Remember getting outdoors as a kid and rustling around in the dirt, watching the insects bustle and examining the intricacies of plant life? Earthwise Society takes all of these experiences and builds them into hands-on, curriculumbased Ecotours for elementary and secondary students.
Ecotours are now available for registration and there a number of new additions for 2017.
Alongside getting down in the dirt, kids will hear first-hand stories from the society's experienced educators.
"Whether your students or a group of homeschooled children want to come out to learn about the parts of a plant, or the way worms work, the Earthwise Garden's dynamic habitats are immersive and hands-on," says Earthwise Society program coordinator Corinne Côté. "Kids can't help but get animated when they reach the garden. And it's infectious."
Getting into nature has been shown to boost children's academic performance, self-esteem and social skills. With the rise of "screen culture," the benefits of reconnecting with the world around us are more important than ever.
Ecotours run from April to June and September to October.
They're available in English and French.
Funds raised from Ecotours are put back into Earthwise Society's charitable initiatives.
The Earthwise Garden is open to visitors every day of the week and admission is free.
To book an Ecotour, email [email protected] or call 604-946-9828.
