Each course is 13 days/12 nights in length.

All courses will BEGIN on a SUNDAY with arrival/check-in times between 1pm and 2:30pm.  Classes will start at 3:00pm on Sunday with dinner provided for all students.

All courses will END on a FRIDAY with departure/check-out times late morning from 10:30am to 11:30am.  Lunch is not provided on this day.

For specific session dates and courses offered in each session please visit:  https://www.canadianecology.ca/highschool-credit-courses/credit-session-dates/

Students are responsible for finding their own way to and from the course.  Many parents/guardians choose to spend the night prior in a nearby or half-way point motel/hotel/cabin.

*A return bus from the CEC heading South (Huntsville, Barrie, Vaughan) will be provided for 2025.  An additional cost would apply for this service. Pending there is enough interest a bus MAY be provided to Ottawa.

This is the perhaps the hardest question to answer which is why we have put it at the top of the list. The questions below will help you to make a more informed decision. These courses may not be for every student but are beneficial for many. We invite and encourage you to give us a call to discuss your child and their learning needs prior to registering for a credit course.

We know that grades are important, but our programs are also geared towards providing students with the skills and experiences that will help them in future endeavors. We believe the final grade does not always reflect the real life learning that was had and we strive to show students that this IS equally if not more important than the final mark.

The CEC encourages and welcomes your help in being a part of your child’s educational journey. Our teaching staff has a short period of time to get to know all students in a full class and it can be difficult and challenging to accommodate 100% of each student’s needs (both emotional, socially, physically and educationally) without incorporating a team approach. Students MUST be able to seek out help when or if they are not understanding material, or having difficulties with any aspect of the course. Parents also need to contact us immediately during the program if they have any questions or concerns. 

Our teachers are passionate about teaching and we are passionate about our program…but a quality and positive educational experience requires everyone’s investment in the program.

The credit courses offered at the CEC is through a partnership with our local school board, the Near North District School Board (www.nearnorthschools.ca).  All credits are Ministry of Education approved and granted under the NNDSB summer school program (MIDENT #980315).  At the end of the summer, a report card, transcript OR an official school board letter will be emailed to your home and school guidance counselor email with the course taken and final grade.

Students attend from a variety of Public, Catholic, French and Private schools across Ontario.  Please contact us if you have any questions about your child’s school accepting the credit. 

*It is your responsibility to ensure that your home school adds the course and grade to your child’s transcript.

Yes…it’s true! 110 hours are required by the Ministry of Education to achieve a full semester credit course. Students are in a learning environment (both inside and outside) for approximately 10-12 hours per day. With 13 days of learning, it’s easy to obtain the required 110 hours. This allows some flexibility to also incorporate additional incidental and curriculum based learning through a variety of outdoor activities, guest speakers and on-site excursions. Students MUST be able to attend the entire credit session in order to achieve the credit.

There is no official coursework required prior to attending the credit courses. However, as we have limited time to review course material students should know from prerequisite courses  (i.e. grade 10 science as a prerequisite for grade 11 biology), it would be beneficial for students to review pertinent material. 

NOT OFFERED SUMMER 2024

Yes.  In the event that the CEC must cancel a course or if you must cancel your registration, you can feel comfortable knowing that your child can still achieve their credit at their home school for the following school year if required.  We recommend contacting your home school at the end of the summer to make course changes at that time if the credit was received at the CEC.

The CEC has been fortunate to be able to run the summer school program since the start of the pandemic. With permission and support /guidance from the Near North District School Board and our local health unit, many policies and procedures were put in place to create a safe learning environment for students, teachers and staff.  It is impossible to know in advance what the summer of 2024 will look like and if we need to prepare for anything different from what is occurring at this moment in time.  We have adapted our programs throughout the pandemic of 2020-2023 and are confident that we can support any situation that arises!

Please note the CEC is required to follow applicable guidelines as they pertain to Schools, Overnight/Day Camps and any other guidelines deemed applicable.  Our safety plan is created using a mix of guidelines from these and other sectors. 

Each year we review and update if necessary our llness safety plan with our local health unit and on-call Nurse Practitioner.

Yes.  The CEC will share/send you some information to help you and your child prepare for arrival and the start of the course during the spring (June).

A mandatory “ZOOM” meeting (for parents and students) will also be scheduled at the end of June to go over course expectations, CEC policies and procedures and answer any questions you may have before arriving.

For families who are unable to attend this live ZOOM information session, we will be contacting you to arrange a pre-course phone meeting with the Camp Coordinator or Camp Directors.

