Quality School Programming That Connects Kids to Nature
CPAWS Manitoba offers outdoor learning workshops to help children get outside and appreciate the wonders of nature.
The programming was developed by Environmental Educator Avery Kash, a former high school science teacher who has a decade of experience working with children and youth aged 5 to 18 as both a classroom teacher and a camp director.
Thank you to all the teachers and schools who hosted us for the 2021/22 school year. We are currently focused on our popular after school program. We will be launching field trips in May 2023. In-school programs will resume in the fall of 2023. Be sure to sign up for our mailing list so you are among the first to know when bookings open.
Our school offerings support Manitoba curriculum outcomes. They include:
- Trees of Manitoba
- Boreal Bonanza
- Nature Mindfulness
- Animals of Manitoba
Our school workshops run between 30 and 45 minutes (see descriptions below). Due to the nature of this school year, we are offering both virtual and in-person programs. In-person programs are available to schools in Winnipeg and surrounding areas (within 60 km) and can be held in the classroom, schoolyard, or local greenspace. Virtual programming is available to all schools in Manitoba and can held via Zoom.
When programs resume you can reserve your spot on our online booking page.
Our outdoor learning workshops are modified for each grade level and are aligned with the Manitoba curriculum. Teachers receive outdoor learning extension activities to deepen the learning experience for their students after the workshop.
Nearly 8,400 students and children benefited from 416 CPAWS Manitoba outdoor learning workshops and activities at schools and daycares across Manitoba from May 2021 to December 2022.
We look forward to helping many more children connect to nature in the months and years to come.
Connecting People to Nature
Don't Miss a Chance to Book Workshops
We will be offering field trips in May 2023 and resuming in-school workshop for the 2023/24 school year. Be among the first to know when bookings open for a program which sells out fast.
Program Offerings 2021-22
Trees of Manitoba
Trees are all around us! In this interactive workshop, students will explore the basic parts of a tree. While allowing curiosity to lead the way, students will investigate the difference between coniferous and deciduous trees as well as explore tree rings to determine age.
To deepen the learning experience, teachers receive a ready-made outdoor learning extension activity to run with their class.
Available virtual, in classroom, or outdoors.
Grades K to 4:
25 minutes via Zoom or 35 minutes in person
Grades 5 to 8:
30 minutes via Zoom or 40 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!
To deepen the learning experience, teachers receive a ready-made outdoor learning extension activity to run with their class.
Available virtual, in classroom, or outdoors.
Grades K to 4:
25 minutes via Zoom or 35 minutes in person
Grades 5 to 8:
30 minutes via Zoom or 40 minutes in person
Nature Mindfulness
There have been countless studies on the benefits of mindfulness in the classroom including reduced anxiety and depression and increased focus.
In this workshop, students will move through mindfulness breathing practices followed by a beginner-friendly movement session promoting relaxation and releasing tension through storytelling. Students will take part in a sensory nature walk where they are encouraged to use their senses to take in and explore the world around them.
Available outdoors.
Grades K to 4:
35 minutes in person
Grades 5 to 8:
40 minutes in person
Animals of Manitoba
What does it mean to be an animal in Manitoba? Through games and activities, students will explore predator and prey dynamics and the habitats they reside in. Through stations and games, students will determine why animal adaptations are important and how different types of adaptations serve different animals within Manitoba.
To deepen the learning experience, teachers receive a ready-made outdoor learning extension activity to run with their class.
Available in classroom or outdoors.
Grades K to 4:
35 minutes in person
Grades 5 to 8:
40 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 Manitoba staff members voluntarily disclose that they have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19. We adhere to all public health recommendations and guidelines.
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 Winnipeg Foundation.
