July 1, 2017

Dear Parents and Students,

I would like to take this opportunity to personally welcome you to Grade 9 at Pickering College. Over the coming

weeks as our incoming students look forward to the first day of Senior School classes with both excitement and

apprehension, rest assured that our faculty are eager to ease any fears. As a part of the transition to Senior School,

the entire Grade 9 class will embark on a leadership excursion to Camp Tawingo from September 19th – 22nd

(Tuesday-Friday). Camp Tawingo was established in 1961 as a fully co-educational summer camp in the beautiful

Muskoka region of Ontario. It has served school groups through the Tawingo Outdoor Centre for over 40 years.

Tawingo is located on 220 acres outside of Huntsville, Ontario, on the shores of Lake Vernon. The site is a wilderness

setting surrounded by beautiful dense forest and stretched along the shoreline of its own private, clean lake. Tawingo

promises to provide each camper with a safe place – physically and emotionally – to learn activities and leadership

skills, and to go home more experienced and more confident. Every year, this trip proves to be a tremendous bonding

experience for the students and helps to form friendships between new and returning students. The group will also

have the unique opportunity to participate in “Treetop Trekking” at Deerhurst Resort (Huntsville) on our way to

Tawingo. This high ropes course offers a number of options of varying difficulties, and students are encouraged to try

different routes according to their level of comfort. The facility’s safety standards are exceptional, and although the

students will be challenged, their safety will not be compromised.

As a part of Pickering’s Global Leadership Program, all Grade 9 students will be enrolled in the Duke of Edinburgh’s

Award program, and our “out-trip” on the final day and evening at Tawingo (where students will canoe to a nearby

island and spend the night in tents) will qualify each student of the “Adventurous Journey” component of their Bronze

Award.

Enclosed in this package are resources and information that should answer any questions that you may have about

this exciting adventure. The buses will depart Pickering College at 8:00 am on Tuesday, September 19th and will return

to PC on Friday, September 22nd by 3:30 pm. The cost for the excursion will be based on final student numbers, and is

estimated to be between $290.00 and $350.00. This includes all meals, accommodation, transportation and

programming costs. This amount will be charged to each attendee’s student account following the trip.

Consent/Acknowledgement of Risk forms must be returned to Pickering College by Tuesday, September 5th

(Registration Day). If you require further information, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Warm regards,

Graham Birt

HPE Department Head

Grade 9 Leadership Trip – Camp Tawingo

The Program

These are the basic outdoor activities that are included on our trip:

Canoeing: An introductory lesson emphasizing safety, history, maintenance, paddling

strokes, and fun.

Initiative Games: A team-building activity that forces students to use creative problem

solving techniques.

Camp Craft: Students will learn the basics of out-tripping techniques including fire-

making, knots, and orienteering.

Nature Hikes: Students explore the natural world using sensory awareness activities to

gain new insight and enjoy the beauty around us.

Out-trip: A beautiful and exciting overnight canoeing trip to one of the local sites on

Lake Vernon. Students will experience cooking over a fire and sleeping in

a tent.

Low Ropes: The ropes course allows students to challenge themselves as individuals

and as a team as they work on agility, balance, teamwork and

cooperation.

Recreational Time: A time for students to relax and get involved in an activity of their choice.

They can play basketball, volleyball, mini putt, field sports, or spend time

with their friends.

General Swim: During designated times students can go for a swim. The general swim is

guarded by qualified Camp Tawingo Outdoor Centre staff.

Early Morning Dip: Start the morning with a beautiful morning dip. A great way to start a

busy day! (optional)

Food Service

3 excellent, well balanced, nutritious meals as well as an evening snack are served each day. The

kitchen staff can easily accommodate any special dietary request. Food is easily be packed for “cook

out meals” on lake or forest campsites.

Nut and seed allergies are of great concern. The dining hall and kitchen is nut and seed free.

Health Services

The Camp Tawingo site is equipped for basic and emergency first aid. The staff are all trained in basic

first aid and first aid kits are situated throughout the site. The local hospital (Huntsville) is

approximately 15 minutes from the camp. Storage space for medication is available for our group’s

use.

While visiting the Centre the participants will be out most of the day in the sunshine. We therefore ask

all participants to bring sunscreen and a hat.

Site/Facility

Camp Tawingo has a great site and facility – a perfect place for an outdoor education experience!

