Peer-reviewed research2017–2026 update
Another Tragedy in Outdoor Education
Using the death of Jeremiah Perry on a Toronto school trip as a case, the authors extend the '7 Rights' into '9 Rights' to guide legal literacy and risk management in outdoor education.
What's new
This case study focuses on legal literacy. It organises what is publicly available about the Toronto District School Board outing on which Jeremiah Perry died, and draws on the Ontario Superior Court of Justice decision in the criminal negligence trial that followed. The authors extend the '7 Rights' framework by adding two more rights, making 9 Rights, and use it to make recommendations. They explain relevant legal terms and present the 9 Rights as a guide for trip planning, in-field risk assessment and risk management.
Why it matters in Aotearoa
The case is Canadian, but its central point applies in Aotearoa too: ignorance of the law is not a defence, and the law often enters outdoor education only after something goes wrong.
Putting it into practice
Use the 9 Rights as a checklist when reviewing trip plans and in-field risk assessments. Pair it with staff learning on the legal duties that apply to EOTC in New Zealand.
How strong is the evidence
This is a case analysis of one incident using publicly available information and a court decision. It is useful for reflection but is set in Canadian law.
What to read
The analysis and recommendations based on the 9 Rights.