Community Programs
How To Book Community Programs
- Go to the Booking Calendar to select a date for your program. You will be prompted to provide some information about you or your child.
- To complete registration and reserve your booking, a payment will be required using a credit card. We are unable to reserve time slots without payment at this time.
- Complete the associated Waiver Form for the program (embedded within the registration)
IMPORTANT: If you anticipate that your child requires extra support (neurodivergent, for example: ADHD) – please contact programs@swanlake.bc.ca prior to booking to ensure the program is a good fit for everyone.
If you would like to be added to our mailing list or have any questions, please email programs@swanlake.bc.ca.
CANCELLATIONS & REFUNDS:
We require 48 hours notice for cancellations.
Any cancellations within 48h before the class starts or any no-shows are non-refundable.
Please note, specific programs have associated cancellation fees.
It puts a lot of strain on a small non-profit organization to offer refunds (due to staff time and the cost of issuing e-transfers). We appreciate your understanding.
Note for home learner caregivers - we can reserve spots in a program and provide an invoice for external payment providers (e.g. government, grants, etc.). Please do not book the program and request a refund for reimbursement.
Youth Programs
Junior Stewards
Stewardship is about creating a sense of connection, care, and responsibility for each other and the natural world that supports us. In these outdoor, hands-on sessions, young stewards will be introduced to the Garry Oak ecosystem and then learn and practice restoration skills. These programs will specifically benefit our endangered Western Painted Turtle population, the only remaining native turtle species on Vancouver Island.
Bring lunch, snacks, and a water bottle. This program will have an indoor and outdoor component with health & safety guidelines in place. Please dress ready to spend the day outside. This is a drop-off program.
Participant Group Size: 10 Maximum
Pro-D Camp - Friday May 19th - Registration URL
Ages 8-12
9:00am - 4:00pm
Cost: $80/non-members, 10% discount for members
Summer Camps!
Nature Sanctuary Summer Camp, July Jr Stewards (5-7yo)
Four full day camp with indoor & outdoor components. Program is filled with nature based activities, exploring nature, educational games and hands-on learning. Get to know the plants and animals we have on site & how to help them!
5 - 7 year old age group (Registration link)
Takes place over 11th - 14th of July
9:30am - 3:30pm
Cost: $275/non-members, 10% Discount for members
Please be aware this program has a cancellation fee of $25. 20230109
Nature Sanctuary Summer Camp, August Jr Stewards (8-12 yo)
Four full day camp with indoor & outdoor components. Time will be spent taking part in educational activities, hands on learning about ecosystems, fun games, ecological restoration & connecting with nature
8 - 12 year old age group (Registration link)
Take place over 22nd - 25th of August
9:30 am - 3:30pm
Cost: $275/non-members, 10% Discount for members
Please be aware this program has a cancellation fee of $25. 20230109
Big & Little
Caregivers and their littles are invited to come explore nature at the Nature Sanctuary together! Big & Little is a fun and interactive program for kids ages 3-5 and their adults. This program includes hands-on discovery, an outside ramble, a story and a craft.
Classes are on Fridays, from 10:00 – 11:30am. Check out the dates and themes below!
Ages 3 - 5
10:00 - 11:30 am$24 for 1 session, $8 per extra little
10% Discount for Members
Participant Group Size: 10 Big & Little pairs
June 2nd - Purposeful Pollinators - Registration URL
July 7th - Outstanding Owls - Registration URL
July 21st - Magnificent Mammals - Registration URL
August 4th - Remarkable Reptiles - Registration URL
August 18th - Brilliant Birds - Registration URL
Please be aware this program has a cancellation fee of $15. 20230109
Homeschool Science
Sign up for interactive classes and learn about nature and ecology. Using games and hands-on discovery, students will engage in land and science-based activities. While this is a repeating series and the content will in large remain the same, there will be some variation depending on seasonal changes. This is a drop-off program.
These programs will have an indoor and outdoor component with health & safety guidelines in place.
April
1:00 - 2:30pm
$105 for all 4 sessions, $95 for members
These sessions will occur on Thursdays April 6, 13, 20, 27
September
1:00 - 2:30pm
$105 for all 4 sessions, $95 for members
These sessions will occur on Thursdays September 7th, 14th, 21st & 28th
Please be aware this program has a cancellation fee of $25. 20230109
*Note for home learner caregivers - we can reserve spots in a program and provide an invoice for external payment providers (e.g. government, grants, etc.). Please do not book the program and request a refund for reimbursement.
