FISH MANAGEMENT

Students will gain an understanding of the importance of fish to both human and natural systems, and thus the need to manage this natural resource. They will work cooperatively to haul in a seine net, identify species using a dichotomous key, and measure and weigh the fish before gently releasing them back into the lake.

Availability:  May to October

Duration:  Half day (2.5 hrs)

Location:  Lake St. George Field Centre, Richmond Hill

Cost:

Day visit - $40/student

• Includes TWO half-day programs of your choice and a nutritious lunch
• Minimum of 15 students is required

Overnight visit - $130/student

• Includes FOUR half-day programs of your choice, meals and accommodation
• Minimum of 30 students is required

Additional details:  Some fish species may be marked with passive integrated transponders (P.I.T. tags) and students may have the opportunity to scan pre-existing tags or add new tags to specific individuals.

For more information or to register your class, please call 416-667-6295 or email customerservice@trca.on.ca.  

INTRODUCTION TO CANOEING

Students will learn the basics of lake-water canoeing, including the parts of a canoe, how to choose an appropriate paddle and the safety equipment that is required for the activity. Instructors will then demonstrate basic strokes before students are given time to practice their skills while paddling around the lake basin.  

Required prerequisites:  Students will be required to pass a swim test conducted off-site prior to the start of the program.

Availability:  May to October

Duration:  Half day (2.5 hrs) 

Location:  Lake St. George Field Centre, Richmond Hill

Cost:

Day visit - $40/student

• Includes TWO half-day programs of your choice and a nutritious lunch
• Minimum of 15 students is required

Overnight visit - $130/student

• Includes FOUR half-day programs of your choice, meals and accommodation
• Minimum of 30 students is required

Additional details:  Instructors are certified by the Ontario Recreational Canoeing and Kayaking Association (ORCKA) and National Lifesaving Society (NLS) lifeguards will be present for the duration of the program. Canoe certification (full-day course) may be available for an additional fee.

For more information or to register your class, please call 416-667-6295 or email customerservice@trca.on.ca. 

INTRODUCTION TO GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM (GPS)

Students will learn how this satellite-based technology works, what it can be used for and how it relates to topographical maps. They will gain familiarity with the Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) system before heading outdoors to participate in a geocaching challenge using handheld GPS units to navigate around the property.  

Availability:  Year-round 

Duration:  Half day (2.5 hrs) or Full day without certification (5 hrs) or Full day with certification (8 hrs)

Location:  Lake St. George Field Centre, Richmond Hill

Cost:

Day visit - $40/student

• Includes TWO half-day programs of your choice and a nutritious lunch
• Minimum of 15 students is required

Overnight visit - $130/student

• Includes FOUR half-day programs of your choice, meals and accommodation
• Minimum of 30 students is required

Additional details:  National GreenCheck GPS Certification (full-day course) is available for an additional fee of $65, including HST. Fee includes manual with DVD, plus certification and listing in the national database for a period of three years.

For more information or to register your class, please call 416-667-6295 or email customerservice@trca.on.ca.

INTRODUCTION TO MAPS AND COMPASS

Students will develop basic map and compass skills through hands-on games and activities. Locating one's position on maps, taking bearings and other basics of orienteering will be covered.  

Availability:  Year-round

Duration:  Half day (2.5 hrs)

Location:  Lake St. George Field Centre, Richmond Hill

Cost:

Day visit - $40/student

• Includes TWO half-day programs of your choice and a nutritious lunch
• Minimum of 15 students is required

Overnight visit - $130/student

• Includes FOUR half-day programs of your choice, meals and accommodation
• Minimum of 30 students is required

For more information or to register your class, please call 416-667-6295 or email customerservice@trca.on.ca. 

LAKE ECOLOGY

Students will learn about the formation of glacial kettle lakes, such as Lake St. George, before heading out on a solar-powered pontoon boat to take measurements and conduct chemical tests on the lake. They will graph and interpret the results to determine the health of the system.

Availability:  May to October

Duration:  Half day (2.5 hrs)

Location:  Lake St. George Field Centre, Richmond Hill

Cost:

Day visit - $40/student

• Includes TWO half-day programs of your choice and a nutritious lunch
• Minimum of 15 students is required

Overnight visit - $130/student

• Includes FOUR half-day programs of your choice, meals and accommodation
• Minimum of 30 students is required

For more information or to register your class, please call 416-667-6295 or email customerservice@trca.on.ca.

