High School Education Program - NVCA

We will no longer be supporting IE7 and below as a web browser effective June 1st 2020. Click here for more information.

Sign In

Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority Logo. Healthy Watershed, Healthy Communities.

Skip Navigation LinksNVCA > Events & Education

​High School Programs

The Tiffin Centre offers rewarding outdoor activities and learning opportunities for high school students.  Join us for a half day or full day of programming, hike and explore the Tiffin site, or even stay in our group campground. It's the perfect setting ​for a group retreat. We will work directly with you to combine or modify programs to meet your needs.

For details on booking any of these programs, please see information under "Booking your Visit​." 

Programs

We also offer a number of programs/certifications associated with the Special High School Major (SHSM) program.

Art: Living Landscape

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

Science: 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.

Science: 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.

Health and Physical Education: 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!​ 

Health and Physical Education: 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.

Wilderness Skills: Fire Building & Emergency Shelters
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. 

Winter Survival
Winter, half or full day programs
Survival in winter environments is the focus of this interactive program. Basic survival skills including proper dress, safety precautions, distress signals, basic shelter-building and map reading skills will be explored. Prevention of frost bite, hypothermia and dehydration will also be emphasized. Upon special request, this program can be extended as a full-day program to include snowshoeing/kicksledding, fire-building, and a campfire lunch.

Half day or full day options are available. Hotdog lunch provided by Tiffin must be pre-arranged. Hot chocolate for your class can also be arranged​; students are required to bring their own re-useable mug.

Geography: Introduction to Geocaching
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.

Team Building: 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. ​