Primary School Programs
Our Primary 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 Mac Johnson Wildlife Area 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
Education programs can be booked online or by emailing the Education Department at kfazackerley@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:
Insects Alive
Science & Technology (FALL Oct. 1 to Nov. 8 – SPRING May 4 to June 12)
Your students will learn what makes an insect and insect through live capture and release along with sensory activities that take place in the field and forest. Students will gain an appreciation of the valuable role insects play in the environment which includes their own backyards.
Kinderscience
Science and Technology (FALL Oct. 1 to Nov. 8 – WINTER Feb. 3 to March 13 – SPRING May 4 to June 12)
By using their senses, students will experience seasonal changes. Hands-on sensory exploration activities, puppets and games will guide the children into discovering more about the season they are visiting in.
Merry Metamorphosis – Pond Dipping
Science & Technology (FALL Oct. 1 to Nov. 8 – SPRING May 4 to June 12)
This program focuses on the life cycles of different animals that live in the pond such as various species of frogs from their calls to being able to identify them. Puppets, games and live pond dipping capture and release, students will get to know animals large and small that live in the pond community.
Insects Alive
Science & Technology (FALL Oct. 1 to Nov 8 – SPRING May 4 to June 12)
Your students will learn what makes an insect and insect through live capture and release along with sensory activities that take place in the field and forest. Students will gain an appreciation of the valuable role insects play in the environment which includes their own backyards.
Featuring Fall
Science and Technology (FALL Oct. 1 to Nov. 8)
Students will go on an autumn journey learning about the seasonal needs, adaptations and changes of plants and animals. The children will discover these through a variety of sensory and hands-on activities.
Merry Metamorphosis – Pond Dipping
Science & Technology (FALL Oct. 1 to Nov. 8 – SPRING May 4 to June 12)
This program focuses on the life cycles of different animals that live in the pond such as various species of frogs from their calls to being able to identify them. Puppets, games and live pond dipping capture and release, students will get to know animals large and small that live in the pond community.
Nature in Winter
Science and Technology (WINTER Feb. 3 to March 13)
Students will go on a winter journey learning about the seasonal needs, adaptations and changes of plants and animals. Students will discover these through a variety of sensory and hands-on activities.
Secrets of Spring
Science and Technology (SPRING May 4 to June 12)
Students will go on a spring journey learning about the seasonal needs, adaptations and changes of plants and animals. Students will discover these through a variety of sensory and hands-on activities.
Spaces & Places: Map Reading
Social Studies, Health & Physical Education (FALL Oct. 1 to Nov 8 – WINTER Feb. 3 to March 13 – SPRING May 4 to June 12)
Students will learn all about map reading through warm up activities including creating a mini map and completing a legend. Students will then use their legend and map to complete two orienteering activities around the Nature Centre.
Insects Alive
Science & Technology (FALL Oct. 1 to Nov. 8 – SPRING May 4 to June 12)
Your students will learn what makes an insect and insect through live capture and release along with sensory activities that take place in the field and forest. Students will gain an appreciation of the valuable role insects play in the environment which includes their own backyards.
Dramatized Animal Hike
Science and Technology (FALL Oct. 1 to Nov. 8 – WINTER Feb. 3 to March 13 – SPRING May 4 to June 12)
Through the eyes of an animal, students will go on a dramatic adventure following its journey. Students will learn about the featured animal’s classification, life cycle and adaptations. From Salamanders to Owls, please feel free to ask for any local animal that will enrich your curriculum or allow us to suggest one for you and we will create a dramatized hike to suit your students needs.
Featuring Fall
Science and Technology (FALL Oct. 1 to Nov. 8)
Students will go on an autumn journey learning about the seasonal needs, adaptations and changes of plants and animals. The children will discover these through a variety of sensory and hands-on activities.
Merry Metamorphosis – Pond Dipping
Science & Technology (FALL Oct. 1 to Nov. 8 – SPRING May 4 to June 12)
This program focuses on the life cycles of different animals that live in the pond such as various species of frogs from their calls to being able to identify them. Puppets, games and live pond dipping capture and release, students will get to know animals large and small that live in the pond community
Nature in Winter
Science and Technology (WINTER Feb. 3 to March 13)
Students will go on a winter journey learning about the seasonal needs, adaptations and changes of plants and animals. Students will discover these through a variety of sensory and hands-on activities.
Secrets of Spring
Science and Technology (SPRING May 4 to June 12)
Students will go on a spring journey learning about the seasonal needs, adaptations and changes of plants and animals. Students will discover these through a variety of sensory and hands-on activities.
Spaces & Places: Map Reading
Social Studies, Health & Physical Education (FALL Oct. 1 to Nov. 8 – WINTER Feb. 3 to March 13 – SPRING May 4 to June 12)
Students will learn all about map reading through warm up activities including creating a mini map and completing a legend. Students will then use their legend and map to complete two orienteering activities around the Nature Centre.
Water Cycle Journey
Science and Technology (FALL Oct. 1 to Nov. 8 – WINTER Feb. 3 to March 13 – SPRING May 4 to June 12)
The program begins with an introduction to the main components of the water cycle – evaporation, condensation and precipitation. Through games, exploration, weather signs and lore, your students will come to understand the importance of the water cycle. They will gain an awareness of the seasonal effects of the water cycle on plants, animals and themselves.
Green Magic: Powerful Pollinators to Fabulous Fungi
Science and Technology (FALL Oct. 1 to Nov. 8 – SPRING May 4 to June 12)
Bring your students out for an opportunity to explore amazing stories ranging from flowers to trees down to the fungi and the soil beneath. By connecting with plants large and small and the soil underworld, students will come away with a new appreciation of the importance of plants within the environment.
Merry Metamorphosis
Science & Technology (FALL Oct. 1 to Nov 8 – SPRING May 4 to June 12)
This program focuses on the life cycles of different animals that live in the pond such as various species of frogs from their calls to being able to identify them. Puppets, games and live pond dipping capture and release, students will get to know animals large and small that live in the pond community.
Spaces & Places: Map Reading
Social Studies, Health & Physical Education (FALL Oct. 1 to Nov. 8 – WINTER Feb. 3 to March 13 – SPRING May 4 to June 12)
Students will learn all about map reading through warm up activities including creating a mini map and completing a legend. Students will then use their legend and map to complete two orienteering activities around the Nature Centre.
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.