In September of 2018, South Canoe School opened doors and began its new history as a Outdoor Learning Program in School District 83. South Canoe is nestled in a rural community within the Salmon Arm city limits. The school site is on 5.1 acres of land adjacent to private properties and includes 2 sports fields, a school garden and forested space. Currently, we have 7 divisions (K-8) with approximately 150 students.
The surrounding area is largely composed of hobby farms within the ALR. Klahani park is a short 200-metre walk to the East and includes a forested area, playground, a ball field and sports courts. Connecting Klahani park to the South Canoe trail system is a multi-use trail. The South Canoe trail network is a comprehensive trail system and is the Shuswap’s most visited system by locals and visitors. It links to a wider system that includes Larch Hills cross-country ski area and the Larch Hills Traverse, connecting to Sicamous, Hyde Mountain Lookout and the soon to be realized Sicamous to Armstrong rail-trail. South Canoe is on the edge of 2 different biogeoclimatic zones – the Interior Douglas Fir and Interior Cedar Hemlock zones. Wildlife thrive in these zones, with several interesting songbird, mammal, and amphibian species. The plant and animal communities of South Canoe provide opportunity to ask questions, design experiments, and learn about local ecological systems.
South Canoe School was born from the dedication and passion of numerous educators and citizens who endeavored to bring a place-based, experiential outdoor model of a school to the North Okanagan. Among the many positive outcomes of the school, South Canoe inspires wonder and awe in the wild spaces throughout the Shuswap, cultivating a connection to place and an ethic of care for our natural environment.