Baxter CA (24)
Children categories
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.
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 |
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Half Day — Mondays |
September 9 – December 9, 2024 |
$406.80 |
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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) |
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Full Day — Wednesdays |
September 11 – December 11, 2024 (14 sessions) 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. |
$870.10 (full day) |
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Full Day — Thursdays |
September 12 – December 12, 2024 |
$870.10 |
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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 |
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Half Day — Mondays |
January 6 – March 3, 2025 |
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Full Day |
January 7– March 4, 2025 (9 sessions) 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. or 3 p.m. |
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Full Day — Wednesdays |
January 8– March 5, 2025 |
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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 |
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Half Day — Mondays |
March 17 – June 16, 2025 |
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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. |
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Full Day — Wednesdays |
March 19 – June 18, 2025 |
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Full Day — Thursdays |
March 20 – June 19, 2025 (14 sessions) 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. |
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Half Day — Fridays |
March 21 – June 20, 2025 (13 sessions- no program on Friday, April 18, 2025) 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. |
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Spring Water Awareness Program (S.W.A.P.) Resources
The RVCA is pleased to offer resources to teachers interested in promoting spring water awareness. As winter turns to spring, snow and ice begin to melt and waterways begin to fill up with cold, fast moving water. Children are often interested in exploring rushing streams and thawing ponds during the warm days of spring. However, these areas can be unsafe and it is important to teach students the dangers of these areas. Please go to the following link for more information: www.rvca.ca/outdoor-education/spring-water-awareness-program
Additional Info
- Grade 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
- Season Spring
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
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
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.
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* | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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
Winter Wonderland
Bundle up and prepare for a wild winter adventure! Explore the winter forest at Baxter and learn about how plants and animals have adapted to survive these cold Canadian months.
Additional Info
- Grade 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
- Season Winter
Overnight Camping
The possibility for a more extensive visit exists at our group camping area. The large clearing offers a campfire area, outhouses, and cut firewood. Take an evening stroll on the trails or gather round the campfire for some fun and games.
Additional Info
- Grade 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
- Season Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Team Building
Students will be led through a series of team building and problem solving exercises. These activities are designed to help groups work more effectively together while developing useful communication and problem solving skills. NOTE: Normally, offered as a full day program. Please ask about options.
Additional Info
- Grade 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
- Season Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
More...
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
Outdoor Survival Skills
What would you do if you were lost in the woods!? What things would you need to survive? Working in groups, students will have the chance to explore the concepts of shelter building, fire building, and outdoor cooking.
Additional Info
- Grade 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
- Season Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Wetland Ecology
Investigate the diversity of living things found in a wetland ecosystem. Using nets, basins and identification keys, students will learn to identify animals that inhabit them, the importance and function of a wetland, the different types, human impacts and what we need to do to protect and preserve wetlands.
Additional Info
- Grade 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
- Season Spring, Summer, Fall
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
