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   More NEWS.....

MACSKIMMING MAPLEFEST 2009
Another Maplefest has come and gone! Despite the rain, 303 hearty visitors came out to MacSkimming's annual Maplefest to enjoy wagon rides, listen to live music by Louis Mercier, guided hikes through the sugar bush and pancakes. Thank you to all our loyal volunteers and partners. A special thanks to the 5th Cyclone Air Cadets who volunteered their time and their equipment to make hundreds pancakes for our visitors. We wish to see you all 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...)

NEW RATIO FOR CROSS-COUNTRY SKI PROGRAMS
Without compromising safety or program quality, Bill Mason and MacSkimming staff now offer cross-country skiing programs at a 1:30 Instructor to student ratio. The changed ratio cuts the cost of the program in half, and will hopefully allow for more students to participate in this fantastic winter sport. Please contact us to reserve your space soon.

BILL MASON CENTRE PERSONAL AND GROUP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM EXPANDS

We have added a number of portable initiatives to our ever growing list of PGD activities. These new activities, along with the expert facilitation skills of our staff will provide students with learning experiences to last a lifetime!

NATIONAL AWARD WINNERS!
Ottawa-Carleton District School Board Receives National Recognition From The Canadian Network for Environmental Education and Communication (EECOM) Outstanding K-12 School 2007 Awards for Excellence in Environmental Education and Communication .
(READ MORE...)

NEW FIELD CENTRE OPENS AT THE BILL MASON CENTRE

The Ken Cox Field Centre is now open. Please read the press release.

NEW WETLAND EDUCATION CENTRE AT MACSKIMMING
MacSkimming's new Wetland Education Centre is now open! This past spring, nearly 2000 students have participated in our programs - discovering the amazing life in a wetland, and learning about the importance of these quickly disappearing areas.

BMC AND WCSS GRANTED TOYOTA EVERGREEN GRANT
Toyota Evergreen Grant Awarded to West Carleton Secondary School and Bill Mason Outdoor Education Centre
(READ MORE...)

FOREST EDGE FIELD CENTRE RECEIVES FUNDING FOR MUCH NEEDED UPGRADES
On November 13th 2006, Lorne Rachlis, Director of the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board, was on hand at MacSkimming to thank Rosilyn Bern of the Leacross Foundation for her generous contribution to Outdoor Education. The Leacross Foundation contributed $30,000 to the renovation and enhancement of Forest Edge Field Centre.

Forest Edge is now a facility with increased energy efficiencies, enhanced amenities and an improved learning atmosphere.

The Leacross Foundation is a nonprofit organization specializing in supporting various groups in Quebec, Ontario, and other parts of Canada.
The Foundation focuses on three main areas-education of the arts, environmental and ecological education, and programs that support women and children. The Foundation works with school boards to keep programs operating such as the Outdoor Education program in Ottawa, brings artists into the schools and the community to interact with the young, and helps to support learning disabled and physically disabled children. Recently the Foundation supported the Canadian Women's Foundation to deliver cross Canada programs about teenage violence in communities and in schools. The hope is to better educate teens about abuse, and change their perceptions. The Leacross Foundation was started in the 90's, and operates out of Montreal.

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

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