Overnight Programs

GRCA Administrative Office, Port Hope

Oak Ridges Moraine Program

Students learn about unique land features in Ontario, with a primary focus on the moraine. Students participate in an interpretive hike that includes dialogue on topics such as glacial erratic, watersheds, headwaters and water source protection.

Outdoor Survival Skills

Students learn the skills necessary to survive in the great outdoors. Hands-on initiatives include fire-building and shelter-building. Different survival scenarios are explored and discussed in this favourite, action-packed program.

Pond & Stream Study with Water Analysis Lab

Students complete a written comparative analysis of a lentic (pond) vs. a lotic (stream) environment. A field study of each environment provides students with the opportunity to learn the techniques of specimen collection and tallying using a macro-invertebrate tally chart.

Snowshoeing

Students spend a half-day learning how to snowshoe using modern, provided equipment. This program demonstrates a unique method of winter travel, is physically active, and is best combined with another half-day program.

Soil… It’s Not Just Dirt

This program focuses on the creation of soil, different soil particles, and the creatures that live in the soil. Students should come prepared to get dirty as they explore the soil. Students will complete several fun and hands-on experiments: creating soil with hammers, digging a soil profile, creating a soil conductivity test and so much more.

Species Identification: Benthics

Students visit our beaver ponds to collect benthic macroinvertebrates (bottom-dwelling creatures) and utilize key anatomical features to assist in identifying the species of benthic. This program emphasizes the importance of each species to the pond ecosystem.

Species Identification: Trees

Students gain an understanding of and appreciation for a wide variety of local tree species, and learn how to use a dichotomous key to assist in identifying coniferous and deciduous tree species.

Sports Night

An evening of 3 sports: floor hockey, soccer, and Ultimate Frisbee. Your group will be split into 6 teams and rotate through the 3 sporting events and the team with the highest score wins the coveted “Ultimate Sport Champion” award.

Stress Management Techniques – Forest Therapy

Forest therapy is an emerging practice in preventative health care that utilizes intentional experiences in a living forest to generate health benefits. Along with physiological changes in blood pressure, immune functioning and improved sleep, the health benefits of forest therapy include reduced stress levels, improved mood, increased energy, as well as an increased ability to focus.

Survival Game (Evening Only)

An exciting adaptation of our day-time program of the same name, in this active role-playing game, each student takes on the character of a different wildlife species to gain a better understanding of the relationship between predator and prey in a forest ecosystem.

The Many Faces of Climate Change

Students are challenged to identify the consequences of climate change for the local biosphere. They will then explore a number of climate change adaptation strategies that will be fundamental to the future success of Ontario’s plant, animal, and human residents.

Trappers & Traders

This engaging program puts student teams against one another in an orienteering challenge that requires teams to creatively barter their European goods for animal pelts.

Education