Welcome back to school with another year of the Nature Explorers program. Once again, your child will have outdoor curriculum enhancing experiences each month of the school year. Take a look at our exciting list of Topics for the 2023/2024 school year.
* Topics
Fall Science 1 September
Fall Science 2 October
Math in Nature November
Wildlife Safety and Respect December
Winter Skills and Teamwork January
Museum Month February
Nature Appreciation Art March
Earth Month Activities April
Spring Explorers 1 - Science and Social May
Spring Explorers 2 - Science June
School Code
All students who are participating are expected to conduct themselves according to the Banff Elementary School Code of Conduct at all times. When traveling to and from field trip areas, students are expected to conduct themselves in a quiet and polite manner; they are expected to stay in their assigned group with an adult and are expected to follow safety precautions specific to the activity as outlined by their teachers and field trip coordinator. Students will be accompanied by teacher, EA and other adult helpers, as well as the field trip coordinator. Some field trips may require transportation by bus. Motor vehicle accidents are always a risk on field trips.
Safety
|
Off-Site Activity |
Hazard |
Risk Rating |
Management |
|
Walking from the school to off-site location and back again |
Separation from the group, traffic… |
Low |
A minimum 1:10 Adult:Student Ratio when outside the townsite and thorough awareness and mediation of risks by adults |
|
Activities in the forest |
Wildlife Encounters - deer, elk, bear, etc. |
Moderate |
Wildlife safety is discussed at the beginning of each trip and a common strategy is outlined for all |
|
Activities in the forest |
Branches, thorns, rocks, uneven ground… |
Moderate |
Children are reminded that safety comes before everything else during activities and are made aware of hazards |
|
Fires in designated stoves or fire pits |
Burns |
Moderate |
Adult supervision and reminders to students |
|
Being outside |
Allergens, bees, mosquitoes, ticks |
Moderate |
The facilitator will familiarize herself with all children’s allergy concerns and carry an epi-pen for any child who may need one. Tick checks are done at home during tick season. Children may use their own bug spray or after-bite if provided by parents. |
|
Being outside |
Sun and/or wind burn |
Low |
Clothing checks done prior to leaving the school. Students are encouraged to bring sun hats and sunscreen. |
|
Winter Field Trip Excursions |
Cold Weather |
High |
Clothing check done prior to leaving school. The facilitator will carry hand and foot warmers and monitor children and keep them active. Winter trips will be kept short, active, and fun. |
Weather
Ah! Mountain weather… You truly never know what you are going to get! Checking the forecast is helpful, however being prepared for all weather is best. I would like to recommend a list of what to bring on field trips each season. Your children will be able to focus and learn much better if they are properly dressed with the right footwear and have enough food and water. There is a saying that goes, “There is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothes.”
Fall: Long pants, shirt, hoodie, rain jacket, rain pants, sturdy shoes or rain boots , extra socks, hat/toque , sunscreen, hearty lunch, several hearty snacks, full water bottle.
Winter: Three layer system - base layer/long underwear, mid layer comfortable and warm, outer layer snow pants and winter coat, thick ski socks, winter boots, toque that covers the ears, warm mitts or two layers of mitts with a thin glove inside, optional hand and foot warmers, optional tea or hot chocolate in a thermos, hearty lunch and snacks, full water bottle.
Spring: Same as fall, but be prepared for cold or hot, rain or snow… spring is the most difficult time of year to dress for. Depending on the year, the melt usually calls for rain boots or waterproof hiking boots. A change of socks is essential in case your child’s feet get wet. Sunscreen is also essential since after a long winter our skin is especially sensitive. Bug spray optional.
Volunteers
Volunteers are welcome and very much appreciated. Please let your child’s teacher know and get your RCMP check on file to be able to come on any trip. Volunteers must take their own vehicle for away field trips.
- Parents and Grandparents are always welcome to come along on any field trip as volunteers.
- About twice a year, each class will NEED at least 1 volunteer when we go outside of the townsite, This is in order to meet the recommended ratio of adult to student when “off site” or outside of the town site. This is a 1:10 ratio, however, the more volunteers the merrier.
- Volunteers are asked to supervise an assigned group of students and assist with activities.
Lunch Program Lunches
Nature Explorers field trips will NEVER be away over Lunch Program Days!