The CEC believes that having multiple teachers in the classroom is one way in which we can reach and intrigue more learning from our students…so we do just that! 

Each classroom will have qualified teachers/educators for each course, along with many other support staff (including qualified teachers) that help to create the educational team. 

Class sizes can vary from a minimum of 10 students up to a maximum of about 26-28 students. We would love to guarantee small classes for everyone, but unfortunately the educational funding requires a minimum number of students before a teacher can be hired. Our larger classes typically help to offset funds for our smaller classes, which allow more courses to run each year. It is sometimes difficult to predict which classes may be large or small in any given year, so please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or concerns.

Entering grade 9 is an exciting time for most students, yet it can bring out some natural apprehension and anxiousness at the same time. With so many social and emotional aspects to the adolescent years, this can be a trying time for most if not all students of this age. We do our best to help students make the transition from elementary to secondary school both academically and socially. 

During this transitional time, parental involvement in your child’s experience can be paramount!  As mentioned above, we do NEED students to be able to ask for help when they need it and this is where you as a parent/guardian can be of assistance! Teach and show your child how to ask for help. Stress that seeking help is not a sign of weakness but of great strength and determination. Advocate for them when they can’t or are struggling, but do it immediately. Don’t wait for weeks or months after the course has ended to bring something to our attention. We can’t fix or help what we don’t know!

There is a lot you can do and we encourage all parents to be involved throughout the program. Parental involvement in your child’s experience can be paramount.  We encourage all parents to be in communication (via email or phone) with us throughout the program as much or as little as you feel necessary. Call to check in…see how they are doing academically and perhaps more importantly, talk to them about what life skills and experiences they are learning. This is what truly guides us through life…take the pressure off them to achieve a certain grade and applaud them for the life skills they are achieving! Please feel free to be involved!

Short answer is No…this is not a camp. 

The CEC credit courses are a full (in-residence) academic program and should not be considered to be the equivalent experience you might have had at an overnight youth summer camp. 

Our courses do incorporate components of “camp like activities” into the program and into the learning, (ie. Outdoor games, canoeing, swim time, etc…) as well as creating fun and hands-on learning environments.

Due to the intensive nature of the courses and in order to achieve the required learning hours as well as incorporate fun “camp like” experiences into the program, there is limited free time scheduled. 

Students will mostly have free time available between meals and class time, as well as some supervised free time or social activities scheduled in the evening. Extra classroom help time is usually available most evenings for students who would like further assistance/explanation of course work or would like additional time to complete/improve their course work. 

The CEC encourages students to use the evening free time to unwind from a busy day, as we feel the benefits of this and the student socialization that occurs is just as important as the course work. It is generally left up to the student to decide if and when they want to take that additional evening classroom help…but it is always available if they choose it.

Many outdoor, interactive and experiential components are included as part of the course. These include opportunities for students to interact socially with others within their own class as well as students in other classes at the same time. Often during meal times or at the end of the night, special activities will be planned for students to interact outside of a “classroom learning environment” (ie. Group games/challenges, group picnic, campfires, basketball, Frisbee, crafts, music lessons, etc…). 

We believe a quality educational experience includes a multitude of resources and support networks. Qualified teachers/educators are hired to teach for each course, providing more opportunities for students to learn as well as an increased support network in the classroom. The CEC also hires “Outdoor Recreation Staff” who fill a variety of resource/support roles during each session (many are even teachers themselves). They are available to help out in the classrooms as needed, assist with day/evening supervision, planning of social activities and to lead the outdoor activities/skills components of the courses (ie. Canoeing, swimming, camping, etc…). They are also available to provide additional support for students who may want or need to talk to someone during their stay. 

Both the teachers and the Recreation Staff live on-site (in nearby cabins) and are available 24 hrs a day for the duration of each session.  Additional staff are available during the course to assist as needed, including the CEC Camp Coordinator and Camp Director (Director of Education), as well as our main office staff.  Although we do our best to recognize potential situations or issues, it is not always easy given the short and intensive time frame of the courses. 

Students should know that they have a variety of individuals available to them should they need help or support in dealing with any situation (ie. Homesickness, anxiety, social issues, etc…) and should seek out these resource people as needed. It is important that students can self-advocate for their own needs or others and need to be able to ask for help when required as stated above. Students also have access to a confidential “talk-box” (that is checked daily) to share questions, comments or concerns.

