Students and staff at Lillian Berg School are filled with excitement as they have officially opened their Forest and Nature School.
The grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony took place today out in the wooded area behind the school.
Ribbon cutting for the Forest and Nature school at Lillian Berg School in Vermilion Bay. pic.twitter.com/SjfSbGEgcG
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Teacher Vanessa Clarke says there is a lot of fun and learning to be had at the outdoor learning area including fort-building, fire-starting, using tools for construction as well as playing in the hammocks.
Clarke also says they started the program in September with Kindergarten to Grade 2 students where they also use their imagination and problem-solving skills in the forest.
She also says it helps build socialization skills and helps students be able to assess what is safe.
Clarke goes on to mention that it isn’t a fully certified forest school, but she is currently in the process of completing the work needed for that to become a reality.
Principal Doris St. Jules says the school council has been very supportive of the program and they have been working hard to make sure they can work with area industries to improve the program.
St. Jules also says they are really happy to be able to offer this program to students and they have seen a lot of interest from parents to check it out as well.
A surprise announcement came later in the opening ceremony as Weyerhauser announced that they are donating $4,000 to the program as well.
Erik Holmstrom from Weyerhaeuser says they are happy to provide money since similar programming is what got him interesting in the forestry sector in the first place.
Also from Weyerhaeuser was Matt Wilkie also says it’s great to get interested in nature and hopefully learn about the good coming from the forestry sector as well.