Summer Science
Sign up for hands on classes to learn about nature, ecosystems, species interactions and everything science. Using games and nature focused learning, participants will take part in restoration and science-based activities. This is a repeating program series taking part either every Tuesday or Thursday for a month! Whilst attending all sessions is not mandatory, it is highly recommended as the knowledge will build from each session. This is a drop-off program.
These programs will have an indoor and outdoor component with health & safety guidelines in place.
July Summer Science
Ages 5 - 7 (Registration link)
Every Tuesday 1:00 - 2:30pm
$135 for all 4 sessions, $95 for members
These sessions will occur on Tuesday July 4, 11, 18, 25th
Ages 8 - 12 (Registration link)
Every Thursday 1:00 - 2:30pm
$135 for all 4 sessions, $95 for members
These sessions will occur on Thursday July 6, 13, 20, 27th
Please be aware this program has a cancellation fee of $25. 20230109
August Summer Science
Ages 5 - 7 (Registration link)
Every Tuesday 1:00 - 2:30pm
$135 for all 4 sessions, 10% discount for members
These sessions will occur on Tuesday August 8, 15, 22, 29th
Ages 8 - 12 (Registration link)
Every Thursday 1:00 - 2:30pm
$135 for all 4 sessions, 10% discount for members
These sessions will occur on Thursday August 10, 17, 23, 31th
Please be aware this program has a cancellation fee of $25. 20230109
Biology Buddies Program
Join our experienced community educators for a 1.5 hour program focused on science and the wonderful living world that is the study of biology.
July session (Registration link)
Who: Those ages 5-7
Friday 21st July
1:00 - 2:30pm
August session (Registration link)
Who: Those ages 5-7
Friday 18th August
1:00 - 2:30pm
Cost: $20/non-members 10% Discount for members
If you cancel outside of 48h, please be aware this program has a cancellation fee of $10
Adult Programs
Wellness Wednesdays Journalling Series
Bi-Weekly, 1:00 - 2:00 PM
Wellness Wednesdays offer a space for participants to connect with themselves, nature and community through mindfulness, gentle silence and observational activities in nature. This program aims to evoke thoughtful reflections on what it means to exist with, among or nearby nature and how nature holds expressions of us all. We welcome participants to bring a personal journal if they would like, though it is not a requirement. Sessions may include gentle walks, journaling, creating art, still observation and more!
Themes By Date:
June 14th: Senses Walk
June 28th - Vulnerability and Barriers to Nature (Journalling)
July 12th - Senses Walk
August 9th - Gratitude with Garters (Journaling)
August 23rd - Movement in Nature
September 6th - Swan Lake Sounds
September 20th - Senses Walk
Cost: $5 per participant
A "journaling program" indicates an accessible program in which we will be sitting. If you have accessibility needs and would like to come to a non-journaling session, please reach out ahead of time so we can work to accommodate you.
If cost is a barrier to attending this program, please reach out: programs@swanlake.bc.ca
This program is for ages 17+
Please be aware this program has a no refund policy. 20230109
Available Time Slots:
Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday:
Anytime between 12:30 - 3:00pm
Friday:
Anytime between 11:30 - 3:00pm
(Note programs are one hour and please give time either before or after to explore the Sanctuary, we have a wheelchair accessible path to the Founders Wharf)
Please email programs@swanlake.bc.ca to confirm time and date.
We are in the process of re-launching our Senior Programs and new programs options will be added once they are created. Some of our old favourites like ‘Mind your Mammals’ & ‘History and Tea’ will be coming back over the next few months, we just need time to make them perfect!
Bookable programs:
Hawks, Herons & Hummers
1 hour Program
Take flight with us as we explore the lives of various birds and how their habitat, characteristics and behaviours differ from one another.
We will be focusing on birds that you can find around the Nature Sanctuary, listening to their calls and showing off their beautiful nests which have been donated to the Nature House.
This educational program is aimed to help the community fall back in love with birds, and allow participants to have a hands-on learning experience.
Maximum Group Size: 28 attendees
Cost: $115
Please be aware this program has a cancellation fee of $25. 20230109
All Ages Programs
Creatures of the Summer Night
Owls, bats, and other nocturnal creatures are right at home in the moon-lit night, come learn just how they do it! Explore the mysteries and adaptations of our nocturnal friends around Victoria, with fun and games for ages 6+
After the program, there will be a nature-themed movie screening (pay by donation).
