Wildwood Ecoforest Pre-trip Information

 

Dear Educators,

We look forward to welcoming you and your class at Wildwood Ecoforest. Wildwood is a unique demonstration ecoforest within the traditional territories of the Stz’uminus, Snuneymuxw and Snaw-Naw-As Coast Salish First Nations. It is cared for by the Ecoforestry Institute (EIS), and the field trip will be offered by naturalists from EIS. Our programs support the BC curriculum.

Field Trip Policies and Guidelines

Payment: Your payment can be made by cheque addressed to the Ecoforestry Institute Society and mailed to PO Box 5070 Stn B, Victoria, BC V8R 6N3 or by etransfer to admin@ecoforestry.ca . Please send your payment within 30 days after your field trip.

Cancellation policy: Cancellations must be received in writing 7 days in advance and sent to education@ecoforestry.ca.

Accessibility: We want all students to be able to participate fully in our programs. Please let us know in advance if there is anything we should be aware of to support particular students. We have a TrailRider available for students who are unable to walk long distances. Follow the link for more information or visit: https://www.ecoforestry.ca/accessibility

First Aid: You are responsible for First Aid for your class.

Supervision: Our Naturalists are familiar with group management, but not with your students or your classroom routines. Please work with our naturalists to manage your class. You are welcome to intervene if particular students need support.

Prepare for your Visit

  • Review the Field Trip Etiquette with your class.

  • Send the Chaperone Letter and Field Trip Etiquette to any parent chaperones accompanying your class.

  • Please put name tags on your students.

  • Divide your class into two groups. Your class will start and finish together, but work in smaller groups for most activities. Both groups will do the same activities.

  • Please have parents complete the Media Waiver Form (pdf). A digital version is available here: Media Waiver Form. If there are particular students who cannot be photographed please also let the naturalists know when you arrive.

  • Plan to arrive 10-15 minutes before your program time.

What to Bring

Clothing: Students should dress in layers appropriate for the weather including rain gear. It is often cooler in the forest than at school. We will be outdoors for the entire field trip.

Footwear: Students should wear warm, sturdy footwear suitable for walking and running outdoors. Hiking boots, running shoes, or sport sandals are ideal.

Water/Snacks: Students should bring a water bottle and a pocket snack. There is no running water on site. If you are staying for lunch, lunches should be packed so that students can carry them, ideally in a backpack.

Facilities

There are 2 outhouses. One is wheelchair accessible. There is no running water onsite. We will be outdoors for the entire field trip, and will be walking on forest trails. The trail is about 1km long and has two steep hills.

There is no wifi and limited cell service on site.

How to Get Here

Wildwood is located at 2929 Crane Rd, Ladysmith BC. For detailed directions on how to get there please visit: https://goo.gl/maps/ByzbdBw8ZuzQcRJF7

Buses should unload outside the gate in the pullover area. Buses can back up into our driveway to turn around. There is space outside the gates for buses to park if they are staying on site.

Private vehicles should drive through the entry gate. Please park in the small gravel parking area just inside the gate.

Questions?

Feel free to reach out at education@ecoforestry.ca. We are looking forward to working with you and your students!