The intensive multi-day format and hands-on approach to learning is often beneficial for students who may have mild learning disabilities or require learning/assessment modifications (with our without an IEP). 

We incorporate a variety of teaching styles throughout the program to address the learning needs of all our students. Due to the nature of studying a subject matter intensively day to day and demonstrating real life applications and connections, students are most often very successful in our programs, despite any learning exceptionalities they may have. We do our best, but again…students need to advocate for themselves when they need extra help. Please contact us if you are unsure if this is the right experience for your child.

The intensive multi-day format and hands-on approach to learning is often beneficial for students who may have mild learning disabilities or require learning/assessment modifications (with our without an IEP). We incorporate a variety of teaching styles throughout the program to address the learning needs of all our students. Due to the nature of studying a subject matter intensively day to day and demonstrating real life applications and connections, students are most often very successful in our programs, despite any learning exceptionalities they may have. We do our best, but again…students need to advocate for themselves when they need extra help. Please contact us if you are unsure if this is the right experience for your child.

We offer a technology “freed” program…most of the time. Students are NOT permitted to have any personal technologies with or on them during the session (aside from when they might be used for classroom activities) and NEVER at their cabins. 

For students who like to listen to music at night or require white sounds to fall asleep, we encourage you to create “new” nighttime strategies well in advance of attending.  Some suggestions might be using a fan or buying a white noise machine (similar to what you might have in a babies room), or finding an old school music device (ie.MP3 player) that you can download music onto (but no cell/internet connection)

The CEC believes in the value of “disconnecting” from technology and “re-connecting” with face-to-face social interaction and play…something that is hard to do in our electronically minded society. This is a positive experience and something that you can discuss with your child prior to attending the program. At the same time, we recognize that technology has tremendous benefits (but there is a time and place for it)

Although we make use of technology and computers in the classroom environment, students are not permitted to have any items that can connect to WiFi on them; such as IPods/IPads, E-books, cell-phones, gaming systems, computers (unless required for learning), etc…etc…etc… These items would be confiscated and returned to the student at the end of the course if found. Don’t bother asking folks…even if you dismantle the WiFi connection somehow…you still can’t have them on you! 

There is a process to sign-in/sign-out these technologies if they are brought to the CEC (at given times only). Please keep in mind that the CEC is NOT responsible for ANY damages, lost, stolen or broken technologies brought to the CEC.  If you don’t need it…don’t bring it!

Students are permitted to bring digital cameras and CD’s to play in a small portable stereo, as well as having access to CEC computers and phones for personal communication. More details of what can be brought to camp will be outlined in the secondary information package. Each cabin has a clock radio! Just think of the great local music stations your child will be able to dial into! 

Every few nights, there is a designated “techie-time” allowed (usually around the dinner hour). Students are permitted at this time to sign-out their personal cell-phones if they brought them. CEC computers are available for checking email and CEC phones are available for home communication. 

Okay parents…don’t worry! Even if your child doesn’t have their phone on them, it’s okay! You can always contact us to speak to your child…and they will be okay! The CEC keeps in communication with you and updates will be posted on social media (Facebook).  A little bit of electronic disconnect between you and your child is good for you too. Just think, you are helping them become independent, a life skill we all want for our children!

Oh…and we take LOTS of photos so you’ll be able to check those out on both our CEC and CEC-High School Credit Courses Facebook Pages

Students will be sharing a cabin with up to 3 other people, typically with students from the same class.

Each cabin is equipped with private shower/washroom facilities, a small fridge and full bedding. A complete equipment list is sent out in the secondary registration package late spring. You can see photos of cabins on the CEC website. 

Please don’t email any cabin mate requests at this time.  You will have an opportunity to make these requests via the online secondary registration forms ONLY (in late spring).

We will offer an option for gender inclusive accommodations again this summer. More details will be provided later in the spring, with our secondary registration packages.

All meals are provided, including accommodations for any dietary needs and/or allergies. Snacks are not provided. Many students will either bring a small amount of spending money for our on-site tuck shop or bring NUT-FREE snacks with them that they can keep in their individual cabins. If you have any particular questions about how we accommodate special dietary needs, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

The Canadian Ecology Centre is open to discussing any situation with you and how we might accommodate, welcome, support and/or provide adaptation to our program to meet your child’s needs. Whether the nature is religious, cultural, gender, personal or whatever the situation…we are happy to meet with you. Given consideration to any limitations we might have to site, staff and resources, the CEC will do our best to create a welcoming open dialogue to come up with a solution together.

You can find our cancellation policy here.