Ecology Park children's programs are designed to bring natural processes back into our daily lives, and to teach important skills for sustainable lifestyles. Themes such as food, habitat, biodiversity and respect for life are woven throughout the activities of the park.

We promote pride in our unique local bioregion. Plants and animals native to our area play a starring role in our activities, as we explore the systems that link their lives with our own.

Experienced naturalists and educators provide a stimulating learning environment to encourage a life-long friendship with the natural world.

On our unique 5 acre facility, the Ecology Park contains many fascinating teaching tools including:

native tree nursery  children's garden  compost teaching area  renewable energy displays  food and wildlife gardens  pond and butterfly garden

herb and heritage gardens  forest and meadow  shallow stream (Meade Creek)  xeriscape (low water garden)  ecological restoration projects

Two types of children's programs are available:
            1. School and Group Programs
            2. Earth Adventures Summer Program

1. School Programs

School programs focus primarily on elementary grades, although tours may be arranged for secondary and post-secondary classes. During July and August, group programs may be arranged for camp groups, daycare centres and other groups of 10 or more children.

Classes normally visit on Tuesdays and Thursdays from May to October. In small groups, students explore a variety of curriculum-based, hands-on activities based on themes appropriate for the season. Visits are normally 2 hours in length (morning or afternoon).

We are pleased to custom-tailor your class visit to suit your needs as much as possible. Programs at each grade level can include curriculum themes such as:

Kindergarten:
habitats, recycling, food, the natural environment

Grade 1:
characteristics of living things, recycling, food, seasonal cycles

Grade 2:
animals, water, renewable energy, food and health

Grade 3:
plants, soils, composting, aboriginal culture

Grade 4:
habitats and communities, food chain, erosion

Grade 5:
renewable energy, water cycle, adaptations to weather

Grade 6:
biodiversity, energy conservation, soils, aboriginal culture

Grade 7:
interactions within ecosystems, land use, soils

Grade 8:
aquatic ecosystems, sustainable development

Fees:

Fees for school programs are $4 per child (no charge for accompanying adults).

To Book a Visit:

Call the Peterborough Green-Up office at (705) 745-3238 to book a visit for your class or group.

2. Earth Adventures Summer Programs

During July and August, parents may send their children (aged 5-10 years) to the Ecology Park on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons for our popular "Earth Adventures" program.

From 1:30 to 3:30, children participate in a range of earth-oriented games, crafts, music, stories and discovery - guaranteed to captivate and entertain! Each program is different, and children may register for one or more afternoons throughout the summer.

Cost is $7 per child per afternoon. Register in advance at the Ecology Park or by calling the Peterborough Green-Up office at (705) 745-3238.