Staffing
We recommend that each group bring roughly one adult per five participants to allow one instructor and one adult supervisor to work with each program group. Our program staff may be included in these calculations. We find that it is invaluable to have an extra adult with each program group who can deal with discipline and small emergencies while the instructor proceeds with teaching. We offer a discounted adult leader rate to accommodate one adult per five participants for youth groups.


YoWoChAs Outdoor Education Centre Staff
We assign one program staff person per 30 participants booked at the Centre. They will be available for program delivery to the group from 7:45 am through 9:00 p.m. Generally participants are divided into program activity groups of ten to fifteen people. These groups rotate through the activity schedule, and adults with the group also act as program activity leaders. The adult leaders for each group are responsible for night-time supervision. YoWoChAs staff members are on call for emergencies. If any group wishes to have extra program staff assigned for program delivery, it can be arranged in advance for an extra fee.

Teachers/Leaders
Having the teachers/leaders directly involved in instructing is a great way for them to get to know the participants in a different setting. Although many teachers/leaders may not be "expert" in the outdoors, our programmes are set up so people can quickly learn the basics and make a quality presentation to the participants.

Parent Volunteers
Parents can be a great asset to your program, assisting as program instructors, or chaperones to give the teachers some time off, etc. It is important to remember that parents/volunteers need to be familiar with the goals of your program, the way you wish them to interact with children and exactly what their job will be. The more parent volunteers who can be involved in the planning process, the better.

Participant Leaders
Participants can be involved in every aspect of planning the program by participating on committees that plan aspects of the trip. Responsible participants can also act as group leaders to ensure members of their group are organized. Older participants from the same school/group can be very effective in filling the group leader function (i.e. grade nine participants supervising grade seven participants).