Click on any of the links on the right to learn more about our current program selection. You are welcome to connect with us at shawwoods.edu@gmail.com if you have questions or would like further details.

We are looking forward to a busy winter and spring at Shaw Woods, now that the county's student transport issues have been resolved!

For our partners in RCDSB, RCCDSB, and CEPEO schools, please use the booking forms found on this website to book your trip. You may want to read over the information on the "Planning Your Visit" page to help you prepare for the day.

For our non-Board clients, such as Girl Guides, Scouts, 4H, and other youth groups, please connect with our secretary MK at shawwoods.edu@gmail.com and she will send you our non-partner booking form for you and provide you with program cost details.

Thank you all for your continued support of the amazing outdoor education programs offered by Shaw Woods!

Equity and Inclusivity

Students (and adult supervisors) of ALL abilities are welcome at Shaw Woods! Please contact our staff as soon as possible if you have someone in your group who requires accommodations to make their day successful. We have an all-terrain wheelchair available on site for use as needed. We are happy to discuss ways we can modify our programming to suit the needs of your group.
 

Health and Safety

In order for us to best meet the needs of program participants, it is essential that we are aware of any physical, behavioural or health concerns in advance. Epi pens, asthma inhalers or other life-saving medications need to be carried by the person who needs them at all times while on site. SWOEC follows Renfrew County Health Unit and School Board COVID-19 protocols.
 

Clothing

We want your experience at the Shaw Woods Outdoor Education Centre to be positive, educational and fun! The following is a list of suggestions to help you prepare for a day at our facility. Having these items packed will allow more flexibility with changing conditions. Programs are run outdoors in all types of weather. Proper clothing will promote a more comfortable and enjoyable day.
 

What to wear for your day at Shaw Woods:

• Dress seasonally and pack in anticipation of changing weather conditions.
• Pants and long-sleeved shirts are recommended at all times of the year to help prevent scrapes and insect bites.
• Closed-toe shoes or hiking boots are ideal footwear! Flip flops and sandals are NOT advised due to uneven terrain on trails and presence of poison ivy on site.
• For wet/rainy days: waterproof coat, rubber boots, and splash pants if possible.
• For winter months: dress in layers, including winter boots, snow pants, winter coat, hat, mitts and scarf. Pack extra socks and mitts/gloves if possible as these items often get wet.
• Additional items to consider include a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen, a bug jacket or insect repellant as needed.

Messages to reinforce with students/parents: Shaw Woods can become EXTREMELY muddy in the early spring. We strongly recommend waterproof boots at these times. Boots are always required in the winter months. In May and June we have a LOT of biting insects. Ticks are a concern from April through to October. All trip participants need to dress appropriately for the conditions the day of their trip. If a student arrives dressed in a way that will compromise their safety, they will not be permitted to participate in the program. For example, we cannot send students on a winter program in deep snow with running shoes on.
 

Supervision Ratio

Shaw Woods follows the OPHEA guidelines for risk management and supervision ratios for outdoor education activities. Shaw Woods staff are not to be included in the supervision ratio. Adult volunteers need to understand their role as additional supervisors and that they may not always be with their own child, depending on the needs of the program. Adult supervisors may not bring other children who are not part of the class participating in the program as their responsibility is to assist in supervising the students.
 

Nutrition

We ask all visitors to bring a healthy morning snack and lunch. Any waste generated is “boomeranged” home. There is no potable water on site, so bring plenty of drinks from home.
 

Additional Information

• We are an outdoor facility, and all participants need to be prepared to spend the duration of their visit outside, at all times of the year!
• We do have a small heated Shanty which we use for programming during inclement weather. The Shanty is also available as a warming station for students during winter programs.
• We have a Pine Pavilion where the students can enjoy lunch at our 9 m long picnic table.
• Our washrooms are outhouses, located between the Pine Pavilion and parking area. Hand sanitizer is available on site. With the exception of one outhouse near the Sugar Shack, there are no washrooms located along SWOEC trails.

