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m Oe Om on e ons m «es (~$ OFF.: 5+ TO YOU + I (Mosrlsfincsflil“/ng 1 V BWn _ _ These studies fulfill imporâ€" tant requirements of the educaâ€" tion curriculum. A visit to a They drill through ice on lakes, and learn how our water systems are managed to mainâ€" tain a good water supply. All studies focus on our natural environment, high]igh(ing the base of all life: water. They plant trees, and learn how our forests help to reduce flooding. They track wildlife, and learn how living things are all linked in food webs. creeks, and learn how to assess water quality by identifying the animals that live there. With the guidance of resource interpreters, they catch crayfish in rivers and inese centres are designed to gets kids outside, for handsâ€" on learning about our precious natural resources. That‘s exactly what students do when they visit nature cenâ€" tres along the Grand River and its tributaries. at‘s the best way to Wl':aam about our naturâ€" al environment? By getting right into it. Students learn about nature along the Grand River kids: By Dan ScHnemper For the Chronicle Identifying and classifying river animals that the students capture themselves fits right into biology. Natural areas, too, are powerful settings for develâ€" OBi{lg visual and language arts LLin. from melting glaciers scoured out the river valleys. flow. They learn chemistry by using kits to test water for polluâ€" tion level. Theylammphy by examining how huge rivers Let‘s take a river study, for example. Students learn math by measuring the river‘s width, current speed and volume of Many people are surprised to discover what can be taught in the outâ€"ofâ€"doors. During these studies, the students themselves become linked to nature. By being part of the outdoors for a day, their memorable experiences will equip them for making wise decisions about our environâ€" ment in the future. But the value of the visits goes far beyond immediate acaâ€" demic results. nature centre is often a culmiâ€" nation of what has been learned in the classroom, adding realâ€" life experiences to theoretical work. LIFESTYLE To allow students to learn about our resources in a natural setting the Grand â€"River Conservation Authority operâ€" ates four nature centres. Apps® Mill Nature Centre, located on the bank of Whitemans Creek near Paris, offers studies to the Brant Haldimandâ€"Norfolk Catholic and Grand Erie District School Boards, along with the Six Nations School Board. Shade‘s Mills Nature Centre, in Cambridge, and Laurel Creek Nature Centre, in Waterioo, are visited by students in the Waterloo _ Region â€" Catholic Boredom is reduced, and students _ can immediately app.ly what they know in a real Natural habitats and living things are real, there‘s nothing fake or representative about them. Perhaps this discovery isn‘t so surprising. . In short, virtually every subâ€" ject can be studied outside. Is it quality learning? Research indiâ€" cates that classes learned better in a natural setting than an equivalent _ class studying inside, even when considering conventional core subjects like math and grammar. about our forests at the Shade‘s Mills Nature Centre * TQ!QT warerrarkrass CJONE C”” Tg:, : meorum 18 HOLES OF GoLF carwase _ PRQTECTION Advantage ___CAR wa * Mill Nature Centre: (519) 752â€"0655 * Guelph Lake Nature Centre: (519) 836â€"7860 * Laurel Creek Nature Centre: (519) 885â€"1368 * Shade‘s Mills Nature Centre: (519) 623â€"5573 * Fairlake Centre: (519) 623â€"5573. centres. To find out more about the nature centres, or to enroll in day camps, call the following Wcc Each year, about 40,000 youngsters become river kids In addition to school visits, the nature centres offer sumâ€" mer, Christmas and March Break day camps. These popuâ€" lar camps focus on exciting, active learning about our enviâ€" ronment. District school board, and Laurel is also used by the Waterloo Region District school board. Guelph Lake Nature Centre conducts outdoor proâ€" grams for the Wellington Catholic District school board. Mobile programs are available from the Fairlake Centre, which operates a van that visits schools. they visit GRCA M o oo on ce P Ham It involves a crew of 20 paddlers, paced by a drummer at the bow and guided by a person at the stern. A wellâ€" coordinated team is visually spectacular as the combined power and rhythm carry the flatwater racing canoes over a 500â€"metre course. Last year‘s event attracted 48 teams and close to 5,000 people attended the event. Openings are still available for teams wishing to compete in the 2000 event by contacting 669â€"1054. Races begin at 9 a. m. after the official opening ceremonies. A demonstration of the lion dance is slated for 11 a.m. The Elmira Kiwanis Club expects its Waterloo Region Dragon Boat Festival to more than double in size this year for its July 22 launch at the Laurel Creek Conservation Area. The festival was originated by the Elmira Kiwanis Club in 1998 and is now an annual event in Waterloo. Dragon boat racing is becoming one of North America‘s fastest growing water sports. 90e on Reoaee s VC 1 Dragon Boats ahoy The Celiac Association offers educaâ€" tion and support for those diagnosed with the disease and Dermatitis Herpetaformis. Newcomers are welâ€" come. Call 896â€"2101 for more informaâ€" tion. The Canadian Celiac Association is holding its general meeting June 17. Registration is at 9:30 a m. with the meeting to follow from 10 a.m. to noon at St. Mark‘s Lutheran Church at 875 King St. W. in Kitchener. The special guest speaker is Bette Hagman, author of numerous glutenâ€" free cookbooks. There will also be a bake sale and an exciting draw item. Celiac Association host annual meeting The Square at the corner -;f.;(.i.r.l‘g and William Streets in Waterloo. Tickets to attend are $10 each and can be purchased by calling 743â€"5206, 743â€"4093, or visiting Big Sisters of Kâ€"W and area, located at 37 Allen St. W., or House of Elegance, located in Terrace On The tour features nine diverse garâ€" dens including serene settings, shady hosta properties, waterfalls and much more. The ninth annual Best Friends of Big Sisters Garden tour will take place June 25, rain or shine. Garden tour to aid local Big Sisters The tour will run from 11 a.m. to â€"AS LOKC a¢ you own vour cart CTONE CHIP q PROTECTION LIEETIME