Program Offerings

We offer a wide variety of nature-based games and activities designed for students from grade 3 to 12. These games and activities are used to introduce students to nature principles such as animal and plant adaptation, relationships in nature, and animal senses. Some examples are, Nature Trust Walk, Predator and Prey, and camouflage.

Join one of our staff for an interpretive hike through the forest. The nature hike will focus on age appropriate nature concepts to teach to participants; plant, animal and rock identification, geological phenomenon, forest succession and animal homes and behaviours are all concepts that can be taught and adapted on a nature hike.

How many animals can you find in a pond or soil sample? How do you assess the health of one of these ecosystems? If these are questions that you or your students would like to figure out the answers to, a pond or soil study will help you answer them. Students will have an opportunity to investigate a pond or soil environment, collect samples and identify what they have found. This study will help students better understand the biodiversity of these environments and its relationship to a healthy ecosystem.

What is in the forest? Often people think about a forest as a large space that is home to large animals and big trees. In this investigation students will take a closer look at the forest and focus on some of the hidden gems that it has to offer. By focusing on a small micro-site, students will begin to understand the forest from a different point of view and start making the links between the importance small organisms in relation to larger organisms.

In this action-packed lesson students will learn about the food chain and relationships in nature through play. Students will assume the roles of carnivores, omnivores and herbivores in order to better understand their relationships with one another. Other concepts that can be introduced or reinforced through this game are habitat fragmentation, disease and the effects for fires and floods on forest animals.

Our basic canoe instruction is designed with first time paddlers in mind. This activity gives the participant a basic understanding of the parts of a canoe, paddle, and safety equipment and provides them with instructions on basic paddle stokes and canoeing concepts.

Designed for more experienced paddlers the advanced program can be delivered in a single visit or over the course of multiple visits to the BYOC. The advance program builds on the basic paddle strokes and introduces participants to the “j” stroke, “c” stroke as well as how to use a throw rope and successfully perform a “T” rescue. Depending on the amount of lessons and time allotted, concepts such as portaging and tripping can also be covered.

The kayaking program introduces participants to the world of kayaking through basic instruction and games. Participants can choose from sit on top kayaks or the more traditional cockpit style kayaks to learn and practice strokes, wet exits, boat over boat rescues and basic maneuvering.

Trek through the forest on a pair of snowshoes. Learn the basic history of snowshoeing and experience the difference of walking through the deep snow with and without snowshoes. Our staff will lead a hike through the forest and can even combine your snowshoe experience with an interpretive walk and games on snowshoes.

Allow our instructors to take you through the necessary steps that will ensure a perfect fire every time. Participants will learn the basic components of fire and how to apply them in a wilderness setting. Some sessions will see friendly competitions amongst the participants or maybe even the opportunity to prepare a snack for you and your classmates.

Learn how to prepare a wilderness shelter that will protect you from the elements. Winter shelters are an essential element of outdoor living skills.

Our high ropes challenge course currently includes three dynamic and one static pod. Each is designed with a different objective in mind and can be facilitated for participants 8 years old and up. High ropes challenge elements are a great way to reinforce teamwork and cooperation as they require groups of two to four people to work together in order to successfully complete the challenge. Our high ropes courses and climbing wall meet and exceed all OPHEA guidelines and are constructed and certified under the strict guidelines of the Association for Challenge Course Technology (ACCT).

The BYOC climbing wall offers a challenge for individuals of varying skill levels. Set on a dynamic belay system the climbing wall does not require any previous rock climbing experience and proves to be an exciting, and enjoyable activity for students and adults. Our high ropes courses and climbing wall meet all OPHEA guidelines and are constructed and certified under the strict guidelines of the Association for Challenge Course Technology (ACCT).

Join us on the beautiful Ottawa River for a leisurely swim in our designated swimming area or just relax on our rocky beach while your students or friends enjoy the water. All water activities are supervised by National Lifesaving Society Lifeguards.

A series of non-traditional group games are use to help groups “break the ice” and challenge those barriers to communication and cooperation. This is an introductory activity that will help to get the blood flowing and the laughter started.

A series of challenges designed to explore the group’s ability to communicate and work together. Through these initiative tasks facilitators are able to make suggestions and promote cooperation, communication and inclusiveness.

Our low ropes challenge courses are designed to take team building to the next level. By increasing the risk and reward groups are met with greater adversity while attempting to complete challenges on one of our courses. Drawing on the communication, cooperation, support and inclusive principles that have begun to develop through other activities, participants work through a progressive set of tasks and challenges that will bring out the full potential of the group.