Our Mission: To foster an ethic of responsible environmental stewardship, by providing educational programming and self-directed learning to educational groups, community organizations and the public at large. In conjunction with the foregoing, to teach sustainable forestry practices which manage the social, economic and ecological values provided by forests.

Welcome to Shaw Woods! We hope you enjoy your visit. Please remember:

• Maps and Trail Guides can be downloaded from our website to help you learn more about our beautiful property.
• Dogs must be kept on a leash at all times. Please pick up after your pet.
• Garbage and container recycling bins are located near the Shanty. Help us keep our forest tidy!
• The washrooms near the Shanty are availble for public use!

If you are planning an event at Shaw Woods you must contact our office administrator, MK Jones (shawwoods.edu@gmail.com) to confirm details and check availability.

Primary Junior Intermediate Secondary

Volunteers conduct minor (hand tool) work and identify any chainsaw requirements to be done by certified professionals.

For further information please contact the Chair of our Trails Committee, John Collins.

Email: johnalicollins@gmail.com

Mission Statement:
To foster an ethic of responsible environmental stewardship, by providing educational programming and self-directed learning to educational groups, community organizations and the public at large. In conjunction with the foregoing, to teach sustainable forestry practices which manage the social, economic and ecological values provided by forests.

We support the concept of maintaining undisturbed forest areas as living examples of old growth forest available for the study and appreciation of their unique cultural and scientific values.

• The Shaw Woods OEC is a registered charitable, not for profit organization managed by a board of directors.

• The Shaw Woods OEC was incorporated in 2010.

• The property has been in the Shaw family since 1847.

• For over a century, the site included a working farm with a water powered saw mill and grist mill.

• The site includes 50 hectares of old-growth forest and 160 hectares of wetlands and mixed forest.

• The 14 km network of trails is maintained by a team of volunteers.

• Trail Guides and Maps are available online for everyone to enjoy.

• The site is open year around, dawn to dusk.

• Some trails are occasionally closed for special events.

• There is no charge for parking or access to the site.

• Cell reception is available over much of the site.

• We offer Outdoor Education programs to visiting school groups from throughout Renfrew County.

Shaw Woods is proud to host a Motus tracking station - it's located at the edge of the Pine Pavilion! Visit the Motus website to learn more about this long-term study, and to find the current list of species that have been detected at the Shaw Woods station.

If you are interested in conducting research at the Shaw Woods contact Fred Blackstein, Co-Chair. fblackstein@live.com

To donate by cheque:
Make cheque payable to "Shaw Woods Outdoor Education Centre".

Mail to:
Sandy Lesco
515 Gardner Cres.
Petawawa, ON
K8H 0C4 

Include your return address for tax receipt.

Our volunteers have contributed thousands of hours developing this unique centre.
Your financial donation supports this important project.

Shaw Woods Outdoor Education programs are available to classes in the following school boards:

Renfrew County District School Board,  Renfrew County Catholic School Board,  CEPEO

Visit our registration page to book your class trip today!

We have some ability to offer facilitated weekend programming to organized youth groups such as Girl Guides, Scouts, 4H, etc.! Booking fees apply. Please connect with our office administrator, MK, for more information.

We welcome community groups and organizations to come use our beautiful site and facililties for special events.

All groups using our site need to book through MK to avoid site use conflicts. 

Our wonderful Office Administrator, MK, can be reached at shawwoods.edu@gmail.com. 

Grades: K, 1, 2, 3
Availability - all year

shawwoods.edu@gmail.com

   ShawWoodsOEC

shaw_woods_oec

Grades: 7, 8, Secondary
Availability: September, October, May, June

Fire making is an essential survival skill for anyone who spends time outdoors. In this program, students will work in teams to lay and light a small fire. Proper fuel harvesting, fire safety, and environmental impacts will all be emphasized as part of the lesson. Depending on the skill level of the group, students may also be challenged to try boiling a pot of water, roasting a marshmallow, or burning through a string, “Survivor”-style!

