School Programs
Our Spring 2023 season has come to an end!
Thank you to everyone who participated for such a wonder-filled season. Please stay tuned for updates about program opportunities; and contact us if you wish to be added to our outreach list for school programs.
Please do not bring your group/class to the park without booking your visit.
We have many user groups sharing the park and cannot accommodate unscheduled visits, even if you plan to run a program without the support of our staff. Please contact us if you are interested in a Park Use Permit for your group or class.
Overview
Lake Park Society (LPS) offers a variety of full-day outdoor education programs. Each of our grade-specific programs are BC Curriculum aligned and developed by certified teachers to inspire inquiry, build core competencies, and nurture student’s connection to place.
Our pedagogy is rooted in place-based, experiential learning and guided by the FNESC First People’s Principles of Learning. In each of our thematic programs, LPS educators facilitate inquiry-inspiring and core competency driven stories, games, and awareness activities. It is our goal that your student’s time at Comox Lake will foster deep, transferable learning that inspires further conversation back in the classroom. We’re confident your students will leave Lake Park feeling more deeply connected with our landscape, community and each other.
LPS gratefully acknowledges that all of our programs occur on the unceded traditional territory of the Pentlatch, E’iksan, Sasitla and Sathloot people, who are known today as the K’ómox First Nation. LPS is currently a primarily settler-lead organisation. As such, we endeavour to be respectful guests, showing care, gratitude and a commitment to right-relations with this land and its people in everything we do. All of our programs centre and celebrate Indigenous pedagogy, ways of knowing and histories whenever possible and culturally appropriate.
LPS recognizes that physical and neurological barriers often exist in outdoor education. We aim to provide programs that are accessible to a wide range of abilities. All of our programs typically include travel over uneven terrain, and require that students are aware of their surroundings and conscientious of their physical safety. There are many ways we can adapt our programming to meet the specific needs of your students. Please inform the School Programs Coordinator if you anticipate your class, parent volunteers or staff benefiting from any specific accommodations, particularly regarding travel over uneven terrain.
LPS is committed to ensuring our programs are financially accessible. Our registration fees vary by program and are based on a cost-recovery rate. LPS offers several subsidies, including our Wonder Grant and Connection Grant for SD71 classes. Both subsidies are based on self-declared need and require no application. Teachers may apply these subsidies via the provided voucher codes during registration. Additional support is available if the lowest subsidized cost presents a barrier to participation. Please contact the School Programs Coordinator if you would like more information on our grants or the listed program fee is a barrier to your class’ registration.
Our Pedagogy
LPS School Programs are rooted in:
- FNESC First Peoples’ Principles of Learning
- BC Curriculum Core Competencies and Curricular Competencies in Social Studies, Science, as well as Physical and Health Education
- Universal Design for Learning (UDL) Guidelines to support inclusion and accessibility
- Place-based, inquiry-inspiring, experiential learning
- Ecological literacy and environmental stewardship
- Mindfulness, gratitude and sensory awareness
- Playfulness!
School Programs
Forest Friends
How can we show our respect and thanks?
What gifts does the forest offer us?
What other beings call this ecosystem home?
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.
Group Requirements: In addition to the teacher and designated EAs, this program requires the attendance of two responsible and engaged adult volunteers. Classes with less than 22 students may bring only one adult volunteer, classes with less than 15 students do not require an adult volunteer. Maximum 26 students per group. If your group exceeds this limit, please contact us directly.
Terrain: Typical programming involves travel over uneven terrain and slopes, 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. There is some flexibility in choice of forest trails and activities. We will make every effort to include students of diverse abilities.
Fee: The fee for this program is based on a cost-recovery rate of $450. Lake Park offers financial subsidies to all SD71 classes. Enter the voucher code CONNECTIONGRANT during registration to reduce the program fee to $200. This grant is based on self-declared need.
Water Keepers
Where does our drinking water come from and where does our wastewater go?
How are people, water, and the forest connected?
What are our watershed’s stories?
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 an experiential journey that explores past, present and emerging stories of the Comox Lake Watershed. While playing games, listening to stories, and paddling our Big Canoes, students will engage in place-based learning about local landforms, timelines, biodiversity, and the interconnectedness of living beings. We will pay special attention to the importance of Indigenous perspectives, knowledge, and oral history. The practice of gratitude and respect, and the First People Principles of Learning will be central pillars that guide our day. This program also 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. All levels of experience are welcome. All safety and paddling equipment, as well as a brief paddling lesson, will be provided by LPS educators who are trained to skipper these canoes. Program runs from 9:15 AM until 1:45 PM.
