Spruce Woods Provincial Park

Spruce Woods Provincial Park is an ecological rarity in Manitoba featuring the desert-like habitat known as Spirit Sands. Due to its unique habitat, Spruce Woods is home to wildlife that cannot be found anywhere else in Manitoba. Among the special inhabitants of Spruce Woods is Manitoba's only lizard the northern prairie skink and our largest snake, the western plains hognose snake. Interpretive programs include many curriculum-based school activities such as, guided walks, interpretive centre tours, films and critter-dipping. For more information about Spruce Woods Provincial Park and its programs, contact:

Winter Program

Spruce Woods Provincial Park offers an exciting variety of educational opportunities to students and teachers interested in creating or expanding  winter education programs.  Classroom chinophiles (those who love snow) who desire  adventure in outdoor programming can try building their own snow shelters and study winter survival techniques, all under the leadership of the Park Interpreter. 

Here’s what’s being offered from January 28-March 18, 2008.

Option A:

 Winter Adaptation

What “creature comforts” does Spruce Woods offer to those who dare spend the winter in the Park?

Discover winter as an animal! 

Most animals rely on their senses to find food and to avoid being food.  Through a variety of games and activities students will get an understanding of the adaptations necessary for wildlife to survive the winter.

Recommended for Grades K-2

Option B:

Makin’ Tracks for Home

Discover the animals of Spruce Woods and find out how they survive the winter.  How do they adapt to a habitat now covered in snow?  Explore animal signs on a discovery hike and make a permanent record of animal tracks for your classroom. 

Recommended for Grades 3-6

Option C:

 Winter Survival

Learn to prepare yourself for a Manitoba winter.  Learn about shelters, fire building, survival kits and how to recognize signs of hypothermia and frost bite.  Build a quinzhee and experience for yourself the warmth and protection it can offer.

Recommended for Grades 6-12  

Special Note:  Please bring enough shovels or ice cream pails for all students to scoop snow and hollow out the quinzhee.

Option D:

Skinks in Our Schools  

Manitoba’s only lizard is ready to make the trek to your school.  Get up close and personal with Sam while you learn all about this endangered species.  What makes good skink  habitat?  What special needs does this lizard have?  Who is it that  classifies animals endangered and what are the criteria?  Most  importantly, learn what it is that you can do to help these little  creatures stay around for years to come.

Recommended for Grades K-12

Option E: 

Interpreter in the School

Why not have Madelyn come to your school?  For the cost of mileage (35 cents per km) she will come to your classroom. Your students will learn about the world around them and about Spruce Woods Provincial Park through a variety of activities.

Possible topics include:

1)     Predators and their Prey

2)     Winter Adaptations

3)     Habitats

4)     The Beaver

5)     Owls 

If you have a specific topic in mind that is not listed here, please call.  I will try to accommodate the needs of your classroom.

Please Note:  Your school must be within 100 km of the Park.

For further information, or to register your class

 for a hike and/or classroom activity please contact:

Madelyn Robinson

Park Interpreter

204-827-8850

swterp@mts.net