Grades: 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, Secondary
Availability: December - April (must have snow on the ground)

In this intensive, all day program, secondary students will learn the basics of sustainable forestry management. Through a series of hands-on investigations, they will discover the ecological, economic and social values of forestry. Students will be introduced to a variety of forest assessment techniques including tree identification, tree coring, measuring height and DBH of a tree to determine tree volume, and also evaluating the health of a tree and a forest stand.

Grades: Secondary
Availability: Sept-Nov, Apr-June

Geocaching is a world-wide digital treasure hunt and we want your students to know how to play! Come learn how to use a GPS unit and the science behind how they work. Hunt for waypoints, hidden clues, and if you’re lucky, uncover a sweet treasure to share!

Grades: 7, 8, Secondary
Availability: All year

In this all-day winter program, students will be challenged to learn some key survival skills to help them in case they ever find themselves lost or stranded in the outdoors. A combination of our shelter building and fire skills programs, the goal of the day is for students to build their skills for spending time outdoors safely and confidently. It is essential that students come dressed to spend significant time in deep snow. Extra socks, mitts and other winter layers will help participants be successful.

Grades: 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, Secondary
Availability: December - April (must have snow on the ground)

Grades: 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Availability: December - early March, depending on conditions

In this winter program, students will learn how to identify the signs that animals leave as they travel through the forest environment. We will explore the woods for tracks, trails, scat, and other signs of wildlife activity. Using an inquiry lens, students will learn how to read and interpret the stories left by the animals who call Shaw Woods home.

Grades: 4, 5, 6
Availability: December-March

In this all-day program, students will learn about the forest - and the trees! Part of the day will be spent on an immersive hike through the forest to discover the basics of forest ecology and how the trees shape the environment around them. The rest of the day will be an interactive tree identification workshop where students learn how to use a dichotomous key to identify a variety of tree species, then test their knowledge on a Tree ID hike.

Grades: 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Availability: Sept-Nov, Apr-June

Working cooperatively in a group setting is an essential learning skill for all students. In this highly interactive program, students will build their self-confidence and work together as they tackle progressively more challenging cooperative tasks. Depending on the needs of your students, we will emphasize specific social-emotional learning skills such as empathy, positive talk, turn taking, and mutual respect. In addition, high school groups completing this program will focus on the qualities of effective leadership and individual and group goal setting. The leadership program can be offered as a full day program and tailored to suit your class. Please contact us for more information.

Grades: Teambuilding is for Grades 4, 5, 6, 7, 8;
Leradership is for Secondary students
Availability: Sept-Nov, Apr-June

Learning how to build an emergency shelter is a life skill for those who spend time outdoors. In this program, students will learn basic techniques to keep themselves warm and dry in an emergency and will work in teams to build an effective shelter, using success criteria to guide them. Proper resource gathering, structural design and safety will be emphasized.

Grades: 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, Secondary
Availability: All year

Come and learn basic navigation skills. Using a compass and the natural world, we will test various conventional and natural navigation techniques. Students will try their hand at laying a trail for others to follow, or complete a scavenger hunt that requires their new navigational skills to master.

Grades: 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, Secondary
Availability: Sept-Nov, Apr-June

Grades: 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, Secondary
Availability: Sept-Nov, Apr-June

Grades: 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Availability: All year (but best in the fall!)

On this interactive hike, students will learn about the difference between native and introduced species that are present at Shaw Woods. We will discuss the characteristics of invasive introduced species and the impact some of these invasives are having in our local environment. Students will also have the opportunity to compare the biodiversity present in different habitats on the property, and discuss why the presence of a diversity of habitats makes Shaw Woods so special and aids in the forest’s resilience.

