ISABC STUDENT SuSTAINABILITY CONFERENCE at UBC:

TRIP DATES: Friday, Feb 21, 2025

DESCRIPTION OF THE TRIP: This is a 1-day student sustainability conference for Middle and Senior School students. Hosted at UBC, the conference will provide students with an opportunity to explore local, regional and global sustainability issues through workshops and presentations. SMUS teachers/chaperones will travel with the students to the conference.

The following link will allow you to see the 2025 Conference: https://gamechangers.sched.com/

TENTATIVE ITINERARY:
5:30 AM: Pick up GNS student group at the GNS (Pemberton Woods)
5:45 AM: Pick up SMUS student group at Crothall Building bus loop
Depart for 7:00 am ferry to Vancouver.
Arrive Vancouver and drive to UBC for the conference.
9:45-3:30 Conference sessions and workshops
Depart UBC for the 5:00 PM ferry.
~7:20 PM: Return to SMUS Crothall Bus loop and then to GNS/Pemberton Woods.

TRANSPORTATION: Students will be traveling in a school bus.

STAFFING: SMUS teachers/chaperones will accompany the group to the conference.

CONFERENCE FORMAT/SUPERVISION: There will be ~250 students from ISABC schools attending. Following the opening session, students will attend a series of workshop blocks. There will be approximately 10 sessions running concurrently within each of the workshop blocks. Students will pre-register for workshop blocks based on their interests.

Teachers/chaperones will direct students to their various workshop sessions. As students have selected workshops based on their interest, teachers/chaperones will not be in the session with all students. For the most part, SMUS Middle School students will have a SMUS buddy in the session with them. The SMUS teachers/chaperones will also move between sessions to support students as needed.

Photography/videography/Media at the conference: There will be photographers/videographers and possibly media documenting the conference (as it's an amazing showcase of education for sustainability). If you do not want your child represented in photos/videos please email me to let me know. 

INSTRUCTOR/STUDENT RATIOS: 1:15

WHAT TO WEAR: Students should wear #1 school uniform.

PERSONAL EQUIPMENT: Students should dress for the weather and arrive with the following items in a small backpack (the student’s regular school backpack is perfect).

  • A small backpack

  • Warm jacket

  • Gloves/toque

  • Extra warm layers (fleece jacket)

  • Workbook/journal and pen/pencil

  • ~$40 for meals on the ferry to and from Vancouver

  • Lunch, snacks and full water bottle

MEALS/FOOD: Students should bring money for food on the ferry on the way to and from Vancouver (~$20 each way) and a full water bottle, snacks and a hearty lunch. Bag lunches or meal money will be provided for boarding students.

COST: Conference fees and transportation are covered by the school. Students are responsible for their own meals.

STUDENT EXPECTATIONS: This is a school-sponsored outing and school rules will apply. Participants are expected to follow the guidelines set by the instructional staff. A failure to meet these guidelines or a failure to follow school rules may result in the participant being removed from the activity at their own expense. 

EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT: The Leader-in charge has immediate access to: An appropriate first aid kit, Cell phone or pre-established means to communicate with the school or emergency services, Emergency Call Plan, Student Medical Information

EMERGENCY MEDICINE: Students should not be self-administering ANY medication, even if it is part of their own regular routine, without discussing it first with the guides. Students with asthma, severe allergies and medical conditions should bring a clearly labelled set of the appropriate medication and discuss the treatment plan with the guides prior to the trip.