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Urban Camping Program Praises...
“We appreciated the obvious preparation that went into your presentations and especially noticed the effectiveness of the hands-on aspect. You were able to keep the children's interest up the entire time, and had a great range of activities planned for them. Thank you for your hard work and enthusiasm.” Laurel Gurnsey and Laurie Morrison,
Teachers, Buckingham School
You can Help SPES continue to deliver these valuable learning experiences for kids by becoming a member, volunteering, or making a donation.
Urban Camping
This unique program offers Grade 4 to 7 students the opportunity to enjoy a two day, overnight outdoor camping experience.
The goals of the Urban Camping Program are:
- Science and Environmental Education
- to engage students in exciting hands-on environmental education activities
- to increase the comfort level of students in the outdoors
- to teach outdoor survival and teamwork skills
- to foster an appreciation for nature
The Urban Camping Program is teacher-friendly as well!
- The urban camping program is designed to meet teachers IRP learning outcomes for science, social studies, language arts, personal planning and physical education
- Most of the required equipment is supplied by the Urban Camping Program (tents, sleeping pads, stoves, and dishes). Each student must bring their own sleeping bag and cutlery for hygienic reasons
- Students require their own lunch and drink for the first day only
- A very detailed teacher's package is sent out at the time of booking to help prepare both students and teachers
Dates, Times, and Location
Happy Campers
Urban Camping programs are offered from April to June. Classes meet their Urban Camping leaders in Stanley Park on a Tuesday or Thursday morning and leave the following afternoon. The campsite is in a meadow surrounded by old cedar and hemlock trees in Stanley Park.
Safety
- The camping site is completely fenced and secured with locks
- A professional security guard patrols the campsite to ensure the safety of the group throughout the night
- The leaders have First Aid Certification and carry First Aid Kits and cellular phones at all times
- A large, carpeted, indoor conference room with washroom facilities is available should the weather threaten the safety of the group at night
Education
Urban Camping learning occurs through games and hands-on activities, which are matched to IRP learning outcomes for science, social studies, language arts, personal planning and physical education.
Aquatic adventures include a pond dip, water quality testing using bio-indicators, aquatic food chains and life cycles.
Studying the forest, wildlife habitat, species interactions, tree and animal identification and understanding the impacts of introduced species.
Camping and survival skills including tents, cooking, safety, shelter building, food sources and rope tying.
Evening activities include cooperative confidence building games, songs, and/or skits. A night walk; discover creatures of the night in Stanley Park on an interpretive walk!
Kids sampling a stream.
Kids in their tent.
Kids cooking their food.
Kids on a night walk.
Studying the forest in the forest.
Students learning to tie knots
Survival skill training.
Cost
Program Fees:
- $55.00 per student (minimum of 20 and maximum of 30 students)
- $37.50 per student for Vancouver School Board-designated inner city schools
These funds help to cover the cost of food and the educational program expenses. A $500 deposit is required in January. The balance is due one month prior to the program date.
Adult Chaperones:
A minimum of 2 and a maximum of 3 adult chaperones (including teacher) are required to accompany students. Adult chaperones are free of charge.
Cancellation Policy
- Advanced notice is required for cancellations so alternate groups can be accommodated
- As our program demand grows, space is extremely limited! Deposits are non-refundable.
- Where a cancellation is made less than one month in advance, the Stanley Park Ecology Society will retain the program fee in full.
