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 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 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:
NEW PROGRAM – Forest Kinder
Forest Kinder Full day program.
Your class will experience a full day of forest immersion. Where students gain independence, confidence and relationship with themselves, each other and the forest. Using their senses, children visit various Explore Sites such as the Forest Kitchen and Nature Exploration. Children investigate the Explore Sites at their own pace allowing for greater opportunity for discovery and learning. The program also includes a short hike after lunch, and another opportunity to revisit the Explore Sites to make any new discoveries.
Forest Kinder Half Day Program
Your class will experience a half day of forest immersion. Where students gain independence, confidence and relationship with themselves, each other and the forest. Using their senses, children visit various Explore Sites such as the Forest Kitchen and Nature Exploration. Children investigate the explore sites at their own pace allowing for greater opportunity for discovery and learning.
Insects Alive
Science & Technology (Fall & Spring)
Your students will learn what makes an insect an insect through live capture and release and sensory activities that take place in a field and forest. Students will gain an appreciation of the valuable role insects play in the environment which includes their own backyards.
Kinderscience
Science & Technology (Fall, Winter & Spring)
By using their senses, students will experience seasonal changes. Hands-on sensory exploration activities and puppets will guide students to discovering more about the season they are visiting in.
Maple Madness
Social Studies, Science & Technology (March 2 to April 3, $2.00 extra per person)
The visit begins with an introduction to the sugar bush by our famous puppet friends. Students ride to the bush in tractor-drawn wagons, where they experience an age-appropriate discovery of historic and modern methods of making maple syrup.
Marsh Mysteries
Science & Technology (Fall & Spring)
Puppets introduce students to the members of the wetland community and the basic roles they play. Through a visit to the marsh, through exploration students will act as gentle giants and take part in a hands-on live capture and release of wetland animals on our boardwalk.
Featuring Fall
Science & Technology (Fall)
Students will go on an autumn journey learning about the seasonal needs, adaptations and changes of plants and animals. Your class will discover these through games, sensory and hands-on activities.
Insects Alive
Science & Technology (Fall & Spring)
Your students will learn what makes an insect an insect through live capture and release and sensory activities that take place in a field and forest. Students will gain an appreciation of the valuable role insects play in the environment which includes their own backyards.
Maple Madness
Social Studies, Science & Technology (March 2 to April 3, $2.00 extra per person)
The visit begins with an introduction to the sugar bush by our famous puppet friends. Students ride to the bush in tractor-drawn wagons, where they experience an age-appropriate discovery of historic and modern methods of making maple syrup.
Mapping Tree-sure Hunt
Social Studies, Healthy & Physical Education (Fall, Winter & Spring)
Puppets introduce the idea of a special treasure map where students use basic map-reading skills to go on a nature “tree-sure” hunt on the trails. Students leave inspired to discover nature treasures everywhere.
Marsh Mysteries
Science & Technology (Fall & Spring)
Puppets introduce students to the members of the wetland community and the basic roles they play. Through a visit to the marsh, students will act as gentle giants and take part in a hands-on live capture and release of wetland animals on our boardwalk.
Nature In Winter
Science and Technology (winter)
Students will go on a winter journey learning about the seasonal needs, adaptations and changes of plants and animals. Students will discover these through games, sensory and hands-on activities.
Secrets of Spring
Science and Technology (spring)
Students will go on a spring journey learning about the seasonal needs, adaptations and changes of plants and animals. Students will discover these through games, sensory and hands-on activities.
Dramatized Animal Hike
Science & Technology (Fall, Winter & Spring)
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 needs.
Featuring Fall
Science & Technology (Fall)
Students will go on an autumn journey learning about the seasonal needs, adaptations and changes of plants and animals. Your class will discover these through games, sensory and hands-on activities.
Insects Alive
Science & Technology (Fall & Spring)
Your students will learn what makes an insect an insect through live capture and release and sensory activities that take place in a field and forest. Students will gain an appreciation of the valuable role insects play in the environment which includes their own backyards.
Maple Madness
Social Studies, Science and Technology (March 2 to April 3 $2.00 extra per person)
The visit begins with an introduction to the sugar bush by our famous puppet friends. Students ride to the bush in tractor-drawn wagons, where they experience an age-appropriate discovery of historic and modern methods of making maple syrup.
Mapping It Out
Social Studies, Health and Physical Education (fall, winter and spring)
Students will learn all about map reading through a warm up mapping activity, followed by a trail map reading adventure. Each activity allows students to use their new skills to discover some of the Conservation Area’s secrets. Grade three students will be given greater independence for the trail portion of the program.
Marsh Mysteries
Science and Technology (fall and spring)
Puppets introduce students to the members of the wetland community and the basic roles they play. Through a visit to the marsh, students will act as gentle giants and take part in a hands-on live capture and release of wetland animals on our boardwalk.
Nature in Winter
Science and Technology (winter)
Students will go on a winter journey learning about the seasonal needs, adaptations and changes of plants and animals. Students will discover these through games, sensory and hands-on activities.
Secrets of Spring
Science and Technology (spring)
Students will go on a spring journey learning about the seasonal needs, adaptations and changes of plants and animals. Students will discover these through games, sensory and hands-on activities.
Water Cycle Journey
Science and Technology (fall, winter and spring)
Through games and exploration your students will come to understand the role and 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 & spring)
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.
Maple Madness – Settler Style
Social Studies, Science and Technology (March 2 to April 3 $2.00 extra per person)
Students ride back in time to the sugar bush via tractor-drawn wagons, where they experience the making of maple syrup by the First Nations Peoples to modern day methods the role playing and sugar bush chores.
Mapping It Out
Social Studies, Health and Physical Education (fall, winter and spring)
Students will learn all about map reading through a warm up mapping activity, followed by a trail map reading adventure. Each activity allows students to use their new skills to discover some of the Conservation Area’s secrets. Grade three students will be given greater independence for the trail portion of the program.
Snowshoe Excursion
Health and Physical Education (winter)
Your class will enjoy a snowshoe lesson and travel over marshes (weather permitting) and through 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 available)
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.