Outdoor Education and Camps (54)
Foley Mountain Forest School (Westport, ON)
Foley Mountain 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.
Tuition subsidies for the forest school program may be available for those who qualify. Please contact for more details.
Location: Foley Mountain Lane, Westport, ON — Google map
Programs that we offer:
- Family Forest School
- Kindergarten for children aged 4-5
- School age for children aged 6-12
- Family drop-in programs for all ages
PLEASE NOTE — We will consider offering additional program days if there is demand!
PLEASE READ our Forest School Frequently Asked Questions for more information.
NEW PROGRAM – Family Forest School
Is your child a bit too young to join in our independent programs or are you just looking to be a part of their forest school experience? Well, this new program may be the perfect fit for you!
- The same play based, child centred learning environment as our other forest school programs. Enjoy play, stories, snack time, forest adventures, and more!
- A new forest school program for children aged 2-5 (younger or slightly older siblings are welcome to tag along) where a parent or guardian stays with the child during the program.
- Tuesdays from 9:30am – 11:30am offered in the same fall, winter, and spring sessions as our other programs. Registration is for the whole session.
- Supported by one of our skilled and experienced forest school educators.
- Cost per child is $18/morning plus HST.
| Program | Date/Time | Cost |
| Fall 2024 – Tuesdays Registration open now |
Sept 10 – Nov 26, 2024/9:30am – 11:30am | $244.08 |
| Winter 2025 – Tuesdays | Jan 14 – March, 4/9:30am – 11:30am | $162.72 |
| Spring 2025 – Tuesdays | March 25-June 10, 4/9:30am – 11:30am | $244.08 |
To Register
Please complete the registration request form to be added to our registration list. 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.
Kindergarten Program
- Children ages 4-5 years
- Program runs from 9am – 12pm
- Cost per child is $30/morning plus HST. All prices below include HST.
- Participants must be able to use the toilet independently
- Please check out our Frequently Asked Questions for more information.
| Program | Date/Time | Cost |
| Fall 2024 – Wednesdays REGISTRATION NOW OPEN! |
Sept 11 – Nov 27, 2024/9am – 12pm | $406.80 |
| Winter 2025 - Wednesdays | Jan 15 – March 5/9am – 12pm | $271.20 |
| Spring 2025 - Wednesdays | March 26 – June 11/9am-12pm | $406.80 |
To Register
Please complete the registration request form to be added to our registration list. 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.
School Age Program
- For children aged 6–12
- Cost per child is $55/full day or $30/half day plus HST. All prices below include HST.
|
Program Session |
Date/Time |
Cost |
| Fall 2024 - Mondays, Full Day REGISTRATION NOW OPEN! |
Sept 9 - Nov. 25, 2024/9am - 3pm, no class Oct 14 | $683.65 |
| Fall 2024 - Mondays, Half Day REGISTRATION NOW OPEN! |
Sept 9 - Nov. 25, 2024/9am - 12pm, no class Oct 14 | $372.90 |
| Fall 2024 - Thursdays, Full Day REGISTRATION NOW OPEN! |
Sept 12 - Nov 28, 2023/9am - 3pm | $745.80 |
| Fall 2024 - Thursdays, Half Day REGISTRATION NOW OPEN! |
Sept 12 - Nov 28, 2023/9am - 12pm | $406.80 |
| Winter 2025 – Thursdays, Full Day | Jan 16 – Mar 6, 2025/9am - 3pm | $497.20 |
| Winter 2025 – Thursdays, Half Day | Jan 16 – Mar 6, 2025/9am - 12pm | $271.20 |
| Spring 2025 – Thursdays, Full Day | March 27 – June 12, 2025/9am - 3pm | $745.80 |
| Spring 2025 – Thursdays, Half Day | March 27 – June 12, 2025/9am - 12pm | $406.80 |
To Register
Please complete the registration request form to be added to our registration list. 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.
Forest School FREE Family Drop In Programs
Pack up the family and head down to Foley Mountain Conservation Area to explore, adventure, play, and learn in the forest! Thanks to the Township of Rideau Lakes, we are offering FREE family drop-in program.
2024 Drop In Programs
- April 20, from 10-11:30 am Waitlist Only
- May 18, from 10-11:30 am Waitlist Only
- June 15, from 10-11:30 am Waitlist Only
- July 20, from 10-11:30 am
- August 17, from 10-11:30 am
- September 21, from 10-11:30 am
- October 19, from 10-11:30 am
- November 16, from 10-11:30 am
- December 21, from 10-11:30 am
General Information:
- All ages of children welcome, children must be accompanied by an adult
- PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED and group size will be limited - please complete the registration request form to pre-register or be added to the waitlist.
