Place-based learning uses the local environment and community as the starting point for teaching the objectives of the curriculum. We will provide resources and create opportunities for cross-curricular learning on the land while fostering relationships between school and community. Teachers are expected and supported to take more learning outdoors for all the health and learning benefits that come with spending time outside and in nature. Examples of this work include:
- Investment in equipment for outdoor activities and learning
- Ensuring all students have access to clothing, and footwear for outdoor activities
- Participation in the year-long Take Me Outside For Learning Challenge
- Support for educator participation in learning opportunities to build capacity for outdoor learning (Cariboo-Chilcotin Teachers Association workshops and network, Environmental Education Provincial Specialist Association (EEPSA) partnerships, Open Learning Store webinars, Outdoor Council of Canada certification, other)
- Interactive digital map of place-based learning sites, resources, and opportunities
- Relationships with community educators, organizations, and facilities to bring community educators into the classroom and students out into community settings
- Independent Directed Study (IDS) framework to honour community and cultural learning with graduation program credits
Explore the ways we are LEARNING BETTER TOGETHER in, on, with, and from the Cariboo-Chilcotin School District land and communities:
Trustee Show of Support
100 Mile Elementary
150 Mile Elementary
Alexis Creek Elementary/Secondary
Anahim Lake Elementary/Secondary
Big Lake Elementary
Cataline Elementary
Chilcotin Road Elementary
Columneetza Junior Secondary
Forest Grove Elementary
Graduation Routes Other Ways
Horse Lake Elementary
Horsefly Elementary/Junior
Lac La Hache Elementary
Lake City Secondary
Likely Elementary
Marie Sharpe Elementary
Mile 108 Elementary
Mountview Elementary
Naghtaneqed Elementary/Junior
Nesika Elementary
Outback Storefront
Peter Skene Ogden Secondary
Skyline Alternate
Tatla Lake Elementary/Junior
<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Cariboo-Chilcotin School District trustees sported their Take Me Outside for Learning shirts at the BC School Trustees Academy to show their support and enthusiasm for this priority in our district.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/c739b255-e1fe-4860-99af-0e6b7578c17b" alt="Trustee Show of Support cheryl lenardon" width="484" height="363" style="width:484px;height:363px;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p>
Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day at FNESC
100 Mile Elementary
150 Mile Elementary
Alexis Creek Elementary/Secondary
Anahim Lake Elementary/Secondary
Big Lake Elementary
Cataline Elementary
Chilcotin Road Elementary
Columneetza Junior Secondary
Forest Grove Elementary
Graduation Routes Other Ways
Horse Lake Elementary
Horsefly Elementary/Junior
Lac La Hache Elementary
Lake City Secondary
Likely Elementary
Marie Sharpe Elementary
Mile 108 Elementary
Mountview Elementary
Naghtaneqed Elementary/Junior
Nesika Elementary
Outback Storefront
Peter Skene Ogden Secondary
Skyline Alternate
Tatla Lake Elementary/Junior
<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Cariboo-Chilcotin team at First Nations Education Steering Council (FNESC) got to hear from Niigaan Sinclair about Truth and Reconciliation in education in Canada. It was meaningful for our team to see Phyllis Webstad and Orange Shirt Day honoured alongside the achievements of the great Murray Sinclair.</span></p><table class="editor-table"><colgroup><col><col></colgroup><tbody><tr><th class="editor-tableCell editor-tableCellHeader" style="width: 350px; background-color: rgb(242, 243, 245); border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top;"><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/bab5f82e-e402-4c0c-a283-08756d8f6aa0" alt="Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day at FNESC1 cheryl lenardon" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p></th><th class="editor-tableCell editor-tableCellHeader" style="width: 350px; background-color: rgb(242, 243, 245); border: 1px solid black; vertical-align: top;"><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/53cabbc0-9430-489b-abe3-4d7ad498315e" alt="Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day at FNESC2 cheryl lenardon" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p></th></tr></tbody></table><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p>
Journey to System Change for Place-Based Learning
100 Mile Elementary
150 Mile Elementary
Alexis Creek Elementary/Secondary
Anahim Lake Elementary/Secondary
Big Lake Elementary
Cataline Elementary
Chilcotin Road Elementary
Columneetza Junior Secondary
Forest Grove Elementary
Graduation Routes Other Ways
Horse Lake Elementary
Horsefly Elementary/Junior
Lac La Hache Elementary
Lake City Secondary
Likely Elementary
Marie Sharpe Elementary
Mile 108 Elementary
Mountview Elementary
Naghtaneqed Elementary/Junior
Nesika Elementary
Outback Storefront
Peter Skene Ogden Secondary
Skyline Alternate
Tatla Lake Elementary/Junior
