|Font Size:
|
Contact Us |
Education
Education
Field Trip
FAQ Field Trip
FAQ's
What is an Appendix?
How do Forms and Appendices relate to the Field Trip Policy?
Where can I find a copy of our Field Trip Policy?
What is the difference between Simple, Complex and Out of Territory trips?
What constitutes a Re-occurring trip and do I need to fill out an application every time? How do I know which level of First Aid Certification I require to lead a trip? Why do I need to complete an Equipment Checklist for all Complex trips? What does Informed Consent mean?Why can’t we have our students sign waivers?
What are the different Methods of Supervision and how are they defined?
What is a Contingency Plan (Form 6)?
When should I fill out an Incident Report (Form 12) and what are the reports used for?
What is the value of filling out a Daily Log (Form 11) for my multiday trip?
What is a near miss and how can we learn from them?
Do all my Volunteers need to complete a criminal record check?
What is the Off-Site Review Committee and how do I contact them?
What is the First Nations Perspectives Review Committee and how do I contact them?
What is a Form?
A form is document that you fill in when planning a field trip. The intent of these forms is to; assist your trip planning, communicate important information to parents/guardians, your administrator, school councils and superintendents. There are 14 forms. The type of trip you plan and the activities you choose to do dictates which forms you are required to fill out. Regardless, always start with Form #1 Checklist and Authorization.
What is an Appendix?
An appendix is a document that you refer to for further information. You cannot fill in any information in an appendix. There are 9 appendices associated with the Field Trip Application Package. I.e. Appendix #1 Camping Standards outlines the expected standards of practice when taking a group of students camping.
How do Forms and Appendices relate to the Field Trip Policy?
Forms capture key information about your trip to insure it adheres to the guidelines in the Policy. Appendices reflect and elaborate on the Policy guidelines to provide greater clarity.
Where can I find a copy of our Field Trip Policy?
The Field Trip Policy can be found here: http://www.education.gov.yk.ca/policy/field_trip.html Each school should have a paper copy of the policy on hand.
What is the difference between Simple, Complex and Out of Territory trips?
Simple: Any trip, local sporting event or cultural activity that occurs off school property including on a regular and/or reoccurring basis, and where risk are low and fully manageable.
Complex: Any overnight or day trip or sporting event that occurs off school property and where any of the following apply
• Students are canoeing or kayaking
• Students are off a main highway and beyond 30 minutes from medical attention
• Temperatures may drop below -30°C
• A Risk Analysis identifies hazards that need to be managed with identified mitigation strategies
Out of Territory: The trip takes students outside Yukon Territory
What constitutes a re-occurring trip and do I need to fill out an application every time?
A re-occurring trip is a Simple trip that you plan to go on more than once in a school year. If you wish to go on the same Simple field trip more than once in a school year you only need to submit one application. On Form #2 Simple Trip Consent please indicate whether your application is for a reoccurring trip or not. You may wish to list several Simple trip destinations together on one Simple Trip Consent form.
How do I know which level of First Aid Certification I require to lead a trip?
You are not required to hold a valid First Aid Certificate for Simple trips.
For all Complex field trips at least one leader per group must have a valid First Aid Certificate (minimum 16 hour course) and at least one leader per group must have valid CPR Basic Rescuer Level “C” or equivalent.
For Complex field trips that are located off a main road and are more than 30 minutes surface travel from a medical station or hospital at least one leader must have a valid Advance First Aid Certificate, Wilderness First Aid Certificate or Canadian Ski Patrol Certification (minimum 40 hour course).
What is risk?
Risk is the potential that a known or unknown hazard may actually happen. Calculating risk is a product of multiplying the likelihood of a hazard occurring by the consequence of it actually happening. This equation illustrates how risk is measured:
Likelihood x Consequence = Size of Risk
Likelihood and consequence are rated on a 1-5 scale. One being the lowest and five the highest.
What is a hazard?
A hazard is anything that might give rise to a negative consequence.
What is mitigation?
Mitigation is anything that reduces the consequence to you if you become involved with a hazard, or it may prevent you from being exposed to the hazard all together.
At what point does the hazard out-weigh the educational value of a trip using the Likelihood/Consequence scale?
Any activity with a Size of Risk equations that is greater than 10 should be re-evaluated to lower the risk or an alternative activity should be planned. The equation would look like this:
Likelihood 3 x Consequence 4 = Size of Risk 12
What is the cut off temperature for winter travel with students? What is the cut off temperature for outdoor winter activities?
