Environmental

EnvironmentalEducation
Education Programs
Programs on Mount Royal
on Mount Royal 2009-2010
2009-2010

Mount Royal is one of the most important green spaces in
metropolitan Montreal. Easily accessible, the mountain is
the ideal location forstudents to discover nature and history,
or to simply live an unforgettable outdoor experience.
Les amis de la montagne is an independent, non-profit
organization dedicated to the protection and enhance-
ment of Mount Royal through environmental education and
community involvement. For close to 30 years, the organi­
zation has partnered with teachers of all grade levels
in reaching their pedagogical objectives.
Les amis’ environmental education programs place an
emphasis on direct contact with the mountain’s heritage.
A variety of learning approaches and complementary
activities are applied to encourage the science-based
understanding of the natural environment, while evoking
a sense of wonder and an emotional and multi-sensorial
discovery of this unique site.
Summary of programs offered
Fees
Educational activities Season* Duration Level
(taxes included)

Preschool High school, college

Grades 3-4 Grades 5-6
to Grade 2 and oher groups

Guided walks

The rhythm of the seasons

on Mount Royal ❆✿ $6 per student 2 h 00

Mystery on Mount Royal ✿ $6 per student 2 h 00

Urban animals ** ✿ $6 per student 2 h 00

Discovering trees ** ✿ $6 per student 2 h 00

Fort Royal Rally ✿ $6 per student 2 h 00

Nature in winter ** ❆ $6 per student 2 h 00

$9 per student
Snowshoe walk
“What animal goes there?” ❆ (snowshoe rental 2 h 00
included)

Investigation: the geology

of Mount Royal ✿ $6 per student 2 h 00

Habitats: a bird’s eye view ** ❆✿ $6 per student 2 h 00

Nature’s tracks in the city ** ✿ $6 per student 2 h 30

The Mount Royal summit ✿ $6 per student 2 h 00

Made-to-measure walks ❆✿ Variable 2 h 00

Educational games

Great animal game ** ✿ $6 per student 2 h 00

Great forest game ** ✿ $6 per student 2 h 00

Great food-chain game** ✿ $6 per student 2 h 00

Workshop

The art of camouflage ❆✿ $6 per student 2 h 00

* = fall; ❆ = winter; ✿= spring.

