Home » Programs » School Programs

School Programs

The Allan Brooks Nature Centre opened in July 2000 as a ‘community based project’ focused on nature interpretation and habitat conservation.

The Nature Centre provides visitors a first-hand opportunity to see and learn about the North Okanagan’s unique and diverse natural heritage through views, information, programs and displays of the region’s natural areas. Three lakes and five ecosystems can be seen from this site and a total of nineteen points-of-interest provide spectacular, panoramic views of the North Okanagan and its diverse ecosystems.

FIELD TRIP FEES

  • $4.50 per student
  • Free for teachers or Home school Co-ordinator
  • One adult per ten children is free
  • $3.50 per additional adult
  • Please no siblings
    Payment in full is required on your arrival. Teachers please let us know in advance if the school is to be invoiced.

CONTACT US

Telephone: (250)260-4227
Office ph/fax: (250)558-4208
Email:education@abnc.ca

GENERAL FIELD TRIP INFORMATION
WELCOME! We are happy to have teachers meet us at the Nature Centre free of charge to pre-plan a field trip.

BOOKING

  • Register by phone: Monday to Friday, from 9:00am-4:00pm
  • Reserve in advance
  • Notify us one week in advance of any changes to your reservation
  • Inform us of any participants with special needs

GROUP SIZE
The Allan Brooks Nature Centre is best suited for groups of up to 60 participants.

PARENT HELPERS

  • One adult for every group of 10 students for grades one and up
  • One adult for every group of 4-6 children for preschool and kindergarten

OUR FACILITIES

  • Boys and girls washrooms
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Covered Picnic tables
  • Trash can and recycle bin
  • Bus parking
  • Live bee display on site
  • Bee sting kit and first aid kit on site
  • Nature trail and pond

BE PREPARED

  • Dress for changeable weather
    • higher elevation
    • frequent wind
    • possible rain
    • direct sun exposure
  • Wear comfortable walking shoes
  • Bring drinking water!

EXPECTATIONS AT THE CENTRE
We are guests in the home of the plants and animals living around the Nature Centre. As guests we are welcome to admire this home and study it-and then leave it as we found it.

Supervision is the responsibility of the teacher and parent helpers at all times.

  • Stay on the trails
  • Walk when on the site
  • Leave the gravel surface intact
  • Leave the plants and animals as you find them
  • No climbing on rocks
  • No climbing on fences/railings
  • No pets
  • No smoking on the site

FIELD TRIP TIMES

  • Suggested Session length is 150 minutes in length
  • Suggested Morning session is from 9:00-11:30am. Afternoon sessions from Noon - 2:30 pm.
  • Includes 15 min snack

To optimize the student learning experience, have students divided into 3-4 groups before arriving. We also recommend the wearing of name tags.

LOCATION
The Centre is located at 250 Allan Brooks Way, Vernon (above the army camp via 34th street/Mission Hill Road).

HOURS OF OPERATION

Monday-Saturday 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. (Closed Sundays)
Season starts May 1st to October 29th, 2011.