When:
Friday July 28th (Registration link)
7:00 - 9:00pm
Friday August 25th (Registration link)
7:00 - 9:00pm
Cost: $15/program (10% off for members) / sliding scale available
Please reach out if cost is a barrier to attending this event programs@swanlake.bc.ca
Please be aware this program has a no refund policy. 20230109
A Closer Look!
This all-ages, interactive program offers participants the opportunity to take a closer look at the natural world. This program makes use of our Microeye, a user-friendly microscope that allows us to zoom into intricacies and designs we would never notice with the naked eye! Each session will have a unique topic which we will discuss as we view related props under the Microeye. We ask participants to bring in items of interest to view. Bonus if they are related to the topic, but this is not a requirement.
This program runs on alternating Wednesdays from 1-2pm
All ages are welcome and children must be accompanied by an adult for the entirety of the program.
Cost: $5 per participant
Themes and Dates:
June 21st: Life, Death, and Decomposition
July 5th: Bones and Builds
July 19th: Lake Water
August 2nd: Freshwater Invertebrates
August 16th : Beautiful Birds
August 30th: Terrestrial Insects
September 13th: Fungi, Lichen, and Slime Mold
Following weeks will be posted soon!
If cost is a barrier to attending this program, please reach out. If bringing items from off-site, please view the collection guidelines on the registration page.
Please be aware this program has a no refund policy. 20230109
Photo Credit: Robert Bowen
Wetland Waterkeeper
Returning April 5th 2023 (ends September 2023)!
Bi-Weekly, 10:00 - 11:00am
Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary Society has designed a lake water quality monitoring program that will train community members as Wetland Waterkeepers. Wetlands, also referred to as “the kidneys of the Earth” due to their ability to filter out contaminants, are areas that are saturated long enough to result in anaerobic or low-oxygen soils. These bogs, swamps and open water protect us from flooding, drought and climate change. Wetlands support a remarkable degree of biodiversity, as much as rainforests and coral reefs, because they produce large volumes of food and provide ideal habitat conditions for many organisms. Swan Lake’s wetlands flourish with abundant plant and animal life, from cattails and muskrats to red osier dogwood and nesting warblers.
Volunteers will work alongside our staff team and other local community leaders in a collaborative framework to make meaningful, positive changes to the Nature Sanctuary's sensitive marshland ecosystems. We will train stewards to conduct various water quality assessments to understand the health of the lake by making measurements about the aquatic arthropod community, dissolved oxygen, and other water chemistry. Waterkeepers will also gain an understanding of their local watershed and how their actions on-site and at home can support the resilience of critical wetland habitat. The impact of this stewardship work on site will positively benefit various sensitive wetland species such as the endangered Western Painted Turtle population.
Register via booking calendar
Gather on the Founder's Wharf.
Pollinator Party in a Rewilded Meadow
Returning April 26th 2023!
Bi-Weekly, 10:00 - 11:00 AM
Join us to help monitor pollinator biodiversity in a rewilded meadow on-site using iNaturalist and field-guides. For roughly 100 million years, insects and flowering plants have lived in harmony, with insects transporting nutritious (for them) pollen from plant to plant so that seeds are produced. This ancient symbiotic relationship is essential for human food security and the persistence of all wildlife. Pollinators also support healthy ecosystems that clean the air, stabilize soils, and buffer the planet from climate change. Today, these relationships are at risk as pollinators and plants can respond differently to cues from a warming climate. Our community-led monitoring will help to support sensitive and threatened plant and animal species.
We will train stewards to monitor biodiversity using the iNaturalist and Seek apps, the latter of which is an educational tool designed to train students in species identification and nature journaling without posting to iNaturalist. Participants will learn to make research quality observations. Participants will also take a break from their screens and use field guides and journals to sketch their observations. Once participants are confident at making careful observations and have completed their modules, they can start contributing to the global community and its data repository.
Gather by the covered bike rack/information kiosk in the parking lot.
Testimonials from the community!
"We had a wonderful time at Swan Lake. The program was tailored to engage the children, the presenter was knowledgeable and kind. Thank you!"
"My 3 year old asked when we could go to Swan Lake again"
"The junior stewards program was so fun and informative for my six year old!"
"The educator was fantastic!"
"Junior stewards program was amazing!"
