Frequently Asked Questions (F.A.Q.'s)

We welcome visits from parents, extended family and professionals involved with our students. We only ask that you call ahead so that we can confirm the student will be on site at the time of the visit. Students spend about forty percent of their time on wilderness expedition.

Is the program safe?

Wendigo Lake Expeditions works very hard to optimize the safety of every activity, and we seek to adhere to adventure program safety standards and industry best practices. There are inherent risks in adventure activities, as there are in most activities of daily life such as riding in a car or participating in school sports. There is substantial evidence that youth-at-risk engage in activities in the community which place them at substantially higher immediate and long term risk, than is posed by participation in the WLE therapeutic adventure program. The WLE program is reviewed annually by the Ministry of Children and Youth Services for compliance with licensing regulations and standards.

What should I look for to assess the quality of a program?

Determining which program is the best option for your child requires careful investigation. Service providers range from superb professionals to unsafe. Here are some questions you should ask to help you determine the quality of the program:

Is the operator licensed by the provincial/state government?
Is the operator accredited by a recognized industry association?
How many years has the operator been in continuous service?
Does the operator provide qualified teachers for its academic program?
Does the operator belong to provincial/state/national industry or professional organizations?
Will the operator certify that they carry current liability insurance?
Does the on-site management team have extensive experience?
Are front-line staff experienced and well-trained?
Can the program provide references from past clients/referral agents?
Does the program have policies and procedures and risk management standards that are available for your review?
Is the facility and equipment in good repair?
Is there 24 hour close supervision of students?
What is the staffing ratio?
What is the capacity of the operator to respond to emergencies - ie., back-up staffing, satelite phones, emergency response plans, staff training for emergencies?
Does the program have a clearly articulated program design?
Does the program participate in independent professional research?
Does the program give you a sense of being open and honest?

The above questions will help you determine that a program has credibility. That does not mean the program is 'right' for your child's needs. It is important that both the program operator and the parent are completely honest with each other in exchanging information about the child and program, in order to arrive at an informed decision that the program and the child's needs are a match.