Spend the day with the Education Team at the C.M. Wilson Learning Centre
21799 Fargo Road, Chatham-Kent, Ontario
Educators!
Get your students out of the class room and spend the day with us at C.M. Wilson Conservation Area. Field trips are a great way to add hands-on learning, and something special, to your lesson plan! Enjoy unique learning opportunities that can be tailored towards your classes’ learning goals and interests.
For information and/or to book a field trip to C.M. Wilson Learning Centre:
Complete our group booking form for C.M. Wilson and email it to [email protected] to provide us with the information we will need to start your booking process and we will be in touch.
Program Cost
One Program or Half Day
- 1.5 to 2 hours
- $8 per participant
- Minimum fee is $120 for 15 participants or less
Two Programs or Full Day
- 3.5 to 4 hours, includes a lunch break
- $14 per participant (special school price)
- Minimum fee is $210 for 15 participants or less
Tax is not charged on any of our standard education programs.
Questions
Contact us at 519-264-2420 or [email protected].
Program Options
Our programs are developed to be engaging and interactive and they also meet with curriculum requirements and Ontario Physical Activity Safety Standards in Education. If you would like to make an adaptation to one of our programs to focus on the particular needs or interests of your class, please discuss this with us during your booking process — we are happy to coordinate with you!
Curriculum connections are listed alongside each activity or see our full Curriculum Connections Chart (Indigenous Studies curriculum connections to be added soon, see program for details) here:
1) Sensational Seasons – Outdoors
Year-Round
Join us on a hike down one of our beautiful trails to discover the sights, sounds, and textures of nature. Learn how animals and plants adapt to the changing seasons through hands-on discovery and experiments.
- Kindergarten: Problem Solving and Innovating, Belonging and Contributing
- Grade One: Science and Technology: Understanding Earth and Space and Life Systems: Daily and Seasonal Changes
- Kindergarten/Primary Grades (Movement Activities)
- Outdoor Education (General Procedures)
- Cooperative Games
2) Petals, Leaves, and Seeds – Outdoors
Spring, Fall
Who needs plants? We all do! Learn how trees and flowers grow and change through the seasons. Go on a wildflower hike or search for seeds.
- Grade 1: Science and Technology: Earth and Space Systems: Daily and Seasonal Changes
- Grade 1: Science and Technology: Life Systems: Needs and Characteristics of Living Thins
- Grade 2: Science and Technology: Earth and Space Systems: Air and Water in the Environment
- Grade 3: Science and Technology: Life Systems: Growth and Changes in Plants
- Kindergarten/Primary Grades (Movement Activities)
- Outdoor Education (Hiking, General Procedures)
3) Wetlands 1 – Outdoors
Spring, Fall
Spot frogs and turtles! Learn how wetland creatures are adapted to life in and around water. Use dip nets to search for tadpoles, fish and aquatic insects at the marsh.
- Grade 1: Science and Technology: Life Systems: Needs and Characteristics of Living Thins
- Grade 2: Science and Technology: Earth and Space Systems: Air and Water in the Environment
- Outdoor Education (Hiking)
- Food/Water Activities
4) Incredible Insects 1 – Outdoors
Spring, Fall
Use sweep nets to look for insects in forest, field and wetland habitats. Note the diversity of insects and their adaptations to live in their environments.
- Grade 1: Science and Technology: Life Systems: Needs and Characteristics of Living Thins
- Grade 2: Science and Technology: Earth and Space Systems: Air and Water in the Environment
- Outdoor Education (Hiking)
- Food/Water Activities
5) Soil Ecology – Outdoors
Spring, Fall
Unlock the secrets beneath your feet! Dive into a world of earthy wonders and learn the vital role soil plays in our ecosystem.
- Grade 3: Science and Technology: Earth and Space Systems
- Grade 4: Science and Technology: Earth and Space Systems: Air and Water in the Environment
- Outdoor Education (Hiking)
- Food/Water Activities
6) Wetlands 2 – Outdoors
Spring, Fall
Spot frogs and turtles! Learn how wetland creatures are adapted to life in and around water. Use dip nets to search for tadpoles, fish and aquatic insects at the marsh.
