stays warm even when wet, and is breathable.

  • robust, waterproof or resistant footwear, with a good tread. No bare feet, regrettably. Water shoes are great on warm days for river play.

  • rain gear / shells as needed.

  • an extra pair of socks

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

  • long pants to protect against scratches, bugs, nettle, poison ivy, etc.

  • putting it all in a backpack.

  • 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 ​Nature immersion sessions can be physically demanding. As such, we encourage that participants bring whole foods for snacks and lunch: including high protein, fatty items, veggies, fruits and nuts. Ideally, sugary treats are limited as they don’t supply a good source of 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. Bring 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.

Supporting The Journey

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!