NO TRACE OUTDOOR SKILLS

Students will be introduced to no trace camping skills through a lesson and a hands-on survival simulation activity. They will work in small groups to learn such things as fire lighting and shelter building, and use the opportunity to practice their team building skills.

Availability:  Year-round

Duration:  Half day (2.5 hrs)

Location:  Lake St. George Field Centre, Richmond Hill

Cost:

Day visit - $40/student

• Includes TWO half-day programs of your choice and a nutritious lunch
• Minimum of 15 students is required

Overnight visit - $130/student

• Includes FOUR half-day programs of your choice, meals and accommodation
• Minimum of 30 students is required

For more information or to register your class, please call 416-667-6295 or email customerservice@trca.on.ca.

OAK RIDGES MORAINE STUDY

Students will learn about the formation of the Oak Ridges Moraine and its importance to the movement and quality of groundwater. A groundwater model will be used as a visual tool to illustrate key concepts. They will also participate in an educational hike around the Lake St. George property to study some of the Moraine's unique features and fragile habitats.

Availability:  Year-round

Duration:  Half day (2.5 hrs)

Location:  Lake St. George Field Centre, Richmond Hill

Cost:

Day visit - $40/student

• Includes TWO half-day programs of your choice and a nutritious lunch
• Minimum of 15 students is required

Overnight visit - $130/student

• Includes FOUR half-day programs of your choice, meals and accommodation
• Minimum of 30 students is required

Additional details:  This program can be modified to incorporate a mock town hall meeting where students will research and defend different positions on a hypothetical development opportunity at Lake St. George.

For more information or to register your class, please call 416-667-6295 or email customerservice@trca.on.ca.

PLANKTON SURVEY

Students will use plankton nets and other equipment to collect samples from the littoral zone of Lake St. George. After a brief review of slide preparation and microscope use, they will identify and photograph the various phytoplankton and zooplankton obtained from the lake. The critical role that microorganisms play in ecosystems will be emphasized.

Availability:  May to October

Duration:  Half day (2.5 hrs)

Location:  Lake St. George Field Centre, Richmond Hill

Cost:

Day visit - $40/student

• Includes TWO half-day programs of your choice and a nutritious lunch 
• Minimum of 15 students is required

Overnight visit - $130/student

• Includes FOUR half-day programs of your choice, meals and accommodation
• Minimum of 30 students is required 

For more information or to register your class, please call 416-667-6295 or email customerservice@trca.on.ca.

PROJECT WILD CERTIFICATION

This workshop, developed by the Canadian Wildlife Federation, includes a program overview, participation in Project WILD activities, information about wildlife conservation, and plans for using Project WILD with a wide range of learners.

Availability:  Year-round

Duration:  Full day (6 hrs)

Location:  Lake St. George Field Centre, Richmond Hill

Cost:

Day visit - $40/student

• Includes TWO half-day programs of your choice and a nutritious lunch
• Minimum of 15 students is required

Overnight visit - $130/student

• Includes FOUR half-day programs of your choice, meals and accommodation
• Minimum of 30 students is required

Additional details:  The Project WILD Certification program requires an additional fee of $45 for which students will receive a Project WILD Activity Guide (this K-12 resource is not for sale and is only available to workshop participants) and a certificate of completion. 

For more information or to register your class, please call 416-667-6295 or email customerservice@trca.on.ca.

SHORELINE VEGETATION SURVEY

Students will learn basic wetland plant identification and then survey and map the littoral zone of Lake St. George from canoes. The importance of a natural shoreline to the health of the lake will be examined.

Required prerequisites:  Students will be required to pass a swim test conducted off-site prior to the start of the program.

Availability:  May to October

Duration:  Half day (2.5 hrs)

Location:  Lake St. George Field Centre, Richmond Hill

Cost:

Day visit - $40/student

• Includes TWO half-day programs of your choice and a nutritious lunch
• Minimum of 15 students is required

Overnight visit - $130/student

• Includes FOUR half-day programs of your choice, meals and accommodation
• Minimum of 30 students is required

Additional details:  Similar investigations can be conducted as part of the Wetland Study program, thereby eliminating the need for a swim test and the use of canoes.

