PROGRAMS AT THE OUTDOOR CENTRE
Outdoor Education programs are targeted at children, youth, or adult groups looking to learn outdoor skills, work on teambuilding, and explore nature. Outdoor Education programs include meals, accommodation and staff to facilitate activities. Programming is offered in two seasons: Spring and Fall. The Spring season runs from the second week of May until the second last week in June (usually about 6 weeks). The Fall season runs for the month of September. Your school can come for one day or stay for up to four nights.
In the Spring season, programming in French is available. There is a maximum of 55 participants at a time, due to availability of French-speaking staff. Meals and administration are in English.
Rental programs are available for groups who want to do their own programming – we provide meals, accommodation and space, with the option to add on activities for part of the stay.
Activities Offered
The following activities are available: rock climbing, canoeing, kayaking, SUP, archery, orienteering, atlatl (spear throwing), teambuilding, low ropes courses, swimming (swim test required), hiking, camp craft (outdoor survival skills), owl pellet dissection, nature learning chain, nature games, Animal Game and other wide games. For a complete description of each activity please download the Teacher Information booklet below.
New Curriculum Aligned Programs
Through the generous support of TD Friends of the Environment and the European Society for Evolutionary Biology Grants, we are developing new curriculum aligned programs focused on climate change and evolution. The programs will be experiential, hands-on and aligned to the BC Grade 7 curriculum and available starting May 2020. More details will be posted here as the programs are developed. If you are interested in knowing more about these, please contact the Program Manager Hana Kucera at hkucera@vancouverislandy.ca.
RESOURCES
Teacher Information This booklet is updated each year, and thoroughly explains the Outdoor Education Programs.
Outdoor Education and Rental fees – 2019 Lists pricing for Outdoor Education and Rentals
BOOKING INFORMATION
New Clients
Submit a request at anytime; requests are first come first serve after re-booking deadlines for returning clients.
Returning Clients
We will tentatively hold equivalent dates for approximately the same number of students for returning groups year to year until our re-booking deadlines. For Spring groups, the rebooking deadline is November 1 and for Fall groups, February 1.
We continue to accept booking requests up until shortly before the season starts, and if your group is flexible with dates, we can usually fit you in.
For specific details on the booking process, payment and group requirements please review the Teacher/Group Organizer Information Booklet above.