The Camp Tawingo Outdoor Centre site and facility includes:

• 220 acre site on Lake Vernon • 52 camper cabins • Staff cabins • Toilet and shower facilities in each cabin • Large sandy waterfront with 6 buoyed off swimming pools (including 1 recreational pool with diving

boards and waterslide) • Beach volleyball • 3 large campfire circles (200+ people) in addition to many smaller fire sites • Large dining hall/main lodge overlooking terrace and Lake Vernon (Pop Pearse Lodge) • Tennis courts • Mini putt course • 2 baseball diamonds • Basketball court • Low ropes course • Initiative stations • 4 sail boats • 75 cedar strip canoes • 10 large freighter canoes • 25 kayaks • Archery • Nature lodge • Craft lodge • Woodworking building • Eagle Mountain with vista lookout • Hiking trails

Accommodations

For the first two nights, students will be staying in simple but clear and fully functioning cabins (with

hot/cold water, showers and washrooms). They are furnished with cubbies for clothing, single beds

and bunk beds. It’s important to remember that participants need to bring their own bedding

(preferably sleeping bags). Each sleeping cabin can accommodate 8-10 people. Girls’ and boys’ cabins

are located on separate parts of the camp. The final night will be spent in 4-6 person tents on single-

gender sites.

Staff

The Camp Tawingo Outdoor Centre staff is made up of outdoor education professionals, university

students or teaching graduates. They are enthusiastic, caring and professional, and are qualified in first

aid and water safety.

Outdoor Centre staff rise early and are involved with all parts of the program until the sun goes down

and the campfire dies out.

Getting in Touch

In the event you need to contact your son/daughter, the Camp Tawingo office number is (705) 789-

5612. Cell phones are not permitted on site and will be collected upon arrival by Pickering College staff

for safe keeping (along with any other valuables).

What to Pack for Your 4 Day Trip

Clothing Bedding

4 pairs of socks * 1 warm sleeping bag

4 pairs of underwear

2 or 3 pairs of pants Optional Out-trip Equipment

2 pairs of shorts * Dry Sac

3 or 4 t-shirts * Ground Sheet 1 long sleeved shirt (not required; only pack if you have them!)

1 sweater or sweat shirt

1 pair of pyjamas Toiletry Kit

2 pairs of closed-toe running shoes (1 to get wet) * toothbrush, toothpaste

1 jacket * brush/comb

1 RAINCOAT * soap, shampoo, etc..

1 hat * sunscreen/insect repellent

1 towel

1 bathing suit Optional Equipment

1 toque * flashlight

1 pair of mittens or gloves * camera

1 warm jacket * rubber boots * cards

* pillow

For the safety and enjoyment of all participants we ask students not to bring the following items:

laptops, other electronics, camping knives and junk food.

July 1, 2017

Dear Grade 9 Students and Parents,

As a part of Pickering College’s commitment to offer experiential learning as it relates to various subjects’

curricula, Grade 9 students will have the opportunity to engage themselves on a number of exciting and

meaningful excursions throughout the 2017-2018 school year.

In this package, you will find information and forms related to the Health and Physical Education excursions that

will be offered.

The various forms that require your understanding and signatures (pages 8-13) should arrive at the school on or

before TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 5th, 2017 (Registration Day). It is also important that the appropriate places on

EACH PAGE are signed.

Enclosed in this package are details for the following Grade 9 HPE excursions:

September 19-22 Grade 9 Leadership Trip (Camp Tawingo)

(*an additional letter regarding details of this trip is found earlier in this document)

November 1 CPR/First Aid/AED Training (at Pickering College)

January 17 Paralympic Day (at Pickering College)

Please note that each of the above activities has an additional cost that will be billed to your son or daughter’s

student account. As each activity has curricular ties, each student is strongly encouraged to attend. However, if

you would prefer for your son or daughter to NOT participate on any given excursion, please contact me as soon

as possible and we will make the necessary arrangements. In this case, the student account would not be

charged.

Please feel free to contact me at the school with any questions regarding excursions at (905) 895-1700, ext. 269

or gbirt@pickeringcollege.on.ca.

Sincerely,

Graham Birt

HPE Department Head

GRADE 9 HEALTH AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION EXCURSIONS 2017-2018

SUMMARY OF DETAILS

Leadership Trip – Camp Tawingo (Huntsville)

(1) dates of trip: September 19-22, 2017 (2) days of the week / timetable days: Tuesday-Friday / Days 2,3,4,5 (3) times of departure and return: 8:00am / 3:30pm (to and from Pickering College) (4) mode of transportation: PC buses (5) accompanying teachers: Mr. Birt, Mr. Cope, Ms. Rife, 1 additional female (TBD) (6) approximate cost/not to exceed: $290.00-$350.00 (depending on number of participants) (7) student dress: (please refer to attached packing list) (8) items to bring (and NOT to bring): (please refer to attached packing list).

