Following is a master list of all of our programs:
To see programs organized by Grade indicating specific curriculum links, click on either Primary, Junior, or Intermediate. Also, don't forget to check out our North Bay Nordic Program. Programs can also be offered in French on request.
Instincts for Survival (Ideal for Grades 4-8)(Offered All year) - Created by Waterloo Outdoor Educator Frank Glew in 1991, this food web simulation game has become a staple in outdoor education across North America. In this tag-style game, students are transformed into animals on different levels of the food web and must run, hide, and chase each other in order to survive, all the while searching for plant food and water.
Ecosystem Explorations (Ideal for Grades 4-8)(May-November) - In this experiential activity, students will explore a local forest habitat while learning about the different plants and animals that live there, and how their needs are met. Students will investigate, discover, and play games demonstrating a number of ecological concepts. Emphasis on the concepts of habitat and communities is placed in Grade 4 programs, with an emphasis on biodiversity and ecosystems for Grades 6-7.
Under the Surface (Ideal for Grades K-8)(May-November) - An abundance of life thrives below the water's surface, and we hope to see it first hand. Using dip nets and observation containers, students will find and identify creatures in a local stream or pond ranging form aquatic insects to crayfish. They will learn the concept of biodiversity, and why it is important for water quality. They will also learn the concept of a watershed, how this particular body of water connects to it, and how that affects the water they use on a daily basis.
Bug Hunt (Ideal for Grades K-3)(May-October) - What is a bug? Is it an insect? Where do spiders fit in? Students will learn about these abundant creatures and how to find them...well...everywhere! Through catching, exploring, and observing, students will see how different insects live in different habitats. As well, educational games and activities will feed their curiosity revealing answers like the reason butterflies are colourful, why mosquito bites itch, and how dragonflies inspired science fiction films.
Art In The Park (Ideal for Grades K-3) - Inspire your students to connect with the natural world around them through the power of the creative arts. With this program, you and your class will enjoy fun and creative art activities that can be carried out in your park or green space. Engagement in arts and nature will encourage healthy attitudes towards the outdoors and our environment, promoting action instead of inaction and nourishing the creativity that dwells within today’s youth.
Lost in the Wild (Ideal for Grades 4-8)(Offered All Year) - In this hands-on activity, students will learn the steps to take if they are ever lost in a wilderness setting. They begin by learning what steps to take to stay calm, and plan their strategy. They will then learn how and build their own survival shelters in the forest. In the process, students will learn about concepts such as insulation, weather patterns, and structure. The resulting shelters are usually quite impressive, and would serve well in a short-term survival situation.
Living or Non-Living? (Ideal for Grade 1)(Offered All Year) - Through a series of games and experiential activities, student will learn hands-on the differences between creatures that are living vs non-living. Students will learn the needs that living things require, while exploring and investigating outdoors.
Soil: Beyond Dirt (Ideal for Grade 3)(Offered May - November) - This hands-on activity will have students, exploring, collecting, examining, testing, and even making soil. Through a series of hands-on activities and games, students will gain a better understanding of the components of soil, how it is made, and why it is so very important.
Team Building Challenge (Ideal for Grades 4-8)(Offered All Year) - Set the foundation for cooperation, coordination, communication, and collaboration right from the beginning of the school year, or build on what you've been working towards with your class. Presented with a number of outdoor initiative challenges, students will work as a group to finish the task at hand and grow as a cohesive unit. This is an excellent program to allow your class to grow and bond as a team at the beginning of the school year, but is just as valuable at any time of year.
**NEW** Seasonal Switch-Up: Winter (January - March)
**NEW** Life Below Freezing (January - March)
Instincts for Survival (Ideal for Grades 4-8)(Offered All year) - Created by Waterloo Outdoor Educator Frank Glew in 1991, this food web simulation game has become a staple in outdoor education across North America. In this tag-style game, students are transformed into animals on different levels of the food web and must run, hide, and chase each other in order to survive, all the while searching for plant food and water.
Ecosystem Explorations (Ideal for Grades 4-8)(May-November) - In this experiential activity, students will explore a local forest habitat while learning about the different plants and animals that live there, and how their needs are met. Students will investigate, discover, and play games demonstrating a number of ecological concepts. Emphasis on the concepts of habitat and communities is placed in Grade 4 programs, with an emphasis on biodiversity and ecosystems for Grades 6-7.
Under the Surface (Ideal for Grades K-8)(May-November) - An abundance of life thrives below the water's surface, and we hope to see it first hand. Using dip nets and observation containers, students will find and identify creatures in a local stream or pond ranging form aquatic insects to crayfish. They will learn the concept of biodiversity, and why it is important for water quality. They will also learn the concept of a watershed, how this particular body of water connects to it, and how that affects the water they use on a daily basis.
Bug Hunt (Ideal for Grades K-3)(May-October) - What is a bug? Is it an insect? Where do spiders fit in? Students will learn about these abundant creatures and how to find them...well...everywhere! Through catching, exploring, and observing, students will see how different insects live in different habitats. As well, educational games and activities will feed their curiosity revealing answers like the reason butterflies are colourful, why mosquito bites itch, and how dragonflies inspired science fiction films.
Art In The Park (Ideal for Grades K-3) - Inspire your students to connect with the natural world around them through the power of the creative arts. With this program, you and your class will enjoy fun and creative art activities that can be carried out in your park or green space. Engagement in arts and nature will encourage healthy attitudes towards the outdoors and our environment, promoting action instead of inaction and nourishing the creativity that dwells within today’s youth.
Lost in the Wild (Ideal for Grades 4-8)(Offered All Year) - In this hands-on activity, students will learn the steps to take if they are ever lost in a wilderness setting. They begin by learning what steps to take to stay calm, and plan their strategy. They will then learn how and build their own survival shelters in the forest. In the process, students will learn about concepts such as insulation, weather patterns, and structure. The resulting shelters are usually quite impressive, and would serve well in a short-term survival situation.
Living or Non-Living? (Ideal for Grade 1)(Offered All Year) - Through a series of games and experiential activities, student will learn hands-on the differences between creatures that are living vs non-living. Students will learn the needs that living things require, while exploring and investigating outdoors.
Soil: Beyond Dirt (Ideal for Grade 3)(Offered May - November) - This hands-on activity will have students, exploring, collecting, examining, testing, and even making soil. Through a series of hands-on activities and games, students will gain a better understanding of the components of soil, how it is made, and why it is so very important.
Team Building Challenge (Ideal for Grades 4-8)(Offered All Year) - Set the foundation for cooperation, coordination, communication, and collaboration right from the beginning of the school year, or build on what you've been working towards with your class. Presented with a number of outdoor initiative challenges, students will work as a group to finish the task at hand and grow as a cohesive unit. This is an excellent program to allow your class to grow and bond as a team at the beginning of the school year, but is just as valuable at any time of year.
**NEW** Seasonal Switch-Up: Winter (January - March)
- - Why do we have seasons? Why is it colder as we travel north? With the goal of instilling a love for the season, students will learn about seasonal change, why snow is important for the northern landscape, and how people have been exploring and playing outside in the winter for centuries. This program will also include a look at ice and snow, and what makes it so incredible. This program will include the use of our snowshoes.
**NEW** Life Below Freezing (January - March)
- - Difficult to believe, life does exist amid the drifts of snow and ice. In this program, students will learn through tracking, searching, and playing, how plants and animals of the region survive the dramatic season that is winter. This program includes trekking through the snow, experiential games, and exploratory activities. This program will include the use of our snowshoes.