Fieldy handles all communication and booking for you.
What it actually looks like
Photos from Morrell Nature Sanctuary's website
Our note
This is the one where children have their hands in the water, so bring spare socks and a change of clothes for the small ones. It runs in spring only and the spring dates were not up yet when we looked, so put a note in your calendar for late January.
What the children do
A spring field trip at the pond. Children dip for and collect specimens and then talk about life cycles, adaptations and how to tell the creatures apart. Kindergarten and grade 1 do a 1.5 hour drive in version for $60 and grade 2 and up do a 2 hour walk in version for $65. We have read those fees as a charge for the class rather than per student. Spring 2027 dates were still listed as coming soon when we looked.
Kneel at the edge of the pond, dip and collect creatures from the water, then look at what they caught and talk about how those animals live and grow.
Good to know
Washrooms are at the entrance and at the Morrell Lake picnic shelter and there are picnic benches to eat at. How many adults have to come is not published, so ask when you book.
Sources disagree. Their school programs page lists Forest Detectives twice and gives two different answers for which grades it is for. One says kindergarten to grade 7, the other says grades 3 to 7. Their fall flyer says kindergarten to grade 7, which is what we have used, so it is worth confirming your grade when you book.
Washrooms
There are restroom facilities at the entrance, and at the sheltered picnic area at Morrell Lake.
Lunch space
There are picnic benches at the entrance, and viewing benches located throughout our 11km of trails. Visitors are welcome to bring their own food and drinks. However, they are responsible for carrying out any garbage they generate.
Rain backup
Needs confirmation
Strollers
Needs confirmation
Wheelchair access
To the left of the entrance gate is the "Yew Loop" trail, built for wheelchair accessibility.
Bus parking
Groups are required to park in the overflow lot at Nanaimo Lakes Road to avoid congestion in the parking area.
Nearby park
Needs confirmation
Restrictions
No harvesting is permitted within Sanctuary grounds.. Bicycles are not allowed on any Sanctuary trail.. All dogs must be on leash at Morrell Nature Sanctuary at all times. Please clean up after your dogs.. Please stay on the trails!. Morrell Programs will be run rain or shine, unless there are high winds.
