Junior & Intermediate School Programs

Our Junior & Intermediate School Programs accommodate various grade levels, needs and are designed to be a springboard for action and understanding and strive to be relevant to learners so that they can connect to the natural world through their head, heart and hands. Our facilities include a heated Nature Centre with washrooms and 532 hectares of mixed forest, fields, pond and wetlands. During the winter, a natural skating rinks is maintained on the pond when conditions permit. There are 11 km of trails for hiking and cross-country skiing. Our Conservation Educators enjoy working with young learners and passing on their love and extensive knowledge of nature and the outdoors. A description of the programs we offer is provided below. If you don’t see what you are looking for, please contact our education staff, we will do our best to accommodate you.

Times

All regular programs are two hours in length and are available mornings and afternoons. The start and end times are flexible to adapt to busing schedules. We encourage full day visits where you and your class can take in two education programs or journey on your own through the Conservation Area.

Fees

  • $6 per student attending for all regular half day programs
  • Minimum $108 fee applies to all groups

Program Dates

  • Programs are not available at this time.

Location

Programs take place at Mac Johnson Wildlife Area, 7 km north of Hwy. 401 in Brockville on Debruge Road.

Booking Instructions

Program at Mac Johnson are not available at this time.

 

Cancellation Policy

A minimum of seven (7) working days notice is required for cancellation to allow us time to contact groups from our waiting list. If the CRCA is notified of the cancellation less than seven working days in advance of the scheduled visit, a cancellation fee of $50.00 will be charged.

Education staff will make contact by 7:00 a.m. the morning of your trip if we need to adapt or re-schedule the program in case of inclement weather or cancel due to severe weather. There will be no charge for a cancellation made due to severe weather conditions.

Biosphere Hike

Science & Technology (FALL Oct. 1 to Nov. 8 – WINTER Feb. 3 to March 13 – SPRING May 4 to June 12)
The Thousand Islands – Brockville – Kingston area has been designated the Frontenac Arch Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO. Come on a guided hike and discover what a biosphere is and some of the unique features of this area. Caring for nature and the proper use of outdoor areas are stressed.

Home Sweet Home

Science and Technology (FALL Oct. 1 to Nov. 8 – WINTER Feb. 3 to March 13 – SPRING May 4 to June 12)
Through role-playing as either a plant or an animal, each student explores marsh, field, and forest habitats in this program adapted from the Institute for Earth Education. Students are introduced to the basic needs of the plant or animal they become, why they are important and some interesting facts about their adaptations. Students will leave having a better connection and understanding of the importance of protecting various habitats and the creatures that inhabit them.

Instincts for Survival

Science and Technology (FALL Oct. 1 to Nov. 8 – WINTER Feb. 3 to March 13 – SPRING May 4 to June 12)
This physically active simulation game helps students to understand environmental niches, animal adaptations, energy flow, and predator-prey relationships by role-playing the life of a herbivore, omnivore or carnivore. This game is completed with a debrief on how factors such as weather and the decisions that people make can have impacts on ecosystems.

Orienteering: Part 1 – Map Reading

Physical Education (FALL Oct. 1 to Nov. 8 – WINTER Feb. 3 to March 13 – SPRING May 4 to June 12)
The emphasis in this program is upon map reading skill. Students will be taken through a progression that includes memory, line and score orienteering.

Orienteering: Part 2 – Compass

(FALL Oct. 1 to Nov. 8 – WINTER Feb. 3 to March 13 – SPRING May 4 to June 12)
Students will be introduced to the orienteering compass, learn to take a bearing and to follow a bearing to find a given point. Through games and activities, students will practice compass skills.

Pond Community

Science & Technology (FALL Oct. 1 to Nov. 8 – SPRING May 4 to June 12)
This program allows the students to examine the interrelationship between non-living things, the biodiversity of plants and animals in a pond habitat. With the activities in this study, we hope to develop a respect for life, an awareness of the interdependence of living things and an understanding of pond food chains.

Snowshoeing

Physical Education (WINTER Feb. 3 to March 13)
This program involves a brief classroom introduction to snowshoe construction and styles used by Indigenous peoples. This is followed by a practical session on basic snowshoeing skills and a cross-country trek to gain an appreciation of the winter environment.

Biosphere Hike

Science & Technology (FALL Oct. 1 to Nov. 8 – WINTER Feb. 3 to March 13 – SPRING May 4 to June 12)
The Thousand Islands-Brockville-Kingston area has been designated the Frontenac Arch Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO. Come on a guided hike and discover what a biosphere is and some of the unique features of this area. Caring for nature and the proper use of outdoor areas are stressed.

