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) Storytelling – Outdoors
Year-Round
Storytelling is an important component of Indigenous culture. Stories preserve language and culture, help people to develop a better understanding of the world around them, and foster deeper connections to the land, animals, and people.
- Coming Soon
- Outdoor Education (Hiking, General Procedures)
14) Environmental Relationships – Outdoors
Year-Round
In order to be stewards of the land, a person must be in a healthy, balanced relationship to it. Good relations with the land require time, reciprocity, and dedication so that they may understand what the land provides them and what they can do in return During this guided hike students will be encouraged to use their senses to explore the forest and learn how Traditional Ecological Knowledge inspires positive relationships with the living and non-living world around us.
- Coming Soon
- Outdoor Education (Hiking, General Procedures)
15) Seven Grandfathers – Outdoors
Year-Round
The Seven Grandfather Teachings were given by spirit to the Anishinaabeg, and have been carried through all generations despite colonization. These teachings ensure the quality of the land and provide the people with a peaceful, harmonious, balanced existence. Truth, humility, respect, love, honesty, bravery, and wisdom; discuss these teachings with our Indigenous Community Educator to continue growing in your responsibilities within your environmental community.
- Coming Soon
- Outdoor Education (Hiking, General Procedures)
16) Plant Walk – Outdoors
Late Spring through Fall
Take a guided walk through C.M. Wilson Conservation Area to identify different plant species, their uses, Traditional Ecological Knowledge, and their names in Anishinaabemowin. The purpose of this activity is to connect people to nature and learn the services provided by native plant life.
- Coming Soon
- Outdoor Education (Hiking, General Procedures)
Chatham-Kent and Lambton Children’s Water Festival
What’s New?
- Watershed Condition Statement – Flood Outlook – Smaller Watercourses – August 6, 2024 – 6:45 PM
- Watershed Condition Statement – Flood Outlook – Smaller Watercourses – August 6, 2024 – 4:30 PM
- Flood Watch – Smaller Watercourses in western LTVCA watershed – August 2, 2024 – 4:15 pm
- Flood Outlook – Thames River & Adjacent Low-Lying Valley Lands, and Chatham Area – 4 PM – July 17, 2024
- Watershed Condition Statement – Flood Outlook – Thames River & Adjacent Low-Lying Valley Lands – July 17, 2024 – 02:30 AM