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
May 7, 2019 – Your mother gave you the gift of life, and now you can return the favour. Thanks to the Rideau Valley Conservation Foundation’s special occasions tree planting program, you can skip the grocery store bouquet and plant an environmental legacy in your mom’s honour, instead. The trees are planted across the Rideau Valley watershed, from Frontenac to Smiths Falls to downtown Ottawa, helping to fight erosion, manage floods and keep contaminants out of our rivers and lakes. Staff tend to the new trees, helping them grow into maturity so they can thrive for decades – much like…
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Media Release
May 6, 2019 —A FLOOD WATCH is being maintained for properties around Bobs Lake and Christie Lake. Water levels on both lakes continue to decline slowly but both remain above average for this time of year. The current water level on Bobs Lake is above the "Full Supply" threshold at which flood damage can occur. The current water level on Christie Lake is such that some flood damage can also occur. The current forecast indicates between 20 mm and 35 mm of rain could fall later this week. This rainfall will likely increase water levels again on Bobs Lake and Christie Lake. Parks…
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Watershed Conditions Statements
May 6, 2019 —A FLOOD WATCH is being maintained for properties around Bobs Lake and Christie Lake. Water levels on both lakes continue to decline slowly but both remain above average for this time of year. The current water level on Bobs Lake is above the "Full Supply" threshold at which flood damage can occur. The current water level on Christie Lake is such that some flood damage can also occur. The current forecast indicates between 20 mm and 35 mm of rain could fall later this week. This rainfall will likely increase water levels again on Bobs Lake and Christie Lake. Parks…
Published in
Media Release
May 3, 2019 — Rideau Valley Conservation Authority (RVCA), in conjunction with the Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority (MVCA) and South Nation Conservation (SNC) is maintaining the FLOOD WARNING issued on April 19, 2019 for the areas under our jurisdiction along the Ottawa River. The most recent model outputs from the Ottawa River Regulation Committee (ORRC) indicate that water levels have peaked on Lac Coulonge and are expected to begin rising again over the next few days. Along the Ottawa River below Lac Coulonge, levels are expected to remain stable or slowly decline over the next few days in all locations. All flood-prone areas…
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Media Release
May 3, 2019 — Rideau Valley Conservation Authority (RVCA), in conjunction with the Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority (MVCA) and South Nation Conservation (SNC) is maintaining the FLOOD WARNING issued on April 19, 2019 for the areas under our jurisdiction along the Ottawa River. The most recent model outputs from the Ottawa River Regulation Committee (ORRC) indicate that water levels have peaked on Lac Coulonge and are expected to begin rising again over the next few days. Along the Ottawa River below Lac Coulonge, levels are expected to remain stable or slowly decline over the next few days in all locations. All flood-prone areas…
Published in
Watershed Conditions Statements
May 1, 2019 — Rideau Valley Conservation Authority (RVCA), in conjunction with the Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority (MVCA) and South Nation Conservation (SNC) is maintaining the FLOOD WARNING issued on April 19, 2019 for the areas under our jurisdiction along the Ottawa River. The most recent model outputs from the Ottawa River Regulation Committee (ORRC) indicate that water levels have peaked on Lac Coulonge. From Chats Lake down to Hawkesbury/Grenville, levels have stabilized but are expected to increase due to forecasted rain of 15 to 35 mm on a large part of the basin starting today. All flood-prone areas along the…
Published in
Media Release
May 1, 2019 — Rideau Valley Conservation Authority (RVCA), in conjunction with the Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority (MVCA) and South Nation Conservation (SNC) is maintaining the FLOOD WARNING issued on April 19, 2019 for the areas under our jurisdiction along the Ottawa River. The most recent model outputs from the Ottawa River Regulation Committee (ORRC) indicate that water levels have peaked on Lac Coulonge. From Chats Lake down to Hawkesbury/Grenville, levels have stabilized but are expected to increase due to forecasted rain of 15 to 35 mm on a large part of the basin starting today. All flood-prone areas along the…
Published in
Watershed Conditions Statements
