Discussion: Swimming, archery at camp too dangerous for students, school says

Good thing they weren't planning on orienteering -http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/swimming-arc...

I guess these Canadian students were pretty realistic about what camp would be after all the "dangerous" activities were banned:

"There weren't many [activities] left except 'swat the mosquito,'" said Chiro....

But the mosquitos could transmit West Nile Virus or other dread diseases. Oh the humanity! And trying to swat a mosquito, a kid could break a nail or get a splinter. Horrors, what next!

Although in the spirit of "fair and balance", I will add that from the article (and news articles are always purely factual, right? snicker.), it appears that school administrators were questioning the camp's accreditation / certification, not the safety of the activities themselves.

so if going to accredited facilities is now the only way to plan a trip outdoors, what's next? Well outdoors, but not out-walls and fences as it appears. I guess a trip planned by a PTA committee, with tents and sleeping bags and parent chaperons would thus be now unacceptable, at least to that school board...

We used to have an outing every year at our place for the elementary school students in our town, with150 third graders hiking about a mile and a half on trails through the forest, stopping at stations along the way to learn about forestry, pond life, bears and waterfowl. The principal ended up not very comfortable about it, and substituted a much shorter walk along a paved bicycle path, so we are now out of the business, unless they change their minds about it.

Maybe the principal was worried about the kinds of creepy people who drop in at Ratlum Mountain?

http://www.ted.com/talks/gever_tulley_on_5_dangero...
http://www.ted.com/talks/gever_tulley_s_tinkering_...

+1 bubo

Back in the '40's when I was 7-8, my mother encouraged tree climbing, biking 4-5 miles to school, bouldering, and long overnights in the Sierras.

As a result, I've never known THE FEAR...and have been eternally grateful.

And 70 years later, your mother's reckless behavior led you to tearing up your leg on a nail on a dock! :)

But your 'journey' in between was certainly worth it.

No they are quite right, Niagara will be much better for them. But will there be enough barrels?

@jj: I think there were three problems. 1, and most important, it wasn't his idea. 2, the parents who went along got too sweaty. 3, a bit of a hassle to get bus transport organized.

Canadian Olympic kayak champion Adam van Koeverden to the rescue? http://on.thestar.com/SZXP04.

Adam is a classy guy and awesome athlete. There is a small orienteering link with Adam as he raced in the Raid the Hammer several years ago when he was still at McMaster. Perhaps we should offer an O opp to these kids at the same time.

Kids can find ways to hurt themselves anywhere. That's life.