Eaglesham School Outdoor Pursuits Program,Eaglesham, Alberta
Welcome to the exciting Outdoor Pursuits Program. Alongside your academic courses, you will participate in activities focusing on the Canadian outdoors. Each month will introduce you to a new facet of the possible adventures available to an individual surrounded by the beauty of the Peace Country. Qualified instructors will deliver skills geared towards the beginner level, so no previous knowledge is required. Instruction will be delivered for two afternoons a week with the occasional Saturday/ overnight outings to apply the skills acquired at a deeper level.
September
Welcome in the new school year with trips to the picturesque and welcoming Lakeside Golf and Country Club. www.golfeaglesham.ca As well as receiving instruction from a certified golf instructor, Rhona Law, students will receive a golf course membership that will allow them to access the course throughout the fall and in the spring until the end of June 2014.
You will also earn your St. Johns Ambulance First Aid certificate in preparation for the adventures awaiting you.
Marvel at the beauty of the Peace River as you enter the second activity component of the fall - kayaking. Learn the basics of kayaking as well as boating safety. End the month with a trip down the scenic river.
October
Get the most out of the amazing fall weather and scenery of the Peace Country as you experience various hikes through the countryside. In addition to the scenery, be prepared to see Canadian wildlife all around you. Enhancing these outings will be your instruction on environmental photography and visual composition delivered by talented local nature photographers.
November
Become a confident wilderness explorer with the addition of orienteering, shelter building and outdoor cooking basics. Learn your way around compasses and wilderness navigation as well as survival skills. Finish off the month with an opportunity to put your newfound skills into action and participate in a winter outdoor camping trip.
December
Experience hands-on Canadian history with instruction in trapping and hunter training. Acquire knowledge of hunting and game management theory and earn your Hunter Education Certificate .
More information: info@studycanada.eu or check out the Eaglesham School page
January
Embrace the coldest month of the year by participating in Canadians’ favorite winter pastime – skating. Learn to maximize your skating skills with power skating instructor Tina Caron. Try a different kind of skating with the Grande Prairie Speed Skating Club. In addition, you will receive a membership to the arena, situated adjacent to the school, that will enable you to access the facility regularly to practice your skills and participate in shinny or open skating.
February
This month will challenge your fine motor skills as you try your hand at archery and firearms safety. Try out both compound and recurve bows on the archery range. Successful completion of the Canadian Firearms Safety Course will allow Canadian residents to apply for a Possession/Acquisition certificate at age 18.
March
Time to return outdoors and try your hand at skiing. The Peace Country lends itself beautifully to cross country excursions. This activity will be available to you outside your doorstep. Take advantage of the warmer weather and the longer days and truly enjoy your surroundings. Downhill skiing will also be offered. There are a few good hills close by, but the skiing highlight will be a trip to the Rockies to ski the glorious Marmot Basin.
April
Return indoors to enjoy the new Eastlink Aquatic centre in Grande Prairie www.eastlinkcentre.ca/ to receive water safety and snorkeling skills. As the warmer spring weather arrives, you will take to the hills on the biking component of the program. Enjoy the great areas to be explored on your bike. Splash your way through the post winter puddles on the Dreamer’s Lake trails.
May
Revisit many of your recently acquired skills such as biking and hiking through a forestry exploration course as spring returns. Remember to use your membership and take advantage of the long days to return to the golf course.
You will also participate in a baseball skill development unit instructed by Harold Northcott, a former member of the Canadian National Baseball Team.
June
As the school year draws to a close, take the opportunity to spend more time on the area’s rivers and lakes as you learn angling and fish management theory. Acquire fishing skills in both spin/bait casting and fly fishing. The demanding skill of fly fishing will be instructed by the Peace Country Flyfishers’ Association.
Finish the year and celebrate all that you have learned throughout the previous months. Enjoy one last overnight stay in the beautiful Peace Country. Take the time to reflect and appreciate all that you’ve learned about Canada’s nature and the adventures that you have enjoyed over the last year.
