School Holiday Program
Overview
Children participate in hands-on activities in the beautiful grounds of Yarra Valley Ecoss, where they will discover the wonderful world of sustainability through a range of activities, exploring and nature play.
Group bookings are available for vacation care groups including local council, school and Vacation Care providers.
Recommended for primary and early childhood children, please contact us to discuss the specific needs of your group. Our education facilitators will work with you to design a program that best suits your group and age range.
Choose up to 4 sessions for a full day program or less if you would like a 3/4 or 1/2 day program. The programs are diverse and provide opportunities for open ended discovery.
Cost
For bookings and further information email: eartheducation@ecoss.org.au or phone (03) 5967 2416
Ecoss Discovery Tour
Discover the riches of ECOSS including the Natural Building Centre, Community Garden, Heritage Apple Espalier Orchard, Chook pen, Fragrant Herb Garden, Cultural Homes of the World, First Nations Reconciliation Conversation Pit, Earth Goddess, Tiny Houses, Silvertine Biodynamic farm, and more.
1 hour .
First Nations workshop
The tailored curriculum includes Aboriginal song and dance, Didgeridoo performances and workshops on aspects of Aboriginal culture including art, bush food and storytelling. The emphasis is on student involvement, which cultivates a sense of community.
Facilitated by Didgeridoo Australia, Ganga Giri didgeridoo virtuoso and descendant of the Palawa people of Tasmania
1 hour
Cost extra $350
Tall Trees
Learn about the tallest trees where the Leadbeaters possum lives that provide our drinking water and the vision in action to protect them for the future. Become wardens of the forest.
Facilitated by Warburton Environment
45 minutes
Bees & Honey
Bees play a major role in our ecosystem as well as being a wonderful way for children to learn more about communal insects. The live observation hive at Ecoss, along with our trained beekeeper, allows the children to see right inside the secret world of the hive, and learn all about why honey bees are important to our food production and our environment. Children also enjoy eating fresh honey comb out of the hive.
– by Yarra Valley Bee Group
45 minutes
Also available as an incursion
Compost and Worm Spaghetti
We have worm spaghetti to share. What magic do worms perform in your garden? Learn all about improving soil, the importance of soil health and how to make your own compost.
Also available as an incursion
45 minutes
Propagation Station
While propagating your own organic seasonal vegetable seedling to take home, learn about how food grows, the life cycle of plants and how to make your garden thrive.
45 minutes
Also available as an incursion
Upcycling & Nature Art
Make your own creation from up-cycled materials and natural seasonal objects. From sewing to weaving, chop and knot t-shirt bags, dream catchers to the Art of Mending, everyone can create something beautiful to take home.
Facilitated by ReLab
45 minutes
Sustainable Gardening
Get your hands dirty in the community garden and learn the skills to grow your own food. Seasonal activities include seed collection and propagation, planting, composting, harvesting, weeding, watering, and how to design and maintain your own garden.
45 minutes
Also available as an incursion
Clay Play
Enjoy making your own creation under the guidance of the artists at Community Pottery Studio Yarra Valley.
Extra $60/class to cover materials costs. Firing is possible for a small cost or take home un-fired
45 minutes or book multiple sessions
Discover the Magic of Aromatic Herbs
Let your tastebuds lead the way with this fun imaginative activity.
Available as Incursion
20 minutes
Wood fired Pizza Cooking
Make your own delicious pizza from fresh, raw ingredients. Begin with freshly picking your own choice of seasonal produce in the garden. whip up your dough and learn how to bake in our wood-fired mud brick oven.
$5/extra per person
Bush Cubby Building
Create your own bush shelter with found objects from the natural environment.
Guided Bush Revegetation (seasonal)
Come and learn about the vital role of indigenous plants while participating in a very hands on way to regenerating the local bush and helping to restore local habitats.
For bookings and further information email: eartheducation@ecoss.org.au or phone (03) 5967 2416