Instincts for Survival

Science and Technology (FALL Oct. 1 to Nov. 8 – WINTER Feb. 3 to March 13 – SPRING May 4 to June 12)
This physically active simulation game helps students to understand environmental niches, animal adaptations, energy flow, and predator-prey relationships by role-playing the life of a herbivore, omnivore or carnivore. This game is completed with a debrief on how factors such as weather and the decisions that people make can have impacts on ecosystems.

Orienteering: Part 1 – Map Reading

(Grades 4-8) Social Studies, Geography & Physical Education
(FALL Oct. 1 to Nov. 8 – WINTER Feb. 3 to March 13 – SPRING May 4 to June 12)
The emphasis in this program is upon map reading skill. Students will be taken through a progression that includes memory, line and score orienteering.

Orienteering: Part 2 – Compass

Physical Education (FALL Oct. 1 to Nov. 8 – WINTER Feb. 3 to March 13 – SPRING May 4 to June 12)
Students will be introduced to the orienteering compass, learn to take a bearing and to follow a bearing to find a given point. Through games and activities, students will practice compass skills.

Pond Community

Science & Technology (FALL Oct. 1 to Nov. 8 – SPRING May 4 to June 12)
This program allows the students to examine the interrelationship between non-living things, the biodiversity of plants and animals in a pond habitat. With the activities in this study, we hope to develop a respect for life, an awareness of the interdependence of living things and an understanding of pond food chains.

Snowshoeing

Physical Education (WINTER Feb. 3 to March 13)
This program involves a brief classroom introduction to snowshoe construction and styles used by Indigenous peoples. This is followed by a practical session on basic snowshoeing skills and a cross-country trek to gain an appreciation of the winter environment.

Biodiversity Bonanza: Birds, Insects or Mammals

Science & Technology (FALL Oct. 1 to Nov. 8 – WINTER Feb. 3 to March 13 – SPRING May 4 to June 12)
Your class will have the opportunity to get up close and personal to animal skulls or other animal specimens depending on the chosen focus. Through various outdoor activities, students will come away with an understanding of basic classification systems and the importance of the biodiversity of animals. Your students will also leave feeling more connected and ready to act in ways to help protect biodiversity around us.

Biosphere Hike

Science & Technology (FALL Oct. 1 to Nov. 8 – WINTER Feb. 3 to March 13 – SPRING May 4 to June 12)
The Thousand Islands – Brockville – Kingston area has been designated the Frontenac Arch Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO. Come on a guided hike and discover what a biosphere is and some of the unique features of this area. Caring for nature and the proper use of outdoor areas are stressed.

Instincts for Survival

Science and Technology (FALL Oct. 1 to Nov. 8 – WINTER Feb. 3 to March 13 – SPRING May 4 to June 12)
This physically active simulation game helps students to understand environmental niches, animal adaptations, energy flow, and predator-prey relationships by role-playing the life of a herbivore, omnivore or carnivore. This game is completed with a debrief on how factors such as weather and the decisions that people make can have impacts on ecosystems.

Orienteering: Part 1 – Map Reading

Social Studies, Geography & Physical Education (FALL Oct. 1 to Nov. 8 – WINTER Feb. 3 to March 13 – SPRING May 4 to June 12)
The emphasis in this program is upon map reading skill. Students will be taken through a progression that includes memory, line and score orienteering.

Orienteering: Part 2 – Compass

Social Studies, Geography & Physical Education (FALL Oct. 1 to Nov. 8 – WINTER Feb. 3 to March 13 – SPRING May 4 to June 12)
Students will be introduced to the orienteering compass, learn to take a bearing and to follow a bearing to find a given point. Through games and activities, students will practice compass skills.

Pond Community

Science & Technology (FALL Oct. 1 to Nov. 8 – SPRING May 4 to June 12)
This program allows the students to examine the interrelationship between non-living things, the biodiversity of plants and animals in a pond habitat. With the activities in this study, we hope to develop a respect for life, an awareness of the interdependence of living things and an understanding of pond food chains.

Snowshoeing

Physical Education (WINTER Feb. 3 to March 13)
This program involves a brief classroom introduction to snowshoe construction and styles used by Indigenous peoples. This is followed by a practical session on basic snowshoeing skills and a cross-country trek to gain an appreciation of the winter environment.

