stan ley park

ecology soci et y
u n eed to know
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a ll y ab
ou
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mping

Parent Information Package

what you’ll find inside:

Welcome to Urban Camping! 2
Details at a Glance 3
Urban Camping Menu 4
What to Bring: A Checklist 5
Map of Pick Up/Drop Off Area 6
Medical and Consent Forms 7-8

Urban Camping is made possible by the generous support of our sponsors:

sta n ley park Parent Information Package
ecology soci ety

Welcome to Urban Camping!

For the past 22 years, the Stanley Park Ecology Society has offered children the chance to
become immersed in nature. The outdoor classroom of Stanley Park offers everyone the
chance to discover the many wonders nature has to offer.

The Urban Camping program began in 1997 with one class visiting Stanley Park for an
overnight visit. Since then, thousands of students have camped under the stars with us and
explored the forest, wetland and intertidal ecosystems of the park.

Last year, our luckiest classes saw river otters, frogs, salamanders, raccoons, woodpeckers,
owls, bats, and beavers.

We’re delighted to have your child share this camping experience with us!

What Parents Need to Know

During the Urban Camping program, your child will explore
forests and wetlands, learn outdoor skills and camp overnight in
a tent in Stanley Park. Our leaders are experienced, first-aid certified and
carry cell phones and first aid kits at all times. Please read this information for
details on safety, security and what your child needs to bring with them.

1 Read through this parent information package.

2
Fill out the medical and consent form on pages 7 and 8 of
this package. Sign the forms and return them to your child’s
teacher as soon as possible.

3 Review the list of what to bring to Urban Camping with your son or
daughter. Make sure that they pack everything on the list - and that
they don’t pack a lot of things that aren’t on the list! Please make
sure they DO NOT pack any valuables, such as MP3 players or handheld
video games. These can be easily lost or damaged when camping!

Don’t hesitate to call us at 604.257.6907 with questions!

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stan ley park Parent Information Package
ecology soci e ty

Details At A Glance
Safety and Security
Safety is our first priority in the Urban Camping program. Our leaders are first aid certified; they carry first aid
kits and cell phones at all times. The camping site itself is situated in a large secure area which is fenced and
locked. A professional security guard patrols the campsite each night between 11:00 pm and 7:00 am to ensure
group safety. Our attention to safety details has paid off - we have never had a security incident in over 13
years of running the Urban Camping program.

Emergency Contact Number

If an emergency arises during your child’s Urban Camping trip, you can contact us by phone:
School Programs Office: 604-257-6907; Urban Camping Leader 778-868-1215 (nighttime emergency calls)

Special Needs
If your child has specific dietary requirements, please write this on the medical and consent form that you
return to your child’s teacher. Our camps are all nut-free with dairy free alternatives. We do our best to
accommodate special dietary needs, but if your child is particularily sensitive, please consider packing extra
food for the trip. Tell your child’s teacher about any other special needs, especially health or accessibility
concerns.

Medications
If your child is taking any medication, please indicate this on the medical and consent form. Ensure that they
have packed two full days’ worth of medication and that they know how and when to take it properly. Your
child’s teacher should be informed to help remind the student about medication where necessary.

Supplied Equipment
We will supply tents, sleeping mats, extra blankets, cooking supplies (except cutlery), food (except lunch on
the first day) and first aid supplies. Students will need to bring their own sleeping bags, pillowcases, cutlery,
toothbrushes, clothing, any medication, and lunch for the first day.

About Packing
There are some basic things to remember about packing for Urban Camping:
• Make sure bags are as small and light as possible. A day bag and a night bag are recommended.
• Do NOT bring valuables. We cannot safeguard belongings such as MP3 players or video games.
• Students will be asked to carry, load and unload all of their gear.
• Do not bring plastic bags! They tear easily and animals in the park can eat into them.
• It is always colder in the forest and at night! Please pack warm, waterproof clothing-
even if the days have been warm. Sweaters, gloves, warm hats and jackets are necessary.
• Raingear is provided, but not boots. Make sure footwear is appropriate for lots of walking,
running and potentially getting wet. Bring a waterproof jacket if possible.
• Try to avoid jeans and other cotton clothing if possible - when wet, cotton will make you very cold and it
takes a long time to dry.
• Do not bring a pillow- they can get moldy when wet, and there is very little storage space to keep
them in. For a pillow, you will stuff the empty pillowcase with extra clothes you aren’t wearing.

