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 (1141)
Children categories
Department (68)
Main Office Phone Numbers : 613-692-3571 / 1-800-267-3504
Staff Directory
April 03, 2019
Flood Warning has Ended, But Flood Watch Still in Effect for Low-lying Areas in Rideau Valley Watershed
April 3, 2019 -- With limited precipitation and below seasonal temperatures so far this week, water levels and flows have somewhat stabilized across the Rideau Valley Watershed since last weekend. The flood warning issued over the weekend is now over for the areas listed below; however, a flood watch is still in effect for these areas. With snow still on the ground in some areas, combined with forecasted warmer temperatures and precipitation later this week, increased water levels and flows in all waterways in the Rideau Valley Watershed are still expected in the days to come. Areas currently under a…
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Media Release
April 03, 2019
Flood Warning has Ended, But Flood Watch Still in Effect for Low-lying Areas in Rideau Valley Watershed
April 3, 2019 -- With limited precipitation and below seasonal temperatures so far this week, water levels and flows have somewhat stabilized across the Rideau Valley Watershed since last weekend. The flood warning issued over the weekend is now over for the areas listed below; however, a flood watch is still in effect for these areas. With snow still on the ground in some areas, combined with forecasted warmer temperatures and precipitation later this week, increased water levels and flows in all waterways in the Rideau Valley Watershed are still expected in the days to come. Areas currently under a…
Published in
Watershed Conditions Statements
March 31, 2019
Flood Warning Update #1 -- River Levels are now Causing Flooding in Some Low-lying Areas in Rideau Valley Watershed
March 31, 2019 – Significant precipitation this weekend combined with runoff from melting snow has increased water levels and flows in all waterways in the Rideau Valley Watershed. Although no significant precipitation is expected during the next few days, water levels and flows will likely continue to stay high in most areas due to on-going runoff from melting snow. The areas that are currently experiencing flooding conditions, or will be very soon, include: The smaller creeks and streams in the lower Rideau Valley Watershed, including the low-lying roads and waterfront properties adjacent to the Jock River (near Richmond) and Stevens Creek…
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Watershed Conditions Statements
March 31, 2019
Flood Warning Update #1 -- River Levels are now Causing Flooding in Some Low-lying Areas in Rideau Valley Watershed
March 31, 2019 – Significant precipitation this weekend combined with runoff from melting snow has increased water levels and flows in all waterways in the Rideau Valley Watershed. Although no significant precipitation is expected during the next few days, water levels and flows will likely continue to stay high in most areas due to on-going runoff from melting snow. The areas that are currently experiencing flooding conditions, or will be very soon, include: The smaller creeks and streams in the lower Rideau Valley Watershed, including the low-lying roads and waterfront properties adjacent to the Jock River (near Richmond) and Stevens Creek…
Published in
Media Release
March 30, 2019
Forecast Rain Will Likely Impact Long Reach Waterfront Communities, and Low-lying Areas Along the Jock River and Stevens Creek
March 30, 2019 – After today’s snow and freezing-rain stops, a rainfall in the order of twenty-five millimetres is forecast before the system ends sometime tomorrow. This rainfall, along with runoff from melting snow, is expected to increase water levels and flows in all waterways in the Rideau Valley Watershed. Furthermore, flooding will most likely to occur in the following areas: The smaller creeks and streams in the lower Rideau Valley Watershed. This would include the low-lying roads and waterfront properties adjacent to the Jock River (near Richmond) and Stevens Creek (near North Gower), and any connected creeks or ditches.…
Published in
Media Release
March 30, 2019
Forecast Rain Will Likely Impact Long Reach Waterfront Communities, and Low-lying Areas Along the Jock River and Stevens Creek
March 30, 2019 – After today’s snow and freezing-rain stops, a rainfall in the order of twenty-five millimetres is forecast before the system ends sometime tomorrow. This rainfall, along with runoff from melting snow, is expected to increase water levels and flows in all waterways in the Rideau Valley Watershed. Furthermore, flooding will most likely to occur in the following areas: The smaller creeks and streams in the lower Rideau Valley Watershed. This would include the low-lying roads and waterfront properties adjacent to the Jock River (near Richmond) and Stevens Creek (near North Gower), and any connected creeks or ditches.…
Published in
Watershed Conditions Statements
Project Status: Ongoing
The Rideau Valley Conservation Authority, in collaboration with the City of Ottawa, is conducting a hazard mapping project along Bilberry Creek from Innes Road to the Ottawa River.
Hazard mapping for Bilberry Creek looks to identify:
i) flood risk hazards, and
ii) slope stability hazards
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Special Projects
March 29, 2019 – Since early March, we have experienced a very gradual snow melt with limited precipitation across much of the Rideau Valley Watershed. In the lower Rideau Valley Watershed (North Grenville and Ottawa) and in the Tay Valley Watershed, there still remains above average snow pack which indicates a potential for above average flooding in low lying areas adjacent to any rivers, creeks or ditches. The current weather forecast indicates that it will remain cool (near freezing) for Saturday and Sunday with a mix of rain, freezing rain, and snow on Saturday. However, there is uncertainty about how…
Published in
Watershed Conditions Statements
March 29, 2019 – Since early March, we have experienced a very gradual snow melt with limited precipitation across much of the Rideau Valley Watershed. In the lower Rideau Valley Watershed (North Grenville and Ottawa) and in the Tay Valley Watershed, there still remains above average snow pack which indicates a potential for above average flