Natural Resources Education Centre Programs

Primary Level Programs

Wildlife Trek		Book Me!
Grade Level:	P, 1, 2, Sparks/Beavers, Brownies
Duration:	3 hours
Offered:	Year-round
Program Description:	“Wildlife Trek” is a program designed for young students to experience nature in a hands-on way. The program involves an indoor discussion and presentation on wildlife, followed by a nature hike and an indoor craft and video if time allows.
		Details.

Grade 1 Level Programs

Coming Home Safe		Book Me!
Grade Level:	1, 2, Sparks/Beavers, Brownies
Duration:	3 hours
Offered:	Year-round (some activities are seasonal)
Program Description:	“Coming Home Safe” is a program designed to introduce young students to basic safety rules for using wilderness areas. The program involves an indoor safety discussion followed by an outdoor emergency shelter building activity.
		Details.
Wildlife Trek		Book Me!
Grade Level:	P, 1, 2, Sparks/Beavers, Brownies
Duration:	3 hours
Offered:	Year-round
Program Description:	“Wildlife Trek” is a program designed for young students to experience nature in a hands-on way. The program involves an indoor discussion and presentation on wildlife, followed by a nature hike and an indoor craft and video if time allows.
		Details.

Grade 2 Level Programs

Amazing Insects		Book Me!
Grade Level:	2,4
Duration:	3 hours
Offered:	April - September
Program Description:	This program is designed for Grade 2 and 4 students to enhance their understanding of the fascinating world of insects. The program involves an indoor presentation on insects followed by an outdoor insect survey.
		Details.
Coming Home Safe		Book Me!
Grade Level:	1, 2, Sparks/Beavers, Brownies
Duration:	3 hours
Offered:	Year-round (some activities are seasonal)
Program Description:	“Coming Home Safe” is a program designed to introduce young students to basic safety rules for using wilderness areas. The program involves an indoor safety discussion followed by an outdoor emergency shelter building activity.
		Details.
Wildlife Trek		Book Me!
Grade Level:	P, 1, 2, Sparks/Beavers, Brownies
Duration:	3 hours
Offered:	Year-round
Program Description:	“Wildlife Trek” is a program designed for young students to experience nature in a hands-on way. The program involves an indoor discussion and presentation on wildlife, followed by a nature hike and an indoor craft and video if time allows.
		Details.

Grade 3 Level Programs

Nature of Soils		Book Me!
Grade Level:	3,4
Duration:	3 hours
Offered:	September to June
Program Description:	The program is designed to introduce Grade 3 and 4 students to the ecological importance of soils through an indoor soil experiment and an outdoor guided hike exploring the importance of soil in nature.
		Details.
New Forest: Next Generation		Book Me!
Grade Level:	3, 4
Duration:	3 hours
Offered:	April to October
Program Description:	“New Forest, Next Generation” is a program designed to help Grade 3 and 4 students understand how forests are regenerated in Nova Scotia. The program involves both indoor and outdoor activities.
		Details.
Spring Festival		Book Me!
Grade Level:	3-6
Duration:	3 hours
Offered:	March/April*check for this year's dates
Program Description:	Contact NREC for this year's theme and dates for Spring Festival, held at our Sugar Shack in Chaswood (10 minutes from Middle Musquodoboit).
		Details.

Grade 4 Level Programs

Amazing Insects		Book Me!
Grade Level:	2,4
Duration:	3 hours
Offered:	April - September
Program Description:	This program is designed for Grade 2 and 4 students to enhance their understanding of the fascinating world of insects. The program involves an indoor presentation on insects followed by an outdoor insect survey.
		Details.
Exploring Habitats		Book Me!
Grade Level:	4
Duration:	3 hours
Offered:	Year-round (some activities are seasonal)
Program Description:	The program is designed to introduce Grade 4 students to several different types of habitats in Nova Scotia. An indoor presentation will be followed by an outdoor habitat assessment.
		Details.
Nature of Soils		Book Me!
Grade Level:	3,4
Duration:	3 hours
Offered:	September to June
Program Description:	The program is designed to introduce Grade 3 and 4 students to the ecological importance of soils through an indoor soil experiment and an outdoor guided hike exploring the importance of soil in nature.
		Details.
New Forest: Next Generation		Book Me!
Grade Level:	3, 4
Duration:	3 hours
Offered:	April to October
Program Description:	“New Forest, Next Generation” is a program designed to help Grade 3 and 4 students understand how forests are regenerated in Nova Scotia. The program involves both indoor and outdoor activities.
		Details.
Pioneer Life		Book Me!
Grade Level:	4, 5
Duration:	3 hours
Offered:	September to June
Program Description:	This program is designed to introduce Grade 4 students to what life would be like in a logging camp in the early 1900's. Students will study pioneer life and use pioneer tools.
		Details.
Rocks and Minerals		Book Me!
Grade Level:	4
Duration:	3 hours
Offered:	Year-round
Program Description:	"Rocks and Minerals" is a program designed to engage students in the exciting world of geology. Students will learn to classify different types of rocks and minerals through a hands-on activity and guided hike.
		Details.
Spring Festival		Book Me!
Grade Level:	3-6
Duration:	3 hours
Offered:	March/April*check for this year's dates
Program Description:	Contact NREC for this year's theme and dates for Spring Festival, held at our Sugar Shack in Chaswood (10 minutes from Middle Musquodoboit).
		Details.
Wetland Wonders		Book Me!
Grade Level:	4
Duration:	2 - 3 hours
Offered:	April - September
Program Description:	This program is designed for students to better understand the ecological importance of wetlands in Nova Scotia. The program involves an indoor presentation on wetlands and an outdoor wetland survey.
		Details.
Wilderness Survival: Junior		Book Me!
Grade Level:	4, 5, 6
Duration:	3 hours
Offered:	Year-round (some activities are weather dependant
Program Description:	"Wilderness Survival: Junior" is an introductory course on the basics of wilderness survival: emergency shelter building, fire making and signalling. Students learn through indoor and outdoor group activities.
		Details.

Grade 5 Level Programs

Early Mi’kmaq Life: From the Shores to the Forest Floor		Book Me!
Grade Level:	5
Duration:	3.0 Hours
Offered:	September to June
Program Description:	This program is designed for Grades 5 & 6 and has strong ties to the Social Studies Learning Outcomes in both grades.
		Details.
Pioneer Life		Book Me!
Grade Level:	4, 5
Duration:	3 hours
Offered:	September to June
Program Description:	This program is designed to introduce Grade 4 students to what life would be like in a logging camp in the early 1900's. Students will study pioneer life and use pioneer tools.
		Details.
Spring Festival		Book Me!
Grade Level:	3-6
Duration:	3 hours
Offered:	March/April*check for this year's dates
Program Description:	Contact NREC for this year's theme and dates for Spring Festival, held at our Sugar Shack in Chaswood (10 minutes from Middle Musquodoboit).
		Details.
Sustainable Forestry		Book Me!
Grade Level:	5, 6
Duration:	3 hours
Offered:	Year-round
Program Description:	"Sustainable Forestry" is a program designed to show students how forestry can be a sustainable, viable and very important industry. Students will learn about the value of sustainable forestry through indoor discussion and outdoor activities.
		Details.
Weather, Nature and Climate Change		Book Me!
Grade Level:	5
Duration:	3 Hours
Offered:	All Year
Program Description:	NREC staff have developed a new program which relates weather & climate change to the natural environment. Students are introduced to a variety of facts on weather, with plenty of hands on activities including recording their own weather data outdoors!
		Details.
Wilderness Survival: Junior		Book Me!
Grade Level:	4, 5, 6
Duration:	3 hours
Offered:	Year-round (some activities are weather dependant
Program Description:	"Wilderness Survival: Junior" is an introductory course on the basics of wilderness survival: emergency shelter building, fire making and signalling. Students learn through indoor and outdoor group activities.
		Details.