<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Cariboo-Chilcotin School District is honoured to have the story of how we are intentionally growing place-based learning across our district in the BC School Superintendents Association journal InspirEd. We are engaging leaders, teams, and students in activities and experiences beyond the walls of the classroom. We are working with partners to build capacity, equip schools, and expand opportunties. It is good work that we are proud to share. https://flip.matrixgroupinc.net/bcsb/2025/fall/#page=21</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/46504310-d6c5-4a39-b065-39ef953392b2" alt="InspirEd 2025 cheryl lenardon" width="563" height="316" style="width:563px;height:316px;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p>
Turning Nature into Sweet Treats
Lake City Secondary
<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Foods 12 classes engaged in outdoor learning at Scout Island. Torey Lee, a local clinical herbologist introduced students to the wide array of edible plants in our area, including Wild Garlic, Dandelion Root, Stinging Nettle, Rosehips, and Douglas Fir. Curly Dock was in season, so we gathered some which we roasted, ground, and used to make a chocolate cake. It was a great time of engaging with new ingredients and being in the fresh air.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/2d81cb83-c69f-4a7e-ac7d-6faa53cd7f1f" alt="Sweet Treats 1" width="291" height="363" style="width:291px;height:363px;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p>
Farm to Classroom Learning
Lake City Secondary
<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Foods 12 classes had the opportunity to engage in outdoor learning while on a field trip to Soda Creek Sweet Corn Farm. Students learned about the unique micro-climate of the Fraser River bench that allows for a plentiful garden and crisp, sweet corn. Students harvested tomatoes, green peppers, and jalapenos to make into salsa the next day. As part of the Foods 12 food preservation unit, they then learned how to can the salsa. Between both classes, the Foods 12 students canned 32 jars of salsa which will be used by all foods students this school year in dishes such as First Nations Tacos.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/e77595c5-d270-421c-a4ed-2e6c06878196" alt="1000014583 Nara Riplinger" width="438" height="583" style="width:438px;height:583px;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><br></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><br></p>
Exploring Physics Outdoors with Mr. Lord’s Class
Lake City Secondary
<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Mr. Lord’s physics students took their learning outside for a hands-on exploration of motion and velocity. Using a simple ball toss activity, students measured the time the ball was in the air and the distance it traveled. Applying kinematics formulas and trigonometry, they calculated the velocity of their throws—bringing textbook concepts to life through real-world application. This place-based learning experience not only deepened their understanding of physics but also fostered collaboration, curiosity, and critical thinking in an engaging outdoor setting.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/5d658ec4-6a49-4b37-b196-d944b57d84a5" alt="physics outdoor Yvonne Davis" width="491" height="368" style="width:491px;height:368px;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p>
Salmon Trip 2025
Lake City Secondary
<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Students from Lake City Secondary worked with Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Scout Island Nature Centre, and UNBC's Quesnel River Research Centre over 3 days. We identified fry, collected samples of scales and bones for DFO research, helped replicate redds for oil spill research, and watched Bev Sellars' documentary "The Spirit Who Swims." All of these hands-on activities connected students to the land and to the intricate and delicate lives of the salmon.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/483daf7d-f911-4b8b-a067-7e8da9cdd97f" alt="Salmon Trip Photos Nara Riplinger" width="470" height="587" style="width:470px;height:587px;display:inline-block"></p><p class="editor-paragraph"><br></p>
Greening Our School: Student Capstone
Lake City Secondary
<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">As part of their Capstone project, Winnie and Ivy partnered with WasteWise to make our school more environmentally friendly. They introduced sorting stations throughout the building to help reduce waste and improve recycling habits. To support their initiative, they also created school-wide announcements, guiding students and staff on how to properly dispose of their garbage and make more sustainable choices.</span></p>
Practical Learning at its best - EMR course
Lake City Secondary
