Quality School Programming That Connects Kids to Nature
CPAWS Manitoba offers outdoor learning workshops and field trips to help children get outside and appreciate the wonders of nature.
The scaffolded programs were developed by a certified teacher and are tied to Manitoba curriculum outcomes for grades K-8.
School Workshops
Nature Discovery Field Trips
Nature Discovery Field Trips are tailored for students in Grades 2-8 and are tied to Manitoba curriculum objectives for each grade.
The 3.5 hour excursion includes instruction on basic wilderness safety, movement games, a guided hike with plant and tree identification, a scavenger hunt, self-guided activities, 30 minutes of free play, and group reflections.
Our Nature Discovery Backpacks - which are filled with great teaching tools like binoculars, a magifying glass and field guides - will be used to enhance the learning experience.
Each student will also receive a take-home workbook that is filled with activities to use alongside the backpacks during the field trip and beyond!
Field Trips will be offered at the following locations:
- Bird's Hill Provincial Park
- Beaudry Provincial Park
- La Barriere Park
- Assiniboine Park
We can accommodate 2 classes per field trip. Field trip cost is $150.00 (plus tax) for 3.5 hours of instruction time. Please provide your own transportation to and from the site of your choosing. Students will be required to bring their own lunch.
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Connect Your Students to Nature
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Program Offerings 2023-24
Prairie Pollinators
In this interactive workshop, students will explore the aspects of the tall grass prairie ecosystem, as there's 1% of this ecosystem left in Manitoba! Students will learn the deep interconnectivity between native prairie plants and pollinators.
Program includes group games, and experiential learning activities.
To deepen the learning experience, teachers receive a ready-made classroom extension activity and environmental action plan for the class.
Grades K to 8:
45 minutes in person
Boreal Bonanza
Canada’s Boreal Forest is one of the world’s last remaining intact forest landscapes. Here in Manitoba, the boreal forest covers 80% of our province! In this interactive workshop, students explore the species and habitats within Manitoba’s Boreal Forest and the importance of protecting this natural space!
Program includes group games, and experiential learning activities.
To deepen the learning experience, teachers receive a ready-made classroom extension activity and environmental action plan for the class.
Grades K to 8:
45 minutes in person.
Join the Fun
Summer 2021 daycare offerings included scavenger hunts, nature mindfulness, and learning about Manitoba plants and animals. Watch this video to see how much fun everyone had!
How Does Spending Time Outdoors Improve Our Well-Being?
There is a wide array of evidence that shows spending time in nature improves mental and physical health, boosts immunity, and reduces risk of disease.
Connecting with the natural world has also been shown to improve sleep and augment vitamin D levels. And it boosts endorphin levels and dopamine production, which promotes happiness.
Healthy forests, lakes, and wetlands are also working to protect our physical health even when we’re not out in nature. They clean our air, filter our water, and act as a protective shield against the worsening impacts of climate change.
Safety Protocols
CPAWS Manitoba takes the safety of all program participants seriously.
All CPAWS Manitoba staff members have cleared a criminal record and vulnerable sector background check with the Winnipeg Police Department.
CPAWS policy requires that at least one person leading programming which may involve children must be certified in first aid. This applies to staff or to volunteers.
Supporters
This programming was made possible thanks to the generous support of: The Province of Manitoba’s Building Sustainable Communities Program; The Conservation Trust, a Manitoba Climate and Green Plan Initiative delivered by the Manitoba Habitat Heritage Corporation; Eco Canada; The Winnipeg Foundation; TD Friends of the Environment Foundation; Telus Friendly Future Foundation.