Grade 6 Level Programs

Natural Challenges Competition		Book Me!
Grade Level:	6
Duration:
Offered:
Program Description:	Local schools compete to be the "Natural Champion". Teams compete against each other based on their ecological knowledge. Contact NREC for more information.
		Details.
Spring Festival		Book Me!
Grade Level:	3-6
Duration:	3 hours
Offered:	March/April*check for this year's dates
Program Description:	Contact NREC for this year's theme and dates for Spring Festival, held at our Sugar Shack in Chaswood (10 minutes from Middle Musquodoboit).
		Details.
Sustainable Forestry		Book Me!
Grade Level:	5, 6
Duration:	3 hours
Offered:	Year-round
Program Description:	"Sustainable Forestry" is a program designed to show students how forestry can be a sustainable, viable and very important industry. Students will learn about the value of sustainable forestry through indoor discussion and outdoor activities.
		Details.
Wilderness Survival: Junior		Book Me!
Grade Level:	4, 5, 6
Duration:	3 hours
Offered:	Year-round (some activities are weather dependant
Program Description:	"Wilderness Survival: Junior" is an introductory course on the basics of wilderness survival: emergency shelter building, fire making and signalling. Students learn through indoor and outdoor group activities.
		Details.
Wildlife Diversity		Book Me!
Grade Level:	6
Duration:	4 hours
Offered:	September to June
Program Description:	Ecosystems are comprised of both living and non-living components. The forest ecosystems in the McCurdy woodlot will provide students with the opportunity to isolate and discuss the many facets of which the ecosystem is comprised. This will help the stude
		Details.

Junior High Level Programs

Forest Industry		Book Me!
Grade Level:	9
Duration:	3 to 4 hours
Offered:	September to June
Program Description:	This program concentrates on the economic value of the forest resource in the Maritimes, as well as providing information on career opportunities, and assistance programs available to private woodlot owners in Nova Scotia.
		Details.
GPS USE and APPLICATION		Book Me!
Grade Level:	7 - 12
Duration:	2.5 - 3 hours
Offered:	Year round
Program Description:	This course will introduce students to the history and application of GPS, followed by hands-on use of GPS units in the McCurdy Woodlot. Program content and language will be adapted for age-appropriateness.
		Details.
National Forest Week		Book Me!
Grade Level:
Duration:	1 hour
Offered:	May 1 to May 7
Program Description:	Forestry in Nova Scotia
		Details.

Senior High Level Programs

Forest Ecosystems II		Book Me!
Grade Level:	9 to 10
Duration:	4 hours
Offered:	September to June
Program Description:	This program is intende to help students understand the concept of an ecosystem and the relationships and interconnections that exist in a forest ecosytem. The students will be able to describe what an ecosystem is and its importance. At the completion o
		Details.
GPS USE and APPLICATION		Book Me!
Grade Level:	7 - 12
Duration:	2.5 - 3 hours
Offered:	Year round
Program Description:	This course will introduce students to the history and application of GPS, followed by hands-on use of GPS units in the McCurdy Woodlot. Program content and language will be adapted for age-appropriateness.
		Details.

Sparks/Beaver Level Programs

Chaswood Educational Woodlot		Book Me!
Grade Level:	all
Duration:	Usually a weekend, but length depends on the group
Offered:	Year-round
Program Description:	The lodge in the Chaswood woodlot offers rustic accommodations for community or school groups interested in outdoor adventure, fun, and learning.
		Details.
Coming Home Safe		Book Me!
Grade Level:	1, 2, Sparks/Beavers, Brownies
Duration:	3 hours
Offered:	Year-round (some activities are seasonal)
Program Description:	“Coming Home Safe” is a program designed to introduce young students to basic safety rules for using wilderness areas. The program involves an indoor safety discussion followed by an outdoor emergency shelter building activity.
		Details.
Wildlife Trek		Book Me!
Grade Level:	P, 1, 2, Sparks/Beavers, Brownies
Duration:	3 hours
Offered:	Year-round
Program Description:	“Wildlife Trek” is a program designed for young students to experience nature in a hands-on way. The program involves an indoor discussion and presentation on wildlife, followed by a nature hike and an indoor craft and video if time allows.
		Details.