- Grade 4: Science and Technology: Understanding Life Systems: Habitats and Communities
- Grade 4: Science and Technology: Earth and Space Systems: Air and Water in the Environment
- Grade 6: Science and Technology: Life Systems: Biodiversity
- Outdoor Education (Hiking)
- Food/Water Activities
7) Incredible Insects – Outdoors
Spring, Fall
Discover the fascinating world of insects! Dive into their incredible lives, habitats, and importance in our ecosystem through interactive learning experiences.
- Grade 4: Science and Technology: Life Systems: Habitats and Communities
- Grade 6: Science and Technology: Life Systems: Biodiversity
- Outdoor Education (Hiking, General Procedures)
8) Forest Ecology 1 – Outdoors
Year-Round
Can’t see the forest for the trees? Find out how trees fit into the ecosystem. Discover the importance of trees. Count tree rings and learn to identify common trees.
- Grade 4: Science and Technology: Life Systems: Habitats and Communities
- Outdoor Education (Hiking, General Procedures)
9) Wetlands 3 – Outdoors
Spring, Fall
Discover different types of wetlands and their importance to humans and the environment. Use dip nets to search for aquatic creatures and discover how they live.
- Grade 7: Science and Technology: Life Systems: Interactions in the Environment
- Grade 8: Science and Technology: Earth and Space Systems
- Outdoor Education (Hiking, General Procedures)
- Food/Water Activities
10) Forest Ecology 2 – Outdoors
Year-Round
Immerse yourself in the enchanting world of forests. Explore diverse ecosystems, wildlife, and conservation efforts while gaining a deeper appreciation for these vital natural treasures.
- Grade 7: Science and Technology: Life Systems: Interactions in the Environment
- Grade 8: Science and Technology: Earth and Space Systems
- Outdoor Education (Hiking, General Procedures)
11) Soil and Water Quality 1 – Outdoors
Spring, Fall
Highlighting the intricate relationship between soil and water quality, designed to empower students with hands-on experience and essential knowledge.
- Grade 8: Science and Technology: Earth and Space Systems
- Outdoor Education (Hiking, General Procedures)
- Food/Water Activities
12) Soil and Water Quality 2 – Outdoors
Spring, Fall
An educational program focused on soil and water quality, tailored to empower high school students with hands-on experiences and essential knowledge for resource preservation.
- Grade 9: Science
- Grade 11: Environmental Science
- Outdoor Education (Hiking, General Procedures)
- Food/Water Activities
13) Indigenous Story Time – Outdoors
Year-Round
Story time with an Indigenous Educator with an indigenous written book weather permitting indoor or outdoor classroom or by a fire. Discussion to follow. In their journals they will draw and/or write about a reflection question.
- JK – Grade 3
- Outdoor Education (Hiking, General Procedures)
14) Campfire Stories – Outdoors
Year-Round
Sitting around an open fire telling stories & talking has long been practiced in Indigenous societies. Join our Indigenous Community Educator around a cozy fire sharing stories and information.
- Grade 4 – 12
- Outdoor Education (Hiking, General Procedures)
15) Nature Frottages – Outdoors
Spring, Fall
On this hike students will discover the colours, size, shapes and textures of mother nature through rubbings with crayon.
- Grade 1 – 3
- Outdoor Education (Hiking, General Procedures)
16) Nature Drawings – Outdoors
Spring, Fall
Join us on a hike down one of our beautiful trails to discover the sights, sounds, and textures of mother nature through “real” life drawings.
- Grade 4 – 8
- Outdoor Education (Hiking, General Procedures)
16) Nature Journaling – Outdoors
Year-Round
During this guided hike students will be encouraged to use their senses to explore the forest. After the hike they will be giving free time to journal what they see, feel (no picking), hear in the forest. After we will discuss what they found and the different ways in which they chose to express themselves.
- Grade 9 – 12
- Outdoor Education (Hiking, General Procedures)
Chatham-Kent and Lambton Children’s Water Festival
What’s New?
- Battle of Longwoods Returns to Longwoods Road Conservation Area
- Watershed Condition Statement – Flood Outlook – Smaller Watercourses and Thames River – April 11, 2024 – 10:45 AM
- Birding at Big ‘O’
- Media Release: Retirement Announcement: Don Hector Steps Down from Chatham-Kent & Lambton Children’s Water Festival Leadership
- Watershed Condition Statement – Flood Outlook – Smaller Watercourses – March 8, 2024 – 12:15 PM