ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS

Transcription

1 Issued December 2018 Book online now at For more information, call us at Eagle Point-Blue Rapids Parks Systems - Where Adventure Awaits EAGLE POINT-BLUE RAPIDS PARKS COUNCIL ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS NETWORK WITH NATURE, CONNECT TO WELLNESS! OUTDOOR EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING FOR STUDENTS OF ALL AGES! LET THE ADVENTURE BEGIN! Page 1 of 23

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3 Environmental Education is provided to children, youth and community groups for free because of the generosity of our Partners & Sponsors. Page 3 of 23

4 Table of Contents Sponsors & Partners.3 Table of Contents..4 Booking a Program 5 Intro to Outdoor Survival 6 Science of Snow 7 Snowshoes..8 Biodiversity of the EPBR Park System.9 Bugology 10 GPS & Geocaching..11 Nature s Notions.12 Nature s Recyclers. 13 Tracks and Scat 14 Treelympics..15 Trees and Forests 16 Wonders of Wetlands 17 Marvellous, Misunderstood Bats...18 Owl Discovery. 19 Outdoor Education/Wildlife Course..20 Future Programs 21 Outdoor Opportunities for Families..22 Education Resources.. 23 Page 4 of 23

5 Booking a program with the Eagle Point-Blue Rapids Parks Council Staff When you book your program on our website, you ll be asked to complete and submit a booking form to us, complete with arrival & departure times, number of students, etc. Within a week of receiving your request, EPBR Parks staff will contact you via or telephone to confirm your booking date and review pertinent details. If you haven t received confirmation, please check in with us by or telephone! FIELD TRIP GUIDELINES In General, our field trip programs run from 9:30 am to 2:00 pm. The following outline may be modified depending on the class size & the specific program. A maximum of 25 students/group leader please. Things to bring: Proper clothing, footwear, hat for wet, dry, hot or cold weather. Children will experience forests, shoreline, woodland areas and can be expected to get dirty! Bagged lunch and snacks, water bottles, mosquito repellant, sunscreen. Group Orientation (15 minutes) Overview of park rules, safety and behaviour, expectations for the day Student Snack Break/Volunteer Orientation (10-15 minutes) Educational Activities (2 hours) GROUP 1: Staff-led Activity (35 min) GROUP 2: Staff-led Activity (35 min) Lunch Break (1 hour) SAMPLE ITINERARY Environmental Educators will circulate and answer questions and ensure that the program is going smoothly. Educational Activities (1 hour) GROUP 1: Staff-led Activity (30 min) GROUP 2: Staff-led Activity (30 min) Program Wrap-up (15-20 min before bus departs) Groups return to designated meeting area. Final washroom break, head count, inventory and return equipment borrowed from the park, gather personal belongings, board bus. When programs on booked off school grounds for field trip days, you will receive a detailed schedule of arrival times, orientation information and instructions for parents/teachers, in addition to a reminder which outlines clothing, bagged lunches, etc. Most field trip style bookings consist of 2 or 3 modules (2 before lunch/1 after lunch) but customized plans are available. to suit your group. BOOK EARLY! SPRING PROGRAMS BOOK UP FAST! Page 5 of 23

6 Program #1 - Introduction to Outdoor Survival - October - April Get out of the classroom and into the wilderness of the boreal forest! Through hands-on activities, students will face the challenges of outdoor survival and the rewards of having the necessary skills. Students will discuss the essentials for surviving outdoors in all seasons (especially the cold boreal winters), will have the opportunity to search for their own natural tinder and kindling and light a small fire with flint and steel! Students will learn the importance of teamwork for survival when participating in activities. We will discuss the responsibilities for personal safety that come with outdoor recreation. This program is not designed to be a survival course - rather to pique student interest in the subject of Outdoor Survival. FIRE LIGHTING, SHELTER BUILDING, KNIFE SAFETY, SURVIVAL GEAR, WILDERNESS PREPAREDNESS. Maximum number of students: 30 ( 1 parent/teacher for every 5 students is highly recommended) Course Duration: 2 to 3 hours Locations Available: Pembina Nordic North Trails, Rotary South Trails, Hilltop Trails, Blue Rapids Provincial Recreation Area Page 6 of 23