<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">This year was the first year Emergency Medical Response (EMR) was offered by Mr. Rob Cook at Lake City Secondary. This hands on learning experience will not only give life long first aid skills to our students, but they can walk away as certified emergency medical responders, ready to work as a paramedic.</span></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;"><br></p><div data-lexical-layout-container="true" style="grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr; display: grid;"><div class="editor-layoutItem"><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/6f32d418-2d1e-483d-9bc7-b2f68440c63c" alt="Practical Learning at its best - EMR course" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit"></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><br></p></div><div class="editor-layoutItem"><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/003ffb26-e426-4a61-937a-41310012a947" alt="Practical Learning at its best - EMR course" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit"></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><br></p></div></div><p class="editor-paragraph"><br><br><br></p>
Surviving in the Cariboo
Lake City Secondary
<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">CORE students had the unique privilege of working alongside Elder in Residence, Aubrey Jackson, as he shared the art of fire-building—a skill rooted deeply in tradition and connection to nature. Using nothing but cedar, fine wood shavings, and the raw power of friction, Aubrey brought a flame to life, transforming simple materials into a blazing testament to resilience and ingenuity.</span></p><div data-lexical-layout-container="true" style="grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr; display: grid;"><div class="editor-layoutItem"><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/f200c8df-4feb-4cae-b6fd-2347e8609530" alt="Surviving in the Cariboo" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit"></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><br></p></div><div class="editor-layoutItem"><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/e9f83f13-9b71-4894-91ec-bbebd0ef0a5d" alt="Surviving in the Cariboo" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit"></p><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><br></p></div></div><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><br></p>
E3: Environmental Experience Exposure---Growing Day
Lake City Secondary
<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">On a classic autumn day, a group of LCSS students were taken to Puddle Produce, a local organic vegetable farm to meet Brianna Van De Wijngaard. The students toured the site and then participated in some late fall garden chores in the lower fields along the Fraser River. The goal was to expose student to the opportunity of growing organic vegetables in the Cariboo-Chilcotin. Special thanks to Martin Kruus (Scout Island), Mark Gill (UBC Wild and Immersive), Puddle Produce, and DRAX Community Fund!</span></p><div data-lexical-layout-container="true" style="grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr; display: grid;"><div class="editor-layoutItem"><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><img src="/images/36c612ca-66dd-5e93-bdee-1d9b6d9d88a6" alt="zce1ucxh.jpg" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit"></p></div><div class="editor-layoutItem"><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><img src="/images/1c84e643-1ecb-5d0b-b1dc-0e8a0cd8911a" alt="es3mbkva.jpg" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit"></p></div></div>
Shelter Building
Lake City Secondary
<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Students in Carolyn Chupa's CORE 10-12 were tasked with creating outdoor survival shelters.</span></p><div data-lexical-layout-container="true" style="grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr; display: grid;"><div class="editor-layoutItem"><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><img src="/images/032ab09c-4f8c-5d6b-8bef-7fc160eee2ca" alt="mwv20ghp.jpg" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit"></p></div><div class="editor-layoutItem"><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/a6b782fb-3f37-5cde-8769-239cbe5bc173" alt="ytxbqrnr.jpg" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit"></p></div></div>
Fire Building with Core 10-12
Lake City Secondary
<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Students were challenged with the best way to build a fire in Carolyn Chupa's CORE class. Some students also took time to smudge.</span></p><div data-lexical-layout-container="true" style="grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr; display: grid;"><div class="editor-layoutItem"><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><img src="/images/146247b1-0d45-590a-8fec-d82f28d62dcc" alt="rw1xcq25.jpg" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit"></p></div><div class="editor-layoutItem"><p class="editor-paragraph"><img src="/images/fc868ee4-add2-5d95-b8de-0920ea216040" alt="tefarr8g.jpg" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit"></p></div></div>
Lake City Secondary Candidates Forum
Lake City Secondary
<p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">NDP candidate Michael Moses answers questions from students.</span></p><div data-lexical-layout-container="true" style="grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr; display: grid;"><div class="editor-layoutItem"><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><img src="/images/144cc0d1-0a9e-5cb1-bd80-158e572666d0" alt="hvtyimbg.jpg" width="100%" height="inherit" style="width:100%;height:inherit"></p></div><div class="editor-layoutItem"><p class="editor-paragraph" dir="ltr"><br></p></div></div>