Visit www.ottawaoutdooreducation.ca
to learn how OECO connects K-12
students and community members to
outdoor and experiential learning in Ottawa.

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Profile

Please select on your grade:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

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Grade 1 Programs

Natural Science - Characteristics and Needs of Living Things
This full day program includes a Forest Exploration and either a Wetland Exploration or Insect Study. In each of these activities
students will have the opportunity to discover some of the amazing creatures that live in various ecosystems at the BMC,
why they are important and how they manage to survive.
Instructors will lead activities and explorations that will help students to understand key terms such as habitat, adaptation,
life cycles, and others.

Grade 2 Programs

Natural Science - Growth and Change in Animals
This full day program includes a Forest Exploration, and one of Wetland Exploration, and Insect Study. Through hands on
activities and investigations, students will gain further understanding that animals have distinct characteristics, that
they grow and change, and that there are similarities and differences among different kinds of animals. This extremely
active program is available fall, winter and spring. The extended Forest Exploration in winter program will be done on snowshoes (if conditions permit).

Grade 3 Programs

Natural Science - Growth and Change in Plants with Soils in the Environment
In this full day program, students explore and discover the world of plants and soils. Students will dig down to discover horizons
and biotic and abiotic components of soil, and learn about decomposition and the importance of soil to an ecosystem.
In the second half of the day, students will learn about plants – how they grow, their importance and the many ways their seeds
travel.

Outdoor Skills - Wayfinding With Maps
Let us introduce your students to the basics of map reading, recognizing landmarks and orienting a map. Students will
problem-solve in small groups in order to find their way around the school yard and forest trails.
Available in fall and spring

Grade 4 Programs

Natural Science - Habitats and Communities
Habitats and Communities includes Predator Prey and one of Forest Explore, Wetland Exploration or Insect Studies. During the Predator and Prey simulation, students play the role of local forest animals trying to survive. Students are required to find food, water and shelter all the while avoiding predators who are also looking for a good meal. This extremely active program allows students the opportunity to better understand terms such as habitat, predator, prey, herbivore, omnivore, carnivore, food chain, and population. During a Forest Explore, Wetland Explore and Insect Study, students will be lead through Bill Mason Centre's natural areas to learn about plants and animal’s interdependence on each other, human’s impact on natural areas, and key terms reinforced in Predator and Prey. Predator and Prey and Forest Explore are available fall, winter and spring; Insect Studies and Wetland Explore are available in early fall and late spring.

Outdoor Skills -Wayfinding with Maps
Students will have the opportunity to learn and practice compass navigation through a progression of activities culminating
in the navigation maze. In the second half of the day, the students will enhance their survival skills by learning how to build fires
and/or shelters.
Available October to March

Outdoor Skills - Cross-Country Skiing
This full day program starts with an introduction to classic style cross-country skiing in the morning. The afternoon will be spent
skiing along our groomed trail system. Ski equipment is provided. This program is recommended in February.

Outdoor Skills - Cross-country Skiing with Winter Ecology
This popular program provides students with the opportunity to get out and experience the splendour of winter. Tracking,
identifying habitats and discovering the diversity within ecosystems is done while skiing and snowshoeing.
Available in February only

Grade 5 Programs

Outdoor Skills - Wayfinding with Maps
Students will have the opportunity to learn and practice compass navigation through a progression of activities culminating
in the navigation maze. In the second half of the day, the students will enhance their survival skills by learning how to build fires
and/or shelters.
Available October to March

Cross-country Skiing
This full day program starts with an introduction to classic style cross-country skiing in the morning. The afternoon will be spent
skiing along our groomed trail system. Ski equipment is provided.
This program is recommended in February.

Cross-country Skiing with Winter Ecology
This popular program provides students with the opportunity to
get out and experience the splendour of winter. Tracking,
identifying habitats and discovering the diversity within
ecosystems is done while skiing and snowshoeing.
Available in February only

Grade 6 Programs

Natural Science - Biodiversity and Classification
This full day program includes two of “Classify Me”, “Forest Explore” and “Insect Studies”. Classify Me is an active tree
identification program in which students make their way through the forest (with maps) looking for specially marked trees.
Once they find the trees, it is their job to use a dichotomous key to identify them. The grade 6 Forest Explore, Wetland Exploration and Insect Study focus on classification, biodiversity, interrelationships, vertebrate vs. invertebrates and invasive
species. All three programs are highly active and interactive within the various ecosystems.
Classify Me and Forest Explore are available in fall, winter and spring. Insect Studies and Wetland Exploration are available in fall and spring.

Outdoor Skills - Wayfinding with Maps
Students will have the opportunity to learn and practice compass navigation through a progression of activities culminating
in the navigation maze. In the second half of the day, the students will enhance their survival skills by learning how to build fires
and/or shelters.
Available October to March

Outdoor Skills - Cross-country Skiing
This full day program starts with an introduction to classic style cross-country skiing in the morning. The afternoon will be spent
skiing along our groomed trail system. Ski equipment is provided.
This program is recommended in February.

Outdoor Skills - Cross-country Skiing with Winter Ecology
This popular program provides students with the opportunity to get out and experience the splendour of winter. Tracking,
identifying habitats and discovering the diversity within ecosystems is done while skiing and snowshoeing.
Available in February only

Canadian History - First Contact in the New World
In this new and exciting program, students will be introduced to ways in which the early explorers influenced the First Nations of the (now) Ottawa area and vice–versa. Students will also be given the opportunity to further understand lifestyle and history of the Algonkin or Algonquin First Nations. The Fur Trade activity is part of this program and focuses particularly on the First Nations role in Canadian history. Other activities include a guided hike (on snowshoes when conditions permit).
This program is available fall, winter and spring.

