Environmental Education School Programs
Hope Mountain Centre believes getting children outside with direct experience in nature gives them a stronger connection to the outdoors, improves their physical and emotional health, and guides them toward better stewardship of the ecosystems where they live.
Hope Mountain Centre provides free programming to all schoolchildren from StrongStart to grade 6 in every school within SD78. The curriculum we've created reflects the unique ecology and human history of our region. Each program addresses specific learning objectives for each grade level, as defined by the provincial curriculum guide.
Our outdoor programs emphasize place-based, experiential learning, encouraging students to engage with their senses and learn with fun, hands-on activities.
Below is an overview of the programs we offer.
Environmental Education
School Programs
Book a Program
If you would like to learn more, or book a program for your class, please email our Outdoor Educator Rowan Lalonde at rlalonde@hopemountain.org, or call/text 416-809-7044.
Note that each class Pre-K to Grade 6 in SD78 receives one free program each school year. While we reach out directly to schools and teachers each September and January to book, spaces fill up fast so be sure to get in touch at your earliest convenience.
New teacher with SD78? Check out our New Teacher Info Package.
Not a public school class Pre-K to Grade 6 in SD78?
We also provide programs to private schools, homeschool groups, classes outside the district, and other groups for a small honorarium. Please contact us to discuss further.
Where We Work
While parts of some programs happen in the classroom, most of our programs are held outdoors in nature. Below are the locations we work at most frequently.
Thacker Regional Park, Hope
Thacker Regional Park, including Sucker’s Creek wetlands, is a nine hectare regional park in Hope. The area includes crucial spawning and rearing channels for coho, pink, and chum salmon, a one kilometre-long trail for all ages, interpretive signage and toilet facilities.
Cheam Lake Wetlands Regional Park, Rosedale
Cheam Lake Wetlands is a 93 hectare regional park located near the SD78 towns of Agassiz and Harrison. There are approximately 2 kilometres of trails with raised walkways and an elevated viewing platform, which are ideal learning stages for youth of all ages. Facilities in the Cheam Lake area include an information shelter, toilets, seasonal running water and an information kiosk.
Both wetland areas host a multitude of birds, insects, amphibians, mammals and wetland plants.
Hope, Agassiz and Boston Bar are all communities located on the Fraser River which drains the largest watershed in British Columbia. Other key watershed systems in our area include the Skagit and Chehalis Rivers. These rivers, lakes, ponds, wetlands and forests provide outdoor classrooms for our students as they explore and come to understand the value of a healthy natural environment.
Program Partners
Thanks to generous community partnerships, we are able to provide all of our school programs free of charge.
The Skagit Environmental Endowment Commission provides funding for the Grade 6 Skagit Valley Camp.
BlueTriton Canada has provided vital multi-year funding since 2009 supporting our Grade 4 and 5 programs.
Telus Community Foundation provides funding for all our school programs.
Local School District 78 Fraser-Cascade shares our commitment to outdoor education and currently funds Strong Start, Kindergarten, Grade 1, 2 and 3 programs, and contributes in-kind resources such as teachers and parent chaperones.
Land agencies such as Fraser Valley Regional District (FVRD) and BC Parks provide access to diverse landscapes needed for fieldtrip activities.
We are so grateful to work with many community volunteers who provide crucial program support.