Brownie Level Programs

Chaswood Educational Woodlot		Book Me!
Grade Level:	all
Duration:	Usually a weekend, but length depends on the group
Offered:	Year-round
Program Description:	The lodge in the Chaswood woodlot offers rustic accommodations for community or school groups interested in outdoor adventure, fun, and learning.
		Details.
Coming Home Safe		Book Me!
Grade Level:	1, 2, Sparks/Beavers, Brownies
Duration:	3 hours
Offered:	Year-round (some activities are seasonal)
Program Description:	“Coming Home Safe” is a program designed to introduce young students to basic safety rules for using wilderness areas. The program involves an indoor safety discussion followed by an outdoor emergency shelter building activity.
		Details.
Environmental Appreciation: A Brownie Activity		Book Me!
Grade Level:	Brownies
Duration:	3 to 4 hours
Offered:	September to June
Program Description:	The Environmental Appreciation Program has been designed to give Brownies an opportunity to explore natural habitat and participate in activities that will help them appreciate the natural environment.
		Details.
Outdoor Adventure: A Brownie Activity		Book Me!
Grade Level:	Brownies
Duration:	3 to 4 hours
Offered:	September to June
Program Description:	Outdoor Adventure has been designed to help Brownie leaders provide a program to help children learn skills associated with hiking and exploring the outdoors. Completion of this activity will enable the students to qualify for their Explorer, Hiking and O
		Details.
Outdoor Exploring: A Brownie Activity		Book Me!
Grade Level:	Brownies
Duration:	3 to 4 hours
Offered:	September to June
Program Description:	The Outdoor Exploring Program teaches brownies about animals and the outdoor environment.
		Details.
Preservation		Book Me!
Grade Level:	Brownies
Duration:	3 to 4 hours
Offered:	all year
Program Description:	This program is intended to help brownies understand the meaning of preservation and its importance, understand why species become endangered, list a few that are on the endangered list in Nova Scotia, and understand what habitat is and why it is importan
		Details.
Wildlife Trek		Book Me!
Grade Level:	P, 1, 2, Sparks/Beavers, Brownies
Duration:	3 hours
Offered:	Year-round
Program Description:	“Wildlife Trek” is a program designed for young students to experience nature in a hands-on way. The program involves an indoor discussion and presentation on wildlife, followed by a nature hike and an indoor craft and video if time allows.
		Details.
Winter Adventure: A Brownie Activity		Book Me!
Grade Level:	Brownies
Duration:	3 hours
Offered:	September to June
Program Description:	This Brownie program has been designed to give children an understanding of winter conditions and have them actively learn skills associated with being in a forest environment in the winter.
		Details.

Cub Level Programs

Chaswood Educational Woodlot		Book Me!
Grade Level:	all
Duration:	Usually a weekend, but length depends on the group
Offered:	Year-round
Program Description:	The lodge in the Chaswood woodlot offers rustic accommodations for community or school groups interested in outdoor adventure, fun, and learning.
		Details.
Exploring Habitats		Book Me!
Grade Level:	4
Duration:	3 hours
Offered:	Year-round (some activities are seasonal)
Program Description:	The program is designed to introduce Grade 4 students to several different types of habitats in Nova Scotia. An indoor presentation will be followed by an outdoor habitat assessment.
		Details.
Exploring the Forest: a Cub Activity		Book Me!
Grade Level:	Cub
Duration:	3 to 4 hours
Offered:	September to June
Program Description:	The Exploring the Forest Program will help cubs work towards the Woodsman, Observer, and Winter Cubbing badges.
		Details.
Wilderness Survival: Junior		Book Me!
Grade Level:	4, 5, 6
Duration:	3 hours
Offered:	Year-round (some activities are weather dependant
Program Description:	"Wilderness Survival: Junior" is an introductory course on the basics of wilderness survival: emergency shelter building, fire making and signalling. Students learn through indoor and outdoor group activities.
		Details.
World Conservation: A Cub Activity		Book Me!
Grade Level:	Cubs
Duration:	3 to 4 hours
Offered:	September to June
Program Description:	World Conservation has been designed to help Cub Leaders provide a program where cubs can learn about natural resources and the importance of using them wisely.
		Details.