Personal and Group Development
Through a progressive series of teambuilding challenges, students will experience and assess key interpersonal skills such as leadership, trust, cooperation, initiative, and communication. This full day program is designed to develop self confidence, self esteem, group skills and friendships.
Special ratio: 1 Centre Instructor to 15 students Available year round

Grade 7 Programs

Natural Science - Interactions within Ecosystems
This program includes Predator and Prey and either a Forest Explore, Wetland Explore or Insect Study. We key on discovery
and importance of biotic and abiotic elements of various ecosystems through guided exploration. The grade 7 Predator and Prey simulation focuses heavily on producers, consumers and decomposers in addition to food webs and populations.
This program is available fall, winter and spring.

Geography - Themes of Geographic Inquiry
Students will learn how to use a map, compass and GPS effectively. They will learn to take bearings with each technology and through a variety of activities will travel the forest trails and put their new skills to use. This program is available in fall, winter and spring.

Outdoor Skills - Cross-country Skiing with Winter Ecology
This popular program provides students with the opportunity to get out and experience the splendour of winter. Tracking,
identifying habitats and discovering the diversity within ecosystems is done while skiing and snowshoeing.
Available in February only

Canadian History - Fur Trader
This trading simulation activity takes place on and around Bill Mason Centre's trails. Students will play the role of over-wintering
voyageurs newly hired by the Northwest Company in the early 1800’s. They will re-enact history by trading with local Aboriginal peoples for furs in order to purchase supplies at Fort William for the long journey home to Montreal. The Fur Trade program also includes a guided hike that focuses on traditional uses of the land for medicine and food. This program is available in Fall, Winter and Spring.

Personal and Group Development
Through a progressive series of teambuilding challenges, students will experience and assess key interpersonal skills such as leadership, trust, cooperation, initiative, and communication. This full day program is designed to develop self confidence, self esteem, group skills and friendships.
Special ratio: 1 Centre Instructor to 15 students Available year round

Grade 8 Programs

Outdoor Skills - Navigation with Map and Compass
Students will learn how to use a map and compass effectively. They will learn to take bearings through a variety of compass
activities then travel the forest trails and put their new skills to use. This program is available in fall, winter and spring

Outdoor Skills - Cross-country Skiing
This full day program starts with an introduction to classic style cross-country skiing in the morning. The afternoon will be spent
skiing along our groomed trail system. Ski equipment is provided.
This program is recommended in February.

Outdoor Skills - Cross-country Skiing with Winter Ecology
This popular program provides students with the opportunity to
get out and experience the splendour of winter. Tracking,
identifying habitats and discovering the diversity within
ecosystems is done while skiing and snowshoeing.
Available in February only

Personal and Group Development
Through a progressive series of teambuilding challenges, students will experience and assess key interpersonal skills such as leadership, trust, cooperation, initiative, and communication. This full day program is designed to develop self confidence, self esteem, group skills and friendships.
Special ratio: 1 Centre Instructor to 15 students Available year round

Grade 9 Programs

Natural Science - The Sustainability of Ecosystems
This full day program includes Ecological Field Studies and Predator and Prey. It will introduce students to scientific data
collection techniques in the field and allow them to discover through hands-on experience the diversities of life in a forest.
The grade 9 Predator and Prey simulation provides students with opportunity for further understand bioaccumulation, biomass,
community and human threats to local ecosystems. This program is available fall, winter and spring.

Geography - Global Positioning Systems (GPS)
This full day program is designed to cover many aspects within Methods of Geographic Inquiry & Communication. Students will learn how GPS technology works, how it is integrated into our daily lives and then they will have an opportunity use the GPS units on a navigational course. We will provide with a brief pre-visit activity to complete in your classroom to prepare for your visit.

Outdoor Skills - Cross-country Skiing
This full day program starts with an introduction to classic style cross-country skiing in the morning. The afternoon will be spent
skiing along our groomed trail system. Ski equipment is provided. This program is recommended in late January, February and early
March.

Outdoor Skills - Cross-country Skiing with Winter Ecology
This popular program provides students with the opportunity to get out and experience the splendour of winter. Tracking,
identifying habitats and discovering the diversity within ecosystems is done while skiing and snowshoeing.
Available in February only

Personal and Group Development
Through a progressive series of teambuilding challenges, students will experience and assess key interpersonal skills such as leadership, trust, cooperation, initiative, and communication. This full day program is designed to develop self confidence, self esteem, group skills and friendships.
Special ratio: 1 Centre Instructor to 15 students Available year round

Grade 10, 11, 12 Programs

Outdoor Skills - Navigation with Map and Compass
Students will learn how to use a map and compass effectively. They will learn to take bearings through a variety of compass
activities then travel the forest trails and put their new skills to use. This program is available in fall, winter and spring

Outdoor Skills - Cross-country Skiing
This full day program starts with an introduction to classic style cross-country skiing in the morning. The afternoon will be spent
skiing along our groomed trail system. Ski equipment is provided.
This program is recommended in February.

Outdoor Skills - Cross-country Skiing with Winter Ecology
This popular program provides students with the opportunity to get out and experience the splendour of winter. Tracking,
identifying habitats and discovering the diversity within ecosystems is done while skiing and snowshoeing.
Available in February only

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