Tiffin Homeschool Program
Tiffin Homeschool Program is for homeschool families who want to spend structured time outside to develop a sense of wonder, appreciation and respect for the natural world. Parents and guardians are invited to bring their children to the Tiffin Centre for Conservation where we take care of the programming so that families can spend time learning outside together.
Tiffin Homeschool Program is hosted on the last Friday of each month, except for December and June, when programs are hosted on the 20th of the month.
Activities
Our programs are designed for children aged 4 and up, however children aged 3 and under are welcome to join in where possible and age appropriate without registering or paying a fee, provided they have at least one registered sibling and receive full support and supervision from a parent. For programming that is geared to children aged 2.5 or older, visit Tiffin Nature School.
Session 1:
Fall 2024
Morning Program
10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Lunch Break
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Afternoon Program
1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Program fee
Full day – $77.68
Half day – $53.70
Children staying for half day can stay and have lunch with friends. Pricing includes all session events.
- Friday September 27, 2024
- Harvest Time and Bird Business
- Tiffin Centre for Conservation 8195 8th Line, Utopia ON L0M 1T0
- Welcome early fall with an exploration of local plants and bird movements. We’ll learn about local edible (and non-edible!) plants and discover how animals adapt as they prepare for colder months, with a special focus on bird migration. This session provides a well-rounded learning experience through hands-on learning and connection to nature.
- Subject Areas: Science, Geography, Math, Art, Physical Education, Health & Wellness, Social Studies, Environmental Studies, Like Skills, and Green Skills.
- Friday October 25, 2024
- Spooky Season and Night Life
- Tiffin Centre for Conservation 8195 8th Line, Utopia ON L0M 1T0
- Uncover the mysteries of the night with our exploration of nocturnal animals and spooky science. We’ll look at the fascinating adaptations of night-time creatures and conduct fun, educational experiments to unravel curious phenomena. This session is designed to spark curiosity and deepen understanding through interactive learning and creativity.
- Subject Areas: Science, Art, Technology, Social Studies, Language, Physical Education, Social Science, Health, and Green Skills
- Friday November 29, 2024
- Science of Fall and the Preparation for Winter
- Tiffin Centre for Conservation 8195 8th Line, Utopia ON L0M 1T0
- Why do leaves change colour? Explore the beauty of fall through science and discover how nature prepares for winter. We'll investigate environmental changes, from plant adaptations to animal behaviours, and understand the seasonal shifts through immersive activities that connect students with the natural world. This session encourages a hands-on approach to learning about nature's seasonal rhythms.
- Subject Areas: Science, Math, Art, Physical Education, Social Studies, Green Skills
- Friday December 20, 2024
- Quiet Forest and Animal Signs
- Tiffin Centre for Conservation 8195 8th Line, Utopia ON L0M 1T0
- Experience the calm of the winter forest and learn to read signs of animal activity. We’ll use a blend of science, keen observation, and mindfulness to explore how animals adapt to winter's quiet changes. This session emphasizes observation skills and reflective practices to connect students with the winter landscape.
- Subject Areas: Science, Art, Physical Education, Social Studies, Health and Wellness, Life Skills, Green Skills
Session 2:
Winter 2025
Morning Program
10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Lunch Break
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Afternoon Program
1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Program fee
Full day – $58.25
Half day – $40.25
Children staying for half day can stay and have lunch with friends. Pricing includes all session events.
- Friday January 31, 2025
- Ice Cold Science and Flaking Out
- Tiffin Centre for Conservation 8195 8th Line, Utopia ON L0M 1T0
- Explore the wonders of snow and ice through both scientific and artistic perspectives. This session combines scientific inquiry with creative expression to help students understand how snow and ice form, their physical properties, and their crucial role in natural systems.
- Subject Areas: Science, Math, Art, Physical Education, Social Studies, Environmental Studies, Green Skills
- Friday February 28, 2025
- Winter Wildlife and Wild Sleep
- Tiffin Centre for Conservation 8195 8th Line, Utopia ON L0M 1T0
- Explore the fascinating ways plants and animals adapt to winter conditions. We’ll learn about survival strategies and seasonal adaptations through interactive games and hands-on art and observations. This session is designed to build a deeper connection with the natural world, encouraging critical thinking, environmental awareness, and an appreciation for winter ecology and resilience.
- Subject Areas: Science, Math, Art, Physical Education, Social Studies, Environmental Studies, Green Skills
- Friday, March 28, 2025
- Spring Returns and Sappy Stories
- Tiffin Centre for Conservation 8195 8th Line, Utopia ON L0M 1T0
- Join us in celebrating the arrival of spring. There’s so much to discover! Learn how to identify spring flowers and explore how trees regain their leafy beauty after a long winter. Investigate the impacts of climate change on maple syrup production and how these changes might affect other plants and animals. Engage in hands-on activities that support local wildlife and finish the day with a taste of Tiffin’s own maple syrup!
