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Program Description & Details

SCIENCE IN THE SUBALPINE

Our Junior Rangers program takes students on a thrilling ride up to our unique subalpine environment, 885 meters above sea level! We help teachers meet curriculum requirements with a dynamic and hands-on approach to learning. These courses are designed to engage students and connect them with nature and wildlife in an interactive way that encourages an inquiry-based method of learning.

GRADE K - 1: SEASONAL CHANGES AND THE NEEDS OF PLANTS AND ANIMALS

In this course, students learn about the unique ecosystem of the subalpine environment, how that environment changes throughout the year, and how our native plants and animals adjust to the seasons. We explore this vibrant mountain-top setting through hiking and group activities.

GRADE 2-3: THE FOOD WEB OF A SUBALPINE ECOSYSTEM

There is so much biodiversity and interconnected life in the subalpine! Grade 2 and 3 students will investigate the lifecycles, food webs and food chains found in this unique habitat. They will explore the Summit and take part in a team activity which demonstrates the sensitive relationships within a food web at this altitude.

GRADE 4: THE SUBALPINE BIOME AND ANIMALS WITH SUPER SENSES

In this course, we look into local wildlife biodiversity and discuss the topic of biomes. Together we learn about the delicate balance in the subalpine environment and what sustains a healthy ecosystem. We examine how animals, birds and reptiles use their senses to respond to other creatures and their environment. Students will discover just how vital these super senses are to some of our most familiar mountain residents.

GRADE 5-6: THE ROCK CYCLE

It is easy to see how amazing the local landscape is! From our Summit, each direction you look there is a rock feature of some kind. How did they get there and how did they form? Hiking our trails, students will discover how rocks transform from one type to another, and what forces build up the landscape and wear it down.

GRADE 7-8: ADAPTABILITY OF PLANTS AND ANIMALS IN THE SUBALPINE

The subalpine is home to some of British Columbia’s most fascinating wildlife and interesting plants. With specific reference to natural selection and the characteristics of life, students will discover the ways in which these plants and animals adapt to meet the challenges of finding food, avoiding predators, and surviving the changes of the seasons.

Duration: 
Half Day
For Grades: 
K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Maximum Students: 
Offered In French: 
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Program Description & Details

Winter sports are an important part of physical literacy, and our new Summit Snowshoe course is a fun introduction to this fast-growing sport. Students learn snowshoeing basics for health and fitness, including how to prepare for a snowshoe hike, snowshoeing safety and techniques, and then test their skills with games and a hike on our snowshoe trails. This activity can be combined with tubing.

Duration: 
Half Day
For Grades: 
5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Months Available: 
Maximum Students: 
Offered In French: 
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Program Description & Details

In the Sea to Sky corridor, we are fortunate to be surrounded by mountains and a vast amount of backcountry to explore. Take advantage of the wilderness we're lucky enough to call our backyard and hike off-trail to experience our backcountry under the expertise of our education guides.

Students will cover a selection of the topics below. The Sea to Sky Gondola Education Guide leading your group will decide which of the topics will be taught depending on the weather, size and age of the group.

Hiking 101

Imagine you are heading out for a hike in the backcountry. How to prepare? Learn about planning and packing for a safe day hike in the backcountry.

Avalanche Awareness

Another essential part of planning a safe day out includes route planning and weather. We examine types of snow, types of hazards, and risk assessments in planning outdoor adventures.

Wilderness First Aid

Your day in the backcountry has been going great until one member of the group falls and is now injured! Learn to treat a medical emergency in the outdoors. Build and use an improvised stretcher to carry your friend to safety.

Shelter Building

Even with the best intentions things in the backcountry don’t always go to plan! Explore the skills and techniques needed to build a good shelter. Will your shelter keep you warm and dry, or will you be wet and cold as the rain comes in?