April 29, 2019 — Rideau Valley Conservation Authority (RVCA), in conjunction with the Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority (MVCA) and South Nation Conservation (SNC) is maintaining the FLOOD WARNING issued on April 19, 2019 for the areas under our jurisdiction along the Ottawa River. The most recent model outputs from the Ottawa River Regulation Committee (ORRC) indicate that runoff from snowmelt and precipitation is decreasing from Mattawa to Lac Coulonge with levels stabilizing in Mattawa and Pembroke. The Lower Ottawa River water levels are increasing due to upstream spring runoff caused by rainfall, saturated soil and snowmelt over the central part of…
Published in
Watershed Conditions Statements
April 29, 2019 — Rideau Valley Conservation Authority (RVCA), in conjunction with the Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority (MVCA) and South Nation Conservation (SNC) is maintaining the FLOOD WARNING issued on April 19, 2019 for the areas under our jurisdiction along the Ottawa River. The most recent model outputs from the Ottawa River Regulation Committee (ORRC) indicate that runoff from snowmelt and precipitation is decreasing from Mattawa to Lac Coulonge with levels stabilizing in Mattawa and Pembroke. The Lower Ottawa River water levels are increasing due to upstream spring runoff caused by rainfall, saturated soil and snowmelt over the central part of…
Published in
Media Release
April 29, 2019 - Unlike the Ottawa River Watershed which is currently experiencing historic high water conditions, the water levels and flows in the Rideau Valley Watershed are declining and approaching seasonal levels in all waterways except for Bobs Lake and Christie Lake. The current forecast indicates between 35 mm and 50 mm of rain could fall later this week. This rainfall will have limited impact within the watershed except for Bobs Lake and Christie Lake where levels will likely increase. Parks Canada staff are closely monitoring the water levels in these lakes, and operations at the Bolingbroke Dam will…
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Media Release
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April 29, 2019 - Unlike the Ottawa River Watershed which is currently experiencing historic high water conditions, the water levels and flows in the Rideau Valley Watershed are declining and approaching seasonal levels in all waterways except for Bobs Lake and Christie Lake. The current forecast indicates between 35 mm and 50 mm of rain could fall later this week. This rainfall will have limited impact within the watershed except for Bobs Lake and Christie Lake where levels will likely increase. Parks Canada staff are closely monitoring the water levels in these lakes, and operations at the Bolingbroke Dam will…
Published in
Watershed Conditions Statements
April 27, 2019 — Rideau Valley Conservation Authority (RVCA), in conjunction with the Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority (MVCA) and South Nation Conservation (SNC) is maintaining the FLOOD WARNING issued on April 19, 2019 for the areas under our jurisdiction along the Ottawa River. The most recent model outputs from the Ottawa River Regulation Committee (ORRC) indicate that the previous estimates for peak levels remain unchanged at this time. All flood-prone areas along the Ottawa River from Lac Coulonge down to the Montreal Archipelago are at risk. Peak water levels across many areas of the Ottawa River will exceed those experienced in…
Published in
Media Release
April 27, 2019 — Rideau Valley Conservation Authority (RVCA), in conjunction with the Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority (MVCA) and South Nation Conservation (SNC) is maintaining the FLOOD WARNING issued on April 19, 2019 for the areas under our jurisdiction along the Ottawa River. The most recent model outputs from the Ottawa River Regulation Committee (ORRC) indicate that the previous estimates for peak levels remain unchanged at this time. All flood-prone areas along the Ottawa River from Lac Coulonge down to the Montreal Archipelago are at risk. Peak water levels across many areas of the Ottawa River will exceed those experienced in…
Published in
Watershed Conditions Statements
April 25, 2019 — Rideau Valley Conservation Authority (RVCA), in conjunction with the Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority (MVCA) and South Nation Conservation (SNC) is maintaining the FLOOD WARNING issued on April 19, 2019 for the areas under our jurisdiction along the Ottawa River. Significant rainfall has fallen over the Ottawa River basin since Thursday, April 18, 2019. There is additional rainfall amounts of 25 to 50 mm forecast over the next 24 to 36 hours. All flood-prone areas along the Ottawa River from Lac Coulonge down to the Montreal Archipelago are at risk. Peak water levels across many areas of the…
Published in
Media Release
