School Groups Safety
Our site
Part of the secret of our success comes from our fabulous location in the Gulf Islands.
Sequestered in the forest away from the distractions and bustle of the city, students are able to focus and learn quickly.
GIFTS is located on beautiful Galiano Island – just off of Canada’s west coast. The school is sited mid-island on five acres of coastal rainforest, a long walk from any urbanization, which provides an insulated social environment and complete immersion in the program. Unlike many mainland and Vancouver Island wilderness locations, Galiano has no large predators (cougars or bears).
Galiano Island has a full medical centre, with health professionals on-call 24 hours per day. Full hospital care is accessible via helicopter in either Victoria or Vancouver.
GIFTS provides transportation to and from the school during all sessions, as well as all transportation needed during programs for location scouting or production/shooting.
GIFTS is located on beautiful Galiano Island – just off of Canada’s west coast. The school is sited mid-island on five acres of coastal rainforest, a long walk from any urbanization, which provides an insulated social environment and complete immersion in the program. Unlike many mainland and Vancouver Island wilderness locations, Galiano has no large predators (cougars or bears).
Galiano Island has a full medical centre, with health professionals on-call 24 hours per day. Full hospital care is accessible via helicopter in either Victoria or Vancouver.
GIFTS provides transportation to and from the school during all sessions, as well as all transportation needed during programs for location scouting or production/shooting.
Our Staff
Our staff are working professionals, experienced in working with school-aged children.
During the program our staff are responsible for student supervision at all times. Teachers and chaparons may choose to participate in the filmmaking as much or as little as they desire. Teachers and chaparons are requested to help our staff during meal times, clean-up, free time and getting the students into & out of bed in a timely manner. Administrative staff include a current first-responder & a past ambulance attendant. All staff have undergone a criminal record check.
Leaving the site
Students may not leave the GIFTS campus unaccompanied.
They may only leave the campus with a mentor, GIFTS staff member, teacher, or chaperone. The teacher and mentor must be informed when a student or group of students will be leaving the GIFTS campus for any reason.
In case a student is missing
If at any time a student is unaccounted for we move into lockdown.
The teacher and GIFTS staff search the area for the missing student. Chaperones and other GIFTS staff gather students into their work groups, take attendance to ensure that all other students are accounted for, and wait for the all clear.
Should the missing student not be found in the area, police would be notified, George Harris, school director, would be contacted and the Galiano community would be engaged. Teacher would contact the missing student’s family. Other students would be bussed back to the GIFTS if off-site.
Should the missing student not be found in the area, police would be notified, George Harris, school director, would be contacted and the Galiano community would be engaged. Teacher would contact the missing student’s family. Other students would be bussed back to the GIFTS if off-site.
In case a student is injured
GIFTS staff members are trained in first aid and CPR.
Should an injury or illness occur, first aid would be administered on site. If necessary, for non-urgent cases, a GIFTS staff member would contact the Galiano Island medical centre and arrange transportation. One staff member and chaperone would accompany the student needing medical attention. The family of the injured or ill child would be contacted immediately. GIFTS staff would update family and teacher from medical centre.
In the case of a serious injury or illness, the ambulance would be called. A GIFTS staff member and a chaperone would accompany the student needing medical attention. The family would be contacted immediately.
In the case of a serious injury or illness, the ambulance would be called. A GIFTS staff member and a chaperone would accompany the student needing medical attention. The family would be contacted immediately.
Student Personal Items
Students are encouraged to leave valuables at home.
Although we endeavour to maintain a safe & secure environment, GIFTS cannot be responsible for students’ personal items while at the camp. Electronics and other items are brought to the camp at the camper’s own risk. Cellular service is spotty at best. Students will be allowed time to access email daily, and may be contacted by phone in the office, 250-539-5729, during mealtimes. Any items left behind will be mailed or shipped at the owner’s expense.