​​​High School Programs

Living Landscape – all grades

(spring/fall – half-day program)

Also available as an outreach program.

Looking at the works of watercolour landscapes artist; Georgia O’Keeffe, William Turner, Andrew Sookrah as a starting point, students will produce their own watercolour landscape painting inspired by the natural beauty of the Tiffin Centre. Educators will lean on the grade specific curriculum for the Elements of Design.

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 in the Forest – all grades

(all seasons – half-day program)

Discover a fun and active way to enjoy the outdoors on the Tiffin Centre’s 9-basket disc golf course! Much like traditional golf, the goal of disc golf is to land a flying disc (Frisbee) in a target basket using the fewest throws possible.
Program Highlights:

• Learn the rules and techniques of disc golf in a natural setting
• Build coordination, focus, and strategic thinking through play
• Add an extra layer of challenge with optional navigation elements: • Use orienteering skills to locate each tee
• Optional: Take compass bearings to aim toward hidden targets

Whether it’s your students’ first time playing or they’re seasoned pros, this program is a fun and inclusive way to explore teamwork, movement, and spatial awareness—all while enjoying the fresh air!

Emergency Shelter Building – grades 4 – 12

(all seasons – half-day) 

Working together in small teams, students take on the challenge of constructing emergency shelters designed to retain heat and withstand the elements. Drawing on principles of structures and forces, this hands-on experience combines creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking.

Program Highlights:

• Hands-on team challenge using natural and provided materials
• Real-world application of science, engineering, and design concepts
• Emphasis on stability, heat retention, and weather resistance

A long-time class favourite, this program empowers students to think like engineers while building confidence and teamwork in the great outdoors.

Fire Building: The Combustion Challenge – grade 4-12

(Spring, Fall and Winter – half-day) 

How do you turn a marshmallow from a solid into a gooey liquid—without turning it into a gas? In this engaging and memorable outdoor experience, students explore the principles of combustion by building their very own campfires in small groups.

Through guided instruction and hands-on teamwork, students learn how to safely start, manage, and extinguish a fire, while deepening their understanding of energy transformation and heat transfer.

Program Highlights:

• Step-by-step fire-building instruction
• Exploration of heat as energy and its environmental impacts
• Opportunity to apply science concepts in a real-world setting
• Toasty marshmallows to end the session!

This fiery favourite is a perfect blend of science, safety, and fun—sure to spark curiosity and confidence in your young learners.

Wilderness Survival Skills Adventure – grades 4-12

(Spring, Fall and Winter – half-day) 

Help your students build confidence and connection with nature through this exciting outdoor education program! In this hands-on experience, participants will explore essential wilderness safety and survival techniques, while developing teamwork, resilience, and problem-solving skills.

Program Highlights:

• Learn how to prevent getting lost—and what to do if you are
• Practice safety precautions and distress signaling
• Discover the importance of dressing properly for outdoor conditions
• Dive deep into two of the following three key skills:
  • Shelter-building
  • Fire-building
  • Map-reading & navigation

Make It an Adventure! (Optional Upgrade for grades 6-12)

Turn the day into a friendly challenge with our Amazing Race-style format! For an additional $195.90 per session, students work in teams of 4–5 to complete tasks around the property, collecting the skills and supplies needed to become the first team to complete their survival mission.

Includes:

• Math and problem-solving elements
• Mental wellness and team dynamics focus
• Hot dog cookout & hot chocolate

This interactive program is ideal for students who like to keep busy as it fun, educational, and a great way to connect learning to the natural world in an active way!

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.