Terry Halifax
Northern News Services

Yellowknife ( Jun 09/00) - Learning about nature is something kids don't consider work, especially when they get to learn in the outdoor classroom.

Last week, volunteers from Aurora Research Institute, Parks Canada, Renewable Resources and Economic Development, the Gwich'in Tribal Council and Gwich'in Land and Water Board provided grades 3-6 students at Sir Alexander Mackenzie school a fun day of learning about nature and ways of the wild world.

Jennifer Shaw, a biologist from the Gwich'in Renewable Resource Board, led the second annual Nature Day at the Happy Valley Campground. She said combining learning with play is something the students really enjoy.

"They do a variety of activities relating to wildlife, fish and forest. We have games where they learn about adaptations in animals," said Shaw.

Besides learning about nature, the kids appreciate getting out in the spring air to exercise their bodies and brains. Children learn about the migration habits of caribou, the cycle of life and survival of the fittest, she said.

"It's a chance to get them out for some hands-on experience and they can run around a little bit."

Shaw said the day is only possible because so many volunteers take part in the program. And the school plans to continue the day of games.

"Hopefully, we'll be able to do it every year," she added. "We get a lot of support from all the different organizations in town -- everyone comes out to help for a couple hours."

Last Thursday belonged to 70 Grade 3s, and the Grade 6s moved into the bush the following day. Shaw said the system has worked well with taking a new group each year.

Afternoon of fun

Nine-year-old Kelsey Sewell didn't see the learning as much work at all.

"We're having a whole afternoon of fun," she said.

"We're learning all about survival and what you do if you get lost. If you get lost, you have to stay in one spot."

As well, Kelsey's nine-year-old classmate Brielle Morrison enjoyed learning about nature, and the cycle of life.

"We learned about how the food chain works and how the animals get their food," Morrison explained. "The big ones eat the little ones."

Lessons learned might even apply to later experience in the business world. Kirsten Harrison, who just turned nine two weeks ago, said she never knew about the migration of caribou before the Nature Day.

"We're learning about the long journey home and I think it's fun and it's nice and it's good to do," Kirsten said. "Because you can learn about everything."

"I learned that animals can get caught by other animals and they can die," she said.