This checklist provides a list of key considerations when planning outdoor education activities. Keep in mind that school and school board requirements may differ, and so always consult with the school and school board before planning any outdoor education activity.
Before Outdoor Education Activities
- Consult school board policies, procedures, and approval processes.
- Consult the Ontario Physical Activity Safety Standards in Education (OPASSE).
- Assess the risks and establish a plan to mitigate them prior to starting an activity.
- Survey the activity area to check for safety hazards.
- If the activity takes place off school property, check the activity route for safety hazards.
- Ensure access to an emergency communication device for off-school site activities (for example, cell phone, satellite messenger).
- Assemble a team of teachers and/or monitors with the skills and/or qualifications (for example, first aid qualifications, police record checks) to meet the minimum safety standards for the activity in question as described in OPASSE, and to meet the school board requirements for student to supervision ratios.
- If the activity takes place off school property, assess transportation requirements and cost.
- If the activity requires equipment, make sure the equipment is compliant with school board safety standards, is well maintained, and is suitable for student use.
- Fill out, distribute, and collect signed forms as required by the school board’s policies and procedures. Consult the OPASSE Tools and Resources section for sample forms.
- Create a list of known medical conditions and a plan to manage them during the activity.
- Create a contact list including emergency numbers, the school and Principals’ phone numbers, and the hospital addresses for each location in case of emergencies for quick reference while on the excursion.
- Teach the skills associated with the relevant outdoor education activities and assess student skill level and readiness to participate in the planned activity.
- Ensure and document that students meet prerequisites for participation in the relevant outdoor education activities (for example, water-based activity requirements).
- If the activity takes place off school property, leave a copy of the activity plan and a list of participants with the school.
- Inform parents of how to contact the teacher/monitors and how they would be contacted in the event of an emergency (for example, through the school).
- Inform students of necessary safety protocols such as changing weather conditions and their responsibility.
- Access school board concussion education resources to provide students with concussion awareness education before involving students in physical activities.
During Outdoor Education Activities
- Provide a safety briefing to the group prior to starting new activities or when moving to new locations.
- Observe and keep track of the well-being of the group. Check in with students with existing medical conditions and be attentive to potential conditions that may arise (for example, allergic reactions).
- Be responsive to shifting weather patterns; if in doubt, sit it out.
- Address any safety issues that arise with all students.
- Establish hydration specific breaks for all participants.
- Do not deviate from the planned activities and locations that have not been approved prior to the start of the activity. Changes in location and activity types often require additional risk assessment and approval.
After Outdoor Education Activities
- Hold a teacher and monitor debrief meeting to assess and document what went well during the activity (for example, safety and risk management, equipment, student experiences) and what might be modified for future outdoor education activity experiences.
- Follow up with any issues that occurred during the activity with the school/school board administration, and parents/guardians/caregivers as needed.
- Provide students with an opportunity to assess what went well and what could be changed for future outdoor education activity experiences.
- Celebrate! Reflect on how this outdoor education activity experience made a difference in the lives of the students, teachers and monitors, and, more specifically, yours.