Our Daily Rhythm
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What should my child bring?
Participants are to bring food for the day (remember, children tend to eat more when they are active and outdoors!!). During the summer, please pack. a change of clothes, raingear, hat, sunscreen and bugspray. Please lather up your child with sunscreen before their camp day begins. During colder months, please ensure your child has extra mittens, socks, and warm gear to ensure they are comfortable outside.
Duration:
Boreal Forest Program usually runs for 5 - 7 weeks in the summer. In 2024, we are starting to add camps during Yk#1 districts PD days when schools are closed to students. Drop off and pick up are at Range Lake North School playground between 9:00-9:30am (drop-off) and 4-4:30pm (pick-up).
Fees and Information:
For the summer, registration is based on a weekly basis at $375.00/week ($75/day), keeping in mind that some weeks will be less if they are short weeks (stat. holidays). Payment is due in full through EMT (email money transfer) to borealforestprogram@gmail.com soon after registration. The program is open to children 5+ years old and there will be approximately 20 children registered for each week, with 3 program coordinators. At least one coordinator will have their Forest and Nature Practitioners Course (through the Child and Nature Alliance of Canada) and all will have updated First Aid, CPR, experience working with children, a criminal record check and vulnerable sector check.
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For days we run programming during the school year, they are $75.00/day
What does a typical day look like in the summer?
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9:00-9:30am: drop off at Range Lake School
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9:30am: morning meeting, check-ins, intentions for the day, land acknowledgement, activity
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10:00am: snack
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10:30am: *forest play, hike, art project, inquiry project… this is a child-led program, so it’s up to them!
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12:00pm: lunch
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12:30pm: *forest play, hike, art project, inquiry project… this is a child-led program, so it’s up to them!
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2:00pm: snack
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2:30pm: finish up *forest play and projects, clean up for the end of the day
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3:30pm: afternoon meeting, check-ins, reflections of the day, land acknowledgement
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4:00-4:30pm: pick up from Range Lake North School
* Forest play includes so many options and includes, but is not limited to: bug catching and identification, plant identification, fort building with tarps/lumber/child-friendly tools, mud kitchen (always a favorite), forest games, nature crafts, painting and tool use, starting with hand-over-hand and using the gradual release of responsibility model, always with 1:1 support. Lego will always be available in the tent frame and multiple hammocks (the “zen-zone”) will be up for those who need to rest. A nature-themed, picture book library is also available for read-to-self or others, as well as other literacy activities (book making, note taking etc.). And because I am an elementary school teacher with a passion for literacy, I will often read a book to the group and provide an optional hands-on activity for participants to do, if they wish. On Fridays, we may head to Fred Henne park for hiking and beach play. Other field trips (museum, etc.) are in the works.