- FREE of cost
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Foley Mountain Forest School (Westport, ON) draft)
Foley Mountain 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.
Tuition subsidies for the forest school program may be available for those who qualify. Please contact for more details.
Location: Foley Mountain Lane, Westport, ON — Google map
Programs that we offer:
- Family Forest School
- Kindergarten for children aged 4-5
- School age for children aged 6-12
- Family drop-in programs for all ages
PLEASE NOTE — We will consider offering additional program days if there is demand!
PLEASE READ our Forest School Frequently Asked Questions for more information.
NEW PROGRAM – Family Forest School
Is your child a bit too young to join in our independent programs or are you just looking to be a part of their forest school experience? Well, this new program may be the perfect fit for you!
- The same play based, child centred learning environment as our other forest school programs. Enjoy play, stories, snack time, forest adventures, and more!
- A new forest school program for children aged 2-5 (younger or slightly older siblings are welcome to tag along) where a parent or guardian stays with the child during the program.
- Tuesdays from 9:30am – 11:30am offered in the same fall, winter, and spring sessions as our other programs. Registration is for the whole session.
- Supported by one of our skilled and experienced forest school educators.
- Cost per child is $18/morning plus HST.
| Program | Date/Time | Cost |
| Fall 2024 – Tuesdays Registration open now |
Sept 10 – Nov 26, 2024/9:30am – 11:30am | $244.08 |
| Winter 2025 – Tuesdays | Jan 14 – March, 4/9:30am – 11:30am | $162.72 |
| Spring 2025 – Tuesdays | March 25-June 10, 4/9:30am – 11:30am | $244.08 |
To Register
Please complete the registration request form to be added to our registration list. 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.
Kindergarten Program
- Children ages 4-5 years
- Program runs from 9am – 12pm
- Cost per child is $30/morning plus HST. All prices below include HST.
- Participants must be able to use the toilet independently
- Please check out our Frequently Asked Questions for more information.
| Program | Date/Time | Cost |
| Fall 2024 – Wednesdays REGISTRATION NOW OPEN! |
Sept 11 – Nov 27, 2024/9am – 12pm | $406.80 |
| Winter 2025 - Wednesdays | Jan 15 – March 5/9am – 12pm | $271.20 |
| Spring 2025 - Wednesdays | March 26 – June 11/9am-12pm | $406.80 |
To Register
Please complete the registration request form to be added to our registration list. 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.
School Age Program
- For children aged 6–12
- Cost per child is $55/full day or $30/half day plus HST. All prices below include HST.
|
Program Session |
Date/Time |
Cost |
| Fall 2024 - Thursdays, Full Day REGISTRATION NOW OPEN! |
Sept 12 - Nov 28, 2023/9am - 3pm | $745.80 |
| Fall 2024 - Thursdays, Half Day REGISTRATION NOW OPEN! |
Sept 12 - Nov 28, 2023/9am - 12pm | $406.80 |
| Winter 2025 – Thursdays, Full Day | Jan 16 – Mar 6, 2025/9am - 3pm | $497.20 |
| Winter 2025 – Thursdays, Half Day | Jan 16 – Mar 6, 2025/9am - 12pm | $271.20 |
| Spring 2025 – Thursdays, Full Day | March 27 – June 12, 2025/9am - 3pm | $745.80 |
| Spring 2025 – Thursdays, Half Day | March 27 – June 12, 2025/9am - 12pm | $406.80 |
To Register
Please complete the registration request form to be added to our registration list. 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.
Forest School FREE Family Drop In Programs
Pack up the family and head down to Foley Mountain Conservation Area to explore, adventure, play, and learn in the forest! Thanks to the Township of Rideau Lakes, we are offering FREE family drop-in program.
2024 Drop In Programs
- April 20, from 10-11:30 am Waitlist Only
- May 18, from 10-11:30 am Waitlist Only
- June 15, from 10-11:30 am Waitlist Only
- July 20, from 10-11:30 am
- August 17, from 10-11:30 am
- September 21, from 10-11:30 am
- October 19, from 10-11:30 am
- November 16, from 10-11:30 am
- December 21, from 10-11:30 am
General Information:
- All ages of children welcome, children must be accompanied by an adult
- PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED and group size will be limited - please complete the registration request form to pre-register or be added to the waitlist.
- FREE of cost
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Forest Bureau of Investigation
Master your nature detective skills and become a member of the Forest Bureau of Investigation! Using various sensory exploration activities, students will gain an appreciation for how they can use their senses to observe and learn about the world around them.
Additional Info
- Grade K, 1, 2, 3
- Season Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Getting outside doesn't have to be complicated: there's tons of fun and learning just waiting to be discovered in your backyard, around your block or at your local conservation area. To get you started, RVCA's Outdoor Educators have compiled some awesome activities to help you maximize your outdoor adventures!
