Outdoor School
Parent Overview
Date:
Trustee Seminar
June 10, 2014
From NVOS to Cheakamus
Centre…the 45 year-long journey
continues
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New Name and Visual Identity (2013)
Still owned and directed by SD 44
Outdoor School is flagship
program
New K-12 Programs being
developed/offered
Partnership with Listel
Program Instructional Methodology
• To create an emotional tie between students and the
natural world.
• Support and enhance the exploration of the nature through
the use of specialized tools and equipment
• To teach lessons in a real setting; an environment where
all senses can collect information.
What is Outdoor School (ODS)?
• ODS is the core educational program for
primary and intermediate students
• Offered on the 165 ha environmental
learning centre in Paradise Valley
• The SD44 facility includes:
– Functioning fish hatchery with 12kms
of salmon spawning habitat
– Animal farm and food gardens
– Coast Salish Bighouse
– 3 types of forest
– canoe pond
– cooperative challenges area & more!
Where is Outdoor School and the
Cheakamus Centre site?
• Approximately 1 hour north of
Horseshoe Bay
• On the banks of the Cheakamus River
in Paradise Valley
• In an environmentally diverse area
with old and second growth forests,
including trees almost 1000 years old
• A 15 minute drive from the town of
Squamish
Why go to Outdoor School?
• It is a place where students come to do,
see, and experience things
• Students develop an understanding of
human impacts on the environment
• It provides an opportunity for students
to build confidence, independence and
a greater sense of community
Who are the People of Outdoor School?
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Administrators and teachers (Steelhead, Coho, Cedar, Lynx)
Program Staff (Wren, Lupine, Fern, Scruffy, Alder)
Kitchen Staff (Chef and crew)
Maintenance and Operations (Carl, Jason and Steven)
Who are Counselors at Outdoor School?
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Counselors provide a very important role at ODS
Provide supervision, instruction, and leadership
Mentor and support younger students
They’re volunteer high school, college, or
university students
• 1st complete a counselor training program
ODS Cabins..
• Heated and sleep 12-16
students
• Equipped with
bunkbeds and separate
rooms
• Have toilets + showers
• Rustic!
Special Responsibilities
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setting up the dining hall for meals
bringing food from the kitchen to the table and serving
cleaning up after meals
feeding and caring for farm animals
Composting waste
Environmental
Learning Centre
• State of the Art Design
• Professional Kitchen Staff
• Dining areas, classrooms, and
meeting room
• Undercover gathering/learning
spaces
From the kitchen…
• three kid-friendly nutritious meals and two snacks are served
per day which are eaten in the dining hall
• Chef provides for special diets
• meals are run by Program Support Specialists and
supported by teachers and ODS staff
Field Studies
• Facilitated outside utilizing the 165 hectare ecological reserve
• Led by ODS teachers and visiting teachers
• The focus of the studies are determined by the Outdoor School
teachers and visiting staff, and the seasons
Salmon/Aquatics Field Study
Pond Field Study
Forest Field Study
Farm Field Study
Wildlife/Habitat Field Study
Special Programming
Each day students participate in special interest
activities under the supervision of the Special Programs
Coordinator and led by the counsellors
Canoeing
Archery
Caving
Cooperative Challenges
In the evening…
• Teacher time
• Counselor-led activities
• Sensory walk
• Dance Night
• Skits/performances
• Campfire songs
Sensory Walk
Dancing
Skits and Performances
Campfire Songs
Lights Out
• Counselors and Cheakamus staff support
students at bedtime
• on the first night, and both nights for primary
grade visits, counsellors remain in the cabins
• subsequent nights (intermediate grade visits of
more than two nights) counsellors have a one
hour break from 10:00 to 11:00 pm and pairs do
‘Night Watch’ with resident staff supervision
The Outdoor School experience can
provide students with:
• Opportunities to ‘see’, appreciate
and respect their environment
• Opportunities to understand how
natural systems are connected
• Opportunities to foster confidence,
independence and community
• Lasting memories
Questions?