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Outdoor Education and Camps (54)
A Bug’s Life
Put on your detective’s hat and investigate some incredible insects. Students use nets and containers to collect as many different critters as they can to learn about what makes a bug a bug, how they have adapted to their environment, and what makes them so special to the natural world.
Additional Info
- Grade K, 1, 2, 3
- Season Spring, Summer, Fall
Amazing Animals
Participate in a series of interactive games and learn about the animals that wander in the woods of Foley Mountain. Hear interesting tales of how various birds, mammals, insects, reptiles, and amphibians have become experts in the fine art of survival.
Additional Info
- Grade K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
- Season Spring, Summer, Fall
Animals and Habitats
Through a variety of interactive games and a nature hike, students will learn about the amazing animals (birds, mammals, insects, amphibians and reptiles) here at Baxter, the habitats they live in and what they need in order to survive (i.e. food, water,adaptations).
Additional Info
- Grade 1, 2, 3, 4
- Season Spring, Summer, Fall
2024 Forest Explorers Summer Camp Ages 6-12 | Five-day program | $250 All fees are plus applicable taxes.
Baxter’s Forest Explorers Summer Camp gives campers the opportunity to enjoy summer adventures immersed in nature while playing, exploring, and making new friends. Camp will include a number of organized activities like our pond study, insect study, crafts, etc. and unstructured, child-directed time where our camp counsellors will follow the campers’ interests while providing a safe and fun summer camp experience. Campers will enjoy swimming at Baxter beach supervised by two certified lifeguards.
Our Forest Explorers Summer Camp will be offered for 6- to 12-year-old children. If your child turns 6 during the calendar year (by December 31st), they are eligible to register for our summer camp programs this year. We will have a 1:8 ratio with 24 campers and 3 staff each week. One week of camp will run from Monday to Friday from 9:00am to 4:00pm. One week of camp costs $250 per camper. We also offer before and after care for summer camp. Before care ($5/camper/day) is available from 8:00-9:00 am and after care ($5/camper/day) is available from 4:00-5:00 pm. The maximum cost for before and after care is $100 per family. All fees are plus applicable taxes.
Interested in volunteering?
Looking to get your high school volunteer hours or just add some great experience to your resume? Email .
Date | Program | Age | Camp Hours | Cost* | ||
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July 8 to 12, 2024 | Forest Explorers Summer Camp WAITLIST ONLY |
6–12 | 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. | $250 | ||
July 15 to 19, 2024 | Forest Explorers Summer Camp WAITLIST ONLY |
6–12 | 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. | $250 | ||
July 22 to 26, 2024 | Forest Explorers Summer Camp WAITLIST ONLY |
6–12 | 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. | $250 | ||
July 29 to August 2, 2024 | Forest Explorers Summer Camp WAITLIST ONLY |
6–12 | 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. | $250 | ||
August 12 to 16, 2024 | Forest Explorers Summer Camp WAITLIST ONLY |
6–12 | 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. | $250 | ||
August 19 to 23, 2024 | Forest Explorers Summer Camp WAITLIST ONLY |
6–12 | 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. | $250 |
To Register
Click here to request registration.
PLEASE NOTE that Baxter’s summer camp is small and very popular. Spaces are limited and fill up very quickly once registration opens. Please check back here for the link to our registration request form.
PLEASE NOTE that filling out our registration request form does not guarantee you a space in our summer camp program. Registration requests are time stamped and processed in order they are received. Our staff will contact you ONLY if you are able to obtain a space in our summer camp. We will begin notifying families if they have obtained a space in our summer camp programs on February 5, 2024.
Additional Information
- Before and After Care is available at an additional fee. - Before Care 8:00-9:00 am - After Care 4:00-5:00 pm
Qualified and experienced outdoor education and camping staff Regular camp hours — 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. - All fees are plus applicable taxes
At Baxter, we strive to provide students with a strong understanding of our natural world, how it functions and how we, as humans, fit into it. All our programs are interactive and experiential to provide students with a “hands-on” approach to learning about natural science in our “Ecology Lab.” If you don’t see a program that meets your group’s objectives, please give us a call — and our Interpreters will create one for you!
Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, we will not be offering any family programs at Baxter in the summer of 2020. Please check back in the spring of 2021 for more information.
Baxter Forest School offers an alternative education in which children spend most of their time outside, playing and learning through experiential, hands-on activities that promote curiosity in an active and authentic learning environment. Students will receive the benefits of repeated and regular visits to a natural area, in a play and inquiry-based education setting.
PLEASE READ our Forest School Frequently Asked Questions for more information.
Location: 7498 Carter Road, Kars, ON, South of Ottawa — Google map
Fall Forest School Registration NOW OPEN:
Complete this Registration Request Form to be added to our registration list. PLEASE NOTE that filling out this form does not necessarily guarantee a space in the program but begins the registration process. We will send registration packages out on a first-come, first-served basis, including the program handbook and other necessary documents, to complete registration and payment.
Program Details
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Program sessions offered for ages 4-6, 6-8, 6-10 and 8-13. Children must be the minimum age for the group by December 31, 2024.
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Cost per child is $55/full day or $30/half day plus HST.
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Payment is due upon registration. All prices below include HST.
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We will do our best to accommodate your requests but reserve the right to alter the schedule based on demand.
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2025 Winter and Spring Forest School dates are listed below, and registration will take place during fall and winter.
Fall Forest School Sessions (Registration NOW OPEN!)
Program Session | Date/Time | Cost |
Half Day — Mondays |
September 9 – December 9, 2024 |
$406.80 |
Full Day (with half day option) — Tuesdays |
September 11 – December 11, 2024 (14 sessions) 9 a.m. to 12 pm or 3 p.m. |
$870.10 (full day) $474.60 (half day) |
Full Day — Wednesdays |
September 11 – December 11, 2024 (14 sessions) 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. |
$870.10 (full day) |
Full Day — Thursdays |
September 12 – December 12, 2024 |
$870.10 |
Half Day — Fridays |
September 13 – December 13, 2024 (14 sessions) 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. |
$474.60 (half day) |
Winter Forest School (Registration Coming in September 2024)
Program Session | Date/Time |
Half Day — Mondays |
January 6 – March 3, 2025 |
Full Day |
January 7– March 4, 2025 (9 sessions) 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. or 3 p.m. |
Full Day — Wednesdays |
January 8– March 5, 2025 |
Full Day — Thursdays |
January 9– March 6, 2025 (9 sessions) 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. |
Spring Forest School (Registration Coming in Winter 2024-25)
Program Session | Date/Time |
Half Day — Mondays |
March 17 – June 16, 2025 |
Full Day (with half day option) — Tuesdays |
March 18 – June 17, 2025 (14 sessions) 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. or 3 p.m. |
Full Day — Wednesdays |
March 19 – June 18, 2025 |
Full Day — Thursdays |
March 20 – June 19, 2025 (14 sessions) 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. |
Half Day — Fridays |
March 21 – June 20, 2025 (13 sessions- no program on Friday, April 18, 2025) 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. |
Our Community Partners | ||||||
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Beaver Pond Bonanza
Beavers aren’t the only critters in our pond! Using nets, basins, and fact sheets, students will get up close and personal with the animals that call the pond home. Hear stories of how these curious critters have adapted to life under water and how they fit into the food chain.
Additional Info
- Grade K, 1, 2, 3, 4
- Season Spring, Summer, Fall
Thank you for your interest in booking an education program at Baxter Conservation Area. Please check out our list of Baxter Educational Programs and then review the Baxter Education calendar and complete the form to request a booking.
Conservation Authorities and Resource Management
Conservation Authorities are local watershed management agencies that deliver services and programs that protect and manage water and other natural resources. Students will learn how CAs work and the role they play in environmental protection and management. The morning consists of a PowerPoint presentation and case studies with an interpretive hike focusing on resource management in the afternoon. (Full-day Program)
Additional Info
- Grade 9, 10, 11, 12
- Season Spring, Summer, Fall
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Don’t Treat Soil Like Dirt!
Have you every stopped and looked at the soil beneath your feet? Explore our living breathing soil and some of the curious creatures that help maintain this important ecosystem ingredient.
