RVCA (1141)
Children categories
Department (66)
Main Office Phone Numbers : 613-692-3571 / 1-800-267-3504
Staff Directory
Stephen Bohan
Survey seeks feedback ahead of new Resource Management Strategy
ALUS Lanark expands, becomes ALUS Mississippi-Rideau
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
Winter 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
- 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.
- Cost per child is $55/full day or $30/half day
- We will do our best to accommodate your requests but reserve the right to alter the schedule based on demand.
- 2025 Spring Forest School dates are listed below, and registration will take place in early 2025.
Tuition subsidies for the forest school program may be available for those who qualify. Please contact for more details.
Winter Forest School
| 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. |
| Half Day — Fridays (Ages 6-10) |
January 10 – March 7, 2025 (9 sessions) 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. |
Fall Forest School Sessions (Registration now open)
| Program Session | Date/Time | Cost |
|
Half Day — Mondays |
September 9 – December 9, 2024 |
$360 |
|
Full Day (with half day option) — Tuesdays |
September 10 – December 11, 2024 (14 sessions) 9 a.m. to 12 pm or 3 p.m. |
$770 (full day) $420 (half day) |
|
Full Day — Wednesdays |
September 10 – December 11, 2024 (14 sessions) 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. |
$770 (full day) |
|
Full Day — Thursdays |
September 12 – December 12, 2024 |
$770 |
|
Half Day — Fridays |
September 13 – December 13, 2024 (14 sessions) 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. |
$420 (half day) |
*plus any applicable taxes
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 | ||||||
 |
||||||
Consultation open for proposed updates to Mississippi-Rideau Source Protection Plan
Dan Nguyen
Baxter will be offering PD Day programs this school year! The days will be themed by our outdoor education staff depending on the season and time of year such as Outdoor Survival Skills, Navigation, Winter Wonderland, Animals and Habitats.
Come join us for a day in the Forest!
Please submit your request for Baxter PD Day Programs using our Registration Request Form. We are looking forward to welcoming your child(ren) to Baxter for days of exploration, outdoor learning, and play.
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.
PD Day Program Details:
- We are excited to offer programming for the following age groups: 6-12.
- Children are eligible for a session if they are six years old by December 31, 2024.
- Cost per child is $55/full day.
- The program will run from 9 AM to 4 PM each day.
- You can register for all sessions for your school board or one at a time.
- Our PD Program days will be run out of Baxter’s Interpretive Centre.
- There are no before or after care options for our PD Day Program.
Watershed Conditions Statement: Forecasted Precipitation to Increase Water Levels Across Rideau Valley Watershed
More...
Tree planting protects properties against extreme weather
Try Forest School this summer during Baxter’s drop-in days!
NEW Summer Forest School Drop In Days at Baxter!
REGISTRATION NOW OPEN
Baxter will be offering Summer Forest School Drop In Days in August 2024 with a summer camp twist! For any families wondering what Forest School is all about, this is your chance to try it out for a day without signing up for an entire session. Since it’s the summer, we’re going to include some summer camp activities throughout the day as well. Come join us for a day in the Forest!
Please submit your request for Forest School Drop-In Days using our Registration Request Form. We are looking forward to welcoming your child(ren) to Baxter Forest School for summer days of exploration, outdoor learning, fun and play.
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.
Drop In Program Details:
- We are excited to offer programming for the following age groups: 4-6 and 6-10.
- Children are eligible for a session if they meet the minimum age requirement by December 31, 2024. The minimum age requirement is 4 years old for the half day program and 6 years old for the full day program.
- Cost per child is $55/full day or $30/half day plus HST.
- You can register for any number of sessions for your age group.
- Our summer drop-in days will be run out of Baxter’s River Cabin at our group campsite – where Forest School is normally run throughout the school year.
- There will not be swimming at our Summer Forest School Drop-In Days, although water games and alternative ways to cool off will be included in the program, especially during hot weather.
- There are no before or after care options for Summer Forest School Drop-In Days.
- We will consider offering additional program days if there is demand!
Drop-In Days:
Salamanders (4-6 years old)
Half Day: 9 AM – Noon
$30 plus HST
- August 7
- August 23
- August 28
Frogs (6-10 years old)
Full Day: 9 AM – 3 PM
$55 plus HST
- August 8
- August 9
- August 14
- August 26
- August 27