School Programs at Comox Lake

Lake Park Society at Comox Lake

School Programs

School Program Reservations are Open!

Please do not bring your group or class to the park without booking your visit.

We have many user groups sharing the park and cannot accommodate unscheduled visits, even if you plan to run a program without the support of our staff. Please contact us if you are interested in a Park Use Permit for your group or class.

Overview

Lake Park Society (LPS) offers a variety of full-day outdoor education programs. Each of our grade-specific programs are BC Curriculum aligned and developed by BC-certified teachers to inspire inquiry, build core competencies, and nurture student’s connection to place.

LPS gratefully acknowledges that all of our programs occur on the unceded traditional territory of the Pentlatch, E’iksan, Sasitla and Sathloot people, also known today as the K’ómox First Nation. LPS is currently a primarily settler-lead organization. As such, we endeavour to be respectful guests, showing care, gratitude and a commitment to right relations with this land and its people in everything we do.

Our pedagogy is rooted in place-based, experiential learning and guided by the FNESC First People’s Principles of Learning. In each of our thematic programs, LPS educators facilitate experiential learning through core competency-oriented stories, games and activities. We’re confident your students will leave Lake Park feeling more deeply connected with our landscape, community and each other.

LPS recognizes that barriers to participation often exist in outdoor education. We aim to provide programs that are accessible to a wide range of abilities. All of our programs typically include travel over uneven terrain, and require that students are aware of their surroundings and conscientious of their physical safety. There are many ways we can adapt our programming to meet the specific needs of your students. Please inform us if there are any concerns about accessibility for your students, staff or volunteers.

LPS is committed to ensuring our programs are financially accessible. Our registration fees vary by program and are based on a cost-recovery rate. LPS offers subsidies for SD71 classes. These subsidies are based on self-declared need and require no application. Please contact us if you would like more information on our subsidies or if cost remains a barrier to your class’ participation.

Our Pedagogy 

LPS School Programs are rooted in:

“The instructors were very organized, the timing was spot on, and they did a beautiful job of weaving in Indigenous Principles.”

SD71 Teacher, Spring 2022

“It was an amazing day full of fun experiences for the children while we covered key areas of the curriculum.”

SD 71 Teacher, Fall 2022

“There was a lot of opportunity for the kids to think about the interconnectedness of everything. There was plenty of time to be grateful, show respect to nature, and the students were invited to participate in such a kind, respectful way.”

SD71 Indigenous Education Curriculum Support Teacher, Fall 2021

“The kids’ big smiles and the heartfelt gratitude that they expressed at the end of the day were a reliable testament to the value of this program. Our hearts and souls are full.”

SD71 Teacher, Fall 2021

“…the program was excellent, and the program workers were top notch!”

SD71 Teacher, Fall 2021

 “I loved the depth of content, the respectful First Nations components, the ties to the land, and focus on land and environmental stewardship…Thank you for this powerful learning day in our local woods.”

SD71 Primary Teacher, Fall 2021

“There was a lot of opportunity for the kids to think about the interconnectedness of everything. There was plenty of time to be grateful, show respect to nature, and the students were invited to participate in such a kind, respectful way.”

SD71 Indigenous Education Curriculum Support Teacher, Fall 2021

“A great way to integrate learning about the area, landforms and stories and introducing canoeing skills…This is one of those memorable place-based learning experiences students will remember!”

SD47 PIE Teacher, Spring 2022

 “What an amazing experience that even the rain couldn’t dampen! All Grade 3 students were engaged in learning in spite of the fact that they felt they weren’t even at school!”

SD71 Primary Teacher, Spring 2022

 “What an amazing experience that even the rain couldn’t dampen! All Grade 3 students were engaged in learning in spite of the fact that they felt they weren’t even at school!”

SD71 Primary Teacher, Spring 2022

“The big double canoe is so sturdy and safe that I was not worried about it tipping, and staff could sit right next to students who needed extra support out on the water.”

SD71 Inclusion Support Teacher, Spring 2022

“I liked how we all worked together as a team in the canoe while learning 5 different strokes!”

SD71 Student, Spring 2022

 “What an amazing experience that even the rain couldn’t dampen! All Grade 3 students were engaged in learning in spite of the fact that they felt they weren’t even at school!”

SD71 Secondary Teacher, Spring 2022

School Programs

Forest Friends

How can we show our respect and thanks?
What gifts does the forest offer us?
What other beings call this ecosystem home?

This is a full-day, experiential, curriculum-aligned program designed specifically for Grade 1 classes, including split grade classes (K/1 or 1/2). Students will engage their senses while exploring the mature second-growth forest and lake shore at Cumberland Lake Park. Learning will be woven into stories, games and sensory awareness activities. We will meet some of the local trees, plants, and animals that make their home in the forest, following our curiosity and sense of wonder. Students will learn about our local environment, adaptations, and the patterns and cycles of nature first-hand. The practice of gratitude and respect, place-based learning, and the First People Principles of Learning will be central pillars that guide our day. Program runs from 9:15 AM until 1:45 PM. 

