Programs for Girl Guide Groups
The High Park
Nature Centre offers a wide range of high quality badge-related outdoor
environmental education and stewardship education programs to
Programs take
place at the High Park Nature Centre, located one set of lights south of the
Program times vary by season, please see below. Choose two programs and create a
full day outing for your Brownies or Girl Guides troop. Full day programs can be
booked on Sundays only, depending on availability.
Winter 2009
(January through the end of March)
Saturdays
1-3pm, Sundays 10am – 12 noon or 1-3pm
Winter Night
Hikes Available on selected weekdays, please inquire
Spring
2009(April through the end of June)
Saturdays
1-3pm, Sundays 10am – 12 noon or 1-3pm
Weekday
Evenings 6:30pm – 8:30pm(after April 20, 2009)
Fall 2009
(September through the end of November)
Saturdays
1-3pm, Sundays 10am – 12 noon or 1-3pm
Weekday
Evenings 6:30-8:30pm (until October 10, 2009)
Winter and
Spring 2009
Half-Day /
2-hour: $6.00 per child, $90 minimum charge based on a group of 15 children
Full Day / 4.5
hour: $10.00 per child, $150 minimum charge based on a group of 15 children
Fall 2009
Half-Day /
2-hour: $6.50 per child, $98 minimum charge based on a group of 15 children
Full Day /
4.5-hour: $11.00 per child, $165 minimum charge based on a group of 15 children
Adults attend
free of charge.
NOTE: A
deposit for 50% of the total number of children booked required one month in
advance of the booking.
An invoice for
the deposit will be sent with your confirmation letters. You can pay by cash or
cheque made out to the “High Park Nature Centre”.
**Full-day
programs include a half hour lunch break.
**Program times can be adjusted slightly to accommodate regular meeting times.
Programs can be booked at any time by calling the High Park Nature Centre at (416) 392-1748 ext. 6 or by e-mailing at naturecentre@highpark.org.
Please leave a detailed message including your name, contact phone number, troop size and age, proposed dates, proposed times and choice of program. We will confirm our availability by phone or email and then also by writing.
Please be
advised that seven days notice is necessary for cancellations and two days
notice to reschedule. Cancellations MUST be confirmed in writing by a staff
member. A $10 administrative fee will be charged for all confirmed cancellations
and the rest of your deposit will be refunded.
For all late cancellations and no-shows, your deposit will not be refunded.
Programs will proceed rain or shine. Please remind all participants to dress appropriately for the weather as we will be outdoors for most of the activities. Programs may need to be rescheduled in the case of severe inclement weather such as heavy rain, thunderstorms, snowstorms or high winds over 35 km per hour. We also advise wearing long pants, socks and long sleeved tops to protect against poison ivy in the spring and fall. If you have any questions please call our office at 416-392-1748 ext. 6.
All of our programs were developed to meet badge-related objectives as laid out by the Girl Guides of Canada. Please see program descriptions below.
Programs are designed to help your troop complete a variety of Keeper activities
that will help girls achieve their “Going Outside” Keeper Badge.
Winter Wonder Nature Hike (daytime)
January to mid-March
Explore the wonders of winter in
Moonlight Snowshoe Hike (evenings, snow conditions permitting)
January to mid-March
Girls will strap on a pair of modern snowshoes and explore a nature trail in
Spring has Sprung Nature Hike (daytime, evenings)
April to June
Fall Colours Nature Hike (daytime, evenings)
September to early November
Celebrate the beauty of fall in
Litterless Picnic and
May to June, September to October
Programs are designed to meet requirements for several program activities needed
to earn “Key” badges and optional activities to help girls earn interest badges.
Key to Active Living: Winter is Great Interest Badge
Snowshoe Hike (evenings, weekends, snow conditions permitting)
January to mid-March
Discover the ancient art of snowshoeing! Brownies will learn basic techniques
with modern snowshoes and then go on an ecology-themed snowshoe hike to a snow
fort building site. Choose one theme for your troop’s snowshoe hike: winter
birds, animal tracking or winter trees.
Key to the Living World: Bird Watcher Interest Badge
Beginner Birding (weekends)
all seasons
Learn the basics of bird watching and discover the many different types of birds
who depend on urban nature to survive. Please inquire about seasonal themes
(e.g. winter survival, migration, mating and nesting etc.)
Key to Girl Guides: Taking Part Program Activity
mid-May to June, September to mid-October
Brownies will learn that
Key to Camping: Which Way Program Activities and Interest Badge
Map and Compass Hike (weekends)
all seasons
Learn the basics of map and compass work in this hands-on program. Brownies will
learn the eight compass points, how to interpret a map and practice their new
skills on a short orienteering course in
Key to Camping: Happy Hiking Interest Badge
Happy Trails Nature Hike (weekends, evenings in the spring / fall)
all seasons
Brownies will discover how to prepare for a hike, learn how to mark a trail and
go on a 2-kilometre hike on the nature trails in
Programs are designed to help Guides earn badges in the “Fun in the Outdoors”
focus area.
Bird Watching Badge (weekends)
all seasons
Learn to about amazing avian adaptations and use binoculars to identify the
birds of
Naturalist Badge (weekends or evenings in spring/fall)
all seasons
Calling all nature lovers and tree huggers! Become a naturalist for the day,
learning about the diversity of life in
Forestry Badge (weekends or evenings in spring/fall)
all seasons
Guides will explore the management and conservation of
Snowshoeing Badge (weekends or evenings)
winter
Learn the history of snowshoeing and basic techniques with modern snowshoes.
Guides will go on an ecology-themed snowshoe hike. Choose one theme for your
troop’s snowshoe hike: winter birds, animal tracking or winter trees.
Endangered Species Badge (weekends or evenings in spring/fall)
spring and fall
Guides will learn about the rare, endangered and extirpated plants and animals
of
Wildflower Badge (weekends or evenings in spring/fall)
spring and fall
Discover native wildflowers, edible wild plants and species best to avoid on a
nature hike in