What the Macoun Field Club is all about
This group is for kids — children and teenagers — who are really, really interested in nature.
The Macoun Field Club was established in 1948 and carries on under the continuing sponsorship of the Ottawa Field-Naturalists’ Club (OFNC).
What is it!?
Ages range from 8 to 16 years
Adult leadership is provided by the OFNC
Activities are on Saturdays during the school year
It is free — membership is defined by participation
John Macoun discussing bird nest with boy
Why “Macoun”?
(Note: “Macoun” rhymes with “crown.”)
The club is named for John Macoun, Canada’s first “Dominion Naturalist,” of the late 1800s
What are indoor meetings like?
Snapping Turtle joins the meeting
We always begin by sharing our “Observations”
Members become aquainted with all facets of the natural world
Expert speakers present their research experience
Questions and answers fly back and forth
Macoun Club at lunch
What are field trips like?
We get out to the wild places by car (car-pooling as needed)
The Macoun Club has been going to two favourite places for more than 45 years
In Stony Swamp we explore our Nature Study Area
At Pakenham, we learn how to become comfortable in the outdoors
Macoun members who take part in everything can graduate with a diverse education and a thousand hours of field time with experienced naturalists.