Primary Education Programs

Habitat Exploration: Nature Discovery Hike
JK to Grade 1 (all seasons – half-day)

Also available as an outreach program.
After identifying the location and function of their sense organs, children will explore nature through experiential activities aimed to heighten awareness of the world around them. Students will also compare the use of senses in various animals and investigate ways in which animals respond and adapt to their environment and to seasonal changes.

Habitat Exploration: Birds, Beavers & Bugs
Grade 2 (all seasons – half-day)

Also available as an outreach program.
Following an introduction to animal classification, life cycles and seasonal adaptations, students will further explore 6 main classes of animals through hands on investigation. Students will learn the identifying characteristics of each class as they examine wildlife artifacts and participate in an interactive series of stations. Next, students will use the knowledge they have gained as they hike through the forest, collecting clues and eliminating animal species, enabling them to solve a wildlife mystery occurring at the Tiffin Centre.

Habitat Exploration: Seeds, Weeds & Wildflowers
Grade 3 (all seasons – half-day)

Also available as an outreach program.
Students will explore the world of plants and their incredible adaptations to various habitats including woodlands, open fields and wetlands. Participants will learn to identify the major parts of plants, how to classify plants and the importance of plants to both wildlife and humans.

Life in the Pond
JK to Grade 3 (spring/fall – half-day)

Following an interactive introduction to pond ecosystems, students will explore the fascinating world within ponds as they dip net in search of aquatic life. Through hands-on discovery and other age-appropriate activities, students will investigate and identify the survival needs and life cycles of various pond plants and animals. By sharing their discoveries at the Tiffin “Zoo”, students will have an opportunity to compare common characteristics and the amazing​ adaptations of pond creatures for life under water. Students will be encouraged to share their thoughts on how humans can help to maintain a healthy environment.

Predator-Prey
JK to 8 (all seasons – half-day)

Also available as an outreach program.
This half-day program introduces students to the ecological food web. Through role play, students experience what life is like for all of the creatures that make their home in the Tiffin Forest.

Winter Wildlife
Grades 1 to 8 (winter – half-day)

This program introduces students to the main groups of animals, their characteristics, habitats, tracks, and traces. Students then become wildlife detectives, looking for signs of wildlife in their natural habitats. Adaptations of wildlife to survive the winter will be emphasized while trekking through the woods on snowshoes, weather permitting.

Splash – Water in the Environment
Grade 2 (all seasons – half-day)

Also available as an outreach program.
Following the life of a water droplet, students embark on their own journey through the water cycle. Through this active, role-playing game, students will identify the forms in which water is present in the environment, realize the importance of water in their daily lives and better understand how water becomes contaminated. Students will be exposed to the efforts Conservation Authorities in watershed management and conservation.​​​​​

Air and Water in the Environment
Grade 2 & 3 (all seasons – half-day)

In this interactive program, students develop a better understanding of the importance of clean air and water for all living organisms, including humans. Through experimentation, hands-on activities and role-playing exercises, young scientists will investigate the characteristics of air and water, identify sources of water in the natural environment and learn how air and water impact our weather and energy systems.
In addition, students will assess the impact of human activities on our environment and will be introduced to the efforts of Conservation Authorities in watershed management and conservation.
This program best succeeds with an average of 5 adult volunteers to assist in facilitation of activity stations.

Soils in the Environment
Grade 3 (spring/fall – half-day)

Students become soil specialists as they investigate soil through first-hand observation and exploration. Using a variety of hands-on activities, students will identify and compare physical characteristics of various soil types found in different habitats (i.e. forest, field).
Young scientists will also examine the various biotic and abiotic components of a soil ecosystem and will observe and record information on plant and animal life. The importance of soil and the dependency of all living things on soil will be reinforced.
This program best succeeds with an average of 5 adult volunteers to help facilitate activity stations.

Living Landscape
All Grades (all seasons – half-day)

Also available as an outreach program.
Become inspired by the natural beauty of the Tiffin Centre through guided outdoor landscape drawing sessions.

Nature’s Art Room
Grades 1 to 3 (spring/fall – half-day)

Looking at the works of land artists Andy Goldsworthy, Sonja Hinrichsen, Nils-Udo and Mikael Hansen as a starting point, students create large-scale, three-dimensional temporal works in nature with found natural materials in order to communicate ideas inspired by the natural world.
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Maple Syrup
Grades 1 to 8 (early spring – half-day)

Our maple syrup program provides an in-depth look at tree ecology and maple syrup production. Join us for an interactive tour of a working sugar bush that demonstrates the First Nations, pioneer and modern-day methods of maple syrup production. Students enjoy hands-on activities including drilling and tapping trees. All tours and programs include a visit to the Sugar Shack and a taste of fresh

Animal Amble
Kindergarten & Grade 1 (all seasons – half-day)

Grouped with an adult leader, students travel through a well-marked interpretive trail learning about animals that live in the forest. This fun, orienteering scavenger hunt not only develops student understanding of wildlife and their habitats, it also introducing them to basic map reading skills.
This program best succeeds with 4 adult volunteers to assist with supervision of children.

Bird – O
Grades 2 & 3 (all seasons – half-day)

In this program, students are introduced to basic map reading skills through a series of progressively challenging activities. Beginning with an orienteering exercise in and/or around the Environmental Learning Centre, students will gain the confidence and skills necessary to locate pictures of birds along a well-marked interpretive trail using their own maps.
In addition, students will participate in a variety of indoor, hands-on stations, highlighting the characteristics and unique adaptations of our feathered friends. If time permits, students will also have an opportunity to play Bird-O bingo: using bird calls to identify different bird species on their playing cards.
This program best succeeds with an average of 5 adult volunteers to assist with supervision of children.

Bug-a-Boo
Grades 1 & 2 (all seasons – half-day)

In this program, students are introduced to basic map reading skills through a series of progressively challenging activities. Beginning with an orienteering exercise in the Environmental Learning Centre, students will gain the confidence and skills necessary to locate pictures of insects along a well-marked interpretive trail in small groups with an adult leader.

Students will match and record symbols on the markers and respond verbally to questions related to the insect highlighted at each location. This fun, orienteering scavenger hunt develops students’ understanding of insect life while providing a hike around Tiffin’s beautiful wetland habitats.

This program best succeeds with an average of 5 adult volunteers to assist with supervision of children.

Kick Sledding
Grades 1 to 8 (winter – half-day)
After a brief introduction to the history and techniques of this traditional winter sport, students will glide through a winter wonderland with an instructor.

Snowshoeing
Grades 1 to 8 (winter – half-day)
After a brief introduction to the history and techniques of this winter sport, students will trek through the winter forest with an instructor.

For winter sports, ask about including a round of “snow snake” in your day!

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.

Our free play space allows children of all ages to explore the wonders of the forest!

One hundred-fifty sections of cedar rail fence snakes through our forest creating a well-defined labyrinthine space for free play in nature. As a build-it-yourself loose parts playground, students transform the Hive using child size rails, logs and planks. Free play forest is a place for imagination, exploration and problem solving through open-ended play.

Thanks to TD Friends of the Environment Foundation for their financial support of this project!​