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
RVCA (1140)
Children categories
Department (68)
Main Office Phone Numbers : 613-692-3571 / 1-800-267-3504
Staff Directory
April 08, 2023
Flood Warning & Flood Watch – Update #1: Water Levels To Remain High Across Rideau Valley
(WCS - 06/2023) April 8, 2023 – The Flood Warning and Flood Watch issued on April 6, 2023 remains in effect for the Rideau Valley watershed. Flood conditions are present in many low-lying areas adjacent to several rivers, lakes, creeks and ditches. Additional areas have the potential to flood next week, as the remaining snow within the City of Ottawa and the Tay River watershed is expected to finish melting due to multiple days with high temperatures in the double digits. The short-term weather forecast indicates no precipitation for next few days. Staring on Monday April 10, 2023, temperatures will…
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Watershed Conditions Statements
April 06, 2023
Flood Outlook — Lower Ottawa River | Perspective de crue – Cours inférieur de la rivière des Outaouais
Water Conditions Statement: Flood Outlook — Lower Ottawa River April 7, 2023 — A Flood Outlook Statement is being issued for areas along the Lower Ottawa River (Arnprior to Hawkesbury). Based on forecasted higher temperatures and anticipated snow melt, levels and flows along the Ottawa River are expected to increase over the next few days, marking the beginning of the spring freshet in the Ottawa River basin. Snow cover varies significantly across the 146,300 km2 Ottawa River basin, with several areas experiencing above average snow water content. Based on current weather forecasts, minor flooding may occur in low-lying areas generally susceptible…
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Watershed Conditions Statements
April 06, 2023
FLOOD WARNING & FLOOD WATCH: Significant Rain Causes Water Levels To Rise Across Rideau Valley
(WCS – R05/2023) RIDEAU VALLEY, April 6, 2023 – A combined Flood Warning and Flood Watch is in effect for the Rideau Valley following a significant rain/freezing rain event yesterday. Flood conditions are present in many low-lying areas adjacent to several rivers, creeks and ditches. Additional areas have the potential to flood over the next few days, especially because of snow remaining within the City of Ottawa and the Tay River watershed. The short-term weather forecast indicates no precipitation for next few days. Daytime temperatures will generally be above zero and night-time temperatures will be below zero for next few days. Temperatures…
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Watershed Conditions Statements
March 30, 2023
FLOOD WATCH: Localized Flooding Possible as Precipitation, Warmer Weather Increase Rideau Valley Water Levels
(WCS – R04/2023) RIDEAU VALLEY, March 30, 2023 – A Flood Watch has been issued for the Rideau Valley as a rainy weekend mixes with the residual snowpack still intact in some areas after a cool March. Potential flooding could begin to impact low-lying areas as early as Saturday and continue throughout next week. Since early March, we have experienced a very gradual snow melt with some precipitation across the Rideau Valley Watershed. As such, snow remains in some parts of our watershed, most prominently in the City of Ottawa and the Tay River watershed, which indicates a potential for flooding in…
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Watershed Conditions Statements
March 28, 2023
Seeking New Member for Local Source Protection Committee
MISSISSIPPI AND RIDEAU WATERSHEDS, March 28, 2023 — Do you care about the health of your drinking water? The Mississippi-Rideau Source Protection Region (MRSPR) is seeking a Source Protection Committee member who is interested in protecting municipal drinking water sources in the Mississippi and Rideau Valley watersheds. The Source Protection Committee oversees the implementation of science-based source protection plans to protect municipal water sources in the Mississippi Valley and Rideau Valley watersheds. It meet several times a year in various locations across the region. The committee is looking for one public sector representative to liaise on behalf any of the following seats: environmental,…
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Media Release
(WCS – R03/2023) RIDEAU VALLEY, March 23, 2023 – A cool March combined with above-average snowfall amounts this winter means the snowpack is higher than average for this time of year across much of the Rideau Valley Watershed. This creates potential for above-average flooding in all low-lying areas adjacent to any rivers, creeks or ditches. The short-term weather forecast indicates rain amounts of 15-25 mm on Thurs. March 23 with temperatures well above zero, and cooler temperatures on Friday. Another precipitation event is forecast for Saturday and Sunday, but it’s unclear how much precipitation will fall, and if it will come…
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Watershed Conditions Statements
OTTAWA, March 14, 2023 – It’s officially March, and that means it's time to haul in your fishing huts, hockey nets and other gear before the ice is out. Building materials, rink lights, benches and shovels, garbage and other waste can pollute our rivers and lakes, be toxic for fish and wildlife and create hazards for boaters and swimmers in the spring. Under Ontario law, Eastern Ontario fishing huts must be removed by March 15. However, as the sun gets stronger and the weather begins to warm, it’s wise to remove them sooner rather than later. If you wait too long, you…
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Media Release
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March 09, 2023
SPRING OUTLOOK - With High Snowpack, Prepare for Spring Flooding Across the Rideau Valley
(WCS – R02/2023) RIDEAU VALLEY, March 9, 2023 – The winter of 2022-23 is quickly coming to an end, and RVCA’s Flood Forecasting team is working closely with its municipal and agency partners to prepare for potential spring flooding. As discussed below, it is important to be prepared for possible flood conditions over the next few weeks as spring returns to the Rideau Valley watershed. Current conditions: This winter has been unusually mild with some rain events and approximately 300 cm of snow fallen to date in the Ottawa area. The snowpack varies throughout the Rideau Valley Watershed, but in general the…
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Watershed Conditions Statements
March 03, 2023
North Grenville councillor elected RVCA board chair
MANOTICK, March 3, 2023 – North Grenville Councillor Kristin Strackerjan is the new board chair for the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority (RVCA). Strackerjan was elected at the RVCA’s board meeting on Feb. 23. Anne Robinson, citizen representative for the City of Ottawa, was elected vice chair. “My time on the RVCA board has been very interesting, and adding the responsibility of chair will allow me to be further engaged in other areas of discussion, such as at Conservation Ontario meetings,” Strackerjan said. She noted that she lives in a high-growth area with many waterways intersecting with development. “The conservation of land…
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Media Release
The 2023 RVCA Watershed Report Card.
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Monitoring & Reporting
