Rock Climbing Trip Information
DATES: MAY 13-16th, 2024
DESCRIPTION OF THE TRIP: On the rock climbing trip, students will spend their days rock climbing outdoors with ACMG guides at the Skaha rock climbing area in Penticton, BC. Each day the group will hike for 15-30 minutes on trails through the woods to get to the climbing areas. Students will have an opportunity to climb, belay, rappel, use zip-lines and tyrolean traverses, and participate in other climbing-related activities. The guides will set up and supervise climbing and other activities. After the climbing day, the group will return to the Banbury Green campground. They may also have the opportunity to swim in Skaha lake. If weather conditions restrict the options for climbing outdoors, the group may go to an indoor climbing gym or a local swimming pool. The following link should provide a better sense of what is involved in the rock climbing portion of the trip: www.skaharockclimbing.com
ITINERARY: Note: This is a tentative schedule that may change due to weather, wind, transportation, etc.
Pre-trip meeting: Thursday, May 9th at Derby, students will gather all gear required for trip.
Day 1, May 13th: Meet at CROTHALL building at 5:30 am. Depart 5:30 am sharp for 7:00 am ferry to Vancouver. Drive to Penticton, first climbing session, set up campsite.
Day 2, 3, May 14/15th: Rock climbing at various locations in the Skaha rock climbing area
Day4: Pack up, early morning climb and drive to Vancouver for 4:00pm Ferry, returning to Crothall for 6pm.
GROUP EQUIPMENT: The guides will bring activity-specific and camping equipment for the group. This will include tents, camp stoves and other camping equipment. Rock climbing guides will also provide all climbing equipment including ropes, harnesses, helmets and climbing shoes. The guides will also bring emergency response equipment (emergency communication device, first aid kit…).
PERSONAL EQUIPMENT: We have a wide range of clothing and equipment available to students for the trips. This includes sleeping bags, foamies, rain coats, rain pants and clothing items such as fleece layers and puffball jackets. Yes, please try to borrow gear and clothing from friends and family first, but students will be provided with all gear they require to be safe and comfortable. Students will do a gear check prior to departure. At that point the guides will outfit the students with any missing items. The following link will allow you to access the ROCK CLIMBING EQUIPMENT LIST.
NO ELECTRONICS/PHONES: Students should not bring any electronics or phones on the outtrip. This includes airpods or similar headphones. Any devices will be collected by guides/instructors and returned at the end of the trip. Guides are not responsible for any damage to devices on the trip.
For photography, if a student would like to bring a dedicated camera (digital, analogue, or disposable), they may bring that with them during the activity.
MEALS/FOOD: Students should bring money for breakfast and lunch on day 1, and lunch and dinner on day 4. All other meals provided. Meal money will be provided for boarding students. Students will be cooking meals in camp under supervision of the guides. The group may also be visiting local restaurants for some meals during the trip.
TRANSPORTATION: Students will be traveling by school bus or in a school van driven by one of the guides.
TRIP SURCHARGE: The experiential program fee covers expenses for this trip.
ACCOMMODATION: Students will be sleeping in 2-4 person tents.
CAMPING LOCATION: The rock climbing group and campsite guides will be camping at a public campground in Penticton, BC.
STAFFING: SMUS hires SKAHA Rock Adventures to manage and guide the climbing portions of the trip. SMUS also hires two “Campsite and Travel” adults/guides to manage the travel and camping components of the trip
Rock Climbing Site: ACMG guides have ACMG certification, Wilderness First Aid Certification, Extensive Guiding experience, Experience guiding in this location with similar groups.
Campsite and Travel: The lead campsite guides has, as a minimum: First Aid Certification, Guiding experience, Experience working in this location with similar groups. The assistant guide has, as a minimum: First Aid Certification, Experience working with similar groups.
INSTRUCTOR/STUDENT RATIOS:
1:9 in Campsite
1:9 at Rock Climbing site
STUDENT EXPECTATIONS: This is a school-sponsored outing and school rules will apply. Participants are expected to follow the guidelines set by the instructional staff. A failure to meet these guidelines or a failure to follow school rules may result in the participant being removed from the activity at their own expense.
EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT: The Leader-in charge has immediate access to: An appropriate first aid kit, Cell phone or pre-established means to communicate with the school or emergency services, Emergency Call Plan, Student Medical Information
EMERGENCY MEDICINE: Students should not be self-administering ANY medication, even if it is part of their own regular routine, without discussing it first with the guides. Students with asthma, severe allergies and medical conditions should bring a clearly labelled set of the appropriate medication and discuss the treatment plan with the guides prior to the trip.