CPR/First Aid/AED Training – Pickering College

(1) date of trip: November 1, 2017 (2) day of the week / timetable day: Wednesday / Day 6 (3) times of departure and return: n/a (on-site at Pickering College) (4) mode of transportation: n/a (5) supervising teachers: TBD (6) approximate cost: $45.00 (will be billed to student account) (7) student dress: PC Physical Education uniform (8) items to bring: pen or pencil (9) other: The training will take place from 8:45-1:00. Regular Period 4 classes will occur.

Paralympic Day – Pickering College

(1) date of activity: January 17, 2018 (2) day of the week / timetable day: Wednesday / Day 1 (3) times of departure and return: n/a (on-site at Pickering College) (4) mode of transportation: n/a (5) supervising teachers: Mr. Birt, Ms. Drake (6) approximate cost: $20.00 (will be billed to student account) (7) student dress: PC Physical Education uniform (8) items to bring: warm clothes for activities in arena (9) other: The activities will commence at 1:15 and conclude at 3:15. Regular Period 1, 2, and 3 classes will

occur.

CONSENT/ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF RISK

July 1, 2017

The Grade 9 Health and Physical Education classes will be participating in the following excursions this year:

Leadership Trip – Camp Tawingo (Huntsville)

September 19-22, 2017

This activity is relevant to the Health and Physical Education curriculum by providing students with instruction in

a variety of outdoor skills such as canoeing, hiking, and camping. Please note that the students will be engaged

in the following activities considered to be of a high risk nature: high ropes course and canoeing. The high ropes

course at Deerhurst Resort has highly trained staff and outstanding safety standards and procedures. The

canoeing is done on a lake (rather than a river) and students will be wearing Personal Floatation Devices (PFDs)

at all times.

(1) dates of trip: September 19-22, 2017 (2) days of the week / timetable days: Tuesday-Friday / Days 2,3,4,5 (3) times of departure and return: 8:00am / 3:30pm (to and from Pickering College) (4) mode of transportation: PC buses (5) accompanying teachers: Mr. Birt, Mr. Cope, Ms. Rife, 1 additional female (TBD) (6) approximate cost: $290.00-$350.00 (depending on number of participants) (7) student dress: (please refer to attached packing list) (8) items to bring (and NOT to bring): (please refer to attached packing list).

Details for the following activities are outlined on the following page:

CPR/First Aid/AED Training

November 1, 2017

Paralympic Day

January 17, 2018

________________________________________

Parent / Guardian Signature

CPR/First Aid/AED Training – Pickering College

November 1, 2017

This activity is relevant to the Health and Physical Education curriculum by educating students with the skills and

knowledge to effectively administer a variety of first aid skills. Valid certifications will be earned when a student

successfully completes the training on this day. The students will not be engaged in activities considered to be of

a high risk nature.

(1) date of trip: November 1, 2017 (2) day of the week / timetable day: Wednesday / Day 6 (3) times of departure and return: n/a (on-site at Pickering College) (4) mode of transportation: n/a (5) supervising teachers: TBD (6) approximate cost: $45.00 (will be billed to student account) (7) student dress: PC Physical Education uniform (8) items to bring: pen or pencil (9) other: The training will take place from 8:45-1:00. Regular Period 4 classes will occur.

Paralympic Day – Pickering College

January 17, 2018

This unique and exciting opportunity for our Grade 9 students is relevant to the Physical Education curriculum by

learning the skills required in three different Paralympic sports – wheelchair basketball, goal ball and sledge

hockey. Instruction in each sport for people with physical disabilities is given by PC teachers. The students will

not be engaged in activities considered to be of a high risk nature.

(1) date of activity: January 17, 2018 (2) day of the week / timetable day: Wednesday / Day 1 (3) times of departure and return: n/a (on-site at Pickering College) (4) mode of transportation: n/a (5) supervising teachers: Mr. Birt, Ms. Drake (6) approximate cost: $20.00 (will be billed to student account) (7) student dress: PC Physical Education uniform (8) items to bring: warm clothes for activities in arena (9) other: The activities will commence at 1:15 and conclude at 3:15. Regular Period 1, 2, and 3 classes will

occur.

The school will provide the supervising teachers with your son or daughter’s medical information, however if your child

needs any special medical consideration at the time of the excursion, please indicate this below your signature. If your

child’s medical information indicates that he/she needs an inhaler or epinephrine auto-injector, please ensure that

he/she has it with him/her on the excursion.

