Understanding Our VISION, MISSION & VALUES

At Greenbelt Academy we strive to meet our vision through hands-on experiential learning opportunities that follow the interests of the child, by allowing the curriculum to be fluid and built through observation and real-life happenings. Teacher-led workshops and small group demonstrations are a mix of Ontario Curriculum and Forest School pedagogy which offer new skills and address the needs of the whole child and realities of their community. Camp is a time to take that theology and show the best of it to new students each week.

Vision

Every child is given the opportunity to learn about their world through daily access to extended time in nature. Quality educators facilitate an emergent curriculum that reflects the needs of the whole child and meets the demands of the world in which we live.

Mission

Education rooted in nature to inspire in our students a deeper connection to the community around them.

Values

We believe children are competent, capable and rich in experience and understanding. We believe the parent is the child’s first and most influential teacher. We believe repeated experiences in nature with nurturing and trained educators, can support mental, physical, spiritual and social growth, the foundation of overall health and well-being and an ecological identity where children begin to see themselves as part of, rather than separate from the natural world around us.

Camp Program Description

Our summer camp program offers many experiences and adventures for our campers, such as fort building, hiking, outdoor games, crafts, and so much more!

Led by experienced educators, this program is offered to students ages 4-10.

This program takes place from 9:00-4:00, at 130 Main St. E. We will often access Centennial Park, which is a short 5 minutes walk from the main school. Our new, secondary location takes place at the Elizabeth St. Pumphouse, 447 Elizabeth St. Grimsby ON, L3M 3C2 Programming will take place at both locations, but campers will not be switching between sites. (Please indicate which site you would prefer upon registration)

We are very excited to offer a camp that immerses children in the outdoors, promoting good physical, mental, social and emotional health, while developing a connection with the environment. The students build life skills such as resilience while being outdoors in all kinds of weather, spatial awareness while negotiating forest trails, social competency while working as a team, and self confidence while assessing and taking risks in the physical environment.

Weekly Themes

TBA

Pumphouse Theme- Ages 11-14

TBA

Weeks Offered: TBD

Information on Rates & Extended Care

Weekly rate = $265
$215 for 4 day weeks

PLEASE INQUIRE WITH US IF YOU REQUIRE BEFORE OR AFTERCARE. WE REQUIRE A MINIMUM NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS TO EXTEND OUR PROGRAM HOURS.

Our full-day program runs from 9:00 am to 4:00pm.

Before care is available starting at 8:00am and our aftercare is available until 5:00 pm. Please inform us during initial registration.

Registered before care- $10/ day
Registered aftercare – $10/day
Drop in before care- $15/day
Drop in aftercare- $15/day

Drop In /Late Pick Up Fees

If you have not registered for before/aftercare 24 hours in advance and drop off before 8:45 am and/or pick up after 4:15 pm, you may be charged for the drop in fee on your subsequent month/term invoice.

What You Need To Bring to Nature School

Children should be ready, upon arrival each day, for the outdoors. We are a rain or shine program and operate on the belief that there is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing. During inclement weather, we take all precautions to ensure the safety and comfort of our students, which means that we will run our nature based program inside when necessary. Please ensure that students have appropriate dress for the weather and please send extra clothing. Please take a look at our checklist below to ensure your child is prepared:

Checklist- In their backpacks/ spare clothing bag

• Indoor shoes
• Water bottle
• Lunch and two snacks- Please make these waste free when possible.
• Sunscreen/insect repellent
• Spare change of clothes (pants/shirt/socks/underwear) **Labeled**
• Outdoor hat
• Extra rain boots
• Extra waterproof rain jacket
• Extra waterproof rain pants
• Bag to store wet items

Reminder

Please label ALL of your children’s items. Children may store extra clothing at the school. Wet/soiled clothing will be sent home in your child’s backpack. Please replenish extra clothes for their next session.

Sample Schedule

• 9:00 am- Morning Circle & free play activities
• 9:30 am- Snack
• 10:00 am- Forest immersion
• 11:30 am- Transition and prep for lunch
• 12:00 pm – Lunch & free play activities
• 1:00 pm –  Themed activities 
• 3:00 pm- Afternoon snack & free play activities
• 3:30 pm- EOD group activity
• 4:00 pm – Home time

This is a sample schedule. The times of events may change due to weather or interests of the campers. We strive to go to the forest every day and facilitate free play sessions while also providing a guided session each day with a specific focus. Ex. Monday= art lesson, Tuesday=guided yoga, etc.

Forest- Free play in the forest at Centennial Park and the trails/forest adjacent to Elizabeth St. Pumphouse. Children are provided with materials to enhance their nature immersion experience such as digging tools, collecting containers, art supplies, sports equipment, science exploration tools (magnify glasses, microscopes, resource books etc.), building materials (ropes, wood, tarps, etc).

Policies & Procedures

Refund Policy

• Camp fees are fully refundable if a months notice is given prior to your child’s attendance in summer camp
• If cancellation is received less than 1 month before your child’s start date, you may receive a refund less a $50 administration free
• If cancellation is received less than two weeks prior to your child’s intended start date, you will receive a 50% refund
• If cancellation is received less than a week prior to your child’s start date, no refund will be issued.