Duration: 
Half Day
For Grades: 
5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Maximum Students: 
Offered In French: 
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Program Description & Details

A collaboration between Sea to Sky Gondola, Mountain Research Initiative, Geo Mountains, the University of Calgary, and the Arctic Institute, our Mountain Sustainability Program is designed for learners of all ages. Students take a global view of mountains around the world and initiatives in mountain resilience, examining how mountains are created, what changes them, and the shared responsibilities of mountain stewardship. We make the most of our unique subalpine environment with hands-on activities on weather, glaciers, and biodiversity. In support of the United Nations declaration that 2022 is the International Year of Sustainable Mountain Development, the program is built around the question "What do mountains mean to you?" #mountainsmatter 

Students who have already done our course, can try our new mountain sustainability case studies on wildlife counts and nature-based solutions like ecological restoration.

Duration: 
Half Day
For Grades: 
K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Maximum Students: 
Offered In French: 
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Program Description & Details

Explore the Britannia Shipyards National Historic Site through the lens of innovation, and how things have changed throughout the history of fishing and boatbuilding in Steveston. Students will engage in four different interactive stations with themes ranging from innovation in recycling, resources, and communications. These concepts will then be discussed and applied to a boatbuilding activity, with each student making their own wooden boat model to bring home.

City: 
Duration: 
90
For Grades: 
4, 5, 6
Maximum Students: 
Offered In French: 
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Program Description & Details

Explore the Britannia Shipyards National Historic Site to learn about history of boatbuilding and its importance in Steveston. Students will explore the different steps to build a boat by participating in a tool scavenger hunt, a caulking demonstration, and more maritime-themed activities. These steps will then be applied to a boatbuilding activity, with each student making their own small wooden boat to bring home.

City: 
Duration: 
90
For Grades: 
K, 1, 2, 3
Maximum Students: 
Offered In French: 
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Program Description & Details

Discover the stories of a diverse fishing, canning, and boat building community at the scenic Britannia Shipyards National Historic Site on the shores of the Fraser River. This one-hour guided tour is led by a Heritage Interpreter, and includes introductions to the heritage buildings which illustrated the living and working conditions of the communities that made Steveston the special place it is today.

City: 
Duration: 
60
For Grades: 
8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Maximum Students: 
Offered In French: 
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Program Description & Details

Explore the historic houses and engage in story time and eye-spy activities to learn about Steveston's unique cultural community. Students will participate in a shopping relay game while representing a family that may have lived in this community. Experience what life may have been like for the workers, families and children from diverse cultures who lived and worked here together. 

City: 
Duration: 
90
For Grades: 
1, 2, 3
Months Available: 
Days Offered: 
Maximum Students: 
Offered In French: 
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Program Description & Details

Investigate Steveston's history of immigrant workers from 1890 to 1940 through role-play. Students 'research" people's lives as newspaper reporters, by unpacking artefacts, creating a timeline and exploring the heritage buildings at Britannia Shipyards National Heritage Site. *Please note: This program will be offered until the end of March 2024. A new version with same themes will be offered starting April 1, 2024. More information to come.

City: 
Duration: 
90
For Grades: 
4, 5, 6
Months Available: 
Days Offered: 
Maximum Students: 
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Program Description & Details

Come to Rope Runner Aerial Park this season to experience the unique aerial activity! Rope Runner provides a safe environment for students to push their limits, gain self-confidence, develop problem-solving skills, communication and team spirit. While simultaneously building on their curriculum core competencies.

How does it work? 

  • After a brief introduction and a safety briefing, your group will have full reign of the rope course to explore and challenge themselves across 50 fun elements such as suspended bridges, cargo nets, climbing walls, zip rides and more! 

  • The safety system always keeps everyone safe and secured and our Guides are consistently roaming in the park to provide tips and tricks and help out as needed.

  • Climbers are creating their own adventures, at their own pace within their capacity and can stop playing at any time. The park is suited for all skill levels.

