Quinte Conservation's outdoor education programs are available throughout the year. They can be delivered at a number of conservation areas across the watershed. These environmental outdoor programs offer hands-on learning experiences in nature. We offer them to public and private schools, nurseries and day cares, homeschool groups, youth groups, day camps, and service groups.
Our outdoor programs are customized to meet current learning goals and curriculum objectives. Programs are delivered by experienced outdoor education staff.
Programs
The following programs can be booked as a field trip to a local conservation area including North and South Potter's Creek Conservation Area in Belleville, H.R. Frink Conservation Area in Plainfield, Vanderwater Conservation Area in Tweed, Macaulay Mountain Conservation Area in Picton, and Depot Lakes Conservation Area in Verona.
Outdoor education at the H.R. Frink Outdoor Education Centre
Outdoor education programs are offered at the H.R. Frink Centre by Quinte Conservation, the Algonquin Lakeshore Catholic District School Board, and the Hastings and Prince Edward Public District School Board. Schools within the public school board jurisdictions are encouraged to check first with their school board regarding outdoor program bookings.
| Exploring Habitats
Strongest Curriculum Connections: Science & Technology: Grade 3: Growth and Changes in Plants; Grade 4: Habitats and Communities; Grade 6: Biodiversity |
| Exploring forest, field and/or aquatic habitats, students will discuss what local plants and animals need to thrive and learn about the effects of some invasive species. Students will play a part in the habitat balancing act through a role-playing game and discuss how we can help protect, create and enhance habitat for wildlife in our communities and contribute to healthy, diverse and resilient ecosystems.
A native tree, shrub, and/or wildflower planting opportunity may be available (site specific). |
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Hike Safe Program & Shelter Building Suitable for all ages and an excellent program option for community youth groups |
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Students learn how to prepare safely for an outing in the outdoors. Basic Hug-a-Tree principals are covered, including steps to take to avoid getting lost in the woods and what to do if they do find themselves lost, simple steps to stay dry and warm while alerting search parties to your location. Students will participate in a shelter building activity. A campfire is included in this program.
This program is offered at HR Frink Conservation Area and Vanderwater Conservation Area. |
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Human Impacts on Ecosystems Strongest Curriculum Connections: Grade 4: Habitats and Communities; Grade 6: Biodiversity; Grade 7: Interactions in the Environment |
| Students explore how humans impact ecosystems through investigations of forests (past to today), our water, and wetlands. Students will discuss positive actions to protect local ecosystems and look at the past and current health of their local watershed. Students will develop an action plan for protecting land and water for healthy, diverse and resilient ecosystems.
Students complete their program with native tree, shrub, and/or wildflower planting. |
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Introduction to GPS Social Studies, History, and Geography: Map and Globe Skills. Most suited for Grades 7-12. |
| Supported by Enbridge Fueling Futures Grant
Students will learn the history of satellite-based GPS technology and how it works. Students will learn what GPS is used for and how GPS data it is used in the conservation field. Students will be shown how to use handheld GPS units to navigate. Outside, students will participate in an advanced orienteering challenge that has students working cooperatively in small teams, using GPS units to navigate to checkpoints and learning about their local watershed. |
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Mapping It Out & Basic Orienteering Skills Social Studies, History, and Geography: Map and Globe Skills: Grades 1-12 |
| From a bird’s eye view to our view, students will gain an understanding of maps and navigation. Where have I been? Where am I? Where do I want to go? How can I get there? Students will ask these fundamental questions, make maps, discuss their choices, read maps and, depending on grade level, orient maps, use compasses, various units of measurement, relative directions, cardinal directions, contour lines, grids, proportional representations, and symbols, testing their skills by completing an orienteering course. |
| Seasonal Nature Exploration with Curriculum Focus
Health & Physical Education: Grade 1-12: Active Living, Movement and Competence |
| It’s refreshing to look for and enjoy the revolving cast of wildlife wonders and activities on the horizon with each new season. The interpretive hike can be tailored to a particular learning goal, a cluster of curriculum expectations, or it can be an open inquiry, allowing engaging learning opportunities (a barred owl, a red squirrel cache, a nurse log) to organically emerge from the forest to engage students. |
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Watershed Stewardship Program This workshop is most suited to Grades 7 to 12. |
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Students learn about their local watershed by taking part in basic water quality sampling. Students explore current local water concerns, and brainstorm and share water protection solutions for their local watershed. In the full-day program, students will discuss water access issues and hardships, and water conservation. Through team-building activities, they will better understand the earth's water system and their own role in caring for this resource. |
Program Fees and Bookings
Programs are available throughout the year for half day (2 hour program) or full day bookings.
- $8.25 per participant (a minimum charge does apply)
- There is no charge for parent/volunteer supervisors.
Ask us
Please fill out our program booking request form and our staff will contact you to discuss your program needs. For all other inquiries, please email stewardship@quinteconservation.ca.