Grades: 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Availability: Sept-Nov, Apr-June

Come join us for a fun filled, day-long celebration of maple syrup! Students will have the opportunity to tour our sugar bush and learn about the steps involved in making maple syrup. They will actively participate in collecting sap from the trees and enjoy a sweet taffy treat at the sugar shack. A variety of fun maple-themed games and activities will round out the day, as well as a rest by the campfire for some storytelling and fire bread. The long, rich history of maple sugar and maple syrup will be shared throughout the day.

Grades: K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
Availability: March - early April, depending on conditions

Grades: K, 1, 2, 3
Availability: December - early March, depending on conditions

Children’s “bug” hunting skills are put to work as they search for some local insect species in a hands-on forest exploration area in the Shaw Woods! Students will use insect collecting tools and techniques, while practicing respectful ways of handling bugs. Get a bug’s eye view of some additional specimens at the Creature Feature Table!

Grades: K, 1, 2, 3
Availability: Sept-Oct, May-June

Embark on a winter adventure with your class! Students will explore our forest on snowshoes and learn a little about winter ecology along the way. We will also try out some fun and challenging snowshoe games to demonstrate our newfound "bigfoot" skills.

Grades: All of them!
Availability: December-March, as long as we have snow!

Grades: K, 1, 2, 3
Availability: Sept-Nov, April-June

Wetlands are extremely important and fragile habitats that play a critical role in the ecosystem. In this program we will discuss the various functions of wetlands and investigate the biodiversity present in the Shaw Pond. Conditions permitting, we will sample the pond for aquatic macroinvertebrates and learn how to identify them using a dichotomous key. Students may also hike to the wetland and explore the edge of the Snake River to learn about the diversity of wet habitats on our property.

Grades: K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
Availability: Sept-Oct, May-June

Students will explore the relationship between plant communities and the soils they grow in. We will sample and compare soils from different areas on the Shaw Woods property and discuss how the variations in the soils determine what plants can grow in them. Students will get to try their hand at making their own soil samples and explore the role of soils in filtering and storing groundwater.

Grades: K, 1, 2, 3

Availability: Sept-Nov, Apr-June

Begin a life-long hobby in the great outdoors! Birding is a great way to connect children to nature and leads to numerous opportunities for inquiry. In this program students will investigate the physical characteristics of birds and their adaptations through games, activities and a short birding hike.

Grades: K, 1, 2, 3
Availability: All year

Students will learn how to identify the various parts of a plant and their functions, and what a plant needs in order to grow. Through games and inquiry, students will be introduced to some of the plant species that call Shaw Woods home. We will explore the Old Growth forest and discuss the variety of plant life that makes it such a special environment. Students will also have the opportunity to do a little bit of planting and take home their very own mini wildflower garden!

Grades: K, 1, 2, 3
Availability: Fall, Spring

Grades: K, 1, 2, 3
Availability: All year

However, as you will soon learn, there are numerous connections linking the natural, geological, and human histories of the land along both sides of the waterway. We hope you enjoy your journey back in time!
 

• High-branched, large diameter trees
• Multilayered canopy
• Pit and mound topography
• Nurse logs and cavity trees
• Lack of pioneer tree species
• Absence of sawn stumps
   

Shaw Woods is an outdoor education centre and our programmes run four seasons a year in all weather conditions. Please refer to the appropriate clothing guide and general information that is attached to your registration form.

Once your booking request has been submitted and confirmed by our staff, your date, programmes chosen and student numbers will be reserved for your group(s) or class. Our booking calendar will now state “booked”.

Due to staffing requirements and interest by other schools, we require a MINIMUM of two weeks notice to accommodate any change in date or student numbers.

Specialized programme options (GPS Green check, Forestry Management) that include outside, or specialized Human Resources and/or course material, require a MINIMUM of FOUR WEEKS notice for change of date or student numbers. CHANGES made after this period will result in your Board’s allotted student days to be debited accordingly.

The only exceptions to this policy are: last minute bus cancellations or extreme weather conditions as mutually agreed upon between the school principal and Shaw Woods.

