Frequently Asked Questions
Where do I go to take ECO Studies?
While taking ECO Studies you will attend Aldershot School in Burlington. From Aldershot you will be bussed to the Royal Botanical Gardens Nature Interpretive Centre three afternoons per week for activity based learning.
How do I get to Aldershot School everyday?
If you are a student at any school in Burlington the School Board typically provides transportation. Depending on the number of SHSM students needing transportation each semester, you might be assigned to a special SHSM bus that will take you to and from your home school to Aldershot each day or you may be provided with a City Bus Pass. If you live outside of Burlington you will have to find your own way to Aldershot.
Can I take ECO Studies if I do not currently attend Aldershot School?
YES you can! Any Student in Halton Region (Public or Catholic school boards) can apply to the program.
If I attend Aldershot for one semester will it impact me graduating from my home school?
Absolutely not. Even if you take ECO Studies in your final semester of High School you can still Graduate with your home school's senior class. While in ECO Studies you can also still play sports and/or be involved in other cocurricular activities at your home school.
Will ECO Studies help me get into College/University? Yes! Universities and Colleges are increasingly looking for people with practical leadership training, students who know how to learn, and who have experience working successfully in groups. Also if you use ECO Studies credits to attain your Environment Specialist High Skills Major, post secondary institutions will look favourably on this certification apon admission to environment related programs.
What if I already have a full 6-8 credit time-table for next year, does this mean I cannot apply to take ECO Studies?
This is normal. All students applying for ECO Studies will already have a timetable built. Once you are accepted to the program your Guidance Counsellor will adjust your time table to include the ECO Studies course package in Semester 2.
What if I need to work? Will ECO Studies interfere with my part time Job?
Not to a great extent. For the most part ECO Studies follows the same daily schedule as Aldershot School (8:10am - 2:40pm). We do take several day long field tips that may require extra time and we undertake three multi-day adventure trips that you would need to book off. However, you will know a long time in advance when we will be away and should therefore have not problems making arrangements with your employer.
What if I do not have much experience with outdoor activities and camping?
No problem? Much of what you will learn in the outdoor education class is specifically designed to prepare you for our adventure trips. You will be instructed in a multitude of outdoor skills including outdoor cooking, survival skills, leave no trace principles, outdoor navigation, first aid, canoe paddling techniques, gear selection and packing, and MUCH, MUCH MORE. Everything we will learn you will have an opportunity to practice prior to departure into the wilderness.
What if I like being outside but I'm not really an "Environmentalist", is ECO Studies right for me?
You do not need to be hard-core into all things environmental to get a lot out of ECO Studies. If you enjoy working in a team centered environment, like learning by doing and have some interest in how the world around you works then ECO Studies is for you. If you are passionate about the environment then ECO Studies will help you to better understand what you personally are capable of with respect to making a positive impact on our planet. Think of ECO Studies as a semester long instruction manual for Planet Earth. Your Science course provides instruction on how earth is put together, how different components interact and the general mechanics of how Earth functions. Your Geography course is like the section in the manual about every day use and long term maintenance and care. Your English course will provide the language with which you can understand the material in the manual. Finally, your Outdoor Education course represents the tools that came with the manual that allow you to put everything together.
