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outdoor and experiential learning in Ottawa.

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Overnight Adventures!


Turn your single day visit into an overnight adventure. At MacSkimming, classes are able to stay overnight at either the Pioneer Village, or Trail's End for up to two nights. Accommodations range from rustic cabins heated by woodstove (each sleeps nine), to dormitory style spaces which sleep up to 20. In total, there is room for over 100 people to stay overnight. Please contact our office for midweek or weekend overnight details.

A collection of invertebrates scooped out of the water by students during one of our wetalnd exploration programs.
Please submit your field trip photos to be considered for Photo of the Week on this website! outdooredcentres@ocdsb.ca

Natural Sightings

Here are just some of the amazing creatures that have been spotted at the Centres recently (Updated Oct. 2, 2008):

At the Bill Mason Centre:
Snapping Turtle
Pileated Woodpecker
Black-throated Blue Warbler
White-crowned Sparrow
American Kestrel

At MacSkimming:
Sandhill Cranes
Merlin
Solitary Vireo
Pied-billed Grebe
Moose (Tracks only)

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

Click for details...

OUTDOOR EDUCATION CENTRES READY FOR ANOTHER YEAR
Bill Mason and MacSkimming staff are very excited to begin yet another year of helping students to understand and appreciate the natural environment. We have revised some of our Natural Science programs in response to the changing Ontario Science and Technology Curriculum, and have added a few new programs to our line up as well. Our Every Student Attends program is back again this year, providing one free visit to either BMC or MAC for each OCDSB grade 3 and 7 class for either a Natural Science or Canadian History program.

500 TREES PLANTED AT THE BILL MASON CENTRE
On Friday, April 25, Outdoor Education Centre staff worked with West Carleton Secondary School staff and students to green their school grounds. The project to plant 500 native trees on the site was made possible thanks to a grant from the national Toyota Evergreen Learning Grounds Program and the efforts of Glenn Turner, Jeff Kaster, and Brenda Davies. The trees were planted along the border of the WCSS property and between the recreational fields and the Natural wetland used as an outdoor "classroom" by the BMC to provide a windbreak and enhance the existing natural features of the site.

BMC Instructor prepares for planting, Many of the trees were native white spruce.

(Read more about the project...)

MACSKIMMING MAPLEFEST A HUGE SUCCESS
On Sunday March 30, MacSkimming Staff and Volunteers welcomed over six hundred guests to our annual Maplefest. The weather was fantastic, and the crowds enjoyed musical performance by Louise Mercier, Irish Dance Demonstrations provided by the Trillium Irish Dance Academy, sugar bush tours, sleigh rides and of course, pancakes. Thanks to all who participated in this years event, and we look forward to seeing you again next year.

NEW MORE AFFORDABLE RENTAL RATES AT MACSKIMMING
We have adjusted our day and overnight rental rates for your groups to make your MacSkimming expedience more affordable. Please visit our Facilities and Rental page for details.

OUTDOOR EDUCATION CENTRES WIN PROVINCIAL AWARD
October 19, 2007, Ottawa, ON - The Bill Mason Outdoor Education Centre and MacSkimming Outdoor Education Centre were awarded the prestigious Robin Dennis Award by the Council of Outdoor Educators of Ontario (COEO) at the end of September. The Award is presented to an individual, outdoor education program or facility that has made an outstanding contribution to the promotion and development of outdoor education in the province. This recognition places the OCDSB outdoor education programs among the leaders in Ontario.
(READ MORE...)

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