​​​High School Programs

Living Landscape
​All Seasons
Become inspired by the natural beauty of the Tiffin Centre through guided outdoor landscape drawing sessions.

Investigating Ecosystems
Spring/fall, half-day program
While exploring terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, in both natural and managed areas, students will investigate the components and interrelationships of various biological communities including forest, field, and pond/wetland. Issues surrounding biodiversity and sustainability of our natural resources will be discussed.

The Truth about Ponds
Spring/fall, half-day program
In this comparative study, students will discover both positive and negative impacts of human-made ponds by investigating biotic and abiotic parameters at selected points along a watercourse. Students will closely examine the relationship between temperature and dissolved oxygen and the role they play in aquatic environments. Through this investigation, students will gain a better understanding of the factors that affect watersheds.

Map Reading / Orienteering
All seasons, half or full day programs
In this program, students review the concept of orienteering and develop their map reading skills through a series of progressively complex orienteering courses. Students will use a variety of maps, compasses, and trail systems to challenge their cognitive and physical abilities.

GPS Navigation
All seasons, half day
Introduce your students to GPS technology and the exciting world of geocaching! Following a presentation highlighting the history and applications of the Global Positioning System, students use hand-held GPS units to navigate their way through one of our challenging courses. The important relationship between map, compass, and GPS technology will be emphasized throughout the program.

Disc Golf
Spring/fall, half-day program
Learn and enjoy a new game in a natural environment at the Tiffin Centre’s new and improved nine-basket disc golf course! Disc golf, like ball golf, requires participants to land their “disc” (i.e. Frisbee) in the target basket using the fewest number of throws. Disc golf is easy to learn and fun to play!​

Fire and/or Emergency Shelter Building
​All seasons, half or full day programs
Through a variety of hands-on activities and discussions, students will review ways to prevent becoming lost and the measures they can take if they find themselves alone in the wilderness. Basic survival skills including proper dress, safety precautions, distress signals, shelter-building and map-reading skills will be emphasized. In small groups, students will then test their skills on the “Amazing Rac​e” challenge course. ​

Team Dynamics & Low Ropes Challenge Course
All seasons, half or full day programs
Students will build confidence in themselves and each other as they work through a series of progressively challenging initiatives that aim to promote teamwork, leadership, trust, communication and problem solving. Once students have successfully completed a selection of team building activities they are then further challenged on our Low Ropes Challenge Course.

Please note that closed-toe shoes are required to participate in this program.

Lost in the Woods
Grades 1 to 3 (spring and fall – half-day program)
Also available as an outreach program.
Based on a short film of the same title, this program introduces young explorers to basic wilderness survival/life skills. Through a discussion of the film, students will review ways to prevent becoming lost and the measures they can take if they find themselves alone in the wilderness.

In this program, students will learn how to be better prepared for outdoor adventure and will develop their map-reading abilities through a short, orienteering scavenger hunt. The importance of survival kits and how to stay warm and dry through appropriate dress and shelter building will also be emphasized. If time permits, students will have an opportunity to assemble their own mini-survival kits.