Outdoor Programs

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).

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.