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 fee for this program is based on a cost-recovery rate of $750. Lake Park offers financial subsidies to all SD71 Grade 3 classes. Enter the voucher code CONNECTIONGRANT during registration to reduce the program fee to $500. If this subsidized cost remains a barrier to your class’s participation, instead enter the code WONDERGRANT to reduce the total registration fee to $200. Both of these grants are available based on self-declared need.
Floating Classroom Canoe Charter
This full-day program offers a unique floating classroom experience in our two 29′ voyageur-style Big Canoes. 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. Your skippers will act as guides for your day, leaving ample time for teacher-led learning on the water and during stops along the shore. 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 between 9:15 AM – 1:45 PM.
Teacher-led learning options: In a place with such richness and complexity, the possibilities for place-based learning that nurtures inquiry, core competencies, and curricular connections are endless! Some examples include, but are not limited to:
- ecosystems, biodiversity, interconnection
- riparian zones (e.g. Perseverance Creek)
- nature connection and stewardship
- geology, landforms
- natural resources (e.g. logging, hydro, historic mining)
- water quality, watersheds
- salmon
- leadership, collaboration, teamwork
- canoeing, canoeing history
There are many Learning Resource kits that may connect well and with this place-based experience. For example, this program deeply aligns with the Connected by Water Inquiry Units developed by the CVRD. Connected by Water Representatives may be available to co-facilitate this day with your class. Please contact us if you are interested in this option.
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 is based on a cost-recovery rate ($750). Your class may be eligible for an LPS Connection Grant ($250), reducing the program cost to $500. If you have questions about the program or fee, please contact the School Programs Coordinator.
Overnight Camp outs
Lake Park Society is excited to welcome classes to camp overnight at the Cumberland Lake Park Campground during select dates in June. While ultimately, the campouts will be teacher-led, Lake Park Society is now offering activity blocks to help facilitate this experience. Classes may choose from one full-day (4.5 hr) or two half-day (2.5 hr) options including:
- Floating Classroom Canoe Charter (4.5 hr, 9:30 – 2:30)
- Floating Classroom Canoe Charter (2.5 hr, 9:30 – 12:00 or 12:30 – 3:00)
- Fire, Foraging, and Forest Tea (2.5 hr)
- Fire-starting and Knife Skills (2.5 hr)
More information about Lake Park society, Cumberland Lake Park Campground, and our school programs can be found at: https://cumberlandlakepark.ca/. Please see Essential Information below and review the Campground Rules to help determine if this option will work for you. Groupsite booking for overnight campouts must be done via our School Programs Coordinator.
Essential Information:
- Group Size: maximum 30 people (one class plus teachers/adults)
- Availability: June 12th – 16th and June 19th – 23rd (Mon – Fri); weekends may also be available (booking is on a first come basis).
- Priority Booking Window: Feb 1st – March 1st. After this, availability will be dependent on general group site and school program bookings.
- Price: $210 per night for group site plus LPS program costs (varied).
- Waivers: All participants will be required to complete a consent form.
- Group Site Access: Group site check in is at 1:00 PM or later on your arrival day, check out is at 11:00 AM or earlier on your checkout day.
- Cumberland Lake Park Access: Classes may arrive to the park at 9:30 AM or later on check-in day, and must depart by 12:00 PM or earlier on check-out day. This is to avoid congestion with subsequent classes and other park user groups.
- Activity Block Availability: LPS Activity Blocks are not available on the day you check out, as we will be working with other groups. For single night stays, this means they are only available on your arrival date. For multi-night stays, activity blocks are available on all other days, including your arrival day.
Further details about camper expectations and program offerings will be available soon.
Special Programs
If none of the above program offerings seem to fit your class’ needs, please get in touch. We will do our best to find a program option that suits your needs and learning intentions, while working within our scope and limitations. In the past, we have offered adaptations of programs for groups such as (but not limited to): distance education, multi-age and/or home school groups; groups with diverse abilities and/or needs.
We may also be able to direct you to partner organizations offering programs that may better suit your needs.
Book a School Program
Our Spring 2023 program season has come to an end.
Thank you to everyone who participated for such a wonder-filled season. Please stay tuned for updates about program opportunities; and contact us if you wish to be added to our outreach list for school programs.
Please note our group size maximums, reservation policy, and cancellation policy. This information can be found on our Teacher Resources page and in the registration form. LPS waivers must be completed prior to participation in the program.
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