To ensure the safety and well-being of all students during our creek-based outdoor classroom sessions, the following rules and procedures must be followed at all times. These policies are designed to create a structured, respectful, and secure learning environment for all participants. You can find our Emergency Response Plan here.

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Outdoor Classroom Student Expectations:​

Stay Within Boundaries

Students must remain within the marked boundary ropes at all times. No one may go over or under the boundary ropes unless accompanied by a teacher or designated adult.

 

Bathroom Use

It is recommended that students use the restroom before hiking down to the outdoor classroom. If a student needs to use the bathroom during creek time, a staff member will escort them back to the main building. Outdoor toileting is not permitted unless there is an absolute emergency. In such cases, a teacher will assist the student in finding a safe and private location until our composting toilet is completed.

 

Water Bottle:

 

Students must bring a leak-proof water bottle with them each day, they will bring these to the outdoor classroom with them. Extra water is kept in the fridge for them to refill as needed throughout the day. 

 

Footwear Requirements

Proper footwear is mandatory. All students must wear closed-toe boots or trail-rated water shoes designed for hiking and creek environments (see the Gear Guide). Crocs, flip-flops, sandals, or any unsupportive footwear are not permitted.

 

Clothing and Personal Supplies

Students must have a seasonally appropriate change of clothes and a towel (see the Gear Guide) in their backpack each day, including socks and underwear. Bug spray and sunscreen must be brought from home daily and should be applied prior to arrival if possible.

 

Trash and Cleanliness

All trash must be picked up and carried back.  Students are responsible for keeping the outdoor classroom clean and respecting the natural environment.

 

Horseplay:

 

No horseplay at the outdoor classroom is permitted, including pushing, shoving, and rough play, especially in or near the water. Respect others’ bodies and voices.

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Bullying: 

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We have a zero-tolerance policy for bullying to ensure every child feels safe, respected, and included. Bullying includes repeated behaviors such as teasing, name-calling, intentionally excluding others, or causing harm on purpose, whether physical, verbal, or social. This policy applies to all areas of our program, including the outdoor classroom at the creek.

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If bullying occurs, it will be taken seriously. Parents will be contacted to pick up their child immediately if necessary, and the incident will be documented and shared with the parents or guardians of all students involved.

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We are committed to creating a safe and supportive environment for every child. If your child witnesses or experiences bullying, we encourage them to speak with a teacher or trusted adult right away. Working together, we can help all students feel safe, valued, and heard.

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Teacher Daily Outdoor Classroom Safety Checklist

 

Before Hiking to the Outdoor Classroom

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• Check weather conditions. If storms are forecasted, the class will remain indoors. Students and teachers must return indoors at the first sound of thunder if an unexpected storm heads in.

 

• Students should be prepared, wearing their outdoor classroom lanyard, which includes a safety whistle and a GPS tracker for added security and quick communication in case of emergencies.

 

• Ensure the forest safety kit is fully stocked with first aid supplies, bug spray, sunscreen, and a working cell phone for emergency communication.

 

• Flip the school entrance door sign to indicate the group is at the creek.

 

• Confirm all students are wearing approved footwear.

 

• Review any medical conditions or health needs with the teachers.

 

• Remind students that no food or snacks will be allowed at the creek unless it is planned ahead of time and their hands are washed immediately before eating. 

 

• Conduct a headcount. All children and staff must wait at the top of the forest entrance and walk down together as a group.

 

During the Outdoor Classroom Session

 

• Conduct a headcount upon arrival at the creek.

 

• Inspect trees and branches in the creek area for damage or potential hazards.

 

• Review safety rules and the planned activities for the day with the class.
   

• Modify activities if necessary to ensure safety and accessibility for all students.
   

• Monitor weather conditions and be alert for wildlife, physical obstacles, or other risks.
   

• Perform regular headcounts and ensure all students are visible and accounted for at all times.
   

• Conduct a final headcount before leaving the outdoor classroom area.

