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 Conservation Educators have over 40 years of combined experience and 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 – educate@crca.ca.
Times
All programs are two hours in length and are available mornings and afternoons. The start and end times are flexible to adapt to schedules. We encourage full day visits where you and your class can take in two education programs or can partner with other teachers/classes.
Fees
- Due to COVID-19 we are only able to book groups of 25 students, please contact educate@crca.ca on how to accommodate larger classes.
- $8 per student attending all half day programs at our Conservation Areas
- $112 for half day programs, $224 for full day programs, plus mileage for our staff to come to your schoolyard or nearby park/greenspace.
- $5 per student attending from the Limestone District School Board, applies to field trips, school yard and park/greenspace bookings. (This boards pay a $3 per student subsidy)
- $2.00 extra per student for Maple Madness Programs
- Minimum $112 fee applies to all groups
Program Dates: 2020 – 2021 school year
COVID-19 Update: we are currently booking programs at our Conservation Areas, at your school yard, or at a nearby park or greenspace. We have protocols in place to protect staff and learners. Dates can be flexible to fit with your schedule, please email educate@crca.ca for details.
Location
Programs take place at Little Cataraqui Creek Conservation Area north of Hwy. 401 on, Division Street Kingston.
Booking Instructions
Education programs can be booked online by emailing the Education Department at educate@crca.ca.
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.
Programs Available:
Home Sweet Home: A Habitat Adventure
Science and Technology (fall, winter and spring)
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
This physically active simulation game helps students to understand food chains, 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 decisions that people make can have an impact on ecosystems.
Maple Math
Mathematics, Science and Technology, History, Geography (March 2 to April 3, $2.00 extra per person)
Students have an opportunity to better understand the importance of math in the role of sugar bush farmers. They also gain a better appreciation of various historical methods of making maple syrup.
Orienteering
Social Studies, Geography, Health and Physical Education (fall, winter and spring)
Have your students ever wondered what happened if they didn’t have wifi or cell service out in the forest? Here is the chance for your students to learn how to properly read and orient a map using landmarks on the trail. The students gain independence by navigating the trails in teams building their confidence and nature connection.
Snowshoe Excursion
Health and Physical Education (winter)
Your class will enjoy a snowshoe lesson and travel over marshes (weather permitting),fields and forests. Learn about snowshoeing techniques, the history of snowshoeing and look for signs of winter plants and animals. Snowshoe rental fee is $7.00 per person in addition to the regular program fee. (Limited to one class per visit due to equipment)
Ski Lessons
Health and Physical Education (winter)
Bring your class out for cross-country ski lessons! The ski rental cost is $10.00 per student in addition to the regular program fee. (Limited to one class per visit due to equipment)
Instincts for Survival
Science and Technology (all seasons)
This physically active simulation game helps students to understand food chains, 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 decisions that people make can have an impact on ecosystems.
Maple Math
Mathematics, Science and Technology, History, Geography (March 2 to April 3, $2.00 extra per person)
Students have an opportunity to better understand the importance of math in the role of sugar bush farmers. They also gain a better appreciation of various historical methods of making maple syrup.
Orienteering
Social Studies, Geography, Health and Physical Education (fall, winter and spring)
Have your students ever wondered what happened if they didn’t have wifi or cell service out in the forest? Here is the chance for your students to learn how to properly read and orient a map using landmarks on the trail and a compass. The students gain independence by navigating the trails in teams building their confidence and nature connection.
Snowshoe Excursion
Health and Physical Education (winter)
Your class will enjoy a snowshoe lesson and travel over marshes (weather permitting),fields and forests. Learn about snowshoeing techniques, the history of snowshoeing and look for signs of winter plants and animals. Snowshoe rental fee is $7.00 per person in addition to the regular program fee. (Limited to one class per visit due to equipment)
Ski Lessons
Health and Physical Education (winter)
Bring your class out for cross-country ski lessons! The ski rental cost is $10.00 per student in addition to the regular program fee. (Limited to one class per visit due to equipment)
Winter Survivors – Full Day Program
Health and Physical Education and Science and Technology (winter)
While working in teams your students will learn basic winter survival and cooperative skills by being outside all day. They will explore the winter wilderness and experience all that Little Cataraqui Creek Conservation Area has to offer.
Biodiversity Bonanza: Birds, Insects, Mammals or Amphibians
Science and Technology (spring)
Your class will experience an opportunity to get up close and personal to taxidermied animals. 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 that help protect the biodiversity around us.
Instincts for Survival
Science and Technology (all seasons)
This physically active simulation game helps students to understand food chains, environmental niches, biodiversity, 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 decisions that people make can have an impact on ecosystems.
