Frequently asked questions

The Canadian Cancer Society (CCS) offers free guidance to schools that want to put in place a Walking School Bus. The CCS’s main role is to train people responsible for the project, provide them will all the tools necessary, and help them recruit volunteers (as needed). The materials required for the safety of the participants is free (vest for volunteers).

The smooth operation of the Walking School Bus brings numerous benefits: there is less traffic around schools, pedestrian safety is increased, children concentrate better in the classroom, parents mobilize around a project that brings people together, and environments conducive to physical exercise are created.

You must first determine what the particular need of your school is to start a Walking School Bus (health, safety, school bus not available, etc.).
As taking children from home to school is the responsibility of parents, several of them must first express an interest in the Walking School Bus and be willing to get involved in its implementation. A Canadian Cancer Society survey is available to measure parents’ interest level in getting involved and registering their children. This tool will also make it possible to have an idea of the number of children interested in joining the Walking School Bus. The idea is to have the support of your governing board before launching the Walking School Bus.

The Canadian Cancer Society (CCS) requires everyone walking with the children to undergo a criminal backround check, receive training on the principles of the Walking School Bus (provided by the CCS), and wear a yellow vest (provided by the CCS).

Search in the Participating Schools tab. You can also contact the Canadian Cancer Society or phone the school office.

On this website, using the Participate tab. You can also visit your child’s school to pick up a copy of the form from the office and get in touch with the person in charge of the project by phone, if necessary. This person’s contact details can be found on the form.

It is not mandatory for parents to participate as Walk Leaders. The program does rely on volunteers to supervise the walk and if you are able walk one or more days per week or assist as a substitute Walk Leader we would be pleased to have you participate. The more parents share the responsibility of accompanying their child to school on foot, the more viable the Walking School Bus will become.

Participation is according to your child’s wish and not mandatory. Your child does not have to turn up every morning and you do not need to let anybody know of absences.

Your child can join the Walking School Bus anywhere on the route. Please note that parents are responsible for their child between home and the Walking School Bus. We strongly urge you to accompany your child until the Walking School Bus arrives and/or take your child to the place where the Walking School Bus has reached on the route if you missed it at the starting point.

The Walking School Bus is based on the same principle as a school bus and cannot wait for latecomers because it must reach school on time before classes start.

The Walking School Bus arrives in the school yard a few minutes before the bell rings.*

The recommendation is a minimum of two volunteers per route. The volunteer/child ratio is a decision of the school and its Walking School Bus committee. The school can refer to its internal procedures and adjust the ratio according to the group.

These volunteers are parents and/or people from the community. They receive road safety training and undergo a criminal background check.

Rain or shine, the Walking School Bus is in operation. There is no bad weather, only inappropriate clothing!

* varies according to school.

The role of the adult WalkLeader is to accompany children on the walk. The planned routes vary from a distance of 1 to 1.6 km.* The time commitment required of the Walk Leader is about 30 minutes per morning.

You can walk from 1 to 5 mornings per week, depending on your availability. The schedule is generally planned for two months.

You will accompany between 6 and 25 children.*

The recommendation is a minimum of two volunteers per route. The volunteer/child ratio is a decision of the school and its Walking School Bus committee. The school can refer to its internal procedures and adjust the ratio according to the group.

A replacement or substitute Walk Leader is a volunteers who can walk occasionally. They are called when another Walk Leader cannot be present one morning.

If you know beforehand that you cannot be present one morning, it is important to find a replacement who is assigned to your route. Otherwise, contact the person in charge of your route.

You can join the group at a stop near your home. But there must be at least one adult volunteer at the starting point and the volunteer/child ratio must be respected.

Rain or shine, the Walking School Bus is in operation. There is no bad weather, only inappropriate clothing!
* varies according to school.