** Provided only in French.

Each activity costs $6 per student (minimum 20 participants per group/class or equivalent minimum fee), unless otherwise indicated. You may combine
two 2-hour activities for a fee of $9 per student. There is no additional charge for adults accompanying the group. You will receive an invoice the day
of your visit, payable within 30 days. In order to ensure the best possible experience for your group, the ratio of environmental educators to students
is 1:30. For more information or to make a reservation, please call 514 843-8240, ext. 235.
Tools for teachers
To prepare for your outing on the mountain or to carry out activ-
ities following a visit, Les amis de la montagne provides teachers
with a variety of logistical materials and pedagogical tools.
One such tool is Les amis’ new interactive map of Mount Royal,
which provides a plethora of learning resources. The interactive map
features more than 25 videos, slideshows, information files and riddles,
showcasing the heritage assets of the Mount Royal Historic and Natural
District – its fauna, flora, geology, history, architecture and art. Activities
are provided for students aged 8 to 12 and 13 to 17, and teachers may
download a variety of complementary classroom materials. The inter-
active map is available on Les amis’ website at:
www.lemontroyal.qc.ca
Description of
fall and spring
programs
• T he rhythm of the seasons on Mount Royal
An intimate discovery of the mountain’s plants, trees and animals
through short games and multi-sensory activities.
• Mystery on Mount Royal
Uncover the identity of a mystery animal bewitched by the fairy Aralia
using clues hidden in the woods. A magical surprise awaits partici-
pants at the end of hunt!
• T he art of camouflage
How and why do animals use camouflage in nature? Following obser-
vations in the woods, participants will create their own animal and put
it to the test by playing a game of camouflage hide-and-seek.
• Urban animals
Which animals live in your neighbourhood and which live on the moun-
tain? Participants will use their senses to follow the tracks, discover the
habitats and perhaps even catch a glimpse of animals on Mount Royal.
• Great animal game
Participants will become familiar with the different classes of animals
and their habitats through this lively role-play activity.
• Discovering trees
Participants must find a one-hundred-year-old tree using clues and
short games. This walk through the woods will also serve to identify a
variety of tree species, explain the role of trees in the ecosystem and
why their preservation is important.
• Great forest game
The object of the game is to reflect upon the sustainable management
of our forests. Through this action-packed game, participants will
understand a tree’s life-cycle, its different uses and the impact of cut-
ting on our forests.
• Fort Royal Rally
Participants plunge into the mountain’s history, geology and bio­
diversity for this group-friendly mission. Participants collect a key with
every clue solved, in the hopes that one of the keys will open the secret
treasure chest.
• I nvestigation: the geology of Mount Royal
Is Mount Royal a volcano? The geological origins of Mount Royal will
be explored with the help of a magnifying glass, a magnet and good
observation skills!
• Habitats: a bird’s eye view
With binoculars, a notepad and an identification chart in hand, partici-
pants will explore a variety of habitats on Mount Royal and discover
several bird species and their respective lifestyles.
• Great food-chain game
Mount Royal is home to a variety of plant and animal species. Partici- Autonomous
pants will learn how animals compete for food in the natural environ-
ment, while learning about the food chain. outdoor activities
• Nature’s tracks in the city
Why are parks and green spaces so important in our urban environ- • Inner-tubing
ment? This guided walk from the city to the mountain’s summit will January to March; all levels; $3,50 per participant aged 5-11 per 2-hour
provide participants with scientific food for thought and analysis in period; $6 per participant 12 years and over per 2-hour period.
answer to this question.
• Snowshoeing
• T he Mount Royal summit January to March; grades 3 and up; $6 per 2-hour period.
The mountain’s landscapes, geology, history, tree species and even
insects come alive in this guided walk past the chalet and the cross • Skating
at the Mount Royal summit. Mid-December to March; all levels; $8 per participant per 2-hour period.

• Made-to-measure walks • Cross-country skiing

A variety of walks can be arranged to suit your teaching objectives. January to March; grades 3 and up; $8 per participant per 1-hour
Examples include: From the mountain to the river; The ascension period; $12 per participant per 2-hour period.
of Mount Royal; The three summits walk; and Art on Mount Royal.
» Calendar subject to change due to snow conditions.
» Taxes are included; fees may change without prior notice.

Description of »P rices are valid on weekdays only upon reservation for school groups
with a minimum of 12 participants, subject to availability.

winter activities
Environmental education programs offered in winter may be prolonged
to a full-day outing in combination with the autonomous outdoor acti­
vities listed in the next column.

• T he rhythm of the seasons on Mount Royal

An intimate discovery of the mountain’s winter secrets, including its
trees and animals through short games and multi-sensory activities.

• T he art of camouflage
How and why do animals use camouflage in winter? Following obser-
vations in the woods, participants will create their own animal and put
it to the test by playing a game of camouflage hide-and-seek. Getting to Smith House in Mount Royal Park
By public transportation, take bus number 11 from Métro Mont-Royal
• Nature in winter
(east) or along Chemin de la Côte-des-Neiges (west) and disembark
How does nature change under a blanket of snow? Participants will
at the parking lot adjacent Smith House. By school bus, take the Voie
have the opportunity to identify animal tracks in the snow, observe
Camillien-Houde (east) or Chemin Remembrance (west) and park at the
changes in bird behaviour and see how trees adapt to the cold.
lot adjacent Smith House.

• Snowshoe walk “What animal goes there?”

This initiation to snowshoeing through the forest combines the prac- Maison Smith
tice of a traditional Quebec wintertime sport with the discovery of how Parc du Mont-Royal
wildlife adapts to wintertime conditions. 1260, chemin Remembrance
Montréal (Quebec) H3H 1A2

T. : 514 843-8240, poste 235

F. : 514 843-8255
www.lemontroyal.qc.ca