Frequently Asked Questions
How do the programs work?
- During our TREE, PLUIE, and Climate Change programs, each classroom will receive two visits from our Education Delivery Team. These visits are ideally 1 - 2 weeks apart. Each program lasts between 75-90 minutes. We deliver three programs per day, organized around your bell schedule.
- Our staff will share with students key ecological concepts and information, identify stewardship actions and ideas, and lead students through a combination of games, slide shows, stories, mapping activities, and hands-on exercises.
- Younger grades will participate in station-centred, sensory-based activities. Older grades will be challenged to think critically about ideas and issues, and identify ways they can lessen their impact on the planet.
- Going Wild follows a similar format to the programs above and includes one 90-minute visit.
- The Sustainable High Schools programs are roughly 1 hour, but can be catered to your school’s needs. We can deliver the presentations to classrooms, green teams, or other student groups.
When can my class participate?
We deliver our programs Monday-Friday during school hours. They generally run between September and March, but please check our website and e-newsletters for updates and changes to the education delivery schedule.
How can I prepare ahead of time?
Elementary and Middle School Programs: Before we visit your classroom you will receive a Pre-Program Package. This package contains information about the program format, activities to be covered and some pre-program activities for your class to warm up with.
We highly recommend reading through the package before our visit in order to prepare your class in the best possible way. Pre-Program Packages for all our programs are also available here.
Sustainable High Schools: Please contact the SHS educator if you wish to receive pre-program resources.
How do I register for a program?
To register for our elementary and middle school programs, teachers fill out an online registration form.
NOTE: We will let you know when we’ve received your registration information; however, this does not guarantee that we will be able to visit your classroom. Registration is open until all program spaces are filled, but we do not operate on a "first come, first served" basis. All visits depend on many factors, the largest of which is travel costs and funding. When we have assessed the Education Team’s schedule and travel ability, we will send out a confirmation of program dates email with your program schedule.
To register for a secondary school program, please contact our Sustainable High Schools Educator.
How do I contact you?
Click here to contact the Education Team.
How much does it cost?
At Sierra Club BC we believe that every school should have access to our Environmental Education Programs. We do not want cost to be a barrier.
There are no costs associated with a Sierra Club BC program. For those schools that are able to, donations are gratefully accepted. Donations are put towards covering our administrative and travel costs. The suggested donation is $50 per classroom. Cheques can be made payable to Sierra Club BC. If schools require an invoice, we are happy to provide one. We can also issue a charitable tax receipt for your donation. Please note that our travel ability is largely determined by funding and donations from schools that are outside of Victoria.
What happens after I fill out a registration form for elementary and middle school programs?
Once you register for a program, our education team will do our best to fit you into the program schedule. Many factors determine which schools we are able to visit in the school-year. You will receive an email from our School Programs Coordinator letting you know that we have received your registration information and that we will contact you when we have found a place for you on the program schedule.
