Bamfield Marine Science Centre Grade 8 Trip April 23 to April 27, 2018
Bamfield MSC A university research station on the West Coast of Vancouver Island 44 students - 5 days of intensive science study on Fresh & Salt Water Systems Activities run by research students and professors Supervised by grade 8 Science teachers/ms.taylor/mr.koshin
Supervisors Grade 8 Math/Science teachers: Mr. Dawit Mussie (Teacher in charge) Ms. Lori Taylor (Assistant Principal) Ms. Kelli Borger Mr. Corey Koshin There will be substitute teachers at MPS replacing those teachers who are on the trip.
Location
Getting to Bamfield Westjet Flight 491 (leaving Calgary) Leave Calgary Arrive Comox Charter Bus from Comox to Bamfield @10:20 @10:56 approx. 4 hours Return Bus to Comox Leaving Bamfield @10:00 Westjet Flight 3180 (heading to Calgary) Leave Comox Arrive Calgary @17:50 @20:29
Stops Along the Way On the way to Bamfield: 30 minutes at Cathedral Grove 30 minutes in Port Alberni (for a quick bite and to pick up snacks for the week) On the way back: 30-60 minutes at Coombs
Sample Itinerary Day 1 Day 2 (Low tide of 1.0 m @ 09:27) 10:50 Pickup at Comox Airport 7:30 Breakfast 16:00 18:00 19:00 20:00 Lunch en route in Port Alberni Stop at Cathedral Grove Arrive at BMSC, check Dinner, settle in Tour of the facilities, safety orientation Video: BBC s Life at the Edge of the Sea 8:30 Lab: Marine invertebrate reproduction. Set up sea urchin embryo experiment *Time to visit the touch tanks 12:3 13:30 16:00 18:00 19:00 19:15 Lunch Field Trip: Barkley Star Lab: Seabirds as indicators of ecosystem health Dinner Check embryos Workshop: Sustainable seafood
Day 3 (Low tide of 1.0 m @ 10:07) Day 4 (Low tide of 1.0 m @ 10:53) 7:30 8:30 10:30 12:30 14:30 16:00 18:00 19:00 Breakfast Field Trip: Intertidal seaweeds and ecology Lab: Climate change and oceans Lunch Field trip: Examination of life on docks and pilings & sampling for invertebrates on board the Alta Lab: Microscopic examination of plankton and review of data. Check embryos & update timelines Dinner Art activity: Fish printing 7:30 8:30 12:30 13:30 16:00 16:30 18:00 19:00 Breakfast Field Trip: Brady s Beach. Measure water quality variables and diversity in tide pools. Lunch Lab: Experimental marine biology. Design and perform experiments; present findings Souvenir sales, final embryo check and release of babies! Workshop: Marine Conservation Case Studies Dinner Slideshow: Marine mammals of the west coast
Accommodations Dorm style lodgings with 4 people per room Boys and girls will be in separate areas Shared private washrooms with a toilet and shower Rooms have 2 bunk beds, 2 desks, a sink, a closet and several cupboards
Meals Cafeteria style Most dietary issues can be accommodated (including vegetarian, vegan and gluten free) Lunch and dinner includes a salad bar and dessert Bamfield endeavors to use whole foods free of preservatives, dyes and fillers wherever possible
Packing List An extensive list will be provided to students closer to departure. All students need rubber boots and good (waterproof!) rain gear including jacket and pants. It is cooler at the coast, especially on the water. Students will need warm clothing. One checked bag & one carry on.
