PAD3O
Dear Parents and Guardians,
Outdoor Education is designed to provide the opportunity for students to gain competency in outdoor and adventure skills while at the same time developing a sense of responsibility for the state of our environment and how to enjoy it responsibly. Furthermore, the course aims to develop important team work and leadership skills through activities that require effective group dynamics and trust among peers. Following ministry curriculum the students develop an idea of what it means to follow a healthy, active lifestyle through outdoor activities, as well as develop decision-making and leadership skills.
The course is run outside the regular timetable one morning a week from 7:40-8:45. Students must show an excellent level of commitment throughout the year in both the in-class preparation and on the trips. For safety reasons, it is mandatory that students attend all classes and understand that Outdoor Education is a credit course, which takes precedence over clubs, teams and other extra-curricular activities. All trips require some absence from regular school classes (7-10 days over the course of the school year). A commitment to plan ahead and not miss due dates for assignments or tests is imperative. Indication that Outdoor Education is affecting grades in other classes, or that a student is using Outdoor Education as an excuse may result in their withdrawal.
Outdoor Education is a partially self-funded course at Lisgar which means that the school board does provide some but not all the financial support to run the program. By far the most significant costs to the program are transportation for the three big overnight trips (canoeing, winter camping and hiking), park fees, facility rentals and programming costs. Students will be required to pay a one-time $180 transportation fee to cover the cost of transportation to and from field trips.
In terms of required equipment the school provides tents, skis, backpacks, and stoves. A list of personal gear that each student will require for safe participation in the course is posted on the course website:
https://sites.google.com/a/ocdsb.ca/arjang/
Please insure you read, sign and have your son or daughter return the following:
1- Information and Parent Consent Form
2- A photocopy of their Health and Passport
If you have any further questions about the course please feel free to contact me.
Darius Arjang, Lisgar Outdoor Education Teacher
613-239-2696