 

Upon Returning to the Main Building

 

• Conduct a headcount at the top of the hill to confirm all students are present before returning to the school grounds.
   

• Direct students to remove their outdoor shoes and store them in the designated location.
   

• Everyone must wash their hands thoroughly with soap and water upon entering the building.
   

• Document and log any incidents, injuries, or concerns. Communicate with parents at the end of the day unless immediate attention is required. Refer to the health and safety manual for reporting protocols.

 

Forest Safety Kit

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The Forest Safety Kit should be kept in a backpack and remain with a teacher at all times. This will include the following:

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• First Aid Kit

• Epipen/Inhalers (for students who require them) 

• Hand Sanitizer

• Extra Water Bottle

• Flash Light

• Emergency Whistle

• Map of the Area with a path back to school labeled.

• List of Students and any Medical Needs/Allergies and Emergency Contact Info

• Notebook/Pen

• Trash Bag

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Student Outdoor Classroom/Creek Rules

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Please print this section to read with your student and sign below (button to download at the bottom)

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• Before we go to the outdoor classroom, make sure to use the bathroom if you think you might need to. If you do need to use the bathroom at the creek, find a teacher to help you back up to the school. We don’t use the bathroom at the creek unless it’s a real emergency. If you do need to go while we’re there and can't make it back to school, tell a teacher and they will help you find a safe and private spot.

 

• Bring your water bottle with you. It is important to stay hydrated!

 

• We meet at the top of the forest entrance and wait for the whole group before walking down together. No one should go ahead or enter the trail alone. The same goes for returning when it’s time to go back to school, we wait at the top of the hill together and walk to the school as a group.

 

• You must wear your outdoor classroom lanyard every time we go. It includes a safety whistle and a GPS tracker. The whistle is only for emergencies. Do not blow the whistle unless you are in danger, separated from the group, or need urgent help from an adult.

 

• Always stay within the boundary ropes. These help keep everyone safe. Do not go over or under the ropes unless a teacher gives you permission. Do not wander off or leave the group for any reason without an adult. We stay together at all times.

 

• Wear proper footwear. Everyone must wear boots or trail water shoes that protect your feet and give good traction. Crocs, flip-flops, or bare feet are not allowed. Bring a change of clothes, underwear, and socks in your backpack just in case you get wet or muddy.

 

• Once we return to school, boots must be cleaned and placed on your outdoor shoe rack. Everyone goes inside to wash hands with soap and water right away.

 

• You must help keep our outdoor classroom clean and take all your trash with you back to school. Do not litter, and always respect nature by not picking wild plants, mushrooms, or wandering off cleared paths. Do not touch or pick up any animals, insects, or bugs unless a teacher gives you permission.

 

• No food or snacks are allowed at the creek unless we’ve planned for it ahead of time. If we are eating, we must wash our hands first and eat right away when we arrive. No playing in the water or dirt before eating.

 

• You must be able to identify venomous animals and poisonous plants. Know how to ask for help and use basic first aid if needed. Our forest tool kit bag includes a first aid kit, bug spray, sunscreen, and supplies. It stays with a teacher at all times and is used for emergencies and care

 

• All tools and materials used for projects must be cleaned up and packed away before returning to school. This is everyone’s responsibility.

 

• Bug spray and sunscreen should be applied before going down to the creek. Make sure your backpack has everything you need each day, and ask if you're unsure.

 

• There is no horseplay at the creek. This means no pushing, shoving, or rough play, especially in or near the water. Respect others’ bodies and voices. If someone does not respect your boundaries, ask them to stop. If they keep going, find a teacher to help. We are all here to learn and feel safe.

 

• There is zero tolerance for bullying. This includes teasing, name-calling, leaving someone out, or hurting someone on purpose. Bullying will be taken seriously. If it happens at the creek or anywhere on school grounds, parents will be called to pick you up, and the incident will be documented and shared with the parents of everyone involved. Bullying is never okay. Everyone deserves to feel safe and respected. If you see bullying or if it happens to you, tell a teacher or trusted adult right away.

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