There technically is no cut off temperature for winter travel with students. However, emphasis is put on teachers and administrators to manage risk. If they cannot manage the associated hazards with travelling at -40°C they should not proceed. As with travel, there is not set cut off limit for outdoor winter activities in the Field Trip Policy. However, if the temperature is expected to drop below -20°C and the activity is predominantly outdoors mitigation strategies should be identified for the hazards that exist at this temperature. i.e. frost bite, hypothermia. Use the Risk Analysis (Form 4) to outline your mitigation strategies.
Why do I need to complete an Equipment Checklist for all Complex trips?
Having the correct equipment on a Complex field trip can be the difference between a successful outing and a full blown incident. Communicating what you are packing with a checklist is a prudent way to ensure you do not forget any necessary equipment and will help you plan future trips.
What does Informed Consent mean?
Informed consent means that parents/legal guardians have been fully informed about the nature of the trip prior to giving consent for their child to participate. The Simple Trip Consent (Form 2), Complex Trip Consent (Form 3) and the Risk Analysis (Form 4) capture all information necessary to fully inform parents. You are not required to complete a Risk Analysis Form for Simple Trips.
Why can’t we have our students sign waivers?
No one, not even the parent/guardian or the student themselves can waive their right to a safe experience. Ultimately the staff member in charge is responsible for the safety and well being of their students while on a field trip. In place of waivers, parents/guardians now sign Informed Consent forms. These forms provide a full description of the trip and associated hazards.
What are the different Methods of Supervision and how are they defined?
Constant Visual: where the teacher is physically present and watching the specific activity at all times.
On-Site: where the teacher is present but not necessarily constantly viewing the activity.
In the Area: where the teacher could be in the same location but does not have visual contact at all times.
Use of the Buddy System: where no student leaves the activity area alone.
What is a Contingency Plan (Form #6)?
Contingency plans are pre-thought out arrangements in the event that your trip plans change. These plans are written specifically for Alternative Student Arrangements, Inclement Weather or Conditions and Early Termination of Excursions.
When should I fill out an Incident Report (Form #12) and what are the reports used for?
An Incident Report needs to be filled out if a contingency plan is activated, a firearm is discharged on a non-hunting trip and if an incident occurs. An incident would include a physical injury to student or trip chaperone, a physical altercation and other notable incidents. Incidents can also be positive, yet unexpected occurrences. Incidents Reports are valuable learning tools for teacher and administrator alike. They also capture information about the teacher’s actions close to the time of the incident that may protect them from accusations.
What is the value of filling out a Daily Log (Form 11) for my multiday trip?
Daily Logs are a great way for teachers to reflect on what they are doing during a field trip and how they are doing it. The Log collects information regarding daily hazards to be mindful of, points of interest, lessons learned/near misses and daily objectives. If you are leading the same trip every year the Log becomes a great tool to shape your next trip to be as safe and valuable as possible. You’ll want a blank Daily Log Form for every day of your trip.
What are near misses and how can we learn from them?
A near miss is an incident that almost happened. These certainly should not be ignored. By collecting and reflecting on near misses teachers and administrators can begin to see patterns or risk. Not all risk is perceived and by ignoring near misses you become increasingly vulnerable to hazards. Near misses are captured on Daily Log Forms.
Do all my Volunteers need to complete a criminal record check?
The short answer is no. Many volunteers are not put in a direct position of authority of a student(s) and therefore are not required to complete a criminal record check. If they are put in a position of direct authority over a student(s) a criminal record check may be required.
Where do I find information for Camping, Canoeing, Kayaking, Hiking, Cycling, Cooking, Skiing and Snowboarding standards?
These standards are found in the appendix list here: http://www.education.gov.yk.ca/policy/field_trip.html. Each of these activities has well defined standards of practice that students and teacher need to adhere to. It is a good idea to review these with your students prior to the trip. As mentioned in the Checklist & Authorization (Form 1), please include a copy of the appendix relevant to your activity in your application package.
What is the Off-Site Review Committee and how do I contact them?
The function of this committee is to assist in nurturing a community of interests that supports safety and information sharing as an underlying principle in outdoor pursuits. The Offsite Review Committee will review and provide recommendations, upon request, to any teacher, administrator, or superintendent on the planning and approval of a field trip or excursion. The committee chair can be contacted by calling: 867 667-5607.
What is the First Nations Perspectives Review Committee and how do I contact them?
The function of this committee is to foster a stronger presence of First Nation culture and values in school sponsored events, culture camps and field trips as an underlying principle of outdoor pursuits. The First Nations Perspectives Review Committee will review and provide recommendations, upon request, to any teacher, administrator, or superintendent on the planning and approval of a field trip or excursion. The committee chair can be contacted by calling: 867 667-6752.