Girl Guide Level Programs

Chaswood Educational Woodlot		Book Me!
Grade Level:	all
Duration:	Usually a weekend, but length depends on the group
Offered:	Year-round
Program Description:	The lodge in the Chaswood woodlot offers rustic accommodations for community or school groups interested in outdoor adventure, fun, and learning.
		Details.
Conservation: A Girl Guide Program		Book Me!
Grade Level:	Guides
Duration:	2 to3 hours
Offered:	September to June
Program Description:	The Conservation Program will help guides learn about conservation (the wise use of resources) through classroom and forest activities.
		Details.
Forestry: A Girl Guide Activity		Book Me!
Grade Level:
Duration:	2 to 3 hours
Offered:	September to June
Program Description:	In this program, Guides can learn to appreciate the diversity of Nova Scotia's forests, their uses and issues. They will have an opportunity to work on their Forestry Badge through indoor and outdoor activities with the highlight being a guided walk throu
		Details.
GPS USE and APPLICATION		Book Me!
Grade Level:	7 - 12
Duration:	2.5 - 3 hours
Offered:	Year round
Program Description:	This course will introduce students to the history and application of GPS, followed by hands-on use of GPS units in the McCurdy Woodlot. Program content and language will be adapted for age-appropriateness.
		Details.
Naturalist: A Girl Guide Program		Book Me!
Grade Level:	Guides
Duration:	2 to 3 hours
Offered:	September to June
Program Description:	The Naturalist program is intended to help girl guides work towards the Naturalist, Endangered Species, and Wildlflower badges.
		Details.
Wilderness Survival: Junior		Book Me!
Grade Level:	4, 5, 6
Duration:	3 hours
Offered:	Year-round (some activities are weather dependant
Program Description:	"Wilderness Survival: Junior" is an introductory course on the basics of wilderness survival: emergency shelter building, fire making and signalling. Students learn through indoor and outdoor group activities.
		Details.

Scout Level Programs

Chaswood Educational Woodlot		Book Me!
Grade Level:	all
Duration:	Usually a weekend, but length depends on the group
Offered:	Year-round
Program Description:	The lodge in the Chaswood woodlot offers rustic accommodations for community or school groups interested in outdoor adventure, fun, and learning.
		Details.
GPS USE and APPLICATION		Book Me!
Grade Level:	7 - 12
Duration:	2.5 - 3 hours
Offered:	Year round
Program Description:	This course will introduce students to the history and application of GPS, followed by hands-on use of GPS units in the McCurdy Woodlot. Program content and language will be adapted for age-appropriateness.
		Details.
Orienteering		Book Me!
Grade Level:	Scouts
Duration:	3 to 4 hours
Offered:	September to October and May to June
Program Description:	The orienteering program has been designed to help scouts learn how to use a compass and to measure distance in the woods. It involves both indoor and outdoor activities. This program has been designed with certain criteria of the Outdoor Skills- Voyageur
		Details.
Wilderness Survival: Junior		Book Me!
Grade Level:	4, 5, 6
Duration:	3 hours
Offered:	Year-round (some activities are weather dependant
Program Description:	"Wilderness Survival: Junior" is an introductory course on the basics of wilderness survival: emergency shelter building, fire making and signalling. Students learn through indoor and outdoor group activities.
		Details.

Pathfinder Level Programs

Chaswood Educational Woodlot		Book Me!
Grade Level:	all
Duration:	Usually a weekend, but length depends on the group
Offered:	Year-round
Program Description:	The lodge in the Chaswood woodlot offers rustic accommodations for community or school groups interested in outdoor adventure, fun, and learning.
		Details.
Outdoor Skills: A Pathfinder Activity		Book Me!
Grade Level:
Duration:	3 to 4 hours
Offered:	September to June
Program Description:	This outdoor program for Pathfinder’s has been designed to help Leaders provide a program to enhance skills in survival, orienteering and snowshoeing. The program has been designed to involve both indoor and outdoor activities with the highlight be
		Details.
Wilderness Survival: Junior		Book Me!
Grade Level:	4, 5, 6
Duration:	3 hours
Offered:	Year-round (some activities are weather dependant
Program Description:	"Wilderness Survival: Junior" is an introductory course on the basics of wilderness survival: emergency shelter building, fire making and signalling. Students learn through indoor and outdoor group activities.
		Details.