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Baxter Outdoor and Environmental Education Programs

Baxter Conservation Area offers outdoor and environmental education programs for students and community groups from preschool to grade 12 and beyond. Join us in our outdoor classroom and give your students the opportunity to explore and connect with nature. Our education programs provide students and visitors with interactive, hands-on, curriculum-based experiences where they will learn about the natural world and their relationship with it. We also offer outdoor education programs where students will learn navigation and outdoor survival skills as well.  

Baxter can accommodate up to 60 students per day. All equipment is included in our programs and each program runs approximately 1.5 hours in length. Below please find descriptions of each of the programs we offer. 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 also only guidelines. Please select any desired fields to narrow your search.

Half Day Program $200 / group * maximum 30 students, 90 minutes with an RVCA instructor
Full Day Program $275 / group * maximum 30 students, two 90 minutes with an RVCA instructor
Self-directed $2.50/person * Interested in just visiting the conservation area with your class but not booking a program? The cost is $2.50/person. This does not include the use of buildings other than access to public washrooms. To reserve facilities, contact staff. Staff must still be contacted to book a self-directed visit.
Overnight Tent Camping (accommodations only) 1-15 people - $75/night *
16-30 people - $150/night *
30+ people - contact for pricing *
Additional buildings also available for rent (link to facility rentals) 
Take you class on an overnight adventure to our group camping area! Plan your own activities or book our education staff to provide programming during your stay (see above for pricing).

* plus applicable taxes

Baxter’s Cancellation Policy: A minimum of fifteen (15) business days notice is required to cancel education programs at Baxter Conservation Area.
This policy gives schools/groups on our waiting list sufficient time to try and fill the program opening. If Baxter Conservation Area is notified of a cancellation less than 15 business days in advance of your scheduled visit, a cancellation fee of $50.00 will be charged.

In the event of severe weather conditions (i.e. thunderstorms, snowstorms, etc.), Baxter staff will make contact with your school/group by 7:00 AM the morning of your trip if we need to re-schedule or cancel the program on that day. There will be no charge for a cancellation made due to school bus cancellations or severe weather conditions on the day of your trip.

Baxter Education Program Descriptions

Baxter Forest School DRAFT

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
(Ages 4-6) 

January 6 – March 3, 2025
(8 sessions - no program on Monday, February 17, 2025)
9 am. to 12 p.m.

Full Day
(with half day option) — Tuesdays
(Ages 6-8)

January 7– March 4, 2025
(9 sessions)
9 a.m. to 12 p.m. or 3 p.m.

Full Day — Wednesdays
(Ages 8-13)

January 8– March 5, 2025
(9 sessions)
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Full Day — Thursdays
(Ages 6-10)

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
(Ages 4-6) WAITLIST ONLY

September 9 – December 9, 2024
(12 sessions - no program on Monday October 14, 2024
and Monday November 11, 2024)
9 am. to 12 p.m.

$360

Full Day (with half day option) — Tuesdays
(Ages 6-8) One space available

 

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
(Ages 8-13) WAITLIST ONLY

September 10 – December 11, 2024
(14 sessions)
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
$770 (full day)

Full Day — Thursdays
(Ages 6-10) One space available

September 12 – December 12, 2024
(14 sessions)
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

$770

Half Day — Fridays
(Ages 4-6) WAITLIST ONLY

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
(Ages 4-6)

March 17 – June 16, 2025
(12 sessions - no program on Monday, April 21 and Monday May 19, 2025) 9 am. to 12 p.m.

Full Day (with half day option) — Tuesdays
(Ages 6-8)

March 18 – June 17, 2025
(14 sessions) 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. or 3 p.m.

Full Day — Wednesdays
(Ages 8-13)

March 19 – June 18, 2025
(14 sessions) 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Full Day — Thursdays
(Ages 6-10)

March 20 – June 19, 2025
(14 sessions) 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Half Day — Fridays
(Ages 4-6)

March 21 – June 20, 2025
(13 sessions- no program on Friday, April 18, 2025)
9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

  

Our Community Partners
th 1            

Contact 

Forest School Lead Educator


E-mail: 
Tel: 613-489-3592
Fax: 613-692- 0831

Contact Us

Address:
Rideau Valley Conservation Authority
3889 Rideau Valley Drive
Manotick, Ontario K4M 1A5

Phone:
613-692-3571, 1-800-267-3504

Email:

Hours:

Regular Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Member of: conservation ontario