Field trips for students have been put on hold for the past two years, and the Moose Jaw Wildlife Federation is throwing teachers a line by hosting Classrooms on Ice.

Classes head down to Buffalo Pound and are led by volunteers in learning about healthy ecosystems, conservation, fish health and biology. The goal is to get kids on the ice and teach them about the roles they play in the protection of ecosystems surrounding Moose Jaw.

Dale Hodgson, a volunteer with the Moose Jaw Wildlife Federation, says when it comes to fishing, it’s all about hands-on experience.

“We have a lot of new students from outside of Canada that may be limited in education, but when they come out here and hold a fishing rod, it doesn’t matter what language they speak.”

Hodgson also told a story of a student who had never been on a frozen lake. “She had never ice fished before and she turned around and caught one fish, the whole classroom was cheering her on. Next thing you know, she released the fish, five minutes later I swear she caught the same fish and she got the same reaction, everybody lit up.”

He says this is a useful skill for everyone to learn. "Give a man a fish he will eat for a day. Teach a man to fish and he will eat for a lifetime."

Kyle Lichtenwald’s Grade 5 class at Sacred Heart School was one of the classes that experienced this field trip. Lichtenwald says the students gained some important knowledge with this trip to Buffalo Pound.

“Students learned of fishing laws, protocols, equipment, strategies. We practiced preparing for being outside, learned strategies for staying warm, and discussed fire, water, & ice safety."

Rachelle Beler, a parent of one of the students participating, said it was a really good experience for the children to enjoy.

“I was very impressed with how inclusive this program is, from the point of a special needs parent. My son, despite physical challenges, was able to enjoy all parts of it and was incredibly excited when his grandad, who joined him, told me about the day’s events. Thank you so much to the Moose Jaw Wildlife Federation for providing this experience for all the kids- an experience that many of them wouldn’t get otherwise.

According to The Moose Jaw Wildlife Federation, this program has been successfully running in our community for 25 years. The program took a break in 2020 due to the pandemic.

Below are photos of Classrooms on Ice.