- Subject Areas: Science, Art, Geography, Physical Education, Social Studies, Environmental Studies, Green Skills, Language Arts
Session 3:
Spring 2025
Morning Program
10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Lunch Break
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Afternoon Program
1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Program fee
Full day – $58.25
Half day – $40.25
Children staying for half day can stay and have lunch with friends. Pricing includes all session events.
- Friday April 25, 2025
- Spring Life Science and Cycles
- Tiffin Centre for Conservation 8195 8th Line, Utopia ON L0M 1T0
- Explore the dynamic science of spring through engaging activities that highlight new life and natural cycles. We’ll investigate the changes in weather patterns, plant growth, and animal life cycles, making connections to the broader environmental processes. This session encourages real-world learning through inquiry and hands-on learning to deepen students' understanding of seasonal changes and the interconnectedness of nature.
- Subject Areas: Science, Math, Art, Physical Education, Environmental Studies, Language Arts, Green Skills
- Friday May 30, 2025
- Plants and Pollinators
- Tiffin Centre for Conservation 8195 8th Line, Utopia ON L0M 1T0
- Dive into the interconnected world of gardening and pollinators! Through hands-on activities, we’ll explore how to grow native plant and food gardens, observe and identify insects, and uncover the vital role that blooming flowers and beneficial insects play in healthy ecosystems. By engaging in experiential learning, students will deepen their ecological knowledge and gain insight into how they can contribute to a balanced and thriving environment.
- Subject Areas: Science, Math, Art, Physical Education, Social Studies, Environmental Studies, Life Skills, Green Skills
- Friday June 20, 2025
- Heating Up and Water Ways
- Tiffin Centre for Conservation 8195 8th Line, Utopia ON L0M 1T0
- Discover how nature-based solutions can help cool our planet! We’ll explore how animals like beavers reduce greenhouse gases and learn about sustainable building practices with a tour of a green building. Children will experience nature’s power firsthand by creating their own green roof model to take home. Through hands-on activities and real-world applications, students will develop practical skills for environmental stewardship and deepen their understanding of how their actions contribute to a sustainable future. Don’t forget your rubber boots for exploring the wetland!
- Subject Areas: Science, Math, Art, Physical Education, Social Studies, Health and Wellness, Green Technology and Engineering, Environmental Education, Life Skills, Green Skills, STEM skills
Registration
Children aged 3 and under
Children aged 3 and under can attend for free and do not need to be registered. They must have at least one registered sibling and receive full support and supervision from a parent during programming.
Children aged 10 and under
All children aged 10 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Please visit NVCA’s Payment Portal directly to submit payment. Please include children’s names and ages so we know who will be joining us. Parents/guardians are not required to register.
Instructions for using NVCA's Payment Portal
Using the ‘+’ and ‘-‘ buttons, please select the number of children you are registering for.
Choose the homeschool program your family would like to attend by using the “Select One” box under Select an Option. After you are satisfied with yours selection, please add your order to your cart.
To complete payment, select the cart icon and proceed to checkout.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, a paper ticket is not necessary!
If you cannot attend 1 of the 3 sessions you have paid for, please email outdoored@nvca.on.ca to request a different week you would like to attend in one of the other sessions.
For example, if you cannot attend the Team Dynamics on November 11 (Session 1), you have the option of attending Wilderness Winter Survival on on January 20, 2023 (Session 2).
For those staying and eating lunch during our program days, please note that there is no food available for purchase. We also ask participants to be mindful of our litterless lunch policy and deposit any food-related garbage or recycling off-site (donations to our compost, however, are always appreciated!). Water fountains are available to fill up re-useable water bottles.
Children ages 11 or older can be dropped off for programming. If your child is aged 10 and under and you can assign supervision of your children to another adult who will be participating. We ask that you indicate the name of the individual who has accepted this responsibility in the payment page.
We do require that all children aged 10 and under to have an adult supervisor on-site and participating in our programs in case of unforeseen incidents (sickness, injury, etc.).
If your child is aged 10 and under and you can assign supervision of your children to another adult who will be participating. We ask that you indicate the name of the individual who has accepted this responsibility in the payment page.
We do require that all children aged 10 and under to have an adult supervisor on-site and participating in our programs in case of unforeseen incidents (sickness, injury, etc.).
If your child is aged 10 and under and you can assign supervision of your children to another adult who will be participating. We ask that you indicate the name of the individual who has accepted this responsibility in the payment page.
All of our programs run rain, snow or shine. Please come prepared for outdoor activity and dress appropriately for the weather.
While leashed dogs are allowed on NVCA trails, we ask that they do not accompany you during programming times.
Due to the number of participants and the nature of our programs, we cannot guarantee placement with other registrants.
Environmental Education
Stewardship Services