About the Stanley Park Ecology Society

The Stanley Park Ecology Society is a community-based, not-for-profit organization dedicated to connecting

3
people with nature. Each year, our education programs reach over 12,000 students throughout the Lower
Mainland. Our programs are made possible through the generous support of government programs,
foundations, grants and the public.
sta n ley park
ecology soci ety Parent Information Package

Urban Camping Menu

The Urban Camping program does its best to provide healthy, natural foods
for students, staff and chaperones. We choose local and organic ingredients
wherever possible, and our meals align with Canada’s Guide to Healthy Eating.
Our meals are nut-free and vegetarian with optional dairy.

We are able to accommodate a range of dietary requests given advance notice:

please include this information on the Medical and Consent forms (p. 8)
you sign and send back to your child’s teacher.

Day 1 Day 2
morning provided by the participants breakfast • Energizing hot oatmeal or
snack cold cereal with milk
lunch provided by the participants (dairy or soy)
• fresh fruit
dinner • Comforting pasta with • juice
tomato sauce • coffee / tea for adults
• veggie sticks and dip
• dinner rolls lunch Delicious wraps made with:
• juice and healthy dessert & snack • whole grain tortillas
• black beans and rice
• cheese
• tomatoes, lettuce, corn
A note on snacks sour cream & salsa
When camping, snack foods can attract animals.
Campers will not be allowed to keep any food in their
• healthy dessert
tents, so bringing “midnight snacks” is discouraged.
For the Day 1 lunch, pack snack foods with as little
packaging as possible; we want to reduce litter and
keep our forests free of wrappers and straws.
On Day 2, healthy lunchtime snacks will be provided.

Food Preparation and Cleanup

- One of our program goals is to help students gain some practical, hands-on experience with food and
to have fun in its preparation.

- Dinner begins with a stove demonstration and a guided discussion on sustainable eating.

- Cooking and preparation tasks are shared amoung students.

- Students help wash and dry dishes, clean tables, and put away equipment before dessert and free time.

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stan ley park
ecology soci ety Parent Information Package

What to bring to Urban Camping

Clothing List Avoid cotton wherever possible- you will be very cold if it gets wet!

Item Quantity Notes

Bring comfortable shoes for walking on forest trails.
waterproof shoes 1 pair These shoes may get wet or muddy!
Pack these even if it’s warm out. At night and in early
gloves & warm hat 1 of each morning in spring it gets surprisingly cold!
These can help you stay warm in your tent.
waterproof jacket 1 of each
Again - pack these even if the days are warm. They’ll
& warm sweater help you out at night. Fleece and nylon are best.

wool or fleece 2 pairs

These will help keep your feet warm even if it’s wet
socks outside.

long and short- 1 of each Put the long-sleeved shirt in your daypack.
sleeved shirts
Ideally made from fleece or nylon.
pants 1 Avoid jeans if possible: they take very long to dry if wet!

pajamas 1 pair pack these in with your sleeping bag and pillow case.

sun hat 1 For example, a ball cap. Put this in your daypack.

Equipment List Your mission: pack as light as possible! Do not bring any valuables.

Item Quantity Notes

small backpack 1
Contents: lunch, cutlery, toothbrush, toothpaste, long
for day use shirt, sun hat, water bottle.
lunch (for Day 1) in 1
Please pack lunch in reusable containers to use again
reusable container for lunch on Day 2. Put this in your daypack.
Label the water bottle with your name and put it in
water bottle - filled 1 your daypack.
Please store these in a stuff sac or duffel bag (NOT a plastic
sleeping bag and or garbage bag!) labelled with your name. Do not bring a
empty pillowcase 1 of each pillow- they can get moldy when wet, and there is very little
(no pillow) storage space to keep them in. For a pillow, stuff the empty
pillowcase with extra clothes you aren’t wearing.
any personal enough for
Let the teacher know any medication needs.
medications 2 full days
dinner fork and 1 of each
Label your cutlery with your name and put the fork and
spoon spoon in your daypack. No knife is necessary.

toothbrush and 1 of each Put these in your daypack.

toothpaste
You only need a small amount. Share this with a friend
sunscreen or bring one per tent group.

flashlight (optional) 1 One lantern is supplied per tent.

