What is TAMARACK?

TAMARACK is unique learning experience. The program consists of several key points: hands on learning, group work, cultural journalism and fun. Although offered as part of an integrated program through the school, TAMARACK is not an ordinary credit course. TAMARACK focuses on growth as an individual and a group rather that the standard academic performance of individuals. The TAMARACK program is available to students in grade 11 and 12 and fills all course slots for the entire Spring semester. Since it's introduction in the 1990-91 semester, the program has changed leadership with the retirement of it's creator Bill Patterson and is now under the leadership of John Steer.

The TAMARACK package consists of the following courses:

• Earth and Space Science - Grade 12 University Preparation (SES4UP)
• English - Grade 11 University Preparation (ENG3UP)
• Healthy Active Living Education - Grade 12 Open (PAD4OP)
• Physical Geography - Grade 11 University/College (GCF3MP)

The activities that TAMARACK students take part in involve the integration of curriculum from most or all the courses in the package. For example, on the winter outing, students take part in the following:

• traveling cross country on snowshoes using a compass
• doing extensive lake testing and geographical mapping
• building snow shelters and sleeping in them
• participating in the literature readings about early life in the Ottawa Valley.
• completing initiative exercises
• journal writing and reflection
• planning and preparing meals
• presentations on lake testing data
• campfires, where journal entries are shared, and skits are done.

During the outing, these activities blend into one another, and the separate curricula become one. In this way, each element of the activity is connected to the other elements, and has new relevance.

TAMARACK is based on real experience and reflection. This type of education is only possible if the students play a large part in how the course runs. The success of the course must rest firmly in the hands of the students, and they have to be acutely aware of this.

During the semester we spend a lot of time out of school. There are four week-long wilderness trips. The community at large is our classroom, and the people in it are our resource. As much as possible we emphasize authenticity, complete process and accountability. This approach, along with the maintenance of rigorous standards has resulted great success for the past twelve years.