health and Safety
A variety of resources to support the health and safety of children, families, and workers in outdoor teaching environments.
Badger Sunscreen
I found Badger through a lot of trial and error of purchasing products through the Environmental Working Group’s sunscreen guide site. I have been using it for years; my current favorite is the SPF 35 Clear Zinc Sport Sunscreen.
Bananas
Oakland, California based Bananas is a child care resource. This form they produce for schools is a resource for communicating information about various communicable disease exposures and how long people should be excluded from school.
Be Disaster Ready, California
Brought to us by the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, this website with readily available tips for whatever disaster we may be facing: extreme heat, wildfires, wildfire smoke, power outage, fast and cold water, floods, earthquakes, and severe storms. You can sign up for alerts, too.
Bodin Group
Over the years I've taught so many children (and their families!) who would benefit from the counseling, mentoring, and other services offered by the Bodin Group of educational and therapeutic consultants. They're around to help in case of any sort of crisis, or to help prevent crisis in the first place.
Bogs
Some outdoor programs actually recommend these boots, but I have found that children’s feet get very wet in them which is conducive to skin wounds and infections. They are also pricey. I will not recommend these shoes.
Center for Wellness and Nutrition
Run by the Public Health Institute to promote healthy, well communities through school and work initiatives.
Columbia
I don’t know what I’d do without Columbia’s sun-protective gear for all seasons, their reasonably priced rain gear, or their Omni-Heat products (I like to call the interior “disco”) to keep warm!
Coolibar
Sun protective clothing and supplies for all ages.
COVID-19 (California)
Tracking COVID-19 in California State Dashboard
California Health & Human Services Agency Statewide COVID-19 Cases Deaths Demographics
Environmental Working Group Sunscreen Guide
The most up to date information on sunscreens available on the market and skin safety tips. Look up the safest sunscreen and find out how your current sunscreen rates.
Exposure Notice
This Exposure Notice from Oakland, California based BANANAS serves as a good general outline for students and teachers upon exosure to various diseases.
Find the REpellent That is Right for You
The Environmental Protection Agency produces this resource to help you find a tick and/or mosquito repellent.
Fire Season Safety
Huge wildfires are becoming more common, annual threats to the environment, property, and physical health in the American west and elsewhere around the world. Here are some resources I use locally; I hope you have similar resources available wherever you are in the world!
Gardens for Every Body
University of Missouri site offers advice and resources for creating gardens for people of all ages and abilities.
Great California ShakeOut
This is a site for preparing for earthquakes in California, by planning drills.
Griot’s Garage Fabric Protectant
After years of “durable water proofing” failing on the coldest, wettest days, I began seeking other options for keeping my rain gear watertight. This has not failed me yet.
Guide to Sunscreens
The Environmental Working Group updates their sunscreen guide each year. Look up your current sunscreen or scan to find something that will work for you and your family.
Hardening Your Home
A CAL FIRE resource for preparing property for wildfire.
Healthy Eating Guidelines for Children
This resource from Kaiser Permanente gives guidance on how and what to feed children, as well as pointing out the consequences of unhealthy eating.
Hot Hands
My wintertime comfort secret. I usually put a pair in my front pants pockets or jacket pockets and they keep me toasty all day. On especially cold days two pairs come in handy.
How to Approach a Dog
Practical tips by Blue Cross for Pets.
How to Cope With the Dog Days of Summer
An article by Linda McGurk regarding personal safety on hot days.
HOW TO DRESS FOR COLD WEATHER (VIDEO+GEAR LIST)
This handy guide and video from Linda McGurk, Rain or Shine Mamma, gives the basics of layering up. Totally true, the neck gaiters have been a game changer for me!
Kamik
I can attest to the sturdiness of Kamik's rain boots for children, along with their cool colors and grippy soles for climbing in wet weather. They also offer children's rain gear and boots for adults.
Living with Wasps 101
A resource based on years of working with children and wasps.
Masking Up!
Some notes, tips, and tricks learned during the course of the pandemic regarding masking with children.
Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs
This pyramid graphic shows how addressing the needs at the bottom will lead to people becoming their best selves.
Outdoor Gear Care
Over the years it’s taken a lot of time to find the right gear and develop routines for its care.
Outdoor School Shop
Outdoor School Shop has a bunch of gear for kids at Outside School and whatever other outdoor places kids will be roaming in. They also have handy gear checklists! Use code OUTSIDE for 15% off regularly priced items.
Poison Control Hotline
Put this number into your phone for reference any time you need it:
1-800-222-1222
Polarn O. Pyret
Quality clothing, great layering items and outerwear. This link is for their United States online store, but they are available in multiple countries, and they have a program where outdoor schools can apply for a 20% discount for their families.
Rachel Tucker Therapy
Rachel Tucker works with individuals and families, coming from a background in public education.
Safety Guidance for Windy Days
Practical guidance and real experiences.
servus Boots
I only needed two pairs of Servus brand rain boots in eleven years of teaching outdoors, with the first pair being discarded only because it became impaled with a nail through the sole. They are that durable.
Sleep Foundation
This graphic shows how much people of different ages should be sleeping. It’s a total for a 24 hour period, so can include periods of napping.
Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide
Suicide is the second leading cause of death in people ages 10 - 14. Courses on this site offer continuing education units for elementary, middle school, and high school teachers, and provide us as educators, as well as parents and counselors, with valuable resources and information.
Straw Bale Gardening
One way to create unique raised beds in all sorts of environments is with straw bales.
SunGrubbies
Hats, sun block, and sun protective clothing and gear.
Sun Safety
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention produces this sun safety guide.
Sun Protection Policy
Ripponlea Kinder in Australia has a thorough sun protection policy that will download to your computer when you click on the link.
Sun Protection Tips and More
My own blog entry that includes sun protection tips for those of us who work in the outdoors.
Supply Bags for Daily Use
I was asked by a friend to go over some of the supplies I bring with me. This describes the bag I use as my everyday bag for life, teaching, and my work at the auto races, along with a bag I carry into the park for teaching.
Ticks
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention site on ticks has substantial information on tick identification, diseases they cause, and habitats they can be found along with how you can prevent disease.
US-German Satellites Show California Water Gains After Record Winter
Finally, we had a substantial amount of rain last Winter and Spring! Here’s an article from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory with supporting data in the form of photos and a video showing the difference it all made to get our area out of drought!
Using Insect Repellents Safely and Effectively
The United States Environmental Protection Agency offers this guide on safe use of repellent products.
UV Skinz
A company that sells clothing, sunscreens, and accessories for the entire family.
Vinylove Gloves
Atlas 460 Vinylove PVC Gloves are the perfect solution for cold, wet days! They’re waterproof and lined with a soft fleece to keep grown-up hands toasty. I have washed mine a few times, and although they take a long time to dry out in the fingers, the vinyl has not cracked. Even though they’re orange and bulky, I have not found a better glove for spending long days outside.
Watershed Project
This organization monitors water quality in the East Bay and at various times may offer volunteer opportunities and classes.
Weather Underground
This go-to resource offers hourly weather predictions and area warnings. A terrific resource for planning clothing and gear.
Wet Weather Tips
My own pro tips I’ve gathered over the years for keeping as comfortable as possible on cool, wet days.
Wildfire Safety
East Bay Regional Parks put out this informational brochure on preparing for wildfire season.
Xerces Society
Here’s a really informative post about pesticides in milkweed plants that are purchased from nurseries.
“Yes, you can build resilience. Here’s how.”
This article by Kaiser is both affirmative and offers tips.