What is your COVID-19 Safety Plan?
We are currently offering in person school programs to classes from public or private K-7 schools with safety plans in place only. Groups must be from the same learning cohort and are limited to one class at a time regardless of class size. Interactions between students and their own classroom teacher are regulated by each class's own safety plan. Interactions between groups and Milner Gardens staff, volunteers, and visitors are regulated by our Safe Work Procedures for K-12 Field Trips plan.
What happened to your Five Visit Program?
Due to the constantly evolving situation with COVID19, and the need to keep our safety procedures up to date as the situation changes, we are only booking groups for one visit at a time. We hope to bring our Five Visit program back for the 2021-22 school year.
How do your programs link to curriculum?
All of our programming supports student learning across the curriculum, including science, language arts, and physical education. Time spent in nature has also been shown to increase attention and reduce anxiety in children. If you require a list of specific curriculum links, just ask - there are too many to list here.
Who leads the program?
The Shoots with Roots Coordinator, Pam Murray, plans, prepares, and leads all of the school visits and also manages the Shoots with Roots program. Pam began her career as an interpretive naturalist in 1997, and has planned and delivered place-based nature education for Parks Canada, Metro Vancouver Parks, Capital Regional District Parks and in BC Parks for over 20 years. She is also a certified teacher and uses this background to work with attending teachers to ensure that the programs are curriculum-linked, age-appropriate, and consistent with current best practices in elementary education.
Where does the funding come from?
Our on site field trips are offered free of charge to local schools by Milner Gardens & Woodland. This is made possible through the support of individual donors as well as local community groups and businesses. Staff and volunteers also undertake various fundraising efforts throughout the year. We do not receive funding from government or local school districts. Additional programs are offered on a cost-recovery basis.
Are you offering day camps?
Due to safety concerns around COVID19 we are not planning on offering day camps during the 2020-21 school year.
What if it rains?
Our programs run rain or shine. Please discuss appropriate clothing and footwear with your students. We may cancel a program on the rare occasion that extreme weather such as high winds or heavy snow presents a safety risk.