TORONTO CATHOLIC DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD

OUTDOOR EDUCATION DEPARTMENT

The Toronto Catholic District School Board sponsors over 80, 5‑day Community Living - Outdoor Education excursions throughout the school year.

Mansfield is one of five sites used by the Toronto Catholic District School Board for the Community Living ‑ Outdoor Education Program.

MAP TO MANSFIELD

Mansfield Main Lodge is a large facility designed to accommodate over 90 students. The main buildings are snuggled into the base of the Oak Ridges Moraine. It is here that students will spend much of their time.

Mansfield offers the students an opportunity to see some unique wildlife … …

. . . as well as more familiar animals.

Mansfield Main Lodge consists of a large dining/classroom facility …

And small cabins for the students. Each cabin can accommodate up to 6 students.

A WEEK OF SPIRITUAL GROWTH

AND OUTDOOR EDUCATION

ACTIVITIES

The program at Mansfield is a balance between the two areas of study: SPIRITUAL GROWTH AND OUTDOOR EDUCATION. The overall goal of the week is to provide students with an opportunity to enjoy a break from city life and to help them explore their relationship with other students, the environment and their relationship with God, all organised around a community building experience.

LEAVING SCHOOL !

The students will leave the school after 9 am and arrive at Mansfield between 10:30 and 11:00 am. The first order of business is to unload the bus.

Prior to unpacking or even going to the bedrooms the students have a meeting with the Program Director to set out the various rules and guidelines students are expected to follow throughout the week. Then it will be time to get the bedrooms organised.

Newly arrived students are usually hungry so once settled in it is usually time for a nutritious and delicious lunch. Outdoor education periods start immediately after lunch and last the rest of the day.

A typical day at Mansfield starts early.

One of the most important parts of any residential facility is the food. The food at Mansfield is abundant and great tasting. Nutritious, “kid-friendly” meals are prepared in modern, well equipped kitchens. Each day starts with a good breakfast.

Students eat at the Main Lodge’s Dining Hall. All dining halls at Mansfield offer the students an abundant view of the outdoors.

A warm wood stove in the main dining hall is a welcome addition on those cold mornings. Outdoor activities start shortly after breakfast.

OUTDOOR EDUCATION AT MANSFIELD

A warm wood stove in the main dining hall is a welcome addition on those cold mornings. Outdoor activities start shortly after breakfast.

ORIENTEERING

THE FUR TRADE GAME

SETTLERS’ GAME

LOW ELEMENTS ROPES COURSE

WILDERNESS SKILLS

Students become particularly proud of their shelters.

In addition to shelter building students learn how to set, light and maintain a fire.

When winter comes Mansfield offers other activities, such as cross-country skiing and …

Snowshoeing.

WOLF PROWL

INSTINCTS FOR SURVIVAL

Sometimes life as an animal can become pretty tiring.

An opportunity to see the night sky without the interference of city lights is an experience students will never forget.

SOUVENIR MEDALLIONS

Students do have supervised free time. Most of the time and weather permitting students are expected to be outside.

Basketball is a very popular activity as is. All students are encouraged to spend as much time as possible outdoors.

Basketball is a very popular activity as is. All students are encouraged to spend as much time as possible outdoors.

The evenings at Mansfield are devoted to community building activities. These may include discussion groups, role-playing, writing assignments in a journal as well as many other activities that promote the development of community.

The evenings at Mansfield are devoted to community building activities. These may include discussion groups, role-playing, writing assignments in a journal as well as many other activities that promote the development of community.

The evenings at Mansfield are devoted to community building activities. These may include discussion groups, role-playing, writing assignments in a journal as well as many other activities that promote the development of community.

The friendly Mansfield staff serves the food. The weekly menu is carefully designed to cater to students' needs and tastes. Even though waste is composted, Mansfield staff is particularly vigilant that students do not waste food. The rule is simple, if you take it, you eat it.

If your son or daughter is a big eater, don't worry seconds are always available. Dessert is part of most meals with fruit a very popular choice.

Mansfield staff can look after special diets or events.

At the Main Lodge students stay in individual small cabins.

There are bunk beds and regular beds in the cabins for the students. There are up to 6 students per cabin.

The students have access to showers and washrooms in a separate building.

MEDICATIONS

There are some board rules and regulations that are part of any school trip. Students are not allowed to carry their own medications. All medications, even over-the-counter drugs, are to be placed In a container clearly labelled with the student's name and dosage. This is given to the teacher who will provide security for the medication in order that students can have access to it as needed.

ELECTRONICS ? NO ! !

Students are not allowed to bring any electronic devises such as: ipods, radios, televisions, stereos, video games, telephones or alarm clock radios. Flashlights are at the discretion of the school.

JUNK FOOD ? NO ! !

Students are not allowed, nor do they need, any junk food. All snacks are provided at Mansfield. This policy prevents mice from entering any building.

CAMERA? YES !!

Students are encouraged to bring a camera. Since there is no place to buy anything students should bring enough film to last the whole week.

CALL HOME ? YES ! !

There is a pay phone for the students. Students are encouraged to call home, during free time, and let their family know how they are getting along. No money is needed for this. Students can call collect, use a calling card or a pre-paid long distance card.

There is a pay phone for the students. Students are encouraged to call home, during free time, and let their family know how they are getting along. No money is needed for this. Students can call collect, use a calling card or a pre-paid long distance card.

One of the most rewarding results of a trip to Mansfield is the deepening of friendships and the making of new friends. The overall theme of the week is "community". Groups that work hard and are successful can continue to grow as a community throughout the school year.

GOING HOME ! ! !

There is a pay phone for the students. Students are encouraged to call home, during free time, and let their family know how they are getting along. No money is needed for this. Students can call collect, use a calling card or a pre-paid long distance card.