Forest Stewardship Program

  • Terrestrial Invertebrates - Introduction to the insects and non-insect arthropods found around Haida Gwaii. What characteristics to look for to identify them, how they live, and their importance for the rest of the ecosystem.

  • Soil Invertebrates - Introduction to the animals that live in soil on Haida Gwaii. What characteristics to look for to identify them and their importance in the soil for all growing things.

  • Small Aquatic Creatures - Introduction to the small creatures that live in freshwater on Haida Gwaii. What characteristics to look for to identify them, their importance for fish, and how to use them to determine the health of a stream.

  • Waterfall Walk - A guided walk to the waterfall on Gawu Kuns Gandlaay Pallant Creek. An introduction to some of the plants, animals, and fungi that live here.

  • Cryptogam Cup - Introduction to mosses, liverworts, lichens, and mushrooms. What characteristics to look for to identify them, and how they live.

  • Leaf Rubbing - Making leaf rubbings in field notebooks as an accurate and artistic way to record leaf shapes and learn about the plants they come from identifying common plants around Gawu Kuns Siiwaay Mosquito Lake.

  • Forest Structure - Introduction to forest structure and its importance for the organisms that live there. Differences between second growth and old growth forests. Using increment borers, DBH tapes, and clinometers to measure age, diameter, and height of trees.

  • Deer Exclosure - Introduction to the impact of invasive deer on the ecosystems of Haida Gwaii. Students conduct vegetation plots inside and outside the K’aayxada Adventure Camp deer exclosure, which was established in 2010.

  • Small Mammal Trapping - Introduction to the endemic Haida Gwaii deer mouse and their Importance in the ecosystem. Using live trapping to understand the behaviour and ecology of small mammals, and to relocate problem animals.

  • Deer Butchering and Dissection - A deer harvested prior to camp is processed with the students. As part of the processing, students learn about the major organ systems and physiology of deer, and how it’s physiology is connected with how it eats, lives, and interacts with its environment. Students learn about the different cuts of meat, and all the edible organs of the deer, so that the entire animal can be used. The deer is cooked and eaten throughout the camp, and in the pitcook.

  • Black Light Exploration - Introduction to night time exploration with black lights. Some millipedes, spiders, and mushrooms glow with brilliant colours under UV light.

  • Saw-Whet Owl Calling - Introduction to the endemic Haida Gwaii saw-whet owl. Mimicking their hoots to get the males to respond, and see if they are present.

  • Gwaii Haanas Programming - Programming designed for Windy Bay, that highlights that old growth ecosystem and its differences from the forest around Gawu Kuns Siiwaay Mosquito Lake:

    • Forests and lichens

    • Culturally modified trees

    • Old-growth forest structure

    • Aquatic Macroinvertebrates

    • Intertidal exploration

These learning modules are intended to help students gain more understanding and appreciation for the living things of Gawu Kuns Siiwaay Mosquito Lake and Haida Gwaii, and how they are all connected.

Arts and Culture

  • Arts & Crafts - Many different forms, including painting, drawing, sculpting, origami, puppet shows, graffiti art, etc.

  • Haida Formline - Introduction to the basic principles of Haida art, shared by Haida Artists at camp.

  • Music - Basic Guitar fundamentals, song writing, jamming, percussion, and Haida songs. 

Wilderness Skills

  • Kayaking & Canoeing - Introduction to paddling safety and skills. Half or whole day paddling trips on Gawu Kuns Siiwaay Mosquito Lake, exploring new areas and practicing skills.

  • Fire Building - Introduction to fire building skills, and wilderness preparedness using resources found in the forest. Often includes a team fire challenge.

  • Shelter Building & Tarpology - Introduction to different techniques for staying warm and dry in the forest using natural materials or tarp systems.

  • Maps & Compassing - Introduction to reading and understanding maps and compasses. Followed by an orienteering course in the forest at camp. 

  • Knots and Ropes - Introduction to different types of ropes and knots useful in everyday and outdoor life.

  • Wild Harvesting - Includes learning about the different types of useful and edible plants on Haida Gwaii, how to harvest them and process them.