October 25, 2022 Dear York School Parent/Guardian(s) ALIVE Outdoors is a Toronto based experiential education organization that for 21 years has worked with Independent Schools to engage students in meaningful outdoor, international, and city-based character development programming. We are grateful for the opportunity to deepen our partnership with The York School to deliver a meaningful outdoor learning experience for the Grade 9 ICE students. THIS PACKAGE CONTAINS THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTS: (1) ALIVE Outdoors Acknowledgement of Risk, Waiver and Indemnity Agreement; (2) Health Information Form; and (3) Clothing and Equipment List. Please visit www.aliveoutdoors.com/faq to review our Frequently Asked Questions regarding ALIVE’s camp-based programs. We strongly encourage all families to use the resources available on our website to prepare and discuss the value of participating in our programs.
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: This program will take place on Monday, February 6 – Friday, February 10, 2023 at YMCA Camp Pine Crest. Prior to and in preparation of the program, students will participate in a winter skills training day. The winter skills training days will take place on Monday, January 23 and Wednesday, January 25, 2023 at Trails Youth Initiatives from 9:00am – 4:30pm. Two ICE classes will participate in one of the winter skills training days while the other two classes participate in the other, your York School representative will inform you as to which winter skills training day your student will be participating in. When at YMCA Camp Pine Crest, the program will be divided into two sections – In-Camp and Expedition. Two ICE classed will participate in the expedition portion of the program while the other two ICE classes participate in the in-camp portion from Monday to Wednesday. On Wednesday, the ICE classes will switch and participate in the other portion of the program from Wednesday to Friday. During the expedition portion of the program, students will travel by snowshoe to a campsite approximately 45 minutes from Camp Pine Crest, accessible by a series of trails. Students will stay in canvas tents that have woodstoves while they prepare and build a snow shelter called a ‘quinzee’. During the in-camp portion of the program students will participate in several experiential workshops and activities. Through play, physical activity, and reflection in the winter environment, this intentionally designed program will deepen each student’s connection to The York School community and the natural world while building confidence in their personal strengths. STAYING HEALTHY: During the past two years we have collectively been confronted by the ongoing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The situation has challenged each of us in our daily lives and the lives of many in the communities we are all part of. To best provide meaningful outdoor education programming we will continue to monitor the situation closely and make health and safety decisions based on public health recommendations and best practices. You can help us create safe spaces for all students and instructors this winter by completing our Health Information Form in detail and not sending your student if they are feeling ill