Forest Friends

What other beings call this ecosystem home?
What features and behaviours help them survive?

This is a full-day, experiential, curriculum-aligned program designed specifically for Grade 1 classes, including split grade classes (K/1 or 1/2). Students will engage their senses while exploring the mature second-growth forest and lake shore at Cumberland Lake Park. Learning will be woven into stories, games and sensory awareness activities. We will meet some of the local trees, plants, and animals that make their home in the forest, following our curiosity and sense of wonder. Students will learn about our local environment, adaptations, and the patterns and cycles of nature first-hand. The practice of gratitude and respect, place-based learning, and the First People Principles of Learning will be central pillars that guide our day. Program runs from 9:15 AM until 1:45 PM.

For more detailed information, please review our Teacher Resources page.

Water Keepers

What is a watershed?
How are people, water, and the forest connected?
What are the stories of our watershed?

This full-day and curriculum-aligned program is specifically designed for Grade 3 classes, including split-grade classes (2/3 and 3/4). Students will embark on a journey in our “voyager style” big canoes to explore the past and present stories of the Comox Lake Watershed by learning about the fundamentals of a watershed and drawing on Indigenous oral history, the Legend of Queneesh. This program aligns well with the Connected by Water Inquiry Units developed by the CVRD.

Our two 29′ voyageur-style “Big Canoes” are lashed together to form a single, large, stable, outrigger-style watercraft where your students can easily interact and work together to paddle on Comox Lake.  No prior canoe experience is required. All levels of experience and paddling ability are welcome. LPS staff are trained canoe skippers and will provide a brief paddling lesson along with all safety and paddling equipment. This program runs from 9:15 AM until 1:45 PM.

For more detailed information, please review our Teacher Resources page.

Please Note: Due to the capacity of the canoes, this program requires a minimum of 10 and maximum of 26 participants (including adults). Please get in touch if your class exceeds these limits. LPS educators have final say on activity choices/canoe route based on weather, group dynamics, and other factors. If canoeing is not an option (due to high winds), we will switch to our alternative watershed program which will take place in the forest and along the lakeshore.

Terrain: Typical programming involves travel over uneven terrain, loading and unloading canoes from the beach, and requires that students are aware of their surroundings. Please let us know in advance if this would create a barrier for any students or staff. We will make every effort to include students of diverse abilities.

Fee: The program registration fee, $750, is based on a cost-recovery rate. Lake Park Society offers a subsidy of up to $550 under our Connection Grant program. Subsidies are based on self-declared need and do not require an additional application.

Energy Rangers

How does the sun, wind, water and earth give us energy?

This is a full-day, experiential, curriculum-aligned program designed specifically for Grade 5 classes, including split grade classes (4/5 or 5/6). Energy Rangers is a hands-on, interactive program that introduces students to the science of energy in fun and engaging ways. Students experiment, build, and play games that demonstrate how energy is captured, transformed, and used in the world around them. From creating paper windmills to building mini dams, the program encourages curiosity and teamwork. The practice of gratitude and respect, place-based learning, and the First People Principles of Learning will be central pillars that guide our day. Program runs from 9:15 AM until 1:45 PM. 

For more detailed information, please review our Teacher Resources page.

Paddling Together on Comox (Pentlatch) Lake – in collaboration with SD71 Indigenous Education

SD71 Indigenous Education and Lake Park Society are partnering to offer select classes, Grade 6 and up, a full-day cultural canoe experience at Comox (Pentlatch) Lake as part of a pilot project.

Students will paddle in Pacific Dancer canoes inspired by the traditional designs used for hundreds of years by First Nations Peoples along the West Coast.

Alongside developing canoeing skills, the day is intended to deepen local place-based learning and strengthen understanding of the original and ongoing stewards of this land. Jessie Everson, Indigenous Engagement and Knowledge Specialist for SD71, will be present to honour, uphold, and share Pentlatch teachings. An outdoor instructor from Lake Park Society will also guide and support participants throughout the experience.

For more detailed information, please review our Teacher Resources page.

For 2026, this program will run as a pilot, and participating classes have already been selected.