 

Age and Height requirements

In order for a student to climb they must:

  • Be at least 7 years old and be 124cm (49 inches) tall *

  • Be at least 10 years old and be 139cm (55 inches) tall to climb alone in the park **

 

* The child to adult chaperone ratio for children under 55″ tall is 2:1
** Children under 19 years of age must have a consenting parent or legal guardian sign their release of liability waiver

City: 
Duration: 
See notes.
For Grades: 
6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Months Available: 
Maximum Students: 
Offered In French: 
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Program Description & Details

All our Farm Field Trips start with an interactive and enthusiastic exploration of the farm. Get ready: We will touch soil, kiss goats, listen to the bees buzzing, pet chickens, smell horses and taste veggies right from the market gardens! So much fun!! Besides our hands-on teaching style, we love getting into juicy discussions about agricultural practices, ecosystems, food security, sustainability... Throughout the Farm Field Trip, hands-on experimentation and discussions will complete your students' learnings in Environmental and Social Sciences curriculums. 

- Fun and engaging introduction to the farm, its gardens, animals and farmers.
- Stimulating the 5 senses - experimental learning is the core of our pedagogy for all ages!
- Adapting to the age range and request, the farm educator can relate to “the bigger picture” in terms of farming technics, agro- ecosystems, food systems and/or local & global ecosystems.

Longer field trips are available. All field trips can be tailored to your learning plan requirements.

City: 
Duration: 
90
For Grades: 
K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Days Offered: 
Maximum Students: 
Offered In French: 
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Program Description & Details

Ahh! The great outdoors! With 144 acres of ocean-front property, lush rainforest and quiet creeks, YMCA Camp Elphinstone is an ideal location for learning in the great outdoors. Located on British Columbia's beautiful Sunshine Coast, YMCA Camp Elphinstone is just two kilometres north of the Langdale Ferry Terminal and a 40-minute ferry ride from Horseshoe Bay in West Vancouver.

Through meaningful outdoor experiential learning, kids develop strong and healthy minds and bodies while they learn and grow with their classmates. Students are challenged outside the traditional classroom and benefit from hands-on learning as they explore the serene forests and rocky shoreline of beautiful YMCA Camp Elphinstone.

Programming is customized for each group and designed to fulfill BC Ministry of Education prescribed learning outcomes. Participants benefit from:

  • Structured activities like our discovery hike or marine beach study that teach about marine wildlife or the ecosystem.
  • Programming that focuses on skill development such as archery, orienteering or outdoor living skills.
  • Activities like our high or low ropes courses that encourage leadership and team building.
  • Water-based programming such as kayaking, canoeing and swimming.
  • Games and sports with an emphasis on physical activitiy, strategy and teamwork.
  • Interactive leadership sessions that focus on conflict resolution, group dynamics, public speaking and more.
City: 
Duration: 
See notes.
For Grades: 
K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Maximum Students: 
Offered In French: 
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Program Description & Details

The intertidal zone is a wonderful and extreme exvironment for those who call it home. 

Along the west coast of Canada, the intertidal zone is home to an incredible diversity of organisms, all competing for the same space! When the tide is out, we can give you a tour of this habitat and discuss the biotic and abiotic factors that will influence life within this extreme environment.

City: 
Duration: 
45
For Grades: 
5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Maximum Students: 
Offered In French: 
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Program Description & Details

It took thousands of years for the sea stacks and tidepools of Brady's Beach to form, creating a unique topography allowing for some incredible exploration! We will visit your classroom live from the beach and dive into the distinctive habitat found within tidepools.

City: 
Duration: 
45
For Grades: 
5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Maximum Students: 
Offered In French: 
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Program Description & Details

This virtual workshop will introduce students to coding with random generators and arrays within micro:bit classroom.

NO PHYSICAL MICRO:BIT REQUIRED.

In this workshop we will work to familiarize your students with coding within the micro:bit classroom, opening up the opportunity for you to continue using micro:bit lessons with your class.

Students will learn how to create, access, and changes lists as well as explore the uses of inputs and random numbers. They will work towards creating a random generator to help them solve the everyday problem of “I’m bored, what should I do?”

This workshop will cover basicsvariablesarrays, and input and leaves room for possible further extension. This activity can be done entirely using the online simulator if no physical micro:bit is available.

Find out more about Marvelous Micro:bits Virtual Workshop

City: 
Duration: 
50
For Grades: 
7, 8, 9
Times Offered: 
Maximum Students: 
Offered In French: 
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