This activity brings home the concept of how far and how arduous this annual migration is for birds. It is a role play activity of sorts where the participants are specific bird species that must leave their breeding ground get to their wintering ground and return again. The activity sets a course which has many of the challenges that birds actually face while migrating. It is an experiential way for participants to understand migration, its natural and man-made hazards and the risks for birds to survive.
This activity is great for map reading skill development and for reinforcing understandings of the concepts of energy flow, interrelationships, cycling of materials and change in ecosystems.
Christmas in July - evening guided hike Tuesday, July 25, 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. Come share the magic of Christmas Hill during a fabulous evening guided hike. Stretch your limbs and listen to the chorus of birds while checking out the great view from a spectacular vantage point. You may even discover the legends of Christmas Hill. Suitable for families and children over 7 years. Bring a water bottle. Free but donations are greatly appreciated. Pre-registration required by calling 250-479-0211 after May 1.
- a drop-off program for kids 7 to 10 years old A series of 2-hour classes on Fridays from 9:30 to 11:30 am. Each class explores a different nature theme through activities, hikes, experiments and more.
July 7 - Magical Marsh July 14 - Hanging with Herptiles July 21 - Geological Journey July 28 - Wondrous Water
– a drop-off program for French Immersion nature enthusiasts 5 to 7 years old This series of four 2-hour classes are for children aged 5 to 7 years who are learning French. Each class features a different nature theme offering discovery, play, and lots of outdoor fun!
Semaine 1/Week 1 - Animal & Plant Movement/Le Movement
Big & Little - for 3 to 5-year-olds and their adult friend
Tuesdays, 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
These fun and interactive programs include hands-on discovery, an outside ramble, a story and a craft.
July 11 - Lovely Ladybugs July 18 - Awesome Amphibians July 25 - Terrific Turtles August 1 - Outstanding Owls August 8 - Busy Beavers August 15 - Super Snakes
This activity is great for exploring and describing the world using senses other than sight (touch mostly, but also smell and sound). It helps to create an intimate bond with a place and its inhabitants - especially the plants, rocks and terrain.
We have used journaling for all sorts of applications over the years in our programs. Primarily we use them to record important findings while participants engaged in activities such as “Build A Marine Ecosystem” or “Micro Trails or Parks”. We also incorporate journaling times into our schedule for students to have some regular quiet, reflective time.
This activity is great for increasing observational skills by allowing the participants to see the subtleties of an area, its smaller inhabitants and signs of different processes underway. Participants create a "micro trail or park" for tiny organisms marking important things in a natural area.