Maple Math
Mathematics, Science and Technology, History, Geography (March 2 to April 3, $2.00 extra per person)
Students have an opportunity to better understand the importance of math in the role of sugar bush farmers. They also gain a better appreciation of various historical methods of making maple syrup.
Orienteering
Social Studies, Geography, Health and Physical Education
(fall, winter and spring)
Have your students ever wondered what happened if they didn’t have wifi or cell service out in the forest? Here is the chance for your students to learn how to properly read and orient a map using landmarks on the trail and a compass. The students gain independence by navigating the trails in teams building their confidence and nature connection.
Snowshoe Excursion
Health and Physical Education (winter)
Your class will enjoy a snowshoe lesson and travel over marshes (weather permitting),fields and forests. Learn about snowshoeing techniques, the history of snowshoeing and look for signs of winter plants and animals. Snowshoe rental fee is $7.00 per person in addition to the regular program fee. (Limited to one class per visit due to equipment)
Ski Lessons
Health and Physical Education (winter)
Bring your class out for cross-country ski lessons! The ski rental cost is $10.00 per student in addition to the regular program fee. (Limited to one class per visit due to equipment)
Winter Survivors – Full Day Program
Health and Physical Education and Science and Technology (winter)
While working in teams your students will learn basic winter survival and cooperative skills by being outside all day. They will explore the winter wilderness and experience all that Little Cataraqui Creek Conservation Area has to offer.
Ecosystem Interactions
Science and Technology (fall and spring)
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 (all seasons)
This physically active simulation game helps students to understand food chains, environmental niches, ecosystems, 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 decisions that people make can have an impact on ecosystems.
Orienteering: Taking a Bearing
Social Studies, Geography, Health and Physical Education (fall, winter and spring)
Intermediate students review basic parts of a map and compass and take their skills to a new level by learning to read a bearing and putting it to use in the great outdoors. Students will take a bearing at certain checkpoints to notice an interesting nature landmark.
Snowshoe Excursion
Your class will enjoy a snowshoe lesson and travel over marshes (weather permitting),fields and forests. Learn about snowshoeing techniques, the history of snowshoeing and look for signs of winter plants and animals. Snowshoe rental fee is $7.00 per person in addition to the regular program fee. (Limited to one class per visit due to equipment)
Ski Lessons
Health and Physical Education (winter)
Bring your class out for cross-country ski lessons! The ski rental cost is $10.00 per student in addition to the regular program fee. (Limited to one class per visit due to equipment)
NEW PROGRAM – One Water
Science and Technology – Understanding Earth and Space Systems: Water Systems
The One Water program provides a greater understanding of Drinking Water Source Protection and our water systems. Through games, hands-on activities and immersion in nature, students come away with a greater awareness of where their drinking water comes from and their connection to water. The aim is that their renewed connection will transfer into their daily lives and ripple out into the community.
Instincts for Survival
Science and Technology (all seasons)
This physically active simulation game helps students to understand food chains, environmental niches, ecosystems, 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 decisions that people make can have an impact on ecosystems.
Orienteering: Taking a New Bearing
Social Studies, Geography, Health and Physical Education (fall, winter and spring)
Intermediate students review basic parts of a map and compass and take their skills to a new level by learning to read a bearing and putting it to use in the great outdoors. Students will take a bearing at certain checkpoints to notice an interesting nature landmark.
Snowshoe Excursion
Health and Physical Education (winter)
Your class will enjoy a snowshoe lesson and travel over marshes (weather permitting),fields and forests. Learn about snowshoeing techniques, the history of snowshoeing and look for signs of winter plants and animals. Snowshoe rental fee is $7.00 per person in addition to the regular program fee. (Limited to one class per visit due to equipment)
Ski Lessons
Health and Physical Education (winter)
Bring your class out for cross-country ski lessons! The ski rental cost is $10.00 per student in addition to the regular program fee. (Limited to one class per visit due to equipment)
Make a Day of it!
Combine your program with other great activities for a terrific day in the great outdoors, or do your own education program. Our education staff would be pleased to provide you with program ideas. Little Cataraqui Creek Conservation Area has a variety of habitats including wetland, field and forest.
There are also great recreation facilities including picnic areas and a 14 km trail system which is groomed for cross-country skiing. There are two warming huts, a bonfire pit and privies located beside the reservoir and parking lot. Cross-country skis, snowshoes and skates are available to rent. The entrance fee for groups to use our facilities is $3.00 per person.
You must make a group booking to use our facilities by calling (613) 546-4228 ext. 222.