ROOTS AND WINGS
Welcome.
Roots and Wings is a wilderness awareness club for children of all ages. The purpose of this club is to keep the children of Rossland learning and exploring in their local forests. It is our vision that school age children continue to spend time in the natural environment and be focused on their surroundings. As such the objectives of Roots and Wings are to:
Encourage physical activity in the natural environment in the forms of hiking, skiing, snowshoeing.
Encourage familiarity with the forest through regular (weekly) visits.
Instill awe and respect of the forest and it's creatures.
Highlight the importance of our forests, the natural environment, cycles, living things.
Learn about local flora, fauna, insects and geology through activities and games.
Learn about pollution and environmental degradation through activities and games.
Introduce safety and survival techniques for the outdoors.
Foster connections with parents and other nurturing adults.
Foster positive interactions among peers (in the presence of adults).
Foster the natural tendancy for older children to help, and be patient with, younger children.
Inspire children to initiate and organize their own adventures, generate and pursue club ideas, and eventually take ownership of a club that is meant for them.
Grow a love of the forest that will last a lifetime.
Everyone is welcome at club gatherings. Every person of any age. Most of the adventures/activities will be appropriate for children age 5 and older. If younger children are not able to participate in the whole activity, parents are welcome to interest them in something separate from the group. The club is designed with parent participation in mind. Children should remain in close proximity to their parent and participate in the activities with them.
Roots and Wings meets weekly. In summer months (July and August) the meeting time will be Wednseday mornings at 10am. During the school season we meet on Wednesdays at 3pm. Please view the (frequently updated) calendar for times and locations.
The club is active most of the year (with few exceptions) and we teach the children to embrace our forests in all types of weather and in every season. There is always something to learn, and it is always wonderful to be out of doors in natures surroundings.
Children should arrive prepared to be in the forest for several hours in any weather. Please see What To Wear and Bring before packing. There will be a "snack time" during every adventure - please see Eating Closer to the Earth and Snack Ideas.
Weekly adventures will include:
Hiking on local (Rossland) nature trails with specific (focused), organized activity components.
Hiking on trails near Nancy Greene Summit and Lake.
Beach activities and swimming in the lake.
Exploring other nature areas in our greater surroundings including Trail.
Organized camping trips and season specific field trips.
Nature activities are a component of the multi-hour excursions with the children. The activities are very focused and intend to help the children (and adults) develop:
A natural intuition and sense of the forest and it's creatures.
A keener sense of sight, smell, hearing, and touch.
Exposure to animal life through role playing.
A sense of direction and intuitive orientation.
Creative responses and problem solving techniques.
Respect for the forest and it's creatures.
Patience to observe and reflect at the pace of the forest.
Parents are, AT ALL TIMES, responsible for their own children. This club is organized and operated by volunteers. Volunteers are always welcome. Comments and questions are also always welcome.
Come and share in our wilderness adventures.