Forest Leaders Application 2026/2027 | Malcolm Knapp Research Forest

Age: 13-17 (birth years 2009-2013) | Time: 9:30am-2pm | Date: Tuesdays OR Thursdays September 2026 – May 2027

Cost: $350 +gst | Location: Malcolm Knapp Research Forest 14500 Silver Valley Rd. Maple Ridge

Fill out the form below to apply for Wild & Immersive’s Forest Leaders peer mentorship program. Participants in this program will join one of our Nature Explorers age 5-7 groups on Tuesdays or Thursdays in a peer leader role. Participants will be selected based on their fit with the program. Submitting a registration does not guarantee a spot, and applicants may be required to complete a short interview to determine their fit.

Forest Leaders Applicant Information

Participant's Name(Required)

First Last

Parent/Guardian Name(Required)

First Last

Date of Birth(Required)

Age(Required)

Gender(Required)

Phone(Required)

Email(Required)

City(Required)

Participant Profile

How did you find out about this opportunity?(Required)

What interests you about this program?(Required)

Applicant’s answer:

What interests you about this program?(Required)

Parent/Guardian’s answer:

What experience (if any) do you have outdoors and/or in a forest school program?(Required)

What are your hobbies and interests?(Required)

What do you want to gain from this experience?(Required)

Applicant’s answer:

What do you want your child to gain from this experience?(Required)

Parent/Guardian’s answer:

How many sessions are you able to commit to per month?(Required)

We require participants to attend a minimum of 1 session per month, but encourage them to attend weekly if possible.

Please indicate which day you would like to attend the program:

Tuesdays (Sept 15, 2026 – May 25, 2027)

Thursdays (Sept 17, 2026 – May 27, 2027)

Either Tuesday or Thursday

Policies and Forms

Acknowledgement of Risk & Responsibility Form(Required)

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY BEFORE AGREEING

I am aware that using Wild & Immersive and/or participating in any Wild & Immersive programming involves many risks, dangers and hazards including, but not limited to: falling, slipping, concussion, contusions, bumps, burns, encounters with wildlife, encounters with potentially harmful plant species, getting lost, and hazardous noise levels associated with machine operations. I am also aware that the risks, dangers and hazards referred to above exist within a variety of facilities within the Research Forest, including but not limited to: roadways, parking areas, trails, forested areas, arboretum, fields, Wild & Immersive playground structure, Wildlife Adventure Loop, lakes, washrooms, facilities at Loon Lake Lodge & Retreat Centre, Gallant Enterprises and other facilities. I acknowledge that there is some risk of injury involved in my child’s participation in the program, and I acknowledge and accept these risks.
I acknowledge and agree that UBC will only be supervising my child during the scheduled program time and will not be supervising my child at any other time. Unsupervised time includes before the start of the program and after the program end time.

I agree to pay for any loss, damage or injury to the person or property of others that my child may cause while participating in the program.

I acknowledge that Wild & Immersive has a zero-tolerance policy for any child attending camp while sick. This includes any communicable disease symptoms. I agree to assess my child before camp each morning for communicable disease related symptoms. If my child is exhibiting any of these symptoms, I agree to not send my child to camp. If my child develops symptoms while at the program, I acknowledge that he/she will have to be removed from the group and picked up immediately. I also acknowledge that despite best efforts and precautions taken by program staff, there is a risk that my child may be exposed to communicable diseases while attending the program.

I acknowledge that my child is expected to follow any rules and regulations of the program, to follow any instructions given by program organizers and staff, to attend all activities included in the program, and to be respectful of the learning environment.

My child and I have read and understand these expectations, and by signing below, my child and I agree that he/she will comply with these expectations while attending the program. I understand that these expectations are for the safety of my child and other program participants. I understand that if my child fails to comply with these expectations, he/she may be required to leave the program immediately, and that UBC will not provide monetary reimbursement for any costs I incur, including the program fee.

By checking this box, I hereby consent to my child’s participation in the Wild & Immersive program on the terms and conditions contained in this Acknowledgement of Risk and Responsibility Form as outlined above.

Forest Leaders Policies(Required)

Acceptance into the Program: Participants will be selected based on their fit with the program. Submitting a registration does not guarantee a spot, and applicants may be required to complete a short interview to determine their fit.

Payment: Payment is due upon acceptance into the program. You will receive an email confirming your selection, along with a payment link. Your space will be secured once payment has been made. Failure to receive payment one week after confirmation will result in the registration being cancelled.

If you require financial assistance, you can apply to our Findlay Family Bursary Program.

Cancellation Policy: A lot of preparation and effort goes into planning our programs. Registrations can be cancelled with a minimum of 1 months notice. A $25 cancellation fee will be applied, and a refund for the remaining sessions, past the 1 month notice, will be provided.

Age: This program is for children born in 2013 or later. If your child was born in a different year, please refer to the appropriate program for their age.

Extreme Weather and Other Risks Policy: No refunds will be given for missed program days, including cancellations due to extreme weather or other situations that are out of our control. If a program is to be cancelled due to extreme weather or other risks, an email will be sent to all families by 8am the morning of the program.

Acknowledgement of Risk Form: An Acknowledgement of Risk form must be filled out by each participant and signed by the child’s parent or legal guardian. Any registrants who do not submit this form will not be able to attend. The form will be emailed to your prior to the start of the program. A completed form must be sent to us prior to your child’s first day.

Illness Policy: There is zero tolerance for any child attending forest school while sick or exhibiting any communicable disease symptoms. If your child is ill, do not send them to forest school. If your child develops symptoms while at forest school, they will be separated from the group and sent home. Parents are required to do a communicable disease symptom assessment for their child before forest school each day.

What to Bring: Please be prepared! Events are outdoors and run in all weather conditions (unless the weather is a safety concern ie: winds, lightning). Please make sure all participants have appropriate clothing and footwear for all weather conditions (ie: waterproof clothing, running shoes, hiking shoes and/or boots, gloves, hats, and a change of clothes for after the activities). Inappropriate clothing and footwear may result in the participant sitting out. A more detailed packing list will be emailed prior to the start of the program. Please remind your child to bring all their belongings home with them and label items in case they get left behind. Items not claimed within 30 days are donated.

Food and beverages are not provided. Please send your child with nutritious snacks, lunch and water. Due to allergies, please do not send items that contain NUTS or SHELLFISH.

Electronics and Personal Toys: Electronics and personal toys are prohibited at Wild & Immersive programs. If it is necessary for the child to have an electronic for safety reasons (ie: a cell phone), it must stay in the child’s bag during camp activities.

Arriving for Forest School: Please park in our public parking lot, and sign in your child at the Wild & Immersive cabin, 100m down the main road on the left side. The program drop off starts at 9:25am. The program ends at 2pm. Please make arrangements for your child to be dropped off and picked up at these times.

Participation and Behavior: The safety of each individual in the program is of the utmost importance. Wild & Immersive has a ZERO tolerance policy for any participants displaying actions with intent to hurt themselves or others, threats, negative or derogatory terms, physical or verbal violence. Participants will be sent home immediately if they display this type of behaviour at forest school.

If dismissed from the program, the parent/guardian accepts any costs associated with the dismissal. No refund will be granted for any registrant who is dismissed from a program. Refunds will not be granted to registrants who refuse to participate in the programs.

By registering your child for this program, you are acknowledging that you have read and agree with the above policies.

I agree to the Forest Leaders policies.