Winter & Spring Break Week-long Sessions:
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.
Location
Guelph Outdoor School main site is a 13 acre forest location along the banks of the Eramosa River.
Our drop-off and pick-up point is a serviced, public parking lot @ 733 Stone Rd East.
The driveway leads to the gate of to the Barber Scout Camp - park in the lot before the gate.
Parking and program location are a 5 minute walk apart.
Drop-Off & Pick-Up
Drop - Off: 9am
GOS instructors gather and are ready for participants at 8:45, and generally wait until 9:15 to gather all participants. 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 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: 4pm
Please do your best to arrive punctually at your pick-up time. Participants have already had a thrilling and exhausting experience,. We trust that parents will commit to arriving on-time, and we get that life happens and that parents will communicate expected late arrivals with lead staff, by call or text, ahead of time.
Instructors can accommodate late drop-offs or early pick-ups, but parents should note that our programs are structured with an intentional progression throughout the day - where a unified start and good closure together is ideal.
Cross the old bridge from the parking lot to our forest location for late drop-offs & early pick-ups.
Contact the lead instructor for your program for support if you are not able to bring your child in.
Communications
For general questions about our programs, contact Program Director Chris Green @ 519-400-9507 or email at info@theguelphoutdoorschool.com
For account related questions, contact Office Manager Sonia Vinnik @ 416-254-2234 or email at admin@theguelphoutdoorshool.com
Direct communications with Lead Instructors can be made regarding late drop-off / early pick-up, unexpected changes & absences, emergencies, and participant experience (after hours). You will receive an an email prior to program start with your lead instructor contact information.
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 this 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 or sunglasses) for sunny days
a backpack
Tools
Our programs allow that some participants (7 yrs +) can bring tools, such as a knife or fire making gear. These items are not required, though for older groups, they are allowed and a normal part of program.
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.
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 for some. As such, we ask that participants enjoy healthy, whole foods for snacks and lunch: high protein, fatty items are great. Sugary treats should be limited to apples, bananas, smoothies, etc. Nuts are acceptable unless otherwise indicated by your program lead. A nice thermos with a hot drink can help a lot on cold days.
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.