A Northern Ontario educator and outdoor learning advocate is one of several contributing authors featured in a new book.
Canadian Scholars text Outdoor Experiential Learning in Canada is now available.
It features a chapter on School Trip Preparedness, written by Bill Steer, widely known as Back Roads Bill.
He says it offers a practical, step-by-step guide designed to help educators plan safe, transparent, and well-communicated school trips.
“This text is one-stop shopping for anyone interested in outdoor and environmental education,” says Steer. “My contribution is a digital template on how to prepare a school trip plan for parents, students, administrators, and third-party providers.”
Officials say the chapter from Steer takes a critical look at preparing classrooms for outdoor learning experiences, guiding teachers step-by-step to present trip plans to school administration with clarity and safety in mind.
“Teachers understand the need for transparency with administrators so school authorities can have confidence that every safety concern is thought through and prepared for in advance,” writes one of the editors. “Training students, arranging safe transportation, providing maps of the activities, discussing emergency procedures and first aid scenarios, to name just a few, are disclosed to administrators. Back up plans are also shared in advance that take into consideration weather changes or unexpected field trip challenges. Steer guides teachers and outdoor professionals to paint a comprehensive picture of the trip so everyone involved is mentally and physically prepared.”
A long-time educator, Steer is the founder of the Canadian Ecology Centre in Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park, and a retired adjunct faculty member from Nipissing University’s Faculty of Education.
Canadian Scholars says the book is intended to inspire teachers, pre-service teachers, outdoor professionals and enthusiasts to take their students and clients outside to learn, connect, and grow.
