"I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to confront only
the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach,
and not when I come to die, discover that I had not lived." ...
Henry David Thoreau
Our Outdoor Education programs closely relate to the school curriculum and contribute to the aims of the Ministry of Education guidelines. The majority of our programming is geared towards students in grades five through eight. However, we can adapt our programs to suit the needs of students from high schools as well as younger grades. Adult programming is also available. Over 4000 students from ten different boards use our centre each year as a learning facility.
With the encouragement and instruction of our staff, students explore areas that can best be learned in the out of doors. There are general objectives of outdoor education including:
Direct exposure to the learning experience
Using all the senses in the out of doors
The excitement of exploring and the joy of discovery
Stimulated learning by active, interested students
The natural appeal of the out of doors
A new and improved student teacher relationship
We offer:
2 curriculum linked programs daily (2 ½ hours in length)
3 nutritious and delicious meals and evening snacks
Trained outdoor educators certified in first aid
300 acres of our own outdoor classroom!
Choose a 2 ½ day trip or simply come for the day. We can accommodate a student sleeping capacity of 98. Week long trips can also be scheduled.
Our Staff: Our staff are carefully selected for their knowledge, appreciation, and enjoyment of the outdoors and their excellent rapport and respect with and for the students. Our instructor/student ratio is approximately 1:18. We have been providing residential and day programs to schools since 1975. Almost 90% of our visiting schools return year after year.
Combined, our staff bring over 50 years of outdoor education experience and knowledge to our programming.
Our Classroom: The land itself is an important part of the outdoor education experience for your class. Located on a glacial moraine, our 300 acres contain valleys, fields, forests, mixed woodlots, reforested areas, a river as well as a wide variety of birds, animals and plant life. We are adjacent to 2000 acres of the Dufferin County Forest.
Accommodations: Two completely separate facilities are available.
The Main Lodge and cabin area provide room for 106 people (student sleeping capacity is 98).
Each cabin is clean, warm and provides sleeping room for 5 or 6.
Washrooms and showers are in an adjacent building.
Teachers have their own centrally located cabin with showers and washrooms.
The Main Lodge contains a large general purpose room, more washrooms and a dining area.
Our Field Centre is best suited for smaller groups who prefer everything under one roof.
Bedrooms, washrooms, showers, classroom, kitchen, meeting areas and a beautiful dining hall combine to make up the building.
Rooms sleep either 4 or 6 and the student capacity is 44.
Food: Essential to any good school residential centre is great food. We have nutritious home cooked meals and always offer plenty to keep students going. Three meals a day are provided as well as an evening snack. Dietary concerns i.e. allergies and modifications i.e. vegetarians can be accommodated in most instances with advance notice.
Prices: Our prices for residential stays vary according to the number of students you bring.
2009 / 2010 Prices
OVERNIGHT SCHOOL PACKAGE (+ 13% HST) / PERSON
2-1/2 days(25-39 students)$158.50 (25 students minimum) (40-59 students) $151.00 (60 + students)$143.25 1-1/2 days(25-39 students)$ 90.75 (25 students minimum) (40-59 students) $ 86.50 (60 + students)$ 82.25
** Free Supervisor with 1:14 supervisor/student ratio **
Call for week long prices.
There can be no justification for a class leaving the regular school system unless the students are involved in direct , hands on learning experiences that relate to the school curriculum. Mansfield Outdoor Centre's program offers an outdoor education experience that directly complements the most recent Ministry of Education documents. Our philosophy and vision, which shape our policies and programs, have always recognized the interdependence of human beings and the environment and the belief in the inherent value of all forms of life in nature. We believe that learning by doing is one of the best ways to learn; students learn by asking questions, by looking, listening, experimenting and connecting what they discover to what they already know. Our programs revolve around this principle. As well, Mansfield Outdoor Centre offers an integrated approach to learning. Our programs not only have specific objectives from various curriculum areas but the residential outdoor education experience also involves the students in a total living situation; living and learning are inseparable.
It is important that the outdoor education experience both complements and supplements the school's curriculum. The program at Mansfield Outdoor Centre does this in many ways. For further detail click here.
