Trail Lesson Plans
TRAILS AND EDUCATION – WHAT A COMBINATION!
Lesson Plans are now Complete. Follow Link below.Link to Outdoor Classroom Lesson Plans
Trails For Life Funding Project Press Release, March 22, 2007
The Kawartha Lakes Green Trails Alliance has just received notice from MPP, Mr. Jim Watson, Ministry of Health Promotion, of a grant for $ 10,350 under the provincial government’s Trails for Life funding program.
The grant was awarded to the KLGTA to support the creation of an Applied Trail Education and Awareness Program. This project will achieve the objectives of the KLGTA “to develop, promote and encourage affordable recreational trails and/or linear greenway opportunities within he City of Kawartha Lakes, as well as ,” to promote opportunities for a physically active and healthy life style for. the residents within CKL.”
The pilot project will be prepared in order that the materials can be applied to any region in the province. The KLGTA will be working with local public and high schools as well as Fleming College and Health for life, in developing educational curriculum lesson plans that can be altered to match the local trails and their environment. The curriculum will be developed for teachers, targeting courses such as physical education, geography, science, and history. Plans are to develop a step by step manual will outline the development processes used to prepare this applied trail educational awareness program.
The project directly links to the Ontario Trails Strategy by focusing on infrequent users including women, youth, and people with a disability.
This project will also promote active, healthy lifestyles. As part of the provinces Educational mandate, the trails would be promoted for every day use for physical activities by students, competitions such as running and other low cost activities such as walking, cycling, by youth and others.
The end results will be increased awareness and use of the trails within the City of Kawartha Lakes, an increased level of physical fitness and health and an increased awareness in the enjoyment and pleasure an outdoor inexpensive physical activity can bring. The Kawartha Lakes Green Trails Alliance was pleased to receive this grant and would to thank the Provincial Government for supporting this worthwhile project.
The Kawartha Lakes Green Trails Alliance is a group of individuals and organizations supporting the development of a safe, compatible and physical active system of trails for the benefits of all residents and visitors to the City of Kawartha Lakes.
TRANS CANADA TRAIL EDUCATION PROJECT
Using the Kawartha Trans Canada Trail, a 44 km abandoned rail corridor that travels from the east starting at Fowler’s corner (Peterborough County boundary) and ending at Simcoe Street near Uxbridge (Durham Region), this project will be about applied Trail Education. The trail passes either directly in front of or very close to four elementary, two secondary and one post secondary schools.
The completed project (FALL SEASON lesson plans) will be made available to all Trail organizations across Ontario by the use of the internet as part to the Ontario Trails Strategy Program that is administered by Ministry of Health and Promotion.
The intent of the project will be to increase awareness of the importance of trails (local trails) to society- the many social, environmental and economic benefits. It will encourage active participation by all age groups in the use of the trails in the City of Kawartha Lakes by realizing there are many things you can see & do on trails that cost very little money and are fun such as nature viewing, exercise, recreational use walking, hiking and cycling or just enjoying the peace and quiet of the countryside.
The environment around each school and along sections of the trail will need to be field inspected in order to determine the common FALL environmental, historical and cultural messages that can be included in lesson plans and school involvement with the trail.
Expected Outcomes /Deliverables:
- Minimum of ten trail lesson plans for elementary schools linked to the Province Ontario Education curriculum (science, history geography etc) relating to trails and/or the Trans Canada Trail
- Minimum of three activities for secondary school involvement in Trans Canada Trail (e.g. community service) and two for post secondary (e.g. TCT Club SSFC)
- A 14 page FALL SEASON colouring book, layout, possible drawings and messages, for Kindergarten to Grade 3 students- depicting the heritage, culture, environmental and trail importance of the Kawartha Trans Canada Trail.
- Trail lesson plans needs to have the capability to be posted on the internet.
- To be completed by May 2008