Badge Days at Wye Marsh

Badge Days are the perfect opportunity for Guiders and Scouters to perfect or learn new skills towards their chosen badges!

Our knowledgeable naturalists will lead participants during short programs that are designed to fulfil specific badge requirements.

Please Note: Badge Days are designed to accomodate small groups that can't meet the usual 20 participant minimum. If you have a large group (20+) please consider registering for your own day program. Information for day visits can be found at Scouts Guides Booking Request (wyemarsh.com)

To register (individual guiders/scouters or as a unit/troop), submit a registration form by fax 705-526-3294 or email (scanned) msoden@wyemarsh.com TWO WEEKS in advance. Please contact Mak at 705-526-7809 x221 with any questions!

Dec 10th Badge Day- Registration form HERE

Badge Day Schedule 2022/23

Welcome back Outdoors! December 10th, 2022
Open to all Girl Guides and Scouts Canada participants
1 hour programs
Stepping into Birding Birds are important components of ecosystems as they fulfill many different roles. They come in an amazing variety, from Chickadees to Swans to Osprey! How many different kinds of native birds can you name? Now’s the chance to learn more! Bring binoculars if you have them or borrow some from us. Learn how to use binoculars and how to look at birds to ID them.	10:00am-11:00am	Team Building Communication. Cooperation. Trust. Respect. Equity. Leadership! Participants will play a variety of team building games and activities to help grow the bonds within their new teams. They will have the chance to learn who has similar passions as them, how to communicate more effectively, and how to support each other with a positive mindset
Sparks & Embers An introduction to fire craft covering right from the basics of fire safety to a collaborative bonfire lighting. The very first step in responsible fire keeping.	11:30am-12:30pm	Getting Tangled 'A not neat knot is a knot not needed!' As an integral part of technical survival skills participants wil learn several key knots. the clove hitch, bowline, figure eight and Prusik knot. these will aid in shelter building, First aid, rescue and survival situations.
Bannock Social Bannock has been a staple food of wilderness explorers for centuries. Portable, nutritious, tasty and easy to make, bannock’s legendary reputation continues as one of the best wilderness survival foods out there, not to mention a fun and engaging midday snack. Today Bannock continues to be enjoyed and camping trips and around the fire while sharing in the joys and achievements of the day. A peaceful reflective time, giving groups the opportunity to share in troubles, stories and songs.	1:00pm-2:00pm	Animal Tracking Abundant in numbers, but very rarely seen, Wye Marsh’s inhabitants have left stories of their travels behind in the snow and mud. Designed to kindle awareness and understanding of Ontario’s hidden wildlife, this program focuses on identifying animal tracks and scats, as well as animal adaptations, behaviours and survival techniques
`1.5 hour programs`
*Wetlands & Water colours* More than just an introduction to water colour painting, participants will explore a new way to view, appreciate and reconnect with our natural world. Equipped with a portable painting kit, watercolour paper and a view finder, participants will explore the natural beauty of the marsh from an artistic perspective.	`2:30pm-4:00pm`	*Wild Birds and You* Visit the swans and learn their history, how humans have hurt this species and what we can learn from our actions. Discover the importance of bird banding a see some of the tools used. Head out for a bit of citizen science, by learning some bird songs, basic visual ID skills and how to survey and care for nesting boxes.

To read a description of other badge programs offered please see our Guiding Program Guide PDF and Scouting Program Guide PDF. Please note that equipment rentals are an additional fee.

'Fall' Badge Day- Registration form HERE!

December 10th, 2022 -schedule above

Winter Badge Day- Registration Form HERE

February 11th, 2023- schedule below

Spring Badge Days Registraiton Coming Soon

June 2023

Costs to participants (adult supervisors are free excluding rental fees)

1x 1hour: $7.00/person
2x 1 hour: $12.00/person
3x 1 hour: $17.00/person
1.5hours: $9.00/person

Equipment rental fees apply to some badge work

Snowshoes - $3.39 pp
Cross country skis - $9.04 pp

Badge Days Schedule

Pre-registration is required two weeks in advance. Unfortunately we do not have the 'wiggle room' to place drop-ins (aka. at the door registration) into groups.

Winter Badge Day, Feb 11, 2023
Open to all Girl Guides and Scouts Canada participants
1 hour programs
Intro to Shelter Building After a short lesson about wilderness survival and emergency shelter building, participants will work together to create a shelter out of the materials around them.	10:00am-11:00am	Advanced Animal Tracking Moving beyond the basics of who’s foot left this mark to interpretation of the story within the trail and a discussion on how animal tracking benefits natural science and ecology.
Compass Orienteering In this introduction to compass use participants will learn the parts of a compass, cover how to read and take basic bearings, and set out on an orienteering activity where a compass is your most valuable tool!	11:30am-12:30pm	Intermediate Shelter Building Participants will learn the more advanced aspects of emergency shelter building and put their skills to the test by working together to create their own shelter.
Intro to Snowshoeing This program encourages participants to get outdoors and discover the beautiful trails at the Wye Marsh while learning the basics of snowshoeing.	1:00pm-2:00pm	Intermediate Firecraft Learn more technical skills of building a fire using alternative fuel and sparking techniques.
`1.5 hour programs`
Intermediate Snowshoeing What better way to combine physical activity with the pursuit of nature? With traditional-style snowshoes strapped to their feet, participants will head out into the snow-covered landscape to discover the many wonders that winter has to offer. They will also play a variety of games and activities designed to help develop balance and coordination skills.	`2:30pm-4:00pm`	*Cross-country Skiing* Not only is it fun, beautiful, and good for your health, cross-country skiing is an exhilarating outdoor activity for all ages and fitness levels. After an introductory lesson to cross-country skiing technique, with an emphasis on group and personal safety, participants are sure to increase their appreciation for winter as they glide their way along our snow-covered track-set ski trails. Ideal for ages 9 and up.

To read a description of other badge programs offered please see our Guiding Program Guide PDF and Scouting Program Guide PDF. Please note that equipment rentals are an additional fee.

Explore Wye Marsh All Year Round

Our badge and general interest programming is available all year for both day and overnight visits! Explore our program guides and book your experience at Wye Marsh today.

Visit our Field Trips & Education Day Visit or Overnight Visit pages for more details or to request a booking!