On-Site Programs
Important Update: Educational Programs Temporarily Paused
Program Planning Review
To ensure that our overall organization remains strong and sustainable amid challenging funding realities, we will be pausing our full complement of educational offerings over the summer and fall. This move is required to do thoughtful and adaptive work to determine the next steps in re-introducing Education programs for school groups and youth at Swan Lake Nature Sanctuary.
Your patience is appreciated as we redefine what Education Programs look like at Swan Lake Nature Sanctuary.
Ongoing Programs
While our review is underway, many of our other education and stewardship programs will continue to be offered to students and the public. This includes Adopt A Patch, Seed Sowers, Native Plant Workshops, weekly Restoration Crews, and special events.
Our Operations Manager, Elaine Parker, will be leading educational programming review as we move forward. Elaine brings many years of experience in science outreach delivery and education program management and we will be working together to develop new education offerings at Swan Lake in a way that aligns with our current reality. She will also be responding to the programs@swanlake.bc.ca email address to answer inquiries and reply to requests for programs.
School Programs (Currently On Pause)
School programs at Swan Lake Nature Sanctuary are designed to connect and supplement teachers with BC's core learning objectives such as critical thinking, effective communication, and personal responsibility. By the end of our programs, learners will be inspired to support local habitats by taking action in their local communities.
We have highlighted which programs best suit various grade levels and ages, but this does not limit you to that program. Our school programs also fulfill some requirements for Girl Guides and Scouts badges. Please reach out to programs@swanlake.bc.ca to see how any of these programs can be adapted to other audiences.
A reminder that the Nature Sanctuary is zoned for wildlife conservation, so please always leave pets at home.
Our Policy, Prices and Schedule
How To Book a Program
- Go to the Booking Calendar to select a date for your program
- To complete registration and reserve your booking, a payment will be required using a credit card
- Please make sure to completely fill out the form including any needs of your students
- We are unable to reserve time slots without payment at this time
Price
- $130
If your group would benefit from a free program, please apply using this bursary form. Please make sure to read all the instructions and be as descriptive as possible.
Class Size
- Our maximum capacity is one class of up to 30 students per program (except for Wetland Wonders which is capped at 20 students)
- Unfortunately, we do not have the staff to support simultaneous programming for 2 classes
Adult Chaperones
- To ensure the best experience with our hands-on and station-based programs, we request that there are at least 3 adult chaperones from your group present
- Adults may be asked to actively participate in program activities
- As our space are limited in size, if there are more than 8 adults, they may be asked to explore the nature sanctuary or the nature house while the program is in process.
Indoor/Outdoor Programs
- Please check the individual program descriptions for whether your program is indoors or outdoors
- If you have any questions or concerns about where your program will be taking place please contact us before booking at programs@swanlake.bc.ca
Preparing For Your Upcoming Program
- Please check this page for more information
- We highly recommended arranging extra time to explore the nature house itself as well as the Nature Sanctuary grounds. Consider doing an activity (Nature Scavenger Hunt , Invertebrate Checklist , Bird Checklist , and/or doing a litter pick up. Please print out these checklists before arriving.
Cancellation Policy
- For programs before after April 2 2025, we require 48 hours notice for cancellations with a full refund
- For programs booked after April 3 2025, cancellations with more than 72 hours of notice will be subject to a 25% fee
- Any cancellation within 72 hours before the class starts or any no-shows are non-refundable
- It puts a lot of strain on a small non-profit organization to offer refunds or make last minute changes; we appreciate your understanding!
Bus Parking
- Please use alternate parking for any school buses.
In this program, explore the amazing adaptations of owls found at Swan Lake Nature Sanctuary and beyond. Examine specimens, search for signs of owls on a short nature walk, get up close with some owl “vomit,” and brainstorm how we can make better decisions for our owly friends.
Please note that we cannot guarantee a real owl sighting on site during the program.
This program occurs primarily indoors with a short outdoor walk, weather permitting. Please dress appropriately for any weather that may occur.
BC Curriculum Connections - Science Big Ideas
- Kindergarten - Plants and animals have observable features
- Kindergarten - Daily and seasonal changes affect all living things
- Grade 1 - Living things have features and behaviors that help them survive in their environment
- Grade 2 - Living things have life cycles adapted to their environment
- Grade 3 - Living things are diverse, can be grouped, and interact in their ecosystems
- Grade 4 - All living things sense and respond to their environment
Learn what makes reptiles so remarkable and discuss why reptiles would want to live here at Swan Lake Nature Sanctuary. Discuss the native and invasive species common in our area and the impact they have on our local ecosystems.