Group Requirements: In addition to the teacher and designated EAs, this program requires the attendance of two responsible and engaged adult volunteers. Classes with less than 22 students may bring only one adult volunteer, classes with less than 15 students do not require an adult volunteer.  Maximum 26 students per group. If your group exceeds this limit, please contact us directly.

Terrain: Typical programming involves travel over uneven terrain and slopes, and requires that students are aware of their surroundings. Please let us know in advance if this would create a barrier for any students or staff. There is some flexibility in choice of forest trails and activities. We will make every effort to include students of diverse abilities.

Fee: The program registration fee, $450, is based on a cost-recovery rate. Lake Park Society offers a subsidy of up to $300 under our Connection Grant program. Subsidies are based on self-declared need and do not require an additional application.

Water Keepers

Where does our drinking water come from and where does our wastewater go?
How are people, water, and the forest connected?
What are the stories of our watershed?


This full-day and curriculum-aligned program is specifically designed for Grade 3 classes, including split-grade classes (2/3 and 3/4). Students will embark on a journey in our “voyager style” big canoes to explore the past, present and emerging stories of the Comox Lake Watershed. We draw in Indigenous perspectives, knowledge, and oral history while considering the unique importance of this area in our local watershed. This program aligns well with the Connected by Water Inquiry Units developed by the CVRD.

Our two 29′ voyageur-style “Big Canoes” are lashed together to form a single, large, stable, outrigger-style watercraft where your students can easily interact and work together to paddle on Comox Lake.  No prior canoe experience is required. All levels of experience and paddling ability are welcome. LPS staff are trained canoe skippers and will provide a brief paddling lesson along with all safety and paddling equipment. This program runs from 9:15 AM until 1:45 PM.

Please Note: Due to the capacity of the canoes, this program requires a minimum of 10 and maximum of 26 participants (including adults). Please get in touch if your class exceeds these limits. LPS educators have final say on activity choices/canoe route based on weather, group dynamics, and other factors. If canoeing is not an option (due to high winds), we will switch to our alternative watershed program which will take place in the forest and along the lakeshore.

Terrain: Typical programming involves travel over uneven terrain, loading and unloading canoes from the beach, and requires that students are aware of their surroundings. Please let us know in advance if this would create a barrier for any students or staff. We will make every effort to include students of diverse abilities.

Fee: The program registration fee, $750, is based on a cost-recovery rate. Lake Park Society offers a subsidy of up to $550 under our Connection Grant program. Subsidies are based on self-declared need and do not require an additional application.

Floating Classroom

This full-day program offers a unique floating classroom experience in our two 29′ voyageur-style Big Canoes. Your Lake Park Society skippers will act as guides, leaving ample time for teacher-led learning on the water and during stops along the shore. Teacher-led learning typically occurs during three 30 to 45-minute blocks during the day.

We paddle our two canoes lashed together, forming a single, large, stable, outrigger-style watercraft where your students can easily interact and work together to paddle on Comox Lake. Safety gear, paddling equipment and a brief paddling lesson will be provided. All levels of paddling experience are welcome. We recommend a visit of at least 3 hours although the canoe can be available for up to 4.5 hours at any time between 9:15 AM – 1:45 PM.

In a place with such richness and complexity, the possibilities for place-based learning that nurtures inquiry, core competencies, and curricular connections are endless! Teacher Lead learning could focus on: Ecosystems, biodiversity, and ecological interconnection; riparian zones (e.g. Perseverance Creek, Whyte’s Bay); conservation and stewardship; geology, landforms; natural resources (e.g. logging, hydro, historic mining); water quality, watersheds, drinking water; salmon; leadership, collaboration, teamwork; canoeing, canoeing history

There are many resources that connect well with a day on the water. Consider the Learning Resource Centre (LRC) kits and the Connected by Water Inquiry Units developed by the CVRD. Connected by Water educators may be available to co-facilitate this day with your class. Please contact us if you are interested in including a guest speaker.

Please Note: Due to the capacity of the canoes, this program requires a minimum 10 participants and a maximum of 26 participants (including adults) and all participants must be age 8 or older. LPS skippers will determine canoe routes and timing based on group desires, weather, group dynamics and other contextual factors. Activities (outside of paddling) will be teacher-led.

Terrain: Typical programming involves travel over uneven terrain, loading and unloading canoes from the beach, and requires that participants are aware of their surroundings. Please let us know in advance if this would create a barrier for any students or staff. We will make every effort to include students of diverse abilities. 

Fee: The program registration fee, $750, is based on a cost-recovery rate. Lake Park Society offers a subsidy of up to $550 under our Connection Grant program. Subsidies are based on self-declared need and do not require an additional application.

Overnight Camp Out

Lake Park Society is excited to welcome classes to camp overnight in our group site during the first three weeks of June. Camp Outs are led and coordinated independently by teachers. Lake Park Society may be able to provide activity blocks on a case-by-case basis. Please contact us for more information if you are interested in LPS programming during your visit.

The group site can be reserved for Overnight Camp Out bookings as of February 1st through the link below. Any dates remaining after March 15th will be made available to the public.

Book a School Program

Spring 2024 School Program registration is open!

Please note our group size maximums, reservation policy, and cancellation policy. This information can be found on our Teacher Resources page and in the registration form.

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