Outdoor Education Committee Report.

Overview & Synopsis

The committee report on the North York (Ontario) outdoor education program reviews the program and related policies, identifies concerns that need addressing, and recommends prioritized and cost-effective actions. A section of background information covers history of outdoor education, present Ministry of Education policy, and present North York Board of Education policy, and lists three program support documents published by the Board. The outdoor education program is discussed under categories of day programs, day center programs, and residential programs. A general section addresses such concerns as curriculum/program, parental permission, program awareness, transportation, budget control, records, and definition problems. A summary of recommendations lists 7 for the day program, 7 for the day center program, 11 for the residential program, and 14 general recommendations, including encouraging teachers to use out-of-classroom activities as part of regular programs, encouraging senior students to help with elementary and intermediate outdoor education programs, and preparing a television presentation on North York outdoor education programs, for public and staff information. Eleven appendices include budgets for program components, a comparison chart of metropolitan Toronto outdoor education residential centers, 9-part Board policy on outdoor education, excerpts from a transportation report, and plans for future developments. (MH)