The Signs of Spring are here...
The Common Snipe are back at BMC, American Robins' eggs have hatched, and the adults are busy gathering food for their young at MacSkimming.










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IMPORTANT LINKS




Partners

The City of Ottawa
National Capital Region YMCA-YWCA
Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority
South Nations Conservation Authority
The Rideau Valley Conservation Authority

November 9, 2007
OECO Press Release

  In The NEWS.....   Photo of the Week

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...)

MORE NEWS....

 



MacSkimming's environmentally friendly toilets
are readied for another busy spring at our Agricultural Area and Waterfront.
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:

At the Bill Mason Centre:
Sora
Rusty Blackbird
Virginia Rail
Eastern Bluebird
Common Snipe

At MacSkimming:
Northern Shoveler

Bobolink
Blue-headed Vireo
Black-and-White Warbler

Black Tern
Pine Warbler

Outdoor Education Centre
Senior Staff

Superintendent
of Instruction

Neil Yorke-Slader

Principal of Continuing Education
Catherine Deschambault

Coordinator of Outdoor
Education Centres

Geoff Cass

 

 

e-mail inquiries? please contact us at: outdooredcentres@ocdsb.ca

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