b'YOUTH AGED 113 WELCOME TO JOIN PROGRAMS AT THE NEW SCUGOG NATURE SCHOOLImagine a classroom without walls, where the whole forest is your childs playground. Trees, animals and birds are not just characters of books but our friends and teachers too!Welcome to our classroom with over 300 acres of forests and swamps.ThankstoanOntarioTrilliumFoundationwonderland situated on the scenic shores of Lake grant, a dream has come true: The new ScugogScugog. There are cedar groves, an old growthLittle SproutsNature School in Scugog, on St. Christophershardwood forest, a meadow, protected wetlands Beach Rd., opened in September on the Campandavibrantswampforchildrentoexplore, Scugog property. with the guidance and supervision of adults.DanaLeahey,whohasbeentheDirectorMany spacious outbuildings can be utilized in ofCampScugogfor40years,case of bad weather, explained championed this new project.Dana, making this the ideal set- Ages 1-5Its very exciting, she com- ting for an outdoor educationBumblebeesmented. There has been a lot ofcentre during pandemic times interest, and we have a phenom- when social distancing restric-enal stateam. tions are still in place.Programming is geared to dif- ThefocusoftheScugog ferent age groups. Little SproutsNatureSchoolisoutdoorac-is a Parent and Tot program fortivities,butDanasuggested,Ages 4-5agesoneto Bumblebees,We can mask up and go in theve. forchildrenwhoarefourandbig boathouse if it rains. Salamanders SalamandersforagessixThis garter snake was foundAlotofparentswanttove, to eight, and Herons is for kidsunder a log during a hike. chooseoutdoorprogram-nine to 11. Twelve and 13-year- ming, she added.olds will join the Coyotes group. The length ofDana leads the team of experienced educators: each daytime program varies according to theVickySpence,AbhishekGuptaandCharlotte age of the participants. Tousaw. Volunteers are also being recruited toAges 6-8The once-a-week nature immersion programsassist. Heronsare geared to foster childrens natural curiosity,Septemberopenhouses,aninformation and connect them with nature, themselves andbooth at the Port Perry Farmers Market, plus others. social media posts, all combined to spike a lot Therst six week Fall Session, based on theof enthusiasm for this new outdoor education theme Back to Basics, started on September 20,centre, Dana was happy to report.andrunsuntilOctober29.ThedatesforFall Scugog Nature School is located at 19400 St.Ages 9-11Session 2 are November 8December 17. PlansChristophers Beach Road. Learn more about the are underway for winter and spring program- amazing programming for kids on their website,Coyotesming. Call the Nature School at 905-837-0648 orInstagram and Facebook pages. 905-986-4401 to see if there are still any openings. Contact throughWeeklythemedactivitiesincludegames,info@scugognatureschool.ca.stories,experiments,andadventuressuchas hiking, site exploration and building forts. THEN JUST LET THE MAGIC HAPPEN!The expansive 300-acre property is a naturalBy Lynn Campbell, Focus on Scugog Ages 12-13FOCUS - OCTOBER 202131'