7 Program #2 - The Science of Snow - November to March Students will learn how snowflakes are formed and create some snowflakes of their own during this program! They will also learn about winter animal adaptations that allow wildlife in Alberta to survive our long winters. Students will then venture outside to build quinzee snow shelters for their lit- tle critters and have some fun playing interactive games which teach them about winter habitats. POWERPOINT PRESENTATION, FAKE A FLAKE, SNOWFLAKE HUNT, FROG QUINZEES, SNOW INVESTIGATIONS Course Duration: 75 to 90 minutes Locations Available: At your classroom and outdoors at your site. Age Suggestions: Kindergarten to Grade 2 Page 7 of 23

8 Program #3 - Snowshoes: winter season The Parks Council has snowshoes in various sizes available for school and youth groups to use for free! You can pick up the snowshoes at our office or request a staff member to join your group as a guide and to provide a bit of history on snowshoeing in Canada and the world. SNOWSHOES, WITH OR WITHOUT A GUIDE Maximum number of students: Various sizes available, depending on user weight. Guided walks - 1 to 2 hour duration are available for $50/hour (free for school and youth groups). Locations Available: Pick up from our office or have our staff bring the snowshoes to your group. Available tours - Rotary South Trails, Hilltop Acres, Riverwalk Trail, off trail exploration in Blue Rapids Provincial Recreation Area. Page 8 of 23

9 Program #4 - Biodiversity of the Parks System - October to May How does human activity affect biodiversity in our natural areas? Students, in the role of scientists, examine the differences between disturbed and undisturbed sites. They explore diversity among and between species, and impacts of non-native and invasive species. The influence of human activities on the land base is also considered. GROUND COVER ASSESSMENTS, INSECT AND BIRD COUNT, DIVERSITY WITHIN A SPECIES. Course Duration: 2 to 3 hours Locations Available: Blue Rapids Provincial Recreation Area or Eagle Point Provincial Park. Age Suggestions: Grade 9 Science, Biological Diversity Page 9 of 23

10 Program #5 - Bugology - May to September This program focuses on small crawling and flying invertebrates. The activities are designed to give students a hands-on experience with the Parks smallest inhabitants! On the Mini-Beast Safari, children will walk along the banks of the North Saskatchewan River or through a woodland environment. At the pond life station, students will investigate and observe living plants and creatures in the water*) and the butterfly meadows allow to students to attempt to catch the flying beauties! MINI BEAST SAFARI, POND LIFE OR RIVER LIFE INVESTIGATION, BUTTERFLY MEADOWS. Course Duration: 2 to 3 hours Locations Available: Willey West Campground or Pembina Nordic Trails. Age Suggestions/Curriculum Links: Grade 2 Science, Small Flying and Crawling Animals. Page 10 of 23

11 Program #6 - GPS & Geocaching - Year Round Join EPBR Parks Council Staff on a high tech treasure hunt! Parks Council staff will guide you and your class on a geocaching adventure through Rotary-Pembina Nordic South Trails or Hilltop Trails. During this program, you will learn how to use a GPS and discuss pros/cons of compass vs. GPS. Students will go on a treasure hunt to find geocaches hidden throughout the trail system, using GPS and maps. GPS TRAINING, GPS/MAP TREASURE HUNT. STUDENTS SHOULD BRING SMALL ITEMS TO LEAVE BEHIND IN THE GEOCACHES Course Duration: 2 to 3 hours Locations Available: Pembina Nordic South Trails, Hilltop Trails. Age Suggestions: Junior High or Older, Curriculum Connection - Social Studies (Mapping/Geography), Grade 9 Math (Technology and Data Collection) Page 11 of 23

