École LaVerendrye is pleased to continue with their Grade 6 Outdoor Education Program. Here are some past activities that the students have participated in.

The objectives of our Outdoor Education Program are:
1) to experience the benefits of outdoor activities.
2) to recognize our connection to the outdoor environment, and
3) to promote the use of the French Language in group activities.
First, it is important that the activities be representative of the seasons. Summer, as well as Winter activities must be possible. Such diversification will also ensure that no student will miss all of the activities due to illness.
Secondly, it is important to hire qualified instructors when ever possible. Expertise is essential to provide students with a safe and successful experience.

FALL

Fall outings have included: golfing, soccer, and archery.

Students will have a one hour golf lesson and an afternoon of putting and using the driving range at the Harborview golf club.

In October the students will be involved in a Fall soccer tournament against other schools in the South End. The boys and girls will compete on separate teams.

A hands-on archery clinic held in November will provide the students with professional instruction in this field. Instructors from the Archer’s Association of Manitoba will introduce the students to the techniques of bow handling and bow safety.

WINTER

Winter activities have included: In January the students will participate on a one day outing to the Fort Whyte centre where the students will participate in a “Wilderness Survival” program. The students will develop skills necessary for survival in the wilderness, learning basic shelter and fire-building techniques, learning what wilds are edible and how to pack the ultimate survival kit.

In February the students will be involved in a Winter volleyball tournament against other schools in the South End. The students will play on a co-ed team and the tournament is non competitive.

Also in February, students will participate in an afternoon of snowshoeing in the school courtyard. This activity will take place weather permitting (depending on conditions of the snow). This activity will require that the students dress appropriately for the weather conditions.

The final Winter activity is an afternoon of indoor ice skating in March where the students will have the opportunity to work on their cardio-vascular endurance. Students are required to bring a pair of ice skates and a helmet.

SPRING

Spring session activities:

Our first activity of the season is in April, where the students will participate in an afternoon of racquetball and aerobics at the University of Winnipeg. Here the students will have professional lessons and learn the appropriate techniques for these sports. This allows students a chance to experience some new sports that they do not necessarily have access to within the school.

In May, the students will participate in an afternoon of “orienteering”, where the students will learn how to work a compass and how to use nature to give them clues for survival. It is a great adventure for the students and is best done outdoors, therefor, the exact date will be given more into the season.

Our final outing will be to Birds Hill Park in June. There the students will be able to participate in an hour of horse back riding followed by a picnic lunch and an afternoon of swimming and games at the lake. (to be discussed)

On all outings Mme Lopes as well as M. Roy will accompany the students.
On certain outings, however, a few other supervisors will be needed.
If you are able to volunteer on any of these certain dates, we ask that you fill in the parent volunteer portion of the specific permission slip.

In conclusion, we are pleased to announce that the total cost to the parents is $20.00 per student. This payment can be submitted with the first permission slip..

Should you have any questions regarding these outings please call the school @ 452-5015.
Thank you,
Mme Lopes
M. Roy