Medication

All medication must be labelled and be accompanied by a letter addressed to the camp director explaining administration. A follow up medication call will be made prior to camp. Campers must be able to administer medication with limited assistance. Once at camp, please give all medication directly to camp staff. If your child requires an EpiPen they must carry it on them at all times. Please note all medication information clearly on your registration form.

NOTE- please let staff know if your camper has had a change in medication or dosage over the summer, even if it is administered at home

Sick Campers

In the following cases, we ask that participants (including students, teachers, and accompanying volunteers) stay home from Greenbelt Academy for at least 24 hours after their last symptom has subsided:

• Temperature over 101 degrees F or 38.3 degrees C
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea (watery, profuse stools).

Should the above-mentioned situations arise while at school, the affected participants will be asked to return home. Participants affected by communicable diseases such as measles, chicken pox, mumps, flu, strep throat, viral pneumonia, conjunctivitis (pink-eye), etc. must stay home from Greenbelt Academy until their health care provider (i.e. naturopath, doctor, nurse, etc.) has communicated that it is safe for them to attend. Notes are not required.

Food

Please note Greenbelt Academy is completely NUT FREE. Due to the prevalence of life-threatening nut allergies, we ask that participants refrain from bringing nuts to school. Soy and sunflower seed substitutes for nut butters are welcome.

Snack-Sharing

In addition, we ask that participants do not share or trade snacks, as this ensures the health, safety, and happiness of the community. *There may be times when a treat is brought in by staff or parents to share with the class. Staff will ensure that these meet the dietary restrictions of all campers*

Garbage-Less Lunches

We encourage participants to try to bring a garbage-less lunch. At the same time, we ask that parents/caregivers consider the size/weight/safety of the containers in which their child’s snacks are packed. At Greenbelt, we seek to empower even our youngest participants to carry their own snacks and water bottles on our adventures, which is totally possible with small containers.

Hand-Washing and Drinking Water

Participants will be asked to wash their hands with soap and water before eating at school, and after using the bathroom. When we are in the forest, wipes, sanitizer, and a handwashing station will be available. Children will be able to refill their water bottles on site.

Behaviour

During camp, we strive to create a safe environment for both campers and employees. We expect and encourage each camper to maintain a positive level of respect for everyone. It is Greenbelt Academy’s intention to work with campers and guardians to find solutions to behavioural challenges whenever possible. We appreciate your support and cooperation with our behavioural contract.

Behaviour Contract

If a camper is behaving in a way that is limiting to other campers enjoyment of camp, they will be asked to write up a behavior contract with the camp director. The camp director, the camper and their guardians will be asked to sign this contract. If the contract is broken, the camper may be asked not to participate in certain activities or may be asked to not return to camp.

Grounds for Camper Immediate Dismissal

Camp is expected to be a safe place for all campers and staff. If a camper is behaving in a way that negatively affects the camp experience or that is jeopardizing their own or others safety, that camper may be asked to leave camp without refund. This behavior includes, but is not limited to: bullying, physical assault, inability or refusal to follow safety guidelines, theft and bringing weapons or other inappropriate items to camp.

Accident Reports

Minor Accident Reporting Procedure

An Accident Report will be completed in the event of a minor accident. The Accident Report must be completed by the staff/volunteer who witnessed the incident or discovered that the incident occurred. The report must be completed on the same day the incident occurs. The incident must be reported to the staff/volunteer’s supervisor/Director The Accident Report must be reviewed by the designated Supervisor/Director A copy of the Accident Report will be given to the child’s parents/guardians on the same day it was prepared. If the report is not completed by the time the child is picked-up, the parents/guardians will be notified of the incident verbally. The Accident Report will be provided on the day or day following the incident. The original Accident Report will be kept in the school file. An Accident Report will be completed in the event of a minor accident. The Accident Report must be completed by the staff/volunteer who witnessed the incident or discovered that the incident occurred. The report must be completed on the same day the incident occurs. The incident must be reported to the staff/volunteer’s supervisor/Director The Accident Report must be reviewed by the designated Supervisor/Director A copy of the Accident Report will be given to the child’s parents/guardians on the same day it was prepared. If the report is not completed by the time the child is picked-up, the parents/guardians will be notified of the incident verbally. The Accident Report will be provided on the day or day following the incident. The original Accident Report will be kept in the school file.

Outdoor Safety

Our Safety Principles Are:

• Constantly assess risk as conditions change (dynamic risk assessment).
• Set up a safe space with boundaries and safety guidelines reviewed each day.
• Observe the children’s interactions with each other and with nature and guide them as needed.
• Spot the children during more challenging physical activity.
• Guide the children to skills level appropriate activities when required.
• Headcounts will be carried out every 10 minutes and before and after transitions to different sites.
• Two way communication will be maintained by teachers and supervisory staff by way of two way radios and cell phones at all times.
• In depth forest and site safety checks completed seasonally.
• Daily forest and site safety checks are completed before participants enter onsite or offsite environments.
• Weather and environmental safety including- teaching students about hydration, application of sunscreen and insect repellent, changing of wet clothes, as well as noticing the changes in the weather and how to stay safe.
• Educating students on safe waterways practices; such as safety equipment needed, and guidelines for safe waterway play.