12 Program #7 - Nature s Notions - May to October Join EPBR Parks Council staff for a relaxing jaunt through the forests of our local parks! On the way, we share our knowledge of the local flora and fauna. We ll listen and look for wildlife, explore the underbrush for insects, imagine what it s like to be an animal living in the forest, and use our five senses to have a full experience of the wilderness. In addition to a nature walk, we can include nature crafts, hoola hoop habitats, nature stories and more! MAY INCLUDE: NATURE CRAFTS, NATURE HIKE, HOOLA HOOP HABITAT, BUG HUNT, NATURE STORY Course Duration: 1.5 to 3 hours Locations Available: Blue Rapids Provincial Recreation Area or Eagle Point Provincial Park. Age Suggestions: Grade 1; Senses, Needs of Animals & Plants, Grade 3: Hearing and Sound, Animal Life Cycles Page 12 of 23

13 Program #8 - Nature s Recyclers - May to October Get out of the classroom and into the forest to discover what types of decomposers help recycle the organic matter of the forest. Students will learn that fungi, bacteria and invertebrates break down the waste products of the forests. Students will compare nature s recyclers to human recycling to make connections regarding the importance of breaking down and recycling matter. POWERPOINT PRESENTATION, SOIL SAMPLE EXPLORATIONS, DECOMPOSER BINGO, HUMAN TRASH AND DECOMPOSERS. Course Duration: 1.5 to 2.5 hours (depending on the number of activities) Locations Available: Blue Rapids Provincial Recreation Area or Eagle Point Provincial Park. Age Suggestions/Curriculum Links: Grade 4: Waste & Our World Page 13 of 23

14 Program #9 - Tracks & Scat - Year Round Animals are all around us, but many are shy and rarely seen. The clues they leave behind (tracks and scat) provide us with powerful learning tools to teach us about their habits and behaviour. Join Eagle Point-Blue Rapids staff to explore the tracks and scats of our local wildlife. STORY/PRESENTATION, HANDS-ON TRACKS USING REPLICA SCAT & TRACKS, MAKE A TRACK TO TAKE HOME, MAY INCLUDE FOREST WALK IN SNOW* Course Duration: 1-2 hours in class, 2 to 3 hours includes nature walk. Locations Available: Blue Rapids Provincial Recreation Area or Eagle Point Provincial Park. Age Suggestions: All Grade Levels Page 14 of 23

15 Program #10 - Treelympics - May to October Through hands on activities, students will pit their strength and endurance against trees with games that simulate every day functions of trees. This Olympic style event will demonstrate how the ordinary processes of trees are truly wondrous and amazing feats of nature! TREE TUG, SUGAR SHUFFLE, BIG GULP, BIG SLURP, SEED TOSS. Course Duration: 1.5 to 2 hours Locations Available: At your school yard or at any chosen location in Eagle Point or Blue Rapids Parks system. Age Suggestions/Curriculum Links: Grade 4: Plants & Growth. Page 15 of 23

16 Program #11 - Trees & Forests May to October Students will learn about trees as individual plants on our local trail systems! They will learn to recognize the different characteristics between species, develop skills in describing and interpreting the structural features of trees and plants. They will learn about humans and the forest, responsible use, forestry techniques and more. INTERPRETIVE WALK, FORESTRY SKILLS, TREE IDENTIFICATION, SELF-GUIDED STATIONS. Course Duration: 2 to 3 hours Locations Available: Blue Rapids Provincial Recreation Area or Eagle Point Provincial Park. Age Suggestions: Grade 6: Trees & Forests. Page 16 of 23

17 Program #12 - Wonders of Wetlands - May to September Get out of the classroom and near a body of water (either a local pond or a wetland in the Park) to discover what types of plants and animals call ponds home. Through hands-on activities, students will learn about pond ecosystems, have opportunities to search for pond dwellers and observe them up close. We look at riparian habitats, water quality, evidence of terrestrial animals and uplands flora. Why are ponds important for our local environment? Different focuses match different age groups. POND DIPPING, WATER QUALITY, ABIOTIC FACTORS, UPLAND FLORA & FAUNA. Course Duration: 2 to 3 hours Locations Available: Provincial Park. Age Suggestions: Ecosystems. Blue Rapids Provincial Recreation Area or Eagle Point Grade 5, Wetland Ecosystems, Grade 8, Fresh Water Page 17 of 23

