NOVA'S ARK
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Mission Statement
NOVA'S ARK is committed to building acceptance of people of all ages and abilities by providing opportunities for understanding. There is a wide range of activities and programs involving unique therapy animals. NOVA’S ARK is inclusive. We are proud of our respectful, caring environment where acceptance and understanding are the keys to everyone’s positive experience. NOVA’S ARK is a registered charity located on a peaceful ten acre, accessible, private setting whose mission is to provide stimulating experiences and programs for individuals of all ages and abilities. NOVA’S ARK provides up to 4 peer mentors (youth buddies) with each special guest who, along with our therapy animals, promote social interaction and develop close bonds known as our Circle of Friends. NOVA’S ARK has knowledgeable staff familiar with special education strategies to support accommodations and modifications to promote sensory stimulation and language/communication development.
About This Cause
NOVA'S ARK PROVIDES THE FOLLOWING PROGRAMMING: ADVENTURE SUNDAY PROGRAM (YEAR ROUND) This single day program provides individuals with varied abilities an opportunity to join our trained and confident youth leaders to explore the many interesting animals and activities located on our ten acre property. During the day, there will be a variety of hands-on indoor and outdoor experiences that promote inclusion, social communication and physical involvement. SPRING CAMP (MARCH BREAK) Register for a single day or for the whole week! Nova’s Ark offers an opportunity for individuals with varied abilities to join our trained volunteers and college education placement students to explore the many interesting therapy animals and participate in indoor and outdoor activities during our Spring Camp. The focus continues to be on social and communication skills through exploration, sensory stimulation and structured interactive activities. There will be a heavy emphasis on weather appropriate outdoor physical activities. SUMMER CAMPS (JULY/AUGUST) Nova’s Ark runs Summer Camps during July and August. The Camps offer opportunities for individuals with varied abilities to join our trained volunteers and college education placement students to explore the many interesting therapy animals and participate in indoor and outdoor activities . The focus continues to be on social and communication skills through exploration and sensory stimulation. Individuals will be encouraged to participate, with their Circle of Friends, in a number of structured interactive activities which are modified to meet the needs of each participant. INTERNSHIP PLACEMENT: POST-SECONDARY A post-secondary Internship Placement provides many benefits for all who participate. This program provides an opportunity for college/university students to experience a broad range of skills, attitudes, interpersonal relations for work and other life roles in their chosen field of study. pizap.com14460505935281Nova's Ark is very excited about our newly developed partnerships and the opportunity to work with so many passionate and enthusiastic students wishing to enter the fields related to our individuals with various abilities. Recent placements have included: ◾Humber College: Child and Youth Care Worker. ◾Durham College: Child & Youth Program; Early Childhood Education, Social Service Worker, Personal Support Worker, Development Service Worker and Practical Nursing. ◾UOIT: Concurrent Education Students. We look forward to sharing new skills and unique strategies with our post-secondary students as they work with our special guests in their individual programs. COOPERATIVE EDUCATION: SECONDARY SCHOOL Cooperative Education provides many benefits for all who participate. This program allows a partnership to be formed between students, teacher, and employers. It offers an opportunity for students to investigate specific careers and the routes they must follow for entrance, while at the same time increasing self-confidence and self-awareness. Co-op presents an amazing opportunity for students to experience a broad range of skills, attitudes, and interpersonal relations for work and other life roles. Students have the option of morning, afternoon or all day placements depending on their credit needs and scheduling of timetables. Secondary School Cooperative Education allows students to: ◾participate in a planned learning experience that takes place in the student's community, ◾have a chance to earn 2 or 4 credits in one semester towards their diploma, and ◾have an opportunity to gain valuable workplace experience which may assist in future education and employment pathways. This experience includes: Health and Safety, Resumes, Cover Letters, Interview Skills, Employer Expectations, etc. Nova's Ark is both excited and honoured to be a part of the Cooperative Education Program offered through the Secondary Schools. Our facility is in a rural setting where students gain experience with facility and animal maintenance. Students who are interested in this opportunity must have previous volunteer experience with Nova's Ark, before approaching their high school teacher. Interviews for entry to this program usually occur during late May/early June. SCHOOL/CLASS PROGRAMS Nova's Ark is an interactive and risk free natural environment located on a private 10 acre setting in Brooklin. Nova's Ark is proud to share unique, hands on, interactive programs that now focus on whole school, classroom groups and staff workshops. Our thinking outside the box philosophy has provided many groups of all ages and abilities with a strong learning experience that builds connections on many levels. The incorporation of a wide variety of animals provides the springboard that opens the door for an exciting and passionate day. To fully experience our customized programs, please plan on a full day visit. At this time, we have 4 distinct programs for you to explore, all of which can be adjusted depending on the specific needs of the group. Sensory Interaction Sessions Nova's Ark provides a relaxed environment for those groups who require an individualized, tactile program. There are many shaded seating areas, wheel chair accessible bathroom and changing facilities. The students and their support staff will be able to explore the ten acre property with our team of facilitators. There are many opportunities to interact closely with a selection of over 200 therapeutic exotic and farm animals. Inclusion and Acceptance of All Interpersonal relationships are key to a strong community. The genuine modelling of respect, empathy, patience, understanding are just a few of the traits exemplified by those who truly understand and believe in acceptance of all, no matter what the challenge. Many of our youth know no boundaries. They live what is shared in the Ministry of Education resources: Caring and Safe Schools in Ontario, Learning for All, Ontario's Equity and Inclusivity Strategy. Nova's Ark facilitates the group to come together to both celebrate the bonds of friendship and to their skill set. Curriculum Connections What better way to gain an understanding of the science curriculum than by experiencing the expectations first hand. The big ideas of environmental education and specific science expectations from K to Grade 12 are incorporated in the day program. The focus and content are established through advanced planning between staff and Nova's Ark. WEEKDAY SESSIONS: "OUT OF THE BOX" Nova’s Ark is excited to be able to offer weekday programming aimed at our special friends of varied abilities who require a unique and personalized educational setting. We are proud of our respectful, caring environment where acceptance and understanding are the keys to everyone’s positive experience. While our therapy animals provide the springboard for many up close and personal interactions, the animals are just the beginning of a unique social skills experience. The sensory stimulation and language/communication development successfully occurs through the close bonds with our creative and passionate mentors who come to us from the fields of Social Service, Child and Youth/Personal Support, Occupational Therapy and Practical Nursing programs. Utilizing proactive strategies, our mentors support accommodations and modifications to enhance life skills and functional academics through a wide range of daily activities. WORK EXPERIENCE: SECONDARY SCHOOLS This program is geared to groups and/or individuals with varied abilities who require Work Experience in order to develop the skills to take them from a classroom or workshop environment to meaningful work in the community. Nova's Ark provides a safe and diverse environment where each participant can focus on social and communication skills while making a real contribution. There are many opportunities to learn together and to share social experiences by being involved in outdoor activities such as: fence and enclosure painting, mucking stalls, sorting vegetables, shoveling woodchips and gravel, gardening, grooming and socializing with the animals.