MacSkimming Programs
Attention grade 3 and 7 classes - your field trip is free!
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To book a program at The Bill Mason Centre, please follow these steps:

 Please select on your grade:
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Grade 1 Programs
Natural Science - Characteristics and Needs of Living Things
This full day program includes a Forest Exploration and either a Wetland Exploration or Insect Study. In each of these activities students will have the opportunity to discover some of the amazing creatures and plants that live in various ecosystems at MacSkimming, why they are important and how they manage to survive. Instructors will lead activities and explorations that will help students to understand key terms such as habitat, adaptation, life cycles, and others. The Characteristics and Needs of Living Things program is available in fall, winter and spring. The winter program will consist of an extended Forest Explore on snowshoes (if conditions permit).

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Grade 2 Programs
Natural Science - Growth and Change in Animals
This full day program includes a Forest Exploration, and one of Wetland Exploration, and Insect Study. Through hands on activities and investigations, students will gain further understanding that animals have distinct characteristics, that they grow and change, and that there are similarities and differences between different kinds of animals. This extremely active program is available fall, winter and spring. The extended Forest Exploration winter program will be done on snowshoes (if conditions permit).

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Grade 3 Programs
Natural Science - Growth and Change in Plants with Soils in the Environment
In this full day program, students explore and discover the world of plants and soils. Students will dig down to discover horizons, biotic and abiotic components of soil, to learn about decomposition and the importance of soil to an ecosystem. In the second half of the day, students will learn about plants - how they grow, their importance and the many ways their seeds travel. This program is available in fall and spring.

Canadian History - Life in Early Canada
During this full-day program students will visit a one-room school house of the early 1900's; try their hand at log-cabin building; make their own pioneer toy; and use some antique tools such as yolks and ice tongs in their hands-on discovery of life as an early settler. In early spring, a tour of the sugar bush is combined with the Life in Early Canada program. This program is available in fall, winter and spring

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Grade 4 Programs
Natural Science - Habitats and Communities
Habitats and Communities includes Predator Prey and one of Forest Explore, Wetland Exploration or Insect Studies. During the Predator and Prey simulation, students play the role of local forest animals trying to survive. Students are required to find food, water and shelter all the while avoiding predators who are also looking for a good meal. This extremely active program allows students the opportunity to better understand terms such as habitat, predator, prey, herbivore, omnivore, carnivore, food chain, and population. During a Forest Explore, Wetland Explore and Insect Study, students will be lead through MacSkimming's natural areas to learn about plants and animal interdependence on each other, human impact on natural areas, and key terms reinforced in Predator and Prey. Predator and Prey and Forest Explore are available fall, winter and spring; Insect Explore and Wetland Explore are available in early fall and late spring.

Outdoor Skills Level 1
Students will learn and practice the basics of shelter building and navigation with the use of a map. A major component of this program will be team-work as activities are done in small groups, with everyone having specific responsibilities. This program is available in fall, winter and spring.

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Grade 5 Programs
Outdoor Skills Level 1
Students will learn and practice the basics of shelter building and navigation with the use of a map. A major component of this program will be team-work as activities are done in small groups, with everyone having specific responsibilities. This program is available in fall, winter and spring.

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Grade 6 Programs
Natural Science - Diversity of Living Things
This full day program includes two of "Classify Me", "Forest Explore", "Wetland Exploration" and "Insect Studies". Classify Me is an active tree identification program in which students make their way around the forest (with maps) looking for specially marked trees. Once they find the trees, it is their job to use a dichotomous key to identify them. The grade 6 Forest Explore, Wetland Exploration and Insect Study focus on classification, biodiversity, interrelationships, vertebrate vs. invertebrates and invasive species. All three programs are highly active and interactive within the various ecosystems. Classify Me and Forest Explore are available in fall, winter and spring. Insect Studies and Wetland Exploration are available in fall and spring.

Outdoor Skills Level 2
Students will learn and practice some advanced fire-building techniques. They will also have the opportunity to learn and practice compass use through a series of navigation courses on the property. A major component of this program will be team-work as activities are done in small groups, with everyone having specific responsibilities. This program is available in fall, winter and spring.

Canadian History - First Contact in the New World
In this new and exciting program, students will be introduced to ways in which the early explorers influenced the First Nations of the (now) Ottawa area and vice-versa. Students will also be given the opportunity to further understand lifestyle and history of the Algonkin or Algonquin First Nations. The Fur Trade activity is part of this program and focuses particularly on the First Nations role in Canadian history. Other activities include a guided hike (on snowshoes when conditions permit). This program is available fall, winter and spring.

