Sunday, Jan. 25th – Gowlland Tod Provincial Park

teacherpriya5

Photos via Katie Winchester

  • Location: Gowlland Tod Provincial Park
  • Duration: 2 hours
  • Intensity: Moderate (Moderately-difficult if you have bad knees like me) 
  • Mood (before): Sleepy — Mood (after): Accomplished

Summary & Findings

Today’s Sunday morning nature outing was a hike, about a 30-minute drive NW of UVic’s Campus. It was a very chilly morning, and once again, an early walk after an extremely busy weekend. This 2-hour round-trip hike definitely humbled me and tested my cardiovascular health to the max. I felt like I was huffing and puffing my way to the summit, and I quickly realized I am not as fit as I had considered. The constant uphill was a battle, especially with my weak knees, both of which have been injured previously. Unfortunately, with the leg pain I was feeling after fighting against the constant incline, we stopped and turned around a little short of the summit. The walk back felt smoother but also difficult, with the steep downhill path putting pressure on my knees. 

Three friends joined this Sunday morning, and many others understandably did not come, as we had all just enjoyed a late night out the night before. I found the weather today to be bright and chilly as ever. The sun shone all morning, and the skies remained blue for our entire hike. My mood, in general, remained the same. I went into this hike very sleepy, but left feeling content and accomplished with how much I pushed myself, and with how active I was, committing to being. The nature walk completely tired me out, and by the time I got home, I rested in bed for hours.

Educational Connection

In elementary school, I vividly remember the hike I took when my Grade 7 class went to an overnight camp for 3 days. The hike was steep and rocky, so much so that at a certain point, there was a ladder, and a portion where you stood tightly clinging to a cliff side to get through to the other part of the path. I remember feeling ill-prepared as a student on that trip, but feeling reassured that the camp staff, chaperones and teachers must have emergency precautions and important supplies with them in case of need.

Today, on my hike, I felt that my little pouch of apple slices, gloves and tissues may not have been the most ideal supplies to carry for a hike. This sparked my idea of wondering how teachers prepare to take their students out into nature and on hikes. I dove into some great websites and resources discussing this topic and found a wonderful blog affiliated with UBC, called “Wild and Immersive”. This company hosts outdoor programs for children and adults in BC, and also created an article outlining important ideas and supplies to consider when hiking with children.

The supply lists on the site are long, but great to check out for future outdoor adventures with students!: https://wildandimmersive.ubc.ca/outdoor-safety-first-aid-essentials-and-what-to-pack-for-hiking-with-kids/