School Programs

We offer high-quality, experiential programming in a natural setting with low instructor to child ratios! Our programs are an opportunity for students to actively engage with the natural world and wildlife in ways not feasible in the classroom.

We believe:

• Students need to be active participants in their learning;
• Nature is not just a science lesson – its a life lesson with science;
• Unstructured, outdoor play is an essential part of learning.

Some of the ways this philosophy is expressed in our programs includes: 

• Programs are special, unique experiences crafted for the interests and ability of that grade.
• ‘Seeing all the animals’ is a passive activity – instead we use a specific theme focusing on a smaller group of species or even a single species. This allows for more variety and activity.
• Students need to be physically active (less standing/sitting and more walking/running).
• We don’t focus on facts. Too many facts becomes boring and emotionless. 
• We use stories – emotional narratives that help us understand who we are and how we got here (sometimes they even have facts in them)!
• We relate to wildlife through science, culture, history, politics, math, language, social studies and more.
• We create opportunities for unstructured learning – games and activities where students get to choose how and what they will engage with.
• We recognize that children don’t see things the way we adults do – that a muskox is cool, but sometimes the bug on the ground is cooler. Our activities take this into account, preferring the immediate, touchable experience to the look from afar experience.
• Hiding, sneaking, running, asking questions, and more. We use these child passions – things we love(d) to do as kids – to draw students to their edges.

In addition to 12+ species of Yukon’s Boreal and Arctic Species on a 700 acre site, our school program resources and facilities also include:

• Learning Centre for indoor play, stories, lunch and shelter from inclement weather;
• Bathrooms (outhouses);
• Emergency transportation and first-aid materials.

Programs are conducted outdoors. In the event of severe or prolonged inclement weather it may be necessary to cancel and try re-booking a program.

We will need the following information to make a booking:

• What experience and subject matter you are interested in;
• Your school/association;
• Teacher Name(s) (if more than one class is coming, we’ll need contacts for each class);
• Email addresses;
• Grade(s) and class sizes;
• Anticipated number of chaperones;
• Mode of transportation to and from the Preserve (yellow bus, white 20-24 passenger bus, personal vehicles, etc);
• The dates / times you are interested in;
• Any learning differences or special needs we should be aware of – especially mobility related (the more we know, the better experience we can provide you).