Summer Earth Education Program
Grouped in clans such as the Roaring Rockhoppers or the Tree Clan, participants in our Summer Earth Education programs (SEEP) explore together, study together and play together in the forests, freshwater and marine environments of the Gulf Islands. Components of the Gulf Islands National Park Reserve, Burgoyne Bay Provincial Park as well as regional and community parks found on each of Salt Spring, Pender, Mayne and Saturna islands are the venues for the 2010 programs. The clans create their identity and build forts which are their base of operations for the week-long programs. Using rotations and activity centres, participants have hands-on experience in understanding forest ecosystem dynamics, multi-sensory explorations, bird communities, food chains and food pyramids, animal behaviour, energy flows in ecosystems, journaling and self reflection. Specifically designed games to re-enforce the concepts and activities have children role playing as prey, predators, salmon, and orcas, to name a few.
Specific studies are done on forest decomposition and the soil cycle, intertidal zonation and freshwater aquatic organisms’ lifecycles. Each island program includes sessions led by specialists in certain fields including forest bird communities, forage fish ecology, watershed dynamics and salmon survival, as well as First Nations storytelling and use of resources. Participants also spend time collecting, identifying and recording various organisms found within forest, freshwater and marine ecosystems according to their place in the food chain.
Music is an integral part of each day’s opening and closing ceremonies in which the participants learn new songs about the natural world around them. At the end of the week’s program, individualized certificates of achievement are presented to each participant at our closing ceremony.
This PDF file details a typical day with GICEL.
Summer Earth Education Programs 2013 Schedule
Time: 10 am to 4 pm daily
Children ages 6 to 12
Fees: $200.00/week/child (note exceptions for specific programs below)
For more details please contact the island coordinators below. GICEL has limited funds for financial assistance.
Join our dynamic leaders and amazing youth mentors to explore the gifts of nature on the southern Gulf Islands.
Salt Spring Island (Contact: Andrew McPhee)
- July 8 – 12
- July 15 – 19
- July 22 – 26
- Downloads: Waiver and Registration Form
Pender Island (Contact: Andrea Mills)
- July 22 – 26 (Garden/food growing program)
- August 19 – 23
- Downloads: Waiver and Registration Form
Mayne Island (Contact: Jessica Willows)
- July 29 – August 2 (Forest)
- August 5 – 9 (Marine)
- Downloads: Waiver and Registration Form
Saturna Island (Contact: Jessica Willows)
- August 19 – 23
- Downloads: Waiver and Registration Form
Early Learners Program for 3 – 5 year olds (NEW PROGRAM)
Mayne Island (Contact: Tina Farmilo)
- mid-July, half days (final dates to be determined)
- Fees are $140 per child
Environmental Leadership Apprenticeship Program for 13 – 17 year olds
Cortes Island (Contact: Andrew McPhee)
- August 11 – 17
- Fees are $500 per youth
- Downloads: Waiver, Registration Form, and What to Bring
Click photos below to enlarge:
