Animal AdaptationsCategory
Science and Nature
Duration
Half-Day
Grade
Grade 2, Grade 3, Grade 4, Grade 5, Grade 6, Grade 7, Grade 8
On-a-Roll In Your Schoolyard
Yes
Season
Year-Round
Program Outline
Through the examination of natural artifacts, primary and junior students are introduced to behavioural and structural adaptations. Adaptation-themed games are incorporated into a hike through the beautiful forest. Through role-play and hands-on activities, students learn about the complexity of animals.
Beaver Pond StudyCategory
Science and Nature
Duration
Half-Day
Grade
JK, Grade 1, Grade 2, Grade 3, Grade 4, Grade 5, Grade 6, Grade 7
On-a-Roll In Your Schoolyard
No
Season
May-October
Program Outline
This hands-on program takes place at a natural pond located in the Ganaraska Forest. Students learn how to catch, observe and release invertebrates and amphibians found at the pond. Students explore pond life using provided equipment to discover various species. They learn to identify organisms, discover some of their unique adaptations and how they interact with one another.
Bug-EyedCategory
Science and Nature
Duration
Half-Day
Grade
JK, Grade 1, Grade 2, Grade 3
On-a-Roll In Your Schoolyard
Yes
Season
May-October
Program Outline
Students learn parts of an insect by participating in role-playing activities. Students explore characteristics of different bugs as well as their place in the ecosystem, their life cycles and adaptations. Hands-on activities allow students to explore the forest and better understand life from a small creature’s unique perspective.
Eco-GamesCategory
Science and Nature
Duration
Half-Day
Grade
Grade 1, Grade 2, Grade 3
On-a-Roll In Your Schoolyard
Yes
Season
Year-Round
Program Outline
This program focuses on conservation and environmental education through active, role-playing games. Designed for primary students, topics include animal adaptations and the impact of humans on the natural environment.
Green GiantsCategory
Science and Nature
Duration
Half-Day
Grade
Grade 2, Grade 3, Grade 4
On-a-Roll In Your Schoolyard
No
Season
April-October
Program Outline
Learn about the importance of plants and trees for any ecosystem, what plants need in order to survive, how plants and animals rely on each other and the parts of a tree. Students will be involved in several games, hands-on experiments and drama activities to relate to these topics.
Hiding in Plain SightCategory
Virtual
Duration
Half-Day
Grade
Grade 3, Grade 4
On-a-Roll In Your Schoolyard
No
Season
Year-Round
Program Outline
Students explore the interdependence of plants and animals through the lens of an important animal adaptation: camouflage. This program will also explore how plants and animals have responded to changes in the environment caused by human activities. Learn together in this Kahoot! game.
Ice-Breakers and Co-operative GamesCategory
Group Dynamics and Leadership
Duration
Half-Day
Grade
Grade 3, Grade 4, Grade 5, Grade 6, Grade 7, Grade 8
On-a-Roll In Your Schoolyard
No
Season
Year-Round
Program Outline
This interactive program is designed to build teamwork, develop cooperation skills and enhance communication through a variety of activities and games. This program helps to build comfortable and trusting relationships among classes and helps build group cohesion.
Maple MoonCategory
Social Studies and Geography
Duration
Half-Day
Grade
JK, Grade 1, Grade 2, Grade 3, Grade 4, Grade 5, Grade 6
On-a-Roll In Your Schoolyard
No
Season
March-April
Program Outline
Students are introduced to the process of making maple syrup. Guides dressed in traditional clothing present aboriginal and pioneer methods of making maple syrup. Students take part in hands-on demonstrations and voyageur games and wrap up the day tasting a sweet treat around a cozy, outdoor campfire.
Mapping for Little OnesCategory
Social Studies and Geography
Duration
Half-Day
Grade
Grade 1, Grade 2, Grade 3
On-a-Roll In Your Schoolyard
Yes
Season
Year-Round
Program Outline
This program is specifically designed for primary students. They learn basic cardinal directions, how to design maps and legends and are introduced to the parts of a compass. Students test their knowledge by completing two orienteering courses.
Photo-OrienteeringCategory
Social Studies and Geography
Duration
Half-Day
Grade
JK, Grade 1
On-a-Roll In Your Schoolyard
No
Season
Year-Round
Program Outline
Students learn how to use a birds-eye view map, create and use a map legend and how to follow basic directions. They then participate in an outdoor scavenger hunt around the buildings and surroundings of the Ganaraska Forest Centre.
Sensory AwarenessCategory
Science and Nature
Duration
Half-Day
Grade
JK, Grade 1, Grade 2, Grade 3
On-a-Roll In Your Schoolyard
Yes
Season
Year-Round
Program Outline
This program is designed for primary students who are exploring their five senses. Students build awareness of the natural habitat through activities that utilize and emphasize the senses of smell, touch, taste, sight and hearing.
Soil…It’s Not Just DirtCategory
Science and Nature
Duration
Evening, Full-Day, Half-Day
Grade
Grade 3, Grade 4, Grade 5
On-a-Roll In Your Schoolyard
No
Season
May-October
Program Outline
This program focuses on the creation of soil, different soil particles, and the creatures that live in the soil. Students should come prepared to get dirty as they explore the soil. Students will complete several fun and hands-on experiments: creating soil with hammers, digging a soil profile, creating a soil conductivity test and so much more.