A simulation about the complex interactions between herbivores, carnivores, omnivores in a diverse ecosystem. Students experience firsthand food chains/webs, the value of camouflage and predator-prey relationships.
EITHER/OR
WOLF PROWL
A simulation in which students role play wolf packs (carnivores) and their prey (herbivores) and experience first hand predator-prey relationships, camouflage and adaptations in a diverse forest ecosystem.
ORIENTEERING
Designed to teach map reading skills (includes legend, scale and orienting of the map with a compass) culminating with various orienteering courses. Courses are chosen based on depth of snow (if any, i.e. ease of travel) and geared towards the ability of the students. DO NOT COMBINE WITH COMPASS-ORIENTEERING
ABORGINAL PEOPLES (Pre-contact)
By role-playing the Wendat and the Cree, students explore their environment to find the resources they need (food, clothing, shelter, technology), trade with each other and the Ojibway while living together as families and clans. EITHER/OR
THE FUR TRADE
By using simple map reading skills like the early explorers, students find native encampments and trade goods for furs. Students learn about the Hudson Bay Co. North West Co. rivalry, the interactions between the Aboriginals and European explorers and the importance of the fur traders as explorers.
WOODLAND SURVIVAL
Teaches the basics of survival if lost in a woodland setting (shelter building, fire building). Also develops skills such as decision-making, time management, communication and group cooperation.
DEVELOPMENT of WESTERN CANADA
By role-playing First Nation peoples, Metis and Settlers, students learn about the basic culture and identity of each group and examine some of the changes and conflicts of these three distinct groups from pre to post Confederation (approximately 1845 and 1880). EITHER/OR
THE SETTLERS
By role-playing farmers, millers and sawyers, students learn about life in Upper Canada in the 1850’s (includes family, economic and social life). Students learn that key elements to their survival involve basic map reading skills, co-operation, decision-making and hard work.
ECO-ROLES
Through a series of simulations students learn about such concepts as predator-prey relationships, the effectiveness of adaptations for survival, the role of food chains, the value of shelter to prey and limiting factors.
GAMES
A very good half/short program on arrival the first day involving lots of energy release, fun, group cooperation and active involvement.
SPRING or FALL TERM only
Program Name
Program Description
ECOSYSTEM INTERACTIONS
Through 3 role-playing games, students learn about various ecosystem interactions (the relationships between producers and consumers, between biotic and abiotic elements) and about food webs, carrying capacity and human impacts on ecosystems.
NATIVE ECO-ROLES
Native legends are used to investigate such concepts as the producer-consumer-decomposer cycle, animal roles and interactions (including adaptations, limiting factors, biotic and abiotic components, resilient ecosystems) and both positive and negative human impacts on the environment.
POND/SMALL CREATURES
A study of the diversity of living things in various locations (forest, field, pond). Includes catching, identifying and classifying various small creatures (e.g. millipedes, snails, spiders, frogs, diving beetles) and examining their adaptations as well as food chains/webs. The importance of biodiversity is emphasized.
THEME HIKE
A hike through the forest with specific themes suited to the needs and interests of the class (e.g. forestry management, animal ecology, environmental awareness, tree identification and recreational hiking).
COMPASS-ORIENTEERING
Includes map reading skills at a basic level (orienting of a map, use of legend and scale) as well as practical hands-on use of a compass through games and the use of compass bearings to find points in the forest. DO NOT COMBINE WITH REGULAR ORIENTEERING
LOW ROPES/TEAM CHALLENGE
Enables both individuals and groups to challenge themselves. It is designed to develop and enhance self-esteem, trust, communication, listening skills, teamwork and leadership through a series of games and problem solving initiatives. Teacher assistance needed with this program.
WINTER TERM ONLY
Program Name
Program Description
SNOWSHOEING
Includes a short lesson on how-to-snowshoe, games, and a guided hike through the forest. This can easily be combined with the following program.
WINTER ANIMAL ECOLOGY
While tracking on snowshoes, students investigate how plants and especially how animals adapt to winter.
CROSS COUNTRY SKIING
Includes a 45 minute lesson plus skiing on 32 km. of well marked, groomed, double track-set trails. Two programs available, must be taken in sequence:
Beginner Level I Lesson + Skiing
Intermediate Level II Lesson + Skiing
