The programs are perfect for families that homeschool or those wanting to spend family time outside!
Thursday, September 19, 2019
Age 4-11 — Team Dynamics
Age 12-19 — Team Dynamics with Low Ropes
Build community and make new friends in a fun filled day of team dynamics geared to age.
Friday, October 4, 2019 - Hiking the Bluffs
Program takes place at
Nottawasaga Bluffs Conservation Area near Singhampton.
Not suitable for children in strollers.
Join us for a guided hike at the Nottawasaga Bluffs. As we climb in and around the Niagara Escarpment, we will visit ‘The Tomb’ with head lamps and read inscriptions from decades ago on ‘The Wall’.
Register here
Thursday, November 14, 2019 - Mapping and Navigation
Age 4-11 – Lost in the Woods: Students will learn basic mapping skills, what to do if they were ever lost in the woods, including shelter building
Age 12-19 – GPS with Map Navigation: Students will use Garmin Etrex GPS units (provided) to learn how to navigate to multiple geocache sites on the property. They will learn about the important relationship between a map, compass and GPS unit.
Register here
Friday, January 24, 2020 - Winter Survival
All ages – Do you know how to stay warm in the winter? Build a quinzee, learn how to start a fire and other tricks to surviving outdoors in the winter. We will also be playing snow snake games on this day.
Register here
Thursday, February 13, 2020 - Winter Trek
Age 4-11 – Snow shoe to a location close to the education centre
Age 12-19 – Kicksled or snowshoe to a location far off on the property
Register here
Friday, March 6, 2020 - Get back to the Sugar Shack
All ages – Explore the working sugar bush and learn about indigenous, pioneer and modern-day maple syrup making through stories and hands-on activities.
Register here
Thursday, April 16, 2020 - Petun tour
Program takes place at Petun Conservation Area near Collingwood.
All ages – Visit one of the highest elevations in the Niagara Escarpment and a place where the Petun Indigenous people used to farm the land. Join a private tour of the fish hatchery and hike the Bruce Trail with us.
Register here
Friday, May 1, 2020 - Family Nature Day: Giving Back and Restoring Nature
Details to be determined in the spring when we know which locations need restoration
Register here
Friday, June 5 - Pond Living
Age 4-11 – Learn about the plants, bugs, fish and other animals, build a model sailboat, then try your hand at paddling a canoe
Age 12-19 – Investigate living and non-living things along a water course and explore the relationship between temperature and dissolved oxygen and the role they play in aquatic ecosystems.
Register here
All programs take place at the Tiffin Centre for Conservation unless specified otherwise.
Program Start Times
Unless otherwise stated:
- 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 Fees / Registration Details
Drop off fees (parents not required to stay)
- Full Day Drop-off - $27.00
Regular fees (children must be accompanied by an adult)Parents/guardians are not required to register, but must be on-site throughout the program.
- Full Day of Programming - $17.50
Half Day of Programming (morning or afternoon) - $12.00
Parents and guardians are not required to pay a registration fee.
Children 3 and under attend free of charge.
All youth participants aged 4 and older, must register for this event.
Online, Advance Registration
Online registration closes at the end of 2-days prior to the event.
To register online (CREDIT CARD only), please select the link next to the program (above), and follow the instructions.
Day-of Registration - First-come, first-served basis
Parents are advised to call to see if there is room to avoid disappointment
To register in person on the day of the event (CREDIT CARD, DEBIT or CASH under $50 bills), please visit the John Hix Conservation Administration Centre located at 8195 8th Line, Essa, before 9:30 am (directions).
Note that "drop-in" or "pay-at-the-door" registrations are available first-come/first-served, until the available spaces are filled. If programs are running at a site other than the Tiffin Centre, drop-in registrations are not possible.
- Fees (unless otherwise stated):
- Full Day of Programming - $22.00
- Half Day of Programming (morning or afternoon only) - $16.00
FAQs
What is the refund policy?
Refunds can be issued until the close of registration. No refunds will be issued after this date.
What is the cancellation policy?
NVCA reserves the right to cancel this program at any time up to 12 noon on the day prior to the event. Those who have registered/paid will receive email notification of the cancellation and a full refund.
The most likely reason for cancellation is low enrolment. Please register in advance to avoid disappointment!
Is there any food for purchase at the Tiffin Centre?
For those eating lunch at the Tiffin Centre, please note that there is no food available here 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.
If your program is running at a different location, please bring your lunch and water bottle with you.
Do I need to accompany my children to this event?
We do require that all children have an adult supervisor on-site and participating in our programs in case of unforeseen incidents (sickness, injury, etc.).
If you would like to assign supervision of your children to another adult who will be participating, that would
be fine. We simply ask that they be registered with the individual who has accepted this responsibility.
Parents/guardians are responsible for lunchtime supervision.
What if it rains or snows?
All of our programs run rain, snow or shine. Please come prepared for outdoor activity and dress appropriately for the weather.
Can I bring my dog to this event?
While leashed dogs are allowed on NVCA trails, we ask that they do not accompany you during programming times.
My friends will also be attending this event. Can we request to be placed in the same group/class?
Due to the number of participants and the nature of our programs, we cannot guarantee placement with other registrants.
How can I get more information about NVCA's homeschool program?
If you'd like to be added to our homeschool family contact list, please contact Naomi Saunders, environmental education facilitator, at outdoored@nvca.on.ca or 705-424-1479 ext. 280.