 

Ecosystems Interactions

Science and Technology (FALL Oct. 1 to Nov. 8 – SPRING May 4 to June 12)
Students will be introduced to the importance of ecosystems and define such terms as biotic, abiotic, niche and the levels within food chains. Within forest, field and marsh ecosystems, students will experience the impacts of limiting factors and the importance of understanding their connections to ecosystems and the positive impacts they can have.

Instincts for Survival

Science and Technology (FALL Oct. 1 to Nov. 8 – WINTER Feb. 3 to March 13 – SPRING May 4 to June 12)
This physically active simulation game helps students to understand environmental niches, animal adaptations, energy flow, and predator-prey relationships by role-playing the life of a herbivore, omnivore or carnivore. This game is completed with a debrief on how factors such as weather and the decisions that people make can have impacts on ecosystems.

Orienteering: Part 1 – Map Reading

Social Studies, Geography & Physical Education (FALL Oct. 1 to Nov. 8 – WINTER Feb. 3 to March 13 – SPRING May 4 to June 12)
The emphasis in this program is upon map reading skill. Students will be taken through a progression that includes memory, line and score orienteering.

Orienteering: Part 2 – Compass

Social Studies, Geography & Physical Education (FALL Oct. 1 to Nov. 8 – WINTER Feb. 3 to March 13 – SPRING May 4 to June 12)
Students will be introduced to the orienteering compass, learn to take a bearing and to follow a bearing to find a given point. Through games and activities, students will practice compass skills.

Secrets of Succession

Science & Technology (FALL Oct. 1 to Nov. 8 – SPRING May 4 to June 12)
Students will visit three areas where secondary succession is evident; a pond environment, a meadow, and a forest clearing to observe the succession of new plant life in these environments. They will sample and record the succession of new plant life in one of these environments. Students will also observe an example of primary succession of lichens and mosses on glacial boulders, and the example of bio-invasion of purple loosestrife in the wetland.

Snowshoeing

Physical Education (WINTER May 4 to June 12)
This program involves a brief classroom introduction to snowshoe construction and styles used by Indigenous peoples. This is followed by a practical session on basic snowshoeing skills and a cross-country trek to gain an appreciation of the winter environment.

Instincts for Survival

Science and Technology (FALL Oct. 1 to Nov. 8 – WINTER Feb. 3 to March 13 – SPRING May 4 to June 12)
This physically active simulation game helps students to understand environmental niches, animal adaptations, energy flow, and predator-prey relationships by role-playing the life of a herbivore, omnivore or carnivore. This game is completed with a debrief on how factors such as weather and the decisions that people make can have impacts on ecosystems.

Orienteering: Part 1 – Map Reading

Social Studies, Geography & Physical Education (FALL Oct. 1 to Nov. 8 – WINTER Feb. 3 to March 13 – SPRING May 4 to June 12)
The emphasis in this program is upon map reading skill. Students will be taken through a progression that includes memory, line and score orienteering.

Orienteering: Part 2 – Compass

Social Studies, Geography & Physical Education (FALL Oct. 1 to Nov. 8 – WINTER Feb. 3 to March 13 – SPRING May 4 to June 12)
Students will be introduced to the orienteering compass, learn to take a bearing and to follow a bearing to find a given point. Through games and activities, students will practice compass skills.

Snowshoeing

Physical Education (WINTER Feb. 3 to March 13)
This program involves a brief classroom introduction to snowshoe construction and styles used by Indigenous peoples. This is followed by a practical session on basic snowshoeing skills and a cross-country trek to gain an appreciation of the winter environment.

Wet & Wild Water Systems

Science & Technology (FALL Oct. 1 to Nov. 8 – WINTER Feb. 3 to March 13 – SPRING May 4 to June 12)
Students will become familiar with the use and importance of water within the watershed they live in. Students assess the health and pollution level of the pond through sampling the living organisms present and testing water samples. Through water activities, a game, and outdoor exploration, students will leave with a greater awareness of human impacts on water.

Make a Day of it!

Combine your program with other great activities for a terrific day in the outdoors. Or do your own education program. Our education staff would be pleased to provide you with program ideas. Mac Johnson Wildlife Area has a variety of habitats including wetland, field and forest.

There are also great recreation facilities including picnic areas, an 11 km trail system. There is a warming hut, a bonfire pit and washrooms located beside the reservoir and parking lot. The entrance fee for groups to use our facilities is $3.50 per person. You must make a group booking to use our facilities by calling (613) 345-1990.