Day Hiking & Backpacking

Covid-19 – Protocols and practice for outdoor excursions

SD71 approves parent volunteers to assist on outdoor excursions – although it is highly encouraged to use a bus.
If parents are within 2 m of staff and students it is required they wear a mask
Parents must drive their own vehicle to meet classes at any off-site location
Parents can only drive their own child
Teachers can drive up to two students from their own cohort, masks on and windows ajar.
Students from the same cohort can ride a bus together
In accordance with public health regulations currently there is no more than 10 adults gathering at one time outdoors.

A) Day Hiking (normal risk)

Day hiking refers to walking with light daypacks, without the expectation of camping out overnight

B) Day Hiking & Backpacking (higher risk)

Day Hiking refers to walking with light daypacks, without the expectation of camping overnight.

Backpacking refers to carrying the clothing, equipment and provisions the group needs to camp out one or more nights on the trail.

Simple terrain: few junctions, relatively short and gentle slopes, reasonably smooth trail surface

Local: in the community (e.g., urban park, nearby regional park)

Low inherent risk in the activity

Minimal fitness required

Clear boundaries for activity: hard to be lost for more than an hour

Short duration: typically (but not always) less than a half-a-day in duration

Near support services: e.g., buildings or vehicles accessible

Close to emergency services: less than 20 minutes from EMS arrival on-site

No specific teacher/leader qualification or certification required: an adult could implement the guidelines without specific technical training

Minimal preparation time of students: an hour or less student prep needed

What do I need for Normal Risk Day Hikes?

Grade 3+
Proposal for Normal Risk activity form – submit to school admin
Parent/Guardian consent Normal Risk Activities
Letter to parents/guardians: Who / When / What / Where / Why / How
Reconnaissance trip to get familiar with specific site to best prepare for the day and your risk management plan.
Identify known potential risks
Prepare students:
- Students are adequately prepared for the distance and weather (food, water, clothing).
- Extra support for students with high needs.
- Medications, (ex. epi-pen, inhaler).
Teacher Check List

NOTE: When hiking with students, safety management approaches will vary somewhat depending on the age and maturity of the students.

Complex terrain: multiple junctions, long steep climbs/descents, rough trail terrain

Semi-remote to remote: out of the community (e.g., provincial park; wilderness area)

Higher inherent risk in the activity

Significant fitness required

Lack of clear boundaries for activity: one could be lost for more than an hour

Long duration: typically (but not always) a half-day to full day

Support services not close: far from buildings and/or vehicles

Not close to emergency services: more than 20 minutes from EMS arrival on-site

Specific leadership training required: some specific technical and leadership training indicated

Significant preparation time of students: more than an hour of student prep needed

What do I need for higher risk day hikes?

Day Hiking Grade 3+

Overnight Backpacking Grade 6+

Extended Backpacking Grade 7+

Proposal for higher risk activities
Parent Consent for Higher Risk Activities
Identify known potential risks
Reconnaissance trip to get familiar with specific site to best prepare for the day and your risk management plan.
Letter to parents/guardians: Who / When / What / Where / Why / How
Prepare students:
- Students are adequately prepared for the distance and weather (food, water, clothing).
- Extra support for students with high needs.
- Medications, (ex. epi-pen, inhaler).
Gear List & Tele communications
Teacher Check List

NOTE: When hiking with students, safety management approaches will vary somewhat depending on the age and maturity of the students.