Help Desk

What would you like to know?

What is the goal of Virtual Hikes?

Are Virtual Hikes a replacement for outdoor experiences?

Will you be adding new hikes?

Why do some hikes and videos require a "school access code"?

How can my school get a school access code?

How are Virtual Hikes related to the Get to Know Interactive CD?

Where are the Bateman videos, art portfolio, and games sections?

What are the software/system requirements to use virtual hikes?

Do I need to register or provide any personal information to use virtual hikes?

Do I need an email address to use virtual hikes?

A virtual hike is not displaying properly.

I found all the species on a certain hike, but it does not count as a "completed" hike on my profile. Why?

How do I close a species profile?

I have another question or comment.

What is the goal of Virtual Hikes?

There are two main goals that we have for virtual hikes: first, that the virtual hike experience will inspire kids and their families to go outside and have real-life experiences with the wild neighbours they have just learned about and second, that kids who have used virtual hikes will enjoy subsequent outdoor experience more, because they will have established mental "reference points". In other words; They will know what to look for and/or notice familiar wild neighbours that they were introduced to on a virtual hike. Robert Bateman believes that "caring for our environment begins with getting to know the names of our neighbours of other species." As you enjoy your virtual hike, remember to note the names of the species you learn and how to recognize them.

Are Virtual Hikes a replacement for outdoor experiences?

No. Virtual Hikes are designed to be used in classrooms or at home before a real hike, or by teachers who are not able to take their class outside but want to inspire students to explore nature on their own time.

Will you be adding new hikes?

Yes; we will be adding new hikes as we obtain funding/sponsorship. We will soon add hikes in Calgary, Edmonton, Toronto, Winnipeg, and San Diego.

Why do some hikes and videos require a "school access code"?

We have only obtained funding to license certain multimedia features to a limited number of students. As a result, only schools that have been sponsored or have received the Interactive CD may view these hikes. No hikes created since 2007 will require an access code.

How can my school get a school access code?

If you are a Vancouver-area school district that has received the Interactive CD, please contact us and we will provide you with your school's access code. As we get funding, we will be able to provide access codes to more school districts.

How are Virtual Hikes related to the Get to Know Interactive CD?

Virtual Hikes is the successor to the Interactive CD. The Interactive CD featured 24 virtual hikes in Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, and Toronto. The online virtual hikes will include all of the hikes that were on the Interactive CD, as well as new hikes from parks across North America.

Where are the Bateman videos, art portfolio, and games sections?

These sections that were previously available on the CD will soon be available online here as well. Watch for them!

What are the software/system requirements to use virtual hikes?

In order to take a virtual hike, you will need:

  • A Recent Web Browser
    Any current version of Firefox, Safari, Google Chrome, or Internet Explorer should work well. Internet Explorer 6 and earlier are not supported. Javascript and cookies must be enabled.

  • Adobe Flash Player
    Most computers already have this installed; if not, download it for free.

Do I need to register or provide any personal information to use virtual hikes?

No, you can hike as a guest user.

Do I need an email address to use virtual hikes?

No, an email address is not required.

A virtual hike is not displaying properly.

Please download and install the latest version of Adobe Flash Player, close your web browser, and then try again. If that does not fix the problem, contact us.

I found all the species on a certain hike, but it does not count as a "completed" hike on my profile. Why?

Hikes will only be shown as completed when you have taken and passed the quiz for that hike.

How do I close a species profile?

Click on the (X) in the top right corner of the species profile.

I have another question or comment.

Please email or call us; our contact information is here.