Spring Resources |
Winter Resources |
| Elementary School Activities: | |
 Natural Art — Hey kids! Why not get outside and collect little pieces of “nature” and create a work of art? What can you use from your backyard to make your own unique masterpiece? A few blades of grass? Maybe a few twigs will help? How about those pinecones? There are treasures to be found! Build your design outside, take a snap and leave it behind. |
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 Alphabet Walk — Hey parents, here’s today’s RVCA Fresh Air Fun tip! Take the little ones for an “alphabet walk.” Can you see letters in shapes around you? Or find objects for every letter of the alphabet. Access our ABC check list here (download PDF) |
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 Scavenger Hunt — Hey kids! It’s a spring scavenger hunt! Get outside see what you can spy during your outdoor adventure. Get your scavenger hunt here (download PDF). |
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 Booklist — Hey parents! Pair a fun children’s story with your next walk outside. Make connections from the book to nature while watching the squirrels, jumping in puddles or sitting under a magic tree! Check out Interpreter Andrea and Rebecca’s recommended reading list! Reading List (download PDF) |
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 Photography fun! What a better way to capture your backyard fresh air fun than with your camera! Whether spring is blooming or the snow is blowing, what beautiful outdoor image can you freeze in time? The flight of a feathered friend, the unique patterns of a frosty leaf, the buds about to burst? |
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 Ready to read — Weave literacy skills into your next bit of fresh air fun! Make a list of all the things you see on your walk while encouraging literacy skills. Younger children can guess the first letter based or draw pictures, while older kids can try to spell the words. You can help them fill in the blanks later! |
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Why is this type of play beneficial for kids? Loose parts encourage kids to be physically active and creative. The learning is hands on, engaging, and encourages children to communicate and be cooperative along with developing great problem-solving skills. |
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Rainy Day Play — Water is a wonderful in Parents, be sure to watch your kids near deep or fast flowing water! Dry off and pair your experience with a fun story. Check out “Over and Under the Pond" by Kate Messner or "In the Small, Small Pond" by Denise Fleming. If you have a library card, many books can be accessed through digital library connections like OverDrive Tumble Books for free. |
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The messiness of play and learning can take its tole on your indoor space and patience! Try taking it outside for some fresh air fun. Grab some containers from your recycling, buckets, old kitchen utensils, bowls, pots, pans, etc. that you have lying around and set up a mud kitchen in your backyard. Find a spot where your children can dig in the soil or sand and collect ingredients from nature. Fill some containers with water and watch their imaginations go! Although you may see lots of fancy set-ups for mud kitchens online, we have found that children are more than happy to sit on the ground or work with their tools on a stump, bench, board, or picnic table. When the play is finished, you can throw everything in a plastic bin or sturdy reusable shopping bag. Washing things off is totally optional! How can this play support learning? Here are just a few examples:
Have fun! Don’t for get to check out our blog at https://www.rvca.ca/blog. |
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How does this play support learning? Here are just a few examples:
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How does this play support learning? Here are just a few examples:
Resources:
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Loose Parts Play — Loose parts are random items that children use to build, play, create and more. Look through your home and think like a kid: boards, tires, fabric, boxes, old kitchen items, buckets, sticks, tubes, pipes, logs, rocks, recycling items and more can all become loose parts. And there is no better place to play with them than outside!
vitation for play and exploration! A puddle, a ditch, a stream, or a pond in your neighbourhood or backyard can all lead to some excellent fresh air fun. Raid your recycling bin for containers that you can use as scoops. Use an old kitchen strainer as a net. Find a pail, bowl, or basin to collect water and any creatures you might find. Don’t forget your rubber boots! Want to know what creatures you found? Make observations about sie, number of legs, antennae and how it swims. Then look it up later using our 
Toad House — Hop to it and try your hand at creating toad habitat in your own backyard! Toads are great neighbours because they love to eat bugs and slugs. Learn more from Ranger Rebecca as she gives tips on how to build a toad house with your little ones. Don’t forget to post and tag us in your creation! 
Mud Kitchen — How about building a mud kitchen?
Map & Compass — Get back to basics with this edition of fresh air fun! GPS technology is amazing but it doesn’t always work the way we expect it. Traditional map and compass work is a great way to explore outside. Break out your old compass and see if you can figure out how to find north and the other cardinal directions. Grab some paper, pencils, and colouring tools to make a map of your backyard or neighbourhood. See if you can match north on your map to magnetic north and see how that can help you navigate on your adventure. Ranger Rebecca explains more at 
Tiny Habitats — Did you know you might have some tiny habitats hiding right in your backyard? Do you have a rock sitting in your garden? How about a big stick or log sitting on the grass by your shed? Try lifting it up and looking underneath: you might be surprised what you find. When you're finished, be sure to put the rock or log back so the things living underneath stay safe. 
