PROGRAM OVERVIEW
 

The CSS Outdoor Education Program offers two cohorts for students:

Outdoor Education 11 covers learning outcomes for Outdoor Education 12, English First Peoples Literature 11, Environmental Science 11, and PHE/Active Living.

Outdoor Education 10 covers the learning outcomes for Outdoor Education 11, English First Peoples Literature 10, Science 10, and PHE/Active Living.

Students in both cohorts will have the opportunity to explore many outdoor pursuits and apply their classroom learning in the field.

•    Land Based Activities include hiking, overnight backpacking, indoor and outdoor rock climbing, and trail running.
•    Snow Based Activities include downhill skiing & boarding, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and winter camping.

•    Water Based Activities include canoeing, and multi-day canoe tripping.

For more information, please see our grade 10 and grade 11 application forms and personal gear list, or contact the outdoor education teachers Mr. Gerad Shea ,   Mr. Jason Shea, and Mr. Nick Hyde.

Email completed applications to the outdoor education teachers or drop them off at the CSS office.

*Fees apply to this program. Please see the application form for more information..
 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
CSS Outdoor Education Cohort

  1. What courses do I get in the Outdoor Education 10 cohort? Students receive credit for Outdoor Education 11, Science 10, EFP Literature & Writing 10 and Physical Health Education 10. Students will also receive credit for an independent directed study block and personal development block.

     

  2. What courses do I get in the Outdoor Education 11 cohort? Students receive credit for Outdoor Education 12, Environmental Science 11, EFP Literature & Writing 11 and Physical Health Education 11. Students will also receive credit for an independent directed study block and personal development block.

     

  3. Do I have to take all the classes in the cohort? Yes.

     

  4. How many free blocks will I have to choose from for my other classes that are not a part of the cohort? Students will be able to choose four electives outside of the cohort.

     

  5. What type of students join Outdoor Education? Students join the outdoor education program for many different reasons: some are interested in the environment; some want to apply academic learning outside the classroom; some want to get in shape; some like adventure; some want to be a part of a team and work toward a common goal; and some want to learn outdoor skills.

     

  6. Will I miss other classes? Students will occasionally miss one or two classes in the afternoon, but a lot can be accomplished during the morning blocks of time without missing other classes.

     

  7. Should I join the grade Outdoor Education cohort? If you want to have new experiences in the outdoors, grow as an individual and work hard, then yes.

     

  8. Who should not join the cohort? If you are only thinking of joining because your best friend is, or somebody else is making you join, the program may not be right for you. We will work very hard outside, especially when weather conditions are challenging. We will work just as hard in the classroom as well.

     

  9. How will we learn? We will learn through both outdoor field experiences and traditional classroom instruction. Different times of the year may see one style of learning emphasized more than the other to take advantage of the seasons.

     

  10. Are overnight trips mandatory? Yes. However, we understand that important appointments and commitments will arise outside of our schedule, and we will support participants with meeting their other responsibilities when needed.

     

  11. Is the program safe? Yes, but be aware that there are always risks when participating in outdoor pursuits. The teachers running this program have over twenty-five years of combined experience running programing of this type with no major injuries or accidents. Teachers are first aid trained, and third-party, certified guides are hired for technical instruction like outdoor rock climbing.

     

  12. What is covered and not covered by the cost? Please see what is covered and not covered on the attached Application Form and Personal Supply List.

     

  13. Is financial assistance available? Yes, please reach out to one of our school counsellors or our principal directly for assistance.

     

  14. More questions? Send your questions to gerad_shea@sd33.bc.ca, jason_shea@sd33.bc.ca, and nicholas_hyde@sd33.bc.ca