18 Program #13 - Marvellous Misunderstood Bats - Year Round Bats play a very important role in our boreal ecosystem and need our protection! During this interactive presentation, students will learn about the different kind of bats in Alberta and throughout the world. We will explore bat anatomy, food sources, echolocation and hibernation and threats to bat survival. Students will participate in fun games that allow them to experience the world as a bat. Different focuses for different grade levels. EDUCATIONAL POWERPOINT/SPEAKER SERIES, TRUTHS & MYTH ABOUT BATS WITH BERTIE THE BAT PUPPET, ECHOLOCATION GAME Course Duration: 1.5 Hours Locations Available: In your classroom. Age Suggestions/Curriculum Links: Grade 2, Small Crawling & Flying Animals, Grade 3, Hearing and Sound, Animal Life Cycles. Page 18 of 23

19 Program #14 - Owl Discovery - Year Round What is a raptor? What did an owl have for dinner? This hands-on owl pellet dissection allows children to explore the basics of owl adaptations and will allow them to explore and identify tiny bones of the animals the owl has eaten. A favourite amongst the kids! Please give two weeks notice on this booking. OWL PRESENTATION, OWL PELLET DISSECTION, BONE IDENTIFICATION Course Duration: 1.5 hours Locations Available: In your classroom, Pembina Nordic Trails, Willey West Campground (when campground is open). Age Suggestions: Grade 3 and up, Curriculum link to biology, biodiversity. Page 19 of 23

20 Program #15 - Outdoor Education/Wildlife Course Our staff can facilitate up to 10 modules* on outdoor education, wilderness preparedness and wilderness travel with your students. Youth will experience a lot of fun activities which promote a healthy awareness/appreciation for the outdoors. Some modules include external staff and may require additional booking time. EPBR Parks Council Staff will facilitate all 10 modules for a fee of $600. Individual modules may be booked without a fee. MODULES GEAR & PREPAREDNESS MAPS & COMPASS NAVIGATION (2) FIRE STARTERS & FIRES AXES, KNIVES & SAWS OUTDOOR COOKING & FORAGING SHELTERS WOODS TRAVEL(2) ARCHERY OR TRAPS BEAR AWARENESS CAMP SET-UP Module Duration: 1.15 to 1.5 hours/module Locations Available: In your classroom, Pembina Nordic Trails, Willey West Campground (when campground is open). Age Suggestions: Grade 6 to 12. Curriculum Links: Junior High Outdoor Education, Physical Education. Page 20 of 23

21 Future Programs FUR PRESENTATION The fur presentation can be adapted to suit younger audiences as well as teens who are interested in our local wildlife. Staff bring in our fur kit which contains tanned furs and hides of various species for a one hour presentation, allowing the students to get up close and personal with the furs. TIPI TEACHINGS We are currently working with local Indigenous groups to bring a program to Eagle Point Provincial Park which includes cultural and land based learning, lead by I n d i g e n o u s k n o w l e d g e keepers and Parks Council staff. Page 21 of 23

22 Outdoor Opportunities for Families GLOBAL BIG DAY Join Eagle Point-Blue Rapids Parks Staff as we go to several locations in the parks to identify bird species and count them as part of a global bird count which occurs every May! Get fresh air, learn about birds and meet new friends on our expedition to various habitats! PARKS DAY Eagle Point Provincial Park is the site of our yearly summer festival where families can experience canoeing, archery, jet boat rides, ATV rides, games, music, free food and more! Parks Day is the 3rd Saturday in July. We host our e v e n t a t W i l l e y W e s t Campground! Activities start Page 22 of 23

23 Education Resources Contact Us; Eagle Point-Blue Rapids Parks Council 2nd Floor, Provincial Building Avenue, Drayton Valley, Alberta T7A 2S6 Office: Sandra Bannard (Executive Director) - sandra@epbrparkscouncil.org We can customize our programs to suit your needs and your age group. If you have a suggestions or require further information, please outreach@epbrparkscouncil.org We appreciate your input and your testimonials! Kathy Schwengler (Eduction & Outreach Coordinator) - outreach@epbrparkscouncil.org Page 23 of 23