For more information or to register your class, please call 416-667-6295 or email customerservice@trca.on.ca. 

WETLAND STUDY

Students will become familiar with the formation of the four main types of wetlands found in Southern Ontario and be introduced to a system that is used for evaluating them. They will have an opportunity to practice this system in the field by visiting several natural and constructed wetlands, and collecting invertebrate and water samples. Emphasis will be placed on the importance of wetlands and their conservation from the ecological, social and economic perspectives.

Availability:  May to October

Duration:  Half day (2.5 hrs)

Location:  Lake St. George Field Centre, Richmond Hill

Cost:

Day visit - $40/student

• Includes TWO half-day programs of your choice and a nutritious lunch
• Minimum of 15 students is required

Overnight visit - $130/student

• Includes FOUR half-day programs of your choice, meals and accommodation
• Minimum of 30 students is required

For more information or to register your class, please call 416-667-6295 or email customerservice@trca.on.ca.

INTRODUCTION TO PHOTOVOLTAICS (PV100)

Students will review the basic electrical concepts of electrical power, and series and parallel circuits using the photovoltaic panels and multi meters. They will investigate factors that affect electrical performance on PV modules, such as shading, temperature and insolation. Students will also tour the photovoltaic facilities at Kortright and will have the opportunity to assemble a table top system representative of an off-grid solar installation.

Required prerequisites:  Students will be required to have a knowledge of basic electrical theory.

Availability:  April to November

Duration:  Full day (6 hrs)

Location:  Kortright Centre for Conservation, Vaughan 

Cost:  $40/student

• Includes ONE full-day program of your choice and a nutritious lunch
• Minimum of 15 students is required
• Maximum of 20 students can be accommodated

Additional details:  Off-site accommodation and meal services at Lake St. George Field Centre can be arranged for groups interested in completing two or more programs during their visit, subject to availability and additional fees. Please contact Customer Service for assistance.      

For more information or to register your class, please call 416-667-6295 or email customerservice@trca.on.ca. 

SOLAR SITE ASSESSMENT (PV200)

Students will investigate the importance of a proper solar assessment in maximizing the potential of a photovoltaic system. They will receive hands-on instruction and experience in completing a full site assessment using a variety of professional tools. Students will gain insights into the basics of solar radiation and learn how to apply this knowledge in performing a solar site assessment.

Required prerequisites:  Students will be required to have successfully completed Introduction to Photovoltaics (PV100).

Availability:  April to November

Duration:  Full day (6 hrs)

Location:  Kortright Centre for Conservation, Vaughan 

Cost:  $40/student

• Includes ONE full-day program of your choice and a nutritious lunch
• Minimum of 15 students is required
• Maximum of 20 students can be accommodated

Additional details:  Off-site accommodation and meal services at Lake St. George Field Centre can be arranged for groups interested in completing two or more programs during their visit, subject to availability and additional fees. Please contact Customer Service for assistance.

For more information or to register your class, please call 416-667-6295 or email customerservice@trca.on.ca. 

PHOTOVOLTAIC INSTALLATION (PV300)

Students will undertake basic training in system components, configurations and installation practices, and will complete a rooftop photovoltaic installation practicum to put the theories from Introduction to Photovoltaics (PV100) into practice.

Required prerequisites:  Students will be required to have successfully completed Introduction to Photovoltaics (PV100).

Availability:  April to November

Duration:  Full day (6 hrs)

Location:  Kortright Centre for Conservation, Vaughan 

Cost:  $40/student

• Includes ONE full-day program of your choice and a nutritious lunch
• Minimum of 15 students is required
• Maximum of 20 students can be accommodated

Additional details:  Significant portions of this program will be spent outdoors and students are advised to dress accordingly. Off-site accommodation and meal services at Lake St. George Field Centre can be arranged for groups interested in completing two or more programs during their visit, subject to availability and additional fees. Please contact Customer Service for assistance. 

For more information or to register your class, please call 416-667-6295 or email customerservice@trca.on.ca.