Parent Page

What Do I Pack?

You can click here for an overnight trip equipment list, but it's also a good idea to take the following into account:

• The time of year
• Special considerations for my child - physical, behavioural, medical
• Special activities - check with teacher

Also remember the following:

• No pocket knives or other potentially dangerous items
• No candy or gum
• No electronic items except flashlight, camera, and watch
• Pillows x the number in group = a large volume of fluff. Camping pillows, cushions, or a pillowcase stuffed with other clothing will work.

Where Will My Child Stay?

The overnight facility has 8 sleeping cabins heated by propane. They offer safe and comfortable accommodations for your child. Click here to look at the overnight facility.

What About Safety & Supervision?

The following is a brief summary of policies and procedures outlining the approach to maintaining a high level of safety during the trip.

Supervision

• There must be enough parent leaders and/or high school leaders for every cabin.
• A minimum leader to student ratio of 1:6 is maintained.
• All students and participants follow the 'Stay Put' rule:
  • Within boundaries - if unsure ask teacher/ go to main lodge.
  • With group - only under highly controlled circumstances are students without leaders. Whenever a group travels from one location to another, the group has a leader in the front and rear.
  • If lost - shouldn't happen, but needs to be discussed.

    Emergencies

    First Aid

    The caretaker has level 3 occupational first aid and stays on site for the duration of your child's stay.

    Communications

    There is a cell phone with an external antenna in the caretaker's residence. This phone can be removed and plugged into a vehicle to make it portable.

    Fire

    All cabins have smoke detectors, and fire extinguishers. Students are instructed on what to do in the event of fire in their cabin.

    Transportation

    In the event that a child needs to be transported, McQueen Lake is only 16.5 kilometers up Lac duBois road. You will be contacted immediately.

    

    How Is My Child Prepared Before Going?

    • The McQueen Lake resource teacher can be booked by your teacher to do a pre-trip orientation with the class. This is highly recommended, as much of the time is spent on ensuring a safe and comfortable experience. Proper conduct and the need to stay with the group and within boundaries are reinforced. Students are informed of the consequence of going home if they act in a way which seriously compromises their safety and/or the safety of others.
      Parents are welcome to attend.
    • Students compile a trip book (duo tang) in class. The itinerary, group lists, and any activity related sheets are in this book.
    • The teacher reviews the guidlines over a period of days prior to the trip date.
    • The teacher will also make alternate arrangements for a student if it appears that he or she is not capable of appropriate behaviour during the trip.

      * **What Are The Costs?

      • $? Transportation (See below)
      • $25.00 Food
      • $5.00 Ski/Snow shoe rental (in season)
      • $25.00 Approximate total

        Transportation

        • $?Each school has the transportation costs of a number of trips covered, based on school size. If the number of trips has been exceeded, then there may be a need to cover the cost of transportation. This may be covered through other budgets, but it depends entirely on the financial state of the school's accounts.

          Food

          • There will usually be a $25.00/student charge to cover food. This covers 5 meals. Don't forget to pack a bag lunch for the first day though.

            Ski/Snowshoe Rental

            • $5.00/student for the duration of their stay. During the winter months, the cross-country skis are used extensively and the kids love it.

              * Inform your child's teacher, if you are unable to afford the costs.

              **Parents who volunteer during the trip will not have additional costs for themselves.

              

              How Can I Help?

              Pre-Trip Preparation

              • Shopping - if volunteers take care of shopping for the food, it can make an enormous difference to the teacher.

                *During Trip

                • Cabin Supervisors/Group Leaders - the class will need parents and/or and/or high school leaders to provide adequate supervision and organizational leadership. Sometimes there is more difficulty getting male leaders.
                • Food/Equipment Transport - The food will need to be transported to the site. If you have a truck or S.U.V. you may be able to assist with this. Also, since the bus can't drive in from the front gate to the lodge (300 metres) it may be helpful to have a pickup truck transport the packs in from the gate.
                • Kitchen Management - Although students are organized to take part in the daily chores, it is often best to have 1-2 parents manage the kitchen. You would still guide chore groups in assisting with some of the set-up and clean up, but would greatly reduce the lag time around meals. Assistance here greatly improves management and in turn the safety of the group - down time is usually when incidents occur, not during productive activities.
                • Special Skills - If you have any knowledge or skills that you think you could use to add to the group's experience during their stay, let the teacher know. You may be a naturalist, astronomer, forester, biologist, guitar player, etc...

                  *Please note that there will be a maximum number of parents that can attend. For a single class, there will be a maximum of approximately 10. For a double group, it becomes more stringent, as the group total cannot exceed 70 people for safety reasons. The maximum would then depend on how many spaces were left after the total number of students was determined.

                  

                  Can I Bring My Vehicle?

                  The short answer is yes, but please note the following:

                  • There is limited room in the parking area.
                  • Trucks and SUVs will be best for transporting food and additional equipment.
                  • Carpool with another volunteer if your vehicle isn't necessary (less bumps and mud for you).
                  • Please follow the school bus.
                    • The bus has a radio to communicate with the logging trucks on Lac duBois road.
                    • The chances of people losing their way is greatly reduced.
                    • The chance that the bus may get stuck on a hill decreases.

                      What Else Do Parent Leaders Need To Know?

                      Policies - Click Here to view complete list.

                      • Smoking in designated area only.
                      • Food in lodge only. The only times that there is food outside the lodge is when a snack is packed with the group and they eat it at one location where any garbage or bits of food is collected before moving on.
                      • No gas lanterns, candles, or other ignition based light sources.
                      • No candy or gum.
                      • No alcohol.
                      • No electronics (walkmans, gameboys, stereos, etc) except watches, cameras, flashlights, cell phones (parents only).
                      • No pets.

                        Conduct

                        As a polite reminder, please remember that parents volunteering to assist are in a leadership role and must act accordingly through their language and conduct. If the teacher feels that the conduct of a parent, either verbally or behaviourally, is inappropriate for that of a person working in the capacity of a leader and role model for children , he or she has the right to ask the parent to change their conduct or leave the premises depending on the severity of the misconduct.