The Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority

Education

School Programming

Working with our watershed Boards of Education, private educational institutions, schools and teachers, our school programming is designed to provide students from kindergarten through grade 12 with opportunities to learn about and experience the natural world, ultimately strengthening their connection to the Lake Simcoe watershed​. 

Through lessons and activities that are experi​ential, engaging, and based on provincial curriculum, school programming seeks to raise students’ awareness and appreciation, increase knowledge and skills, and develop an understanding of environmental, conservation ​and sustainability issues.  

We offer school programming through:

A multi-ethnic group of elementary school children are outdoors exploring nature. The children are busy writing on their notepads while walking with a teacher.

The Nature Centre at Scanlon Creek ​

Located in Bradford West Gwillimbury, the Nature Centre at Scanlon Creek Conservation Area specializes in curriculum-​based, outdoor education programs for student​s and teachers.

Two adults and a younger child are crouched down, peering over the edge of a small dock in to the water on a summer day. Their curious gaze captures a shared moment of exploration and connection with the natural environment.

Outreach Education

If you can’t come to us, we’ll come to you! Our Outreach Education team would love to come to your school (within our watershed jurisdiction) and deliver programming to your students. We can meet you in the classroom or at a nearby greenspace. 

Looking for something more specific? We also deliver programming for:

Downloadable Climate Change Presentation

Designed specifically from a local Lake Simcoe watershed perspective, this interactive presentation – complete with speaking notes, tips and teaching guide – was developed by our team of environmental experts to provide teachers with a curriculu​m linked presentation, in an easy-to-use format.

Specialist High Skills Major

Our education team can help support your SHS​M program across a variety of sectors.​

Homeschoolers 

Engaging outdoor experiences geared towards the curricular goals of homeschooling families​.​

Got Questions?

Frequently Asked Questions

School Programming

It’s easy!  Submit an Education Booking Request and our staff will contact you to discuss things such as date availability and program selection, while answering any questions you might have. Once the details have been finalized, we will send you a Booking Confirmation Form. You simply let us know that all the info is correct and you are ready for your experience!  There’s no need to have payment ready– we will invoice you afterwards. 

Please contact us at education@LSRCA.on.ca  for more information about our current rates. 

Cancellations made 10 business days in advance of the confirmed program date will be removed from the booking calendar. Cancellations made within 10 business days of the confirmed program date will be charged 50% of the full rate listed on the Booking Confirmation Form. All cancellations must be received in writing by email.

Please refer to your specific school board’s policy regarding field trips and supervision ratios. We provide one educator per class (maximum 30 students). 

Of course! But we ask that any parents/guardians who participate be approved volunteers with your school board.  Approved parent volunteers are not permitted to bring any additional children (e.g. a younger sibling of the participating student). Unauthorized visitors will not be permitted to join.     

No – we will invoice you after your program. 

Programming will run rain or shine – it’s important to dress for the weather. Only in the event of extreme weather (e.g. lightning, high winds) will programming be moved indoors. 

We will do everything we can to ensure all your students can participate to the full extent possible. This can mean accommodations and/or modifications to program content, use of outdoor space and trails, and so on.  Please contact us  to discuss further.

Yes – we have a bilingual educator.

Visiting the Nature Centre

Groups typically arrive between 9:15 am – 10 am – the exact time will be based on your school’s schedule and your distance to Scanlon Creek. One program will run in the morning, followed by a lunch break, and a second program in the afternoon. Groups typically depart between 2:15 pm – 3 pm. Half day visits are also available. 

We can accommodate up to 2 classes per day (maximum 30 students per class). 

The Nature Centre is considered nut-sensitive. We ask our visitors not to bring any peanuts, nuts or products containing peanuts/nuts.

Participants should pack a boomerang lunch. The Nature Centre aims to be a zero waste facility. This means everything that comes in, must go out, including all waste, recycling and compost. Visitors are responsible for taking back their own waste … that’s the “boomerang” part!

No food or drinks are available for purchase onsite.

Ticks are a part of nature and may be found throughout our watershed. Learn more about ticks here.

Outreach Education Visiting You

Programs are 80 minutes in length but can be adjusted to fit within a learning block of less than 80 minutes if needed. 

Programs are designed to accommodate up to a maximum of 30 students per class.  If there are more than 30 students, additional programs will need to be booked.  

We can book up to 6 classes per day, depending upon staff availability.   

Programs can be delivered in your schoolyard/adjacent greenspace, in your classroom or a mix of both.  

We bring all the materials and equipment needed to deliver the program(s) you have selected. We ask that you chat with your students about being dressed for the weather if the program is being delivered outside.​​  

Help Us Build a New Nature Centre!

Our partners at the Lake Simcoe Conservation Foundation have launched the Connect Campaign to build an incredible new Nature Centre at Scanlon Creek

Find out more about the Connect Campaign​

Get Social with Us!

Follow along on instagram square icon Instagram​ and Facebook icon Facebook where we’ll continue sharing new nature inspired activities for outdoor learning. 

List to stay up-to-date on our available education programs and services

phone icon   Who to Contact 

Education Tea​m
905-895-1281
1-800-465-0437 Toll free
education@LSRCA.on.ca

form icon   School Programming

Nature Centre
Outreach Education
Participant Information

School and Community Programming or Nature Centre Rentals:

information, icon   Related Documents

Booking Request
(School and Community Programming or Nature Centre Rentals)
Participant Information​
Map to the Scanlon Creek Nature Centre​
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