________________________________________

Parent / Guardian Signature

The undersigned as parent(s) or guardian(s) of (student’s name printed)_____________________, having reviewed with my

child the excursion material provided by Pickering College, hereby

(a) consent to (name)_______________________’s participating in the excursions (b) freely and voluntarily agree to assume the potential risks/hazards of these excursions and understand that my

son/daughter may suffer personal injury as a result of an unforeseeable event during the course of the activities; the potential risks of these excursions include:

a. Travel by bus on public roadways b. Equipment failure c. Inclement weather d. Natural disaster e. Food/water contamination f. Environmental hazards – heat, sun exposure, cold g. Animal encounter h. Theft

(c) acknowledge that the possible consequences, as a result of these hazards, include but are not limited to: a. General athletic injuries b. Head and/or spinal injuries c. Sunstroke, sunburn, dehydration d. Cuts/scrapes e. Loss or damage to personal equipment or property f. Emotional trauma g. Gastro-intestinal illness h. Infection i. Lost participant j. Death

(d) in consideration of my child being permitted to attend and participate in this valuable excursion, release and forever discharge, waive, and agree to save harmless and fully indemnify Pickering College, its employees, agents, independent contractors, directors and representatives (the “Releasees”) from any and all claims, demands, damages, actions, liability, or causes of action, howsoever caused and regardless of whether such loss, injury or damages arise from the negligence of the Releasees, which arises out of or is in any way connected to my child’s participation in this excursion;

(e) Understand and agree that the Pickering College Code of Conduct applies to all students both in school and on school excursions. I understand that should my child fail to comply with the Pickering College Code of Conduct they may be disciplined and/or required to leave the excursion and we are responsible for all expenses incurred as a result;

(f) Authorize the Pickering College Health Centre to provide the Excursion Leader and Supervisors with my child’s health information. I further acknowledge that I have provided the Health Centre with my child’s most up to date health information;

(g) Understand and acknowledge that Pickering College does not provide any accidental death, disability, dismemberment or medical expenses insurance on behalf of students participating in excursions;

(h) Understand and agree that all associated costs of this excursion will be billed to my Student Account and that I am responsible for payment of the account;

(i) Authorize the Staff Member to consent to medical treatment for my child by any qualified medical practitioner as may be necessary in the event of an emergency or as deemed necessary at the time of the emergency.

Dated at______________________________this__________day of___________________, 20_____.

___________________________________ ________________________________________

Parent / Guardian signature Parent / Guardian name printed

MEDICAL ADDENDUM FOR OVERNIGHT EXCURSION

Dear Parents and Guardians:

If your son/daughter should feel ill during the excursion and you would like a supervising adult to administer

medication to him/her, Pickering College requires that you complete and sign this consent form.

The Health Centre will supply Pickering College staff with a medical kit of some common medications. We will

be traveling with copies of the school’s medical information. The family is responsible for providing the school

with up to date epinephrine auto-injector, or other specific medications.

I hereby give my consent for my son/daughter ____________________________________ to receive the

following medications, as deemed necessary, from a supervising Pickering College staff member.

Tylenol regular strength 325 mg caplets: 1-2 caplets every 4 hours for pain, headache or fever

Ibuprofen 200mg caplets: 1-2 caplets every 4-6 hours for pain, headache or fever

Advil Cold and Sinus: 1-2 tablets every 4-6 hours as needed for sinus congestion, headache, fever

Benadryl 25 mg caplets: 1-2 every 4 – 6 hours for allergies, stings, hives or hayfever

Pepto-Bismol caplets: 2 caplets as needed, repeat every ½ hour as needed for heartburn, indigestion,

upset stomach, diarrhea, nausea

Sore throat lozenges

Polysporin Ointment: apply to affected area as needed, for cuts abrasions and burns

Eye/Ear drops (Polysporin eye and ear drops): 1-2 drops in infected eye or ear 4 times a day

I/we hereby release Pickering College and its respective directors, officers, agents, employees, students,

volunteers, and their successors and assigns (collectively referred to as “Pickering College”), from any and all

liability for damages sustained in consequence of loss, injury or damage to the person or property of the student

referred to above, and from all other actions, causes of action, claims or damages of any kind with respect to

death, injury, loss or damage to the person or property of the student (the “Claims”), arising from my/our

son/daughter receiving medication from a supervising adult on the excursion. I/we agree to save harmless and

fully indemnify Pickering College from any and all Claims, which may occur as a result of the student receiving

medication from a supervising adult while participating in this excursion.

I/we authorize and irrevocably appoint Graham Birt to authorize consent to medical treatment for my child by

any qualified medical practitioner as may be necessary in the event of an emergency or as deemed necessary at

the time of the emergency while on the excursion.

_____________________________________ ___________________________________

PARENT / GUARDIAN SIGNATURE DATE

______________________________________ ___________________________________

PARENT / GUARDIAN NAME PRINTED RELATIONSHIP TO STUDENT