Notes For Parents & Caregivers: PD Days & Special Events

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.

These one-day sessions are a taste of our nature immersion activities and are great way to test the waters for our ongoing weekly programs. 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.

 
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Drop-Off & Pick-Up

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.

It is essential to make contact with a GOS instructor before leaving your child at a program, or driving away at pick-up. Even just a wave or eye contact.

Pick-Up

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

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 unified start and good closure together is ideal.

Communications

For general questions about our programs, or to communicate about a participant need during program contact:

Program Co-Ordinator Manny Ford @ 416-305-3119 or email at manny@theguelphoutdoorschool.com

For account related questions, contact our Accounts Manager @ 416-254-2234 or email at admin@theguelphoutdoorshool.com

Gear: Clothing & Tools

Clothing

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

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

  • 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.

  • rain gear / shells as needed.

  • an extra pair of socks

  • sun protection (brimmed hat)

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

  • a backpack

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 encouraged :)

Knife Guidelines:

  • blade is approx. as long as the users hand is wide.

  • either 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.

  • GOS has kids’ Mora Knives - colourful, and age appropriate.

Food & Water

Containers​: Please make the best effort possible 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 litterless lunch (tupperware and reusable containers only)

Food:​ ​Nature immersion programs require a lot from participants. Our sessions can be physically and intellectually demanding, run for a half or full day in all weather and in all seasons. As such, we ask that participants enjoy healthy, whole foods for snacks and lunch: high protein, fatty items are great. Sugary treats have no place in programs and should be limited to apples, bananas, smoothies, etc. Nuts are acceptable unless otherwise indicated by your program lead.

Water:​ ​There is no drinking water source on site. Pack your child with enough water for the full duration of the session, which can be physically active. Imagine that you are preparing for a rigorous daylong hike where no refills are available.

Bring water in a durable, refillable container. We ask that participants not be sent with one-time use, disposable plastic water bottles.