Join us for a community and natural science study on Toronto Island which we call Willow Walk.
This is a land based activity which takes place through the community and Environmentally Significant Areas on Wards Island. This experience is designed for school groups from grades 1-6.
To book your group, email or call Julian at [email protected], (416) 877-4668
We make it fun and easy for teachers too! We are here for planning and organisation help.
We make it fun and easy for teachers too! We are here for planning and organisation help.
Julian Ganton. Photo @kateandkeithphotography
I am an Early Childhood Educator teaching the values that I find are important to instil in the next generation such as sustainability, community building and the natural sciences. I have a diploma in Early Childhood Education and a Degree in Kinesiology & Health Science. I am the current owner of Toronto Island SUP and have worked for many years for Canadian International Student Services where I developed a Wilderness Education Program, was Head of Waterfront and eventually became Assistant Director of Lakefield Camp International.
Come over for a morning or afternoon for a packed half day of outdoor study and fun. We learn about the interconnection of our societies and the natural world through games, talks and walks. We call this program our Willow Walk.
We've built this program specifically for grades 3-5 and adapt our games and activities to each group depending on needs and interests. The program can also be adapted to any age group. Ask us!
See my full profile on LinkedIn.
Come over for a morning or afternoon for a packed half day of outdoor study and fun. We learn about the interconnection of our societies and the natural world through games, talks and walks. We call this program our Willow Walk.
We've built this program specifically for grades 3-5 and adapt our games and activities to each group depending on needs and interests. The program can also be adapted to any age group. Ask us!
See my full profile on LinkedIn.
Tanya with a group of kids in her art camp.
Hi, my name is Tanya Golden. I live on Ward's Island and I am one of the guides on Willow Walk. My experience with educating children spans over a period of 24 years. For 20 years I was an art and nature study teacher at the local Montessori school here on the island. In addition to that, I have been running a small art and nature day camp for 5-10 yr olds in the summer months for the past 24 years.
My love of ecology, education, the natural environment and art inspire me on a daily basis. Let me share with you all of the wonderful natural beauty that surrounds us here on this little island. Come for a walk with us and see for yourself!
My love of ecology, education, the natural environment and art inspire me on a daily basis. Let me share with you all of the wonderful natural beauty that surrounds us here on this little island. Come for a walk with us and see for yourself!
- Can be adapted for any age group. See itineraries by grade at the bottom.
- The group learns to use maps by working in small groups to locate certain points of interest.
- We learn about Toronto Island history focusing on the natural elements and community way of life.
- We infuse the indigenous people's history and culture into our talks and activities.
- Community building with small groups – we include activities working in small groups as well as activities/talks with the whole group.
Welcome to the island! You will be met off of the boat at Wards Island by your guides. We will give a brief talk about how the day will go and allow some time to get to know the group. We then set off to our first activity as we look back at the city that you just came from.
Plastics in our environment.
Time for our first individual activity on the beach. As we look back at the Toronto Skyline, we think about old and new. What did Toronto look like before? What do we want it will look like in the future? The children are encouraged to look forward in time and decide what kind of city we want to live in in 20 years... 50 years!
Students are given maps and are assisted in locating where we are. From here on, they are encouraged to follow our tour around the community on the page. It's important to note our locations as we take our walk since they will be returning to these places for the scavenger hunt later on. Some talking points include: community resiliency and unity, sacred native american plants, how people's lives are dictated by the weather, how certain trees and plants impact daily life, tourism on the island and more.
Students are given maps and are assisted in locating where we are. From here on, they are encouraged to follow our tour around the community on the page. It's important to note our locations as we take our walk since they will be returning to these places for the scavenger hunt later on. Some talking points include: community resiliency and unity, sacred native american plants, how people's lives are dictated by the weather, how certain trees and plants impact daily life, tourism on the island and more.
Exploring the wildlife in our area.
Our community walk continues through an Area of Natural and Scientific Interest and ends up on Wards Island Beach where we will begin our large and small group activities. We will first play a series of large group games followed by a small group scavenger hunt where children are to retrace their steps with a group leader using their maps. As groups filter back to our meeting spot, their items are checked and we have a conversation about what they mean in the larger picture. What was Birch bark used for by native people? What medicinal qualities does Willow bark have? Why is the island so important for migrating birds?
The children are then given a less structured period before lunch to explore some of our hands on artefacts from the area including a beaver skull, certain minerals and more. We have time for a packed lunch on Wards Island Beach before heading back to the city for the rest of the school day.
The children are then given a less structured period before lunch to explore some of our hands on artefacts from the area including a beaver skull, certain minerals and more. We have time for a packed lunch on Wards Island Beach before heading back to the city for the rest of the school day.
LEARNING CONCEPTS AND ITINERARY BY GRADE
To book your group, email or call Julian at [email protected], (416) 877-4668
We make it fun and easy for teachers too! We are here for planning and organisation help.
We make it fun and easy for teachers too! We are here for planning and organisation help.
