Advanced Training in a Technique - GeoreferencingCategory
SHSM
Duration
Half-Day
Grade
Grade 11, Grade 12
On-a-Roll In Your Schoolyard
Yes
Season
Year-Round
Program Outline
All the GPS fun without the nitty-gritty work with topographical maps! Students are briefly introduced to coordinate systems before venturing outside with a GPS. After learning how to safely and correctly use their GPS unit, students complete a number of GPS challenges that reinforce the best navigational practices. This program emphasizes the applications of spatial data collected via GPS in the pertinent economic sector
Advanced Training in a Technique - Knot TyingCategory
SHSM
Duration
Half-Day
Grade
Grade 11, Grade 12
On-a-Roll In Your Schoolyard
Yes
Season
Year-Round
Program Outline
This program provides a break from the age-old adage that “if you can’t tie knots, tie lots!” Knot tying is an incredibly useful skill for many outdoor pursuits, but it is easy for novices to become overwhelmed by the sheer number of different knots that can be tied. We have pared down the list of knots to those that are most useful in present-day applications, and after an introduction to basic knot tying terminology, students will learn to tie our knots by way of engaging games. We ensure that students have a solid foundation in the practice so that they may confidently and competently further their own learning upon completion of the program.
Advanced Training in a Technique - SnowshoeingCategory
SHSM
Duration
Full-Day, Half-Day
Grade
Grade 11, Grade 12
On-a-Roll In Your Schoolyard
Yes
Season
January-April
Program Outline
Students learn the fundamental skills required to safely snowshoe in the backcountry. Once the fundamental movement skills have been acquired in our training grounds, the students will complete a guided tour of the Ganaraska Forest along our extensive trail system. Stops along the trail provide the opportunity for increasing one’s awareness of their surroundings, and for completing mini-games that bring the essential learning to life! This program can be combined with another certification to create a full-day certification program at a destination deeper in the forest.
Advanced Training in a Technique – Safe HikingCategory
SHSM
Duration
Full-Day, Half-Day
Grade
Grade 11, Grade 12
On-a-Roll In Your Schoolyard
Yes
Season
Year-Round
Program Outline
Safe Hiking is an integral course for anyone wanting to spend time hiking in the outdoors as well as working in the guiding industry. The overall goals of the program are to provide the novice hiker with the knowledge necessary to keep themselves safe while hiking and to provide hikers with the knowledge to make this a sustainable activity (environmentally and socially). Students will complete an indoor component on equipment, mapping skills and safe hiking procedures then spend time out in the forest learning the art of safe hiking and putting into practice their indoor lessons. An advanced course is also offered as a full day program.
Advanced Training in a Technology - GPS ArtCategory
SHSM
Duration
Half-Day
Grade
Grade 11, Grade 12
On-a-Roll In Your Schoolyard
Yes
Season
Year-Round
Program Outline
Spatial awareness and line drawing are taken to a new level by way of GPS technology. After a brief introduction to the functioning of the GPS unit, students will complete a series of activities that will deepen their awareness of the space available to them on the landscape and the opportunities afforded by changes in the landscape. Students will then plan and complete the drawing of a line figure using the digital recording of their travels that appears on the GPS screen. These digital records (tracks) will be uploaded to a satellite image in order to produce a novel artefact.
Advanced Training in Art Therapy - Forest TherapyCategory
SHSM
Duration
Half-Day
Grade
Grade 11, Grade 12
On-a-Roll In Your Schoolyard
Yes
Season
Year-Round
Program Outline
Forest therapy is an emerging practice in preventative health care that utilizes intentional experiences in a living forest to generate health benefits. The practice also supports clearer intuition, increased energy, and an increased capacity to communicate with the land and its species. On a short guided hike through the Ganaraska Forest, students will complete a number of place-based reflective exercises that will allow them to connect to the landscape on a deeper level. The students will be challenged to use this understanding to create an artefact that encapsulates their experiences in the forest.
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.
BiodiversityCategory
Science and Nature
Duration
Half-Day
Grade
Grade 4, Grade 5, Grade 6, Grade 7, Grade 8
On-a-Roll In Your Schoolyard
Yes
Season
Year-Round
Program Outline
After learning the Biodiversity basics through an interactive PowerPoint presentation, students head outside for an exciting habitat game teaching about habitat loss. Then the students will have a brief introduction to invasive species before playing the “Garlic Mustard Invasion” game.
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.
Conflict ResolutionCategory
SHSM, Virtual
Duration
Half-Day
Grade
Grade 11, Grade 12
On-a-Roll In Your Schoolyard
Yes
Season
Year-Round
Program Outline
We can only resolve conflict by creating conflict! In this program, we explore the nature of conflict by completing a series of challenging games and discussion strategies. Students learn to identify different sources of conflict and to respond with effective resolution strategies. The students will demonstrate their learning by completing a goaldirected but resource-limited cooperative challenge. Upon completion of this program, students will be equipped with a resolution strategy toolkit so that they are active partners in the thoughtful resolution of conflicts.
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.
GPS - GFCCategory
SHSM
Duration
Full-Day, Half-Day
Grade
Grade 11, Grade 12
On-a-Roll In Your Schoolyard
Yes
Season
Year-Round
Program Outline
This action-packed program ensures that students can confidently pull coordinates from a topographic map in order to find locations in the real world with their GPS unit. After mastering the UTM coordinate system indoors, students will head outside to explore the GPS unit and complete a number of geocache challenge courses. This program emphasizes the value of utilizing multiple navigational tools (map, compass, GPS, natural signs, etc) and the need to consider each tool’s limitations by actively engaging the most important tool: their minds!