If changes are requested in a timely manner, or are the result of either bus cancellations or extreme weather conditions, our Office Administrator (MK Jones at shawwoods.edu@gmail.com) will gladly rebook your day.

We will be comparing old-growth with managed and unmanaged tolerant hardwood stands and discussing methods one can do to accelerate the development of old-growth features in managed stands using a technique called structural complexity enhancement (SCE).  SCE has been shown to accelerate the development of old-growth features, increase biodiversity, and increase the storage of carbon in comparison to traditional hardwood management.

I will be presenting the results along with my colleague Ken Elliot as the keynote speaker at the Trenton Woodlot Conference in November.

John Shaw, originally from Inverness, Scotland, his wife, the former Barbara Thompson and their two-year-old son John II arrived here by canoe from Bytown (Ottawa) in 1847. Barbara was a niece of Ann Crichton, wife of the Hon. Thomas McKay, who built many locks along the Rideau Canal and his home Rideau Hall, now home to Canada’s Governors General. John Shaw was McKay’s miller and he and Barbara were married at Rideau Hall.

Upper Canada was quite a remote destination in those days with only a few families living in the united townships of Wilberforce, Grattan and Frazer (sic). Drawn by the potential water power of the Snake River, a sawmill and three-story gristmill were quickly established. By 1851 seven people were employed and the young enterprise had begun a long history, making it now the longest established family-owned lumber business in Canada. Fifth generation John 5th and Dana Shaw carry on the business today.

The Shaw’s first house was a simple 1 ½-story log structure. A mixed farm produced a variety of products to be sold or traded for help running the mills across the road. Several of the Shaws served as postmaster for the Lake Dore hamlet. John Shaw ll, known as “Honest John”, was at one time reeve and treasurer of Wilberforce Township and served on County Council in 1880. Local farmers from miles around would draw logs to be sawn and grain to be milled. In 19th century Renfrew County it was not uncommon to carry 35 kg. bags of grain for many miles and return home later that day with the ground flour. You can see two of the original grist stones, shipped from Scotland and used in the mill, at the Shaws Pond dam-site.

Several ‘day books’ from this time period tabulate the business’s local commerce, and every year (or two) the accounts would be settled. Trading of goods and services such as with the “Desjardin Steam Carriage, Sleigh and Waggon Factory” was established. The Shaws provided sawn basswood lumber, a lightweight and easily worked component for sleighs and carriages, and the Pembroke company supplied manufactured items for the Lake Dore company’s operations. At year’s end the party with accounts receivable had the dollar amount listed with the antiquated accounting term ‘favor’.

In 1942 the company, now operated by Herb and Len Shaw, sons of John ll, relocated to Pembroke to be closer to business interests. Their stately frame home, with its impressive stone fences and gardens was removed when the Bulger Road was widened. In the early 1950’s the farm fields were reforested with pine by Herb’s sons, John and Donald Shaw.

In the 1970’s the National Museum of Natural Sciences and the Nature Conservancy of Canada became interested in the property’s natural heritage value, and in partnership with the Shaw family established the Shaw Woods Nature Preserve. With uncommon plant species, centuries-old trees and animals as diverse as lynx and bald eagle, the woods have welcomed visitors from far and wide for decades. Over the years many scientific journals have contained reference to research conducted here, taking special advantage of the virtually untouched living laboratory. Currently, Algonquin College, the University of Guelph and the Great Lakes Forestry Centre all have field research projects.

Recently, a local not-for-profit charitable organization (SWOEC) was formed to provide for enhanced interpretive and educational opportunities. Their mandate is to foster an ethic of responsible environmental stewardship and highlight sound forest management practice, (a legacy of the Shaw owners down through the years) while at the same time respecting and protecting reserves such as this one for generations to come.......We hope you enjoy your visit.

by Grant Dobson and Mernie James, with Lana Shaw, Lisa Shaw-Verhoek and Lisbeth Shaw-Cullen