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
Governance (8)
Audit Committee — 2024
| Meeting Date | Agendas | Minutes |
|---|---|---|
| April 8, 2024 | Agenda Package | Draft Minutes |
Audit Committee — 2023
| Meeting Date | Agendas | Minutes |
|---|---|---|
| April 19, 2023 | Agenda Package | Approved Minutes |
Audit Committee — 2022
| Meeting Date | Agendas | Minutes |
|---|---|---|
| March 11, 2022 | Agenda Package | Approved Minutes |
| Title | Download |
|---|
Category 2 MOU/Agreements
Category 3 MOU/Agreements
Plan Review/Service Agreements
| Township/City/MOUname | ||
|---|---|---|
| Green Acres | Download | |
| Monitoring | Download | |
| File | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fee Policy | Download | |
| Programs and Services Fee Schedule | Download | |
| Minister's Direction on Fees | Download | |
2024 Fees - effective January 1, 2024 (30-day notice)
- Schedule A: Planning Advisory Program
- Schedule B: Conservation Authorities Act Applications
- Schedule C: Technical Report Review
- Schedule D: Information and Professional Services
Category 2 Program Agreements
Category 3 Program Agreements
The RVCA Board of Directors is made up of appointees from the Rideau's 18 member municipalities plus an agricultural member appointed by the Minister. These representatives oversee the work of the conservation authority.
|
Member
|
Representing
|
| Councillor Kristin Strackerjan - Chair | Municipality of North Grenville |
| City of Ottawa | |
|
VACANT
|
|
|
Deputy Mayor Adrian Wynands
|
|
|
Deputy Reeve Brian Dowdall
|
|
| Councillor Susan Irwin | Township of Central Frontenac |
| VACANT | City of Clarence Rockland |
| Reeve Steve Fournier | |
| Deputy Mayor Anne Barr | Village of Merrickville-Wolford |
| Councillor Trevor Johnson | |
|
VACANT
|
|
| Councillor David Brown | City of Ottawa |
| Councillor Sean Devine | City of Ottawa |
| Councillor Theresa Kavanagh | City of Ottawa |
| Councillor Wilson Lo | City of Ottawa |
| Councillor Gary Waterfield | Town of Perth |
| Councillor Jeff Banks | Township of Rideau Lakes |
|
Mayor Shawn Pankow
|
|
| Councillor Adam Turcotte | |
| Councillor Angela Pierman | |
| Councillor Barry Card | |
| Mel Foster | Agricultural Sector |
The Rideau Valley Conservation Authority is a public sector organization established by local municipalities under the Conservation Authorities Act, to develop and deliver watershed-based resource management programs on behalf of the Province and participating municipalities. The 18 municipalities located in the Rideau Valley watershed appoint representatives who serve on the Board of Directors to oversee the programs of the RVCA. These appointed directors, who are members of Council or citizen appointees, speak on behalf of all watershed residents along with an agricultural representative appointed by the Minister of Environment, Conservation and Parks.