Possible Hazards Travel -- motion sickness, collisions, crashes, delays, acts of terrorism, search and seizure, lost or stolen luggage We have hired reputable, commercial carriers Families are encouraged to check out motion sickness remedies We have included travel insurance We have back up plans in case of delays
Hazards cont d Hazards due to water -- motion sickness, collisions, slipping on decks & docks, falling overboard, hypothermia, evacuation of vessel, drowning, mechanical errors, inherent risks of water, tsunamis, marine animals Boats are captained by experienced personnel All supervisors are trained in first aid Horseplay will be dealt with immediately Students are required to wear appropriate footwear and safety equipment (PFD s) Students will be trained in evacuation and fire procedures Students will be closely supervised while on docks or near boats or water
Hazards cont d Hazards from marine & science equipment - - body parts caught in lines / cranks, unfamiliar science equipment, radiation isotopes, use of chemicals - Instruction and explanation before labs or experiments - Certain areas at Bamfield are off-limits - Explanation and training with new equipment - Labs are led by experienced instructors - Close supervision by teachers
Hazards cont d Hazards from a remote location -- Animals, distance to medical facilities, weather conditions, slips, trips & falls, getting lost or separated from the group, storms, homesickness, travel on logging roads, large branches falling from old growth trees - Use of a buddy system - Nurse on call 24 hours - Coast guard can airlift to Port Alberni - Teachers have first aid & CPR training - In poor weather conditions, outdoor activities will be rescheduled - Students will have appropriate clothing and gear for all weather conditions - Students will be provided with contact information for teachers and will receive instructions on what to do if they get lost
Hazards cont d General Hazards -- Choking, allergic reactions, sunburn, heat stroke, food poisoning, interactions with the public - Medical information for students is carried by teachers at all times - Teachers have access to medications, inhalers and epi-pens - Allergy information is communicated to Bamfield food services well in advance of the trip - Close supervision
Parents Need to Sign for Hazards CBE regulations for out of province trips require parent/guardian attendance at a Parent Meeting where potential hazards for the trip are discussed Records must show parents had the opportunity to ask questions about the trip and possible safety information Before leaving, please sign the meeting attendance to indicate that you were here today
Travel Identification Students need to have their full name spelled correctly on airline tickets. To help with this, the application forms contain a travel ID section that needs to be completed neatly with correct spelling School ID cards are satisfactory for travel. We will be collecting these from students prior to departure. Any student who loses their school ID will need to find another form of identification (passport, etc.)
Medication Medication must be placed in a Ziplock bag labelled with the student s name, instructions, dosages and times and given to teachers prior to arrival at the airport The school will carry Tylenol, Advil and cold/flu medication A form must be completed listing any medication your child is permitted to take (including those you have provided) We highly recommend that all students have Gravol with them for the bus and boat rides. Students will need 2 epi-pens or inhalers one to remain with the student and one carried by teachers
Sample Medication Form
Medical Information & FOIP The CBE follows FOIP regulations Medical information provided remains confidential and cannot be shared without consent Bamfield would like access to medical information/allergies for students to ensure they keep everyone safe There is a check box on the Parent Meeting sign in form
Student Expectations Appropriate student behaviour is imperative to ensuring the safety and well being of all students Students who do not demonstrate respect for school policies and behaviour expectations at school will not be permitted to attend If a student participating in the trip is unable to attend and a student from the wait list is able to replace them, the cost of the trip (minus any charges to change students) will be refunded
Rules and Regulations No alcohol, tobacco, etc. is permitted No food permitted in any of the labs or classrooms at Bamfield No portable music players or electronic games No cellphones Campus off-limit areas must be respected
Student Meetings Students are required to attend weekly meetings during lunch hours, starting after Winter Break Topics include safety information, background on activities at Bamfield, packing information, etc. Failure to attend meetings without valid reasons may forfeit participation
Parent Meeting One other parent meeting will be held closer to the date of departure to discuss specifics such as meeting times at the airport, fundraising, etc. Participation in at least one parent meeting is required by CBE
Emergency Contact In case of emergency, please contact David Sparrow, Principal If a student becomes sick or injured, either Mr. Sparrow or the supervising teachers will contact you Teachers will have cell phones, however coverage is very sporadic Bamfield Office landlines are available to call out in event of an emergency
Application Process If we receive more than 44 applications, attendance on the trip will be determined by a lottery, held after the application deadline A wait list will be established If you do not wish to be placed on the wait list, please let us know
Costs Approximately $1350 Includes: Flight & transportation (including luggage fees) All accommodations (incl. linens) All meals All activities & excursions Science equipment Trip Insurance
Additional Costs Student fees cannot include the costs of substitute teachers in the trip Approximate costs between $75 and $150 per student For past MPS trips these have been covered through fundraising or donations Fundraising needs to be organized by parents Options will be discussed with the families of students attending the trip
Snacks and Souvenirs Bamfield will provide 3 meals a day, snacks are student responsibility We will stop at the Walmart in Port Alberni so students can shop for snacks There is no shopping in Bamfield, however the Marine Science Centre offers souvenir hoodies ($40), t-shirts ($20), hats & toques ($15), etc. The Coombs Country Market has food and souvenirs available for purchase Students may have a short time at the Comox airport
Costs due to Unforeseen Circumstances Most costs due to travel delay will be covered by travel insurance included in the price of the trip Any other additional costs will be divided between the students participating If the trip is cancelled, all money, except any non-refundable/uninsured deposits, will be returned.
Forms Application forms are due by Friday, October 13 th Forms can be picked up at the end of the meeting A deposit of $700 must be included (cheques should be made out to Mountain Park School) Additional forms will need to be completed at a later date The remainder of the costs (after any fundraising) will be divided into 2 equal payments due on: Friday, November 30 th, 2017 Thursday, February 1 st, 2018
Questions? Please don t leave without signing the Meeting Attendance even if you are not sure if you will be applying