Additional Info
- Grade 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
- Season Spring, Summer, Fall
Fall Colours at Foley Mountain, 2023
Foley Mountain is spectacular in fall, but visitors should plan ahead to avoid crowds.
During the peak season (end of September to mid-October), staff will be on-site to assist visitors with purchasing passes, managing parking, and helping things run smoothly. Visitors may be asked to park in auxiliary parking at the Interpretive Centre and other areas away from Spy Rock to ease congestion.
See the Foley Fall Colours map for alternative parking and trail directions (click map to download a PDF):
To ensure a safe and enjoyable visit, follow these tips:
AVOID PEAK TIMES:
Thanksgiving weekend is the busiest time of the year at Foley Mountain, with weekends on either side of the holiday also attracting large crowds. Avoid line-ups and crowds by visiting at off-peak times, such as early in the morning or in the evening, and mid-week instead of weekends.
PARKING:
The Spy Rock parking lot fills up quickly, especially on weekends. Come prepared with coins instead of credit cards for the pay machine, or use www.PayByPhone.com to reduce long line-ups (location code 5204).
You may also be asked to park in auxiliary parking areas at the Interpretive Centre, group camping site or at designated spots along the main road to reduce congestion. Be prepared to hike a short distance back to Spy Rock, either along the road or using one of the park’s other trails.
SPY ROCK:
As one of the most popular lookouts at Foley Mountain, Spy Rock can be a busy spot during fall colours. Please be considerate of other visitors and resist the temptation to linger a long time when others are waiting. Take your time to enjoy the view and take some photos, and then let others have a chance!
EXPLORE THE PARK:
There’s more to Foley Mountain than Spy Rock: explore it! Check out this blog outlining three alternative fall hikes to try: https://www.rvca.ca/view-all-blog-posts/beyond-spy-rock-three-fabulous-fall-hikes-at-foley-mountain
STAY INFORMED:
For maps and general park information visit www.rvca.ca/conservation-areas/fee-required/foley-mountain-ca. For the most up-to-date information follow our Facebook pages at @FoleyMountain and @RideauValleyConservationAuthority or follow RVCA on Twitter at @RideauValleyCA.
Foley Mountain Day Camps
2024 Summer Day Camp Registration Now Open!
Join our qualified and experienced outdoor educators for some summer fun in the forest! Designed for children aged 6 – 12, we spend our time outside exploring, playing, and learning through experiential, hands-on opportunities. Each themed week is full of nature-based activities that could include discovering creatures that live in the beaver, searching for salamanders, playing Instincts for Survival, learning to build a shelter, crafts, and more! Our ratio of staff to campers is 1:8 and we accept 24 campers per session.
Date | Program | Age | Camp Hours | Cost |
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July |
Outdoor Adventurers |
6-12 | 9am - 4pm | $220/week $195/week for additional children in the same family |
July 22 – 26 WAITLIST ONLY |
Nature Explorers |
6-12 | 9am - 4pm | $220/week $195/week for additional children in the same family |
August 12 – 16 WAITLIST ONLY |
Forest Fun | 6-12 | 9am - 4pm | $220/week $195/week for additional children in the same family |
August 26 - 30 WAITLIST ONLY |
Junior Naturalists | 6-12 | 9am - 4pm | $220/week $195/week for additional children in the same family |
To Register
Please complete the registration request form to be added to our registration list or wait list for camps that are currently full. Upon completion of the form, we will send you a registration package, including the program handbook and other necessary documents. PLEASE NOTE that filling out this form does not necessarily guarantee a space in the program but begins the registration process.
Interested in volunteering?
Looking to get your high school volunteer hours or just add some great experience to your resume? Fill in our volunteer information form at https://bit.ly/3RY4zuh to connect with our camp staff
Our Community Partner | ||
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The outdoor environmental education program at Foley Mountain provides students with interactive, experiential, curriculum-based experiences that will help them to understand our natural world and their relationship with it. The Program can accommodate up to 60 students per day and all equipment is provided. All programs are approximately 1.5 hours in duration. Descriptions are offered as general guidelines — if there are specific objectives that you would like to accomplish, please let us know. Although grade levels are recommended for each program, these are only guidelines. Please select any desired fields to narrow your search.