Please note that this program has been re-designed to be inquiry-led and station based.
This program occurs indoors.
BC Curriculum Connections - Science Big Ideas
- Kindergarten - Plants and animals have observable features.
- Kindergarten - Daily and seasonal changes affect all living things.
- Grade 1 - Living things have features and behaviours that help them survive in their environment.
- Grade 2 - Living things have life cycles adapted to their environment.
- Grade 3 - Living things are diverse, can be grouped, and interact in their ecosystems.
- Grade 4 - All living things sense and respond to their environment.
Did you know that Garry Oak ecosystems are home to the highest diversity of plants in coastal British Columbia, including nearly 100 species at risk? In this program we will learn about how living and non-living things are intertwined in an ecosystem, explore some local species that make Garry Oak ecosystems special, and observe these things closer through a scavenger hunt on site. Then, consider how we can steward these areas better using our new knowledge.
This program takes place entirely outdoors. Please dress appropriately for any weather that may occur.
BC Curriculum Connections - Science Big Ideas
- Grade 3 - Living things are diverse, can be grouped, and interact in their ecosystems.
- Grade 4 - All living things sense and respond to their environment.
- Grade 7 - Evolution by natural selection provides an explanation for the diversity and survival of living things.
- Grade 7 - Earth and its climate have changed over geological time.
Does the winter make you grin with glee or hide under a blanket? Explore the seasonal changes that happen at Swan Lake Nature Sanctuary and how animals here sense and respond to them. Then consider the impacts (both positive and negative) that humans have had on their survival and how we can be better stewards to our overwintering neighbours.
This program is *new* and has been designed to be inquiry-led and station based.
This program takes place indoors.
BC Curriculum Connections - Science Big Ideas
- Kindergarten - Plants and animals have observable features.
- Kindergarten - Daily and seasonal changes affect all living things.
- Grade 1 - Living things have features and behaviours that help them survive in their environment.
- Grade 1 – Observable patterns and cycles occur in the local sky and landscape
- Grade 2 - Living things have life cycles adapted to their environment.
- Grade 2 – Water is essential to all living things, and it cycles through the environment (?)
- Grade 3 - Living things are diverse, can be grouped, and interact in their ecosystems.
- Grade 4 - All living things sense and respond to their environment.
- Grade 4 – The motions of Earth and the moon cause observable patterns that affect living and non-living systems
What’s in our water? Learn about the importance of the Swan Lake Nature Sanctuary wetland ecosystem and the creatures that call it home. Then go down to the Founders Wharf to collect your own water samples to examine!
This program takes place outdoors, rain or shine. Please dress appropriately for any weather that may occur.
BC Curriculum Connections - Science Big Ideas
- Kindergarten - Plants and animals have observable features.
- Kindergarten - Daily and seasonal changes affect all living things.
- Grade 1 - Living things have features and behaviours that help them survive in their environment.
- Grade 2 - Living things have life cycles adapted to their environment.
- Grade 2 - Water is essential to all living things, and it cycles through the environment.
- Grade 3 - Living things are diverse, can be grouped, and interact in their ecosystems.
- Grade 4 - All living things sense and respond to their environment.
- Grade 7 - Evolution by natural selection provides an explanation for the diversity and survival of living things.
- Science 9 – The biosphere, geosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere are interconnected, as matter cycles and energy flows through them
- Environmental Science 11 - Complex roles and relationships contribute to diversity of ecosystems
- Environmental Science 11 - Humans can play a role in stewardship and restoration of ecosystems.
- Science for Citizens 11 – Scientific understanding enables humans to respond and adapt to changes locally and globally
- Science for Citizens 12 - Human actions affect the quality of water and its ability to sustain life
This program introduces children ages 3-6 to the fun world of nature learning. Children will learn to explore through stories, crafts, and outdoor play. Maximum group size is 25. We highly recommend a ratio of at least 1 adult : 5 children
This program occurs both indoors and outdoors. Please dress appropriately for any weather that may occur.
Choose from the following themes. Please indicate which theme you would like in the notes in the registration form.
- Meadow Magic
- Purposeful Pollinators
- Daring Dragonflies
- Remarkable Reptiles
- Interesting Invertebrates
- Outstanding Owls
- Marvelous Mushrooms
- Magnificent Mammals
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