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sta n ley park
ecology soci ety Parent Information Package

Urban Camping
continues
through
Stanley Park

meeting location
please phone ahead for parking passes

N Contact us if you are late or lost:

604-257-6907 or 778-868-1215

eet Here
Pipeline Road

M
Clock Tower at Miniature Railway
!
meet here with camping gear on Day 1, 9:15 AM
••

P
P Bus Loop
19 Stanley Park

Stanley Park Pavilion

Provides shelter in case of extreme weather conditions.
This is also a location you can direct parents to for student
drop offs or early pickup during the program.

Traffic to Vancouver
Circle
e Aquarium Driving Directions From Vancouver:
ri v
Pa rk D • Travel northeast on Georgia St. past Denman St.
Park

• Take the right lane exit into Stanley Park.

Driv

• Travel straight through the traffic circle, up the hill.

e Ex

• Take the first right-hand turn, following the signs

it

for the Stanley Park Pavilion. Follow this road past the
Pavilion and Bus Loop to the parking lot on your right.
• Alternately, you can also follow the signs for the
Children’s Farmyard and Miniature Railway, taking the
third right-hand turn from Pipeline Road and turning
directly into the parking lot.

Driving Directions From the North Shore:

Ri

• You will have to turn around after the Lions Gate Bridge
gh
Ge

tL

to access the Stanley Park entrance from Georgia Street.

an
or

e:

To do this, follow Georgia Street past Denman Street, to

St
gi

an

Bidwell Street.
a

le
yP
St

ar

• Turn right on Bidwell Street, right again on Alberni Street,

re

kE
xi
et

and a third right onto Denman Street.

t

6
• From Denman Street, turn left onto Georgia Street and get
into the right-hand lane. Enter Stanley Park and continue
following the directions from Vancouver above.
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stan ley park
ecology soci ety Parent Information Package

Please return completed forms to your child’s teacher.

Medical and Consent Form (1)

Basic Information
Child’s Name Care Card #

Parent /Guardian Name Home Phone

Work Phone Cell Phone

Emergency Contact Home Phone

Alternate Phone Relationship

Medical Information
Please list any medications the student is taking:
Medication 1 Dosage Times Taken

Medication 2 Dosage Times Taken

Medication 3 Dosage Times Taken

Has your child been immunized against tetanus? yes no don’t know

Please describe any conditions that you think teachers and Urban Camping staff
should be aware of (headaches, asthma, fear of the dark, separation anxiety, etc.):

Allergy Information
Please list any food, medication, environmental or other allergies your child has.

Please classify the allergy: severe (life-threatening) moderate mild

What do staff need to know to take precautions against this allergy?

(eg., no nuts for entire class, epipen information, etc.)

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sta n ley park
ecology soci ety Urban Camping parent information

Medical and Consent Form (2)

Dietary Questions
Does your son/daughter have any dietary restrictions? yes no

If so, please classify the restriction: allergy severe moderate mild

vegetarian vegan cultural other:

Please read over the Urban Camping Menu on page 4 and describe the food(s)
that should be excluded from the menu:

Please describe acceptable meal or snack substitutions (eg. soymilk instead of milk):

Photo Release I agree that any photos or video footage of my child taken during Urban
Camping may be used, without identifying names, for promotional or volunteer training
purposes by the Stanley Park Ecology Society. yes no

Please read the following and sign below.

I permit my son or daughter to participate in the overnight Urban Camping program.

I will arrange for my son or daughter to be picked up if he or she acts inappropriately,

or does not follow all reasonable instructions given by the Urban Camping leaders
or school staff.
I acknowledge that, while well supervised, the Urban Camping program is an active,
outdoor experience. As with all active outdoor programs, there is a possibility
students may injure themselves or require medical attention.

I authorize the Urban Camping leaders or school staff to provide over-the-counter

medication to the student and/or seek medical attention for the student if required.

Parent Name
Date
Signature

8
Please attach additional pages if additional medical, allergy or dietary information is necessary.