Pretend to be an animal — Classic fresh air fun: pretend to be an animal! Try hide and seek with a forest friend twist – the little owls fly out into the forest and hide from one of their owl friends. When everyone is ready, the owls start to hoot and their friend listens to try and find them. | Middle and High School Activities: |
Pond Study: Using bugs to test for pollutionSome bugs are more sensitive to poor water quality than others. In this hands-on science experiment, get up close and personal with the benthic invertebrates that live in your local pond or stream to determine whether or not its polluted. Instructions here! |
Join the world’s largest treasure hunt!Just you and your phone, chasing a secret — if you have to be outside, this is how to do it! The global geocaching movement is all around us, including at Baxter Conservation Area. Use your phone to track down the secret treasures tucked into our trees. Download the Geocaching app for iPhone or Android to get started. Bring a friend! |
Trail JournalingForest therapy is great for your mental health. Next time you're on a hike, at the cottage or even at a local park, tune into your wild side for a few minutes. Put away your phone, find a comfy spot to sit and just watch and listen. What do you see? What can you hear? Print your trail journal here! |
Five Senses in the ForestTake a nature break! Harness the restorative power of nature to help you stay grounded and able to cope with the stress all around us. Try our Five Senses in the Forest mindfulness activity here. |
Naturally Artistic ChallengeCreate your own outdoor masterpiece using nature’s gifts. Using rocks, twigs, leaves and any other natural materials you find, build your design outside, take a snap and leave it behind. Post it on your socials and tag us with #RVCAFreshAirFun! Find instructions here! |
Photo challengeForget the selfies! Put your phone to the test: What beautiful nature photo can you freeze in time? The flight of a feathered friend, the unique bend of a tree branch, the buds about to burst? Filters allowed! Be sure to post to your socials and tag us with #RVCAFreshAirFun. |
Geology Rocks!
Visit Spy Rock and hear amazing tales from the last billion years of geological history in the area. Then, explore some other geological interests and take an up close and personal look at some different rocks and minerals.
Additional Info
- Grade 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
- Season Spring, Summer, Fall
GPS and Geocaching
Weave together technology, the outdoors, and physical activity! Get an introduction to GPS technology and how it can be used to navigate your way through the environment . Discover the fun of geocaches as your students explore the grounds at Baxter!
Additional Info
- Grade 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
- Season Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
GPS and Geocaching
Weave together technology, the outdoors, and physical activity! Get an introduction to GPS technology and how it can be used along with map and compass in navigation. Students will complete a mini geocaching treasure hunt.
Additional Info
- Grade 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
- Season Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Home Sweet Habitat
Ever wonder why certain plants and animals call the forest home? Find out the characteristics of a good habitat by exploring Foley Mountain. Fit the living things observed into their spot on the food chain and explore how these organisms interact as a community.
Additional Info
- Grade 4, 5, 6, 7
- Season Spring, Summer, Fall
Insect Study
Put on your detective’s hat and investigate some incredible insects. Students use nets and containers to collect as many different creatures as they can. Learn about what makes an insect an insect and how they have adapted to their environment, and what makes them so special to the natural world. This program compliments Pond Ecology and the two go well together as a full day of program.
Additional Info
- Grade 1, 2, 3, 4
- Season Spring, Summer
Instincts for Survival
How do animals survive in their habitats? What are the skills of a predator? What is the human impact on animal life? Do you have the instincts for survival? This active wide game will help students understand some of the realities of the animal world and have a bunch of fun at the same time!
Additional Info
- Grade 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
- Season Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
More...
Instincts for Survival
How do animals survive in their habitats? What are the skills of a predator? What is the human impact on animal life? Do you have the instincts for survival? This active wide game will help students understand some of the realities of the animal world and have a bunch of fun at the same time!
Additional Info
- Grade 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
- Season Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Invasive Species
What are they? Where did they come from? Are they good or bad? What can we do about them? Students will learn about and see a variety of invasive species up-close. They will also be given an opportunity to help remove some of these invasive species from Baxter.
Additional Info
- Grade 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
- Season Spring, Summer, Fall
Kindergarten Nature Program
Your Kindergarten class will be led through a series of age-appropriate, interactive activities suited to the season. Investigate what animals need to survive in different habitats through an outdoor scavenger hunt, get hands-on with animal pelts and skulls, and explore nature through fun play-based activities. Can be offered as a half-day or full-day program.
Additional Info
- Grade K
- Season Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Knee High Navigation
It is never too early to learn the basics of navigation! Students try their hands at using map and compass to work their way through a mini-orienteering course.
Additional Info
- Grade K, 1, 2, 3
- Season Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
