SD83 OUTDOOR LEARNING

Directions: From Salmon Arm, turn left onto Grandview Bench Road from Highway 97B at the small mill just past Ranchero Shell station. From Enderby/Armstrong, turn right onto Grandview Bench Road just after the Deep Creek Firehall. Continue up Grandview Bench for around 5.5 km, the turn left onto Edgar Road just as Grandview Bench starts dipping downhill. Follow Edgar Road until you reach the Larch Hills parking lot. Stay left at the fork, following signs for Larch Hills Ski Area.

 

 

Description of site: A multi-use, multi-season area with well-marked trails, a large Chalet next to the parking lot, a variety of trails to explore, including two bogs, plenty of creeks, a wide variety of plants and mushrooms, and different animal/bird life than we see in the valley floor.

 

For more info visit the Shuswap Trail Alliance's Larch Hills link here and for updates on trail, snow or weather conditions visit the Larch Hills Nordic Society website here.

 

 

Suitable for grades: K-12

 

 

Teaching space: The Chalet is a great gathering spot, and has room to store backpacks and gear throughout your stay there. There are three large tables with benches inside, as well as a wood stove for the colder months. There is a large open area adjacent to the Chalet, which could be used as your meeting point, activity area and open play area during breaks. The trails are wide, well-maintained and graded well enough that any age could hike the majority of trails in the area, especially those within 1 km of the Chalet.

 

 

Other pertinent details: 

 

Picnic tables: No, though there are tables and benches in the Chalet

Bathrooms: Yes - outhouses

Cell phone reception: Yes

Adequate parking if necessary: Yes

Shelter for students: Yes. Chalet by parking lot and small shelter for 8 students at south hub

Other useful amenities: Both skiing trails and snowshoe trails are well-marked with large signs.

    

 

Lesson plans used at this location: awaiting submissions from teachers!

 

 

In the news: News bulletins and notices available on the Larch Hills Nordic Society bulletin board on their website.

 

 

Curriculum connections: From plant study to pond study, animal tracking to GPS games or geo-caching, team-building games to outdoor activities, this site could be used for any age for any Science-related outcome! Other outcomes that could be covered here would include Social Studies (local environment, First Nations uses of plants etc), Language Arts, Visual Arts, Physical Education, Health and Career Planning . . .

 

 

Additional resources:

Link to a variety of season specific maps of the area here.