Please Note: Due to the capacity of the canoes, this program requires a minimum 10 participants and a maximum of 34 participants (including adults) and all participants must be age 10 or older

Terrain: Typical programming involves travel over uneven terrain, loading and unloading canoes from the beach, and requires that participants are aware of their surroundings. Please let us know in advance if this would create a barrier for any students or staff. We will make every effort to include students of diverse abilities. 

Fee: The program registration fee, $450, is based on a cost-recovery rate. For 2026 only, this pilot program will be offered for no fee to select classes.

Floating Classroom (Teacher-Led)

This full-day program offers a unique floating classroom experience in our two 29′ voyageur-style Big Canoes, for Grades 4 classes and older (or mixed age groups). Your Lake Park Society skippers will act as guides, leaving ample time for teacher-led learning on the water and during stops along the shore. Teacher-led learning typically occurs during three 30 to 45-minute blocks during the day.

We paddle our two canoes lashed together, forming a single, large, stable, outrigger-style watercraft where your students can easily interact and work together to paddle on Comox Lake. Safety gear, paddling equipment and a brief paddling lesson will be provided. All levels of paddling experience are welcome. We recommend a visit of at least 3 hours although the canoe can be available for up to 4.5 hours at any time between 9:15 AM – 1:45 PM.

In a place with such richness and complexity, the possibilities for place-based learning that nurtures inquiry, core competencies, and curricular connections are endless! Teacher Lead learning could focus on: Ecosystems, biodiversity, and ecological interconnection; riparian zones (e.g. Perseverance Creek, Whyte’s Bay); conservation and stewardship; geology, landforms; natural resources (e.g. logging, hydro, historic mining); water quality, watersheds, drinking water; salmon; leadership, collaboration, teamwork; canoeing, canoeing history

There are many resources that connect well with a day on the water. Consider the Learning Resource Centre (LRC) kits and the Connected by Water Inquiry Units developed by the CVRD. Connected by Water educators may be available to co-facilitate this day with your class. Please contact us if you are interested in including a guest speaker.

For more detailed information, please review our Teacher Resources page.

Please Note: Due to the capacity of the canoes, this program requires a minimum 10 participants and a maximum of 26 participants (including adults) and all participants must be age 8 or older. LPS skippers will determine canoe routes and timing based on group desires, weather, group dynamics and other contextual factors. Activities (outside of paddling) will be teacher-led.

Terrain: Typical programming involves travel over uneven terrain, loading and unloading canoes from the beach, and requires that participants are aware of their surroundings. Please let us know in advance if this would create a barrier for any students or staff. We will make every effort to include students of diverse abilities. 

Fee: The program registration fee, $750, is based on a cost-recovery rate. Lake Park Society offers a subsidy of up to $550 under our Connection Grant program. Subsidies are based on self-declared need and do not require an additional application.

Overnight Camp Out (Teacher-Led)

Lake Park Society is excited to welcome classes of any grade to camp overnight in our group site between May 26th until June 20th. Camp Outs are led and coordinated independently by teachers. Lake Park Society may be able to provide activity blocks on a case-by-case basis. Please contact us for more information if you are interested in LPS programming during your visit.

The group site can be reserved for Overnight Camp Out bookings through the link below. Any dates remaining after March 15th will be made available to the public.

For more detailed information, please review our Teacher Resources page.

Please Note: Maximum capacity of the group site is 30 people. Bookings are by the night with check-in at 1:00 pm and check-out at 11:00 am.

In order to maintain the group site road and minimize congestion, we ask that you to meet your class in the main parking lot and then use only a few vehicles to transfer all the camping gear and equipment to the group site.

There is a covered area (for gear) and a nature classroom at the entrance to the group site where groups may gather and leave bags before check-in or after check-out. Please consult with the Campground Office about early check-in or late check-out on the day of your visit.

Amenities: The group site has a covered picnic shelter with two picnic tables, a fire pit, garbage and recycling bins, and one outhouse. There is no running water or electricity on site. Please bring your own water (taps are available in the main campground).

Fee: The Overnight Campout fee is $225 a night.