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Grade 7 Programs
Natural Science - Interactions within Ecosystems
This program includes Predator and Prey and either a Forest Explore, Wetland Explore or Insect Study. We key on discovery and importance of biotic and abiotic elements of various ecosystems through guided exploration. The grade 7 Predator and Prey simulation focuses heavily on producers, consumers and decomposers in addition to food webs and populations. This program is available fall, winter and spring.

Geography - Themes of Geographic Inquiry
Students will learn how to use a map, compass and GPS effectively. They will learn to take bearings with each technology and through a variety of activities will travel the forest trails and put their new skills to use. This program is available in fall and spring.

Outdoor Skills - Level 3
Students will learn and practice some advanced fire-building techniques. They will also have the opportunity to learn and practice compass use through the MacSkimming Maze. A major component of this program will be team- work as activities are done in small groups, with everyone having specific responsibilities. This program is available in fall, winter and spring

Cross-Country Skiing
This full day program starts with an introduction to classic style cross-country skiing in the morning. The afternoon will be spent skiing along our groomed trail system. Ski equipment is provided.
This program is recommended in February.

Canadian History - Fur Trader
This trading simulation activity takes place in and around our Pioneer Village. Students will play the role of over-wintering voyageurs newly hired by the Northwest Company in the early 1800's. They will re-enact history by trading with local Aboriginal peoples for furs in order to purchase supplies at Fort William for the long journey home to Montreal. The Fur Trade program also includes a guided hike that focuses on traditional uses of the land for medicine and food. This program is available in fall, winter and spring.

Team Building
This full-day program is designed to develop self-confidence, self-esteem, group skills and friendships. Specially trained staff may use our Intiatives elements to emphasize respect, trust, cooperation and support for others. This program is available in fall and spring.
Special ratio: 1 Centre Instructor to 15 students

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Grade 8 Programs
Outdoor Skills - Level 3
Students will learn and practice some advanced fire-building techniques. They will also have the opportunity to learn and practice compass use through the MacSkimming Maze. A major component of this program will be team- work as activities are done in small groups, with everyone having specific responsibilities. This program is available in fall, winter and spring

Cross-country Skiing
This full day program starts with an introduction to classic style cross-country skiing in the morning. The afternoon will be spent skiing along our groomed trail system. Ski equipment is provided.
This program is recommended in February.

Team Building
This full-day program is designed to develop self-confidence, self-esteem, group skills and friendships. Specially trained staff may use our Initiatives elements to emphasize respect, trust, cooperation and support for others. This program is available in fall and spring.
Special ratio: 1 Centre Instructor to 15 students

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Grade 9 Programs
Natural Science - The Sustainability of Ecosystems
This full day program includes Ecological Field Studies and Predator and Prey. It will introduce students to scientific data collection techniques in the field and allow them to discover through hands-on experience the diversities of life in a forest. The grade 9 Predator and Prey simulation provides students with opportunity for further understand bioaccumulation, biomass, community and human threats to local ecosystems. This program is available fall, winter and spring.

Outdoor Skills - Level 3
Students will learn and practice some advanced fire-building techniques. They will also have the opportunity to learn and practice compass use through the MacSkimming Maze. A major component of this program will be team- work as activities are done in small groups, with everyone having specific responsibilities. This program is available in fall, winter and spring

Cross-country Skiing
This full day program starts with an introduction to classic style cross-country skiing in the morning. The afternoon will be spent skiing along our groomed trail system. Ski equipment is provided.
This program is recommended in February.

Team Building
This full-day program is designed to develop self-confidence, self-esteem, group skills and friendships. Specially trained staff may use our Initiatives elements to emphasize respect, trust, cooperation and support for others. This program is available in fall and spring.
Special ratio: 1 Centre Instructor to 15 students.

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Grade 10, 11, 12 Programs
Outdoor Skills - Level 3
Students will learn and practice some advanced fire-building techniques. They will also have the opportunity to learn and practice compass use through the MacSkimming Maze. A major component of this program will be team- work as activities are done in small groups, with everyone having specific responsibilities. This program is available in fall, winter and spring

Cross-country Skiing
This full day program starts with an introduction to classic style cross-country skiing in the morning. The afternoon will be spent skiing along our groomed trail system. Ski equipment is provided.
This program is recommended in February.

Team Building
This full-day program is designed to develop self-confidence, self-esteem, group skills and friendships. Specially trained staff may use our Initiatives elements to emphasize respect, trust, cooperation and support for others. This program is available in fall and spring.
Special ratio: 1 Centre Instructor to 15 students.

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