The Camp Couchiching Learning Centre is set to offer new programming this fall.
The camp will be using a forest-school style model to provide a safe and effective way for children from four to 12 to experience unique learning opportunities.
Hilary Villneff, Camp Couchiching's director of learning, says the new program provides children an opportunity to learn more about themselves and their peers.
“Nature-based learning is highly engaging for students, and it is a great way to build a positive relationship with learning,” she said.
“It’s a place where students can come and experience play-based and experiential learning and practices in natural spaces.”
The program is being funded by the Ontario Trillium Foundation who provided Camp Couchiching with some financial help for the program.
“We are very grateful to the Ontario Trillium Foundation to allow us to open this program for the children in our community,” Villneff said.
Villneff says the program is needed now more than ever after students spent parts of the last two school years away from the classroom.
“Last year was a really difficult year for kids with the school system being so interrupted, so this is a safe, reliable, and dependable way for kids to have strong learning connections,” she said.
“Essentially, we want to give kids social and nature-based education opportunities because it inspires personal growth and helps them have a strong connection and a positive relationship with learning, which are things they missed out on last year.”
The program begins when children head back to school in September. Parents can elect to take their children out of school one day a week for seven weeks to take part in the special learning experience.
"It is uncommon but acceptable to take your kid out of traditional schooling for one day a week to provide a hands-on, enriching supplement to the child's education. In the past year and a half, and even longer with the school strikes pre-COVID, we want to provide a safe, face-to-face, and consistent space for children to learn," Villneff said.
“It’s an ideal program for parents who want to give their kids an enriched educational experience that goes along with schooling. It’s also really excellent for families who are homeschooling,” Villneff explained.
As part of the Ontario Trillium Foundation grant, Camp Couchiching will also be offering a Mini-Adventurers program this fall. The program allows parents to attend programming with their children ages one to five on Friday afternoons from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. The program runs for six to seven weeks.
“We want to reach as many generations as possible, and we think this is a good opportunity for families to go out and safely play and enjoy programming while so many things remain closed down,”
For more information or to register, click here.