GPS: Geocache AdventuresCategory
Social Studies and Geography
Duration
Half-Day
Grade
Grade 4, Grade 5, Grade 6, Grade 7, Grade 8, Grade 9, Grade 10, Grade 11, Grade 12
On-a-Roll In Your Schoolyard
Yes
Season
Year-Round
Program Outline
Just the games! After a brief orientation to the Global Positioning System unit, students use the technology to navigate through a number of geocache courses. If time permits, intermediate and senior students may also compete in the GPS Hunger Games!
GPS: Numbers, Numbers EverywhereCategory
Social Studies and Geography
Duration
Half-Day
Grade
Grade 5, Grade 6, Grade 7, Grade 8, Grade 9, Grade 10, Grade 11, Grade 12
On-a-Roll In Your Schoolyard
Yes
Season
Year-Round
Program Outline
This is an in-depth look at the technology of the Global Positioning System, sources of error, and the meaning of the GPS coordinates. A variety of fun, interactive games are played to test the students’ skills and to ensure that they are competent users of the GPS unit.
Group DynamicsCategory
SHSM
Duration
Full-Day, Half-Day
Grade
Grade 11, Grade 12
On-a-Roll In Your Schoolyard
Yes
Season
Year-Round
Program Outline
Students develop their character and leadership through introduction to the GFC’s four concepts of teamwork: communication, support, inclusion and planning. These teamwork concepts are tested in a series of fun team challenges and group problem-solving tasks. Engaging debrief sessions allow each student to make connections within their own life and to gain a critical appreciation for the power of collaboration. This program can be extended into an advanced full-day certification in which students are more rigorously tested on our certified Low Ropes course.
Group Dynamics Part ICategory
Group Dynamics and Leadership
Duration
Half-Day
Grade
Grade 4, Grade 5, Grade 6, Grade 7, Grade 8, Grade 9, Grade 10, Grade 11, Grade 12
On-a-Roll In Your Schoolyard
Yes
Season
Year-Round
Program Outline
This program supports Character Education and Leadership by introducing the four concepts of teamwork: communication, support, inclusion and planning through group initiatives. This program supports these concepts through various challenges and group problem-solving tasks.
ICE: Innovation, Creativity, and EntrepreneurshipCategory
SHSM
Duration
Full-Day
Grade
Grade 11, Grade 12
On-a-Roll In Your Schoolyard
Yes
Season
Year-Round
Program Outline
Need a sector partner for your innovation, creativity, and entrepreneurship training? Put your students to work for us! Let the ICE-trained and Ontario-certified teachers of the GFC host this exciting training for your students. We can co-develop an authentic challenge statement for your sector. Then leave the rest to us! Through a series of engaging activities, we will facilitate the movement of students through the three gears of ICE: empathy and need finding, ideation and prototyping, and strategy and testing. We look forward to a fresh perspective on the challenges facing the GRCA!
Leadership SkillsCategory
SHSM
Duration
Full-Day, Half-Day
Grade
Grade 11, Grade 12
On-a-Roll In Your Schoolyard
Yes
Season
Year-Round
Program Outline
Why teach about leadership when you can experience leadership! Students develop their character and leadership by completing a series of fun team challenges and group program-solving tasks. These experiences explore the nature of leadership and create opportunities for the students to seize the moment and test drive their new skills. This program can be extended into an advanced full-day certification in which students are more rigorously tested on our certified Low Ropes course.
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.
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.
SnowshoeingCategory
Outdoor Adventure
Duration
Half-Day
Grade
Grade 4, Grade 5, Grade 6, Grade 7, Grade 8, Grade 9, Grade 10, Grade 11, Grade 12
On-a-Roll In Your Schoolyard
Yes
Season
January-April
Program Outline
Students spend a half-day learning how to snowshoe using modern, provided equipment. This program demonstrates a unique method of winter travel, is physically active, and is best combined with another half-day program.
Stress Management Techniques – Forest TherapyCategory
SHSM
Duration
Half-Day
Grade
Grade 11, Grade 12
On-a-Roll In Your Schoolyard
Yes
Season
Year-Round
Program Outline
Forest therapy is an emerging practice in preventative health care that utilizes intentional experiences in a living forest to generate health benefits. Along with physiological changes in blood pressure, immune functioning and improved sleep, the health benefits of forest therapy include reduced stress levels, improved mood, increased energy, as well as an increased ability to focus. On a short guided hike through the Ganaraska Forest, students will take part in a number of place-based reflective exercises. These first-hand experiences will enable the students to appreciate the benefits of forest therapy practice and provide them with stress reduction techniques that they can utilize in their own lives.
Survival GameCategory
Science and Nature
Duration
Half-Day
Grade
Grade 4, Grade 5, Grade 6, Grade 7, Grade 8, Grade 9, Grade 10, Grade 11, Grade 12
On-a-Roll In Your Schoolyard
Yes
Season
Year-Round
Program Outline
In this active role-playing game, each student takes on the character of a different wildlife species. It is a high-energy program that is exciting for students in both junior and intermediate grade levels. The transfer of energy, consumer levels, and human impacts on wildlife are explored in this program. Students gain a better understanding of the relationship between predator and prey in a forest ecosystem after participating in this exciting program.
Wolf Prowl GameCategory
Science and Nature
Duration
Half-Day
Grade
Grade 4, Grade 5, Grade 6, Grade 7, Grade 8, Grade 9, Grade 10, Grade 11, Grade 12
On-a-Roll In Your Schoolyard
Yes
Season
Year-Round
Program Outline
This simulation game focuses on such topics as energy flow, consumer levels, and human impacts on forest ecosystems. Its aim is to teach students the relationship an organism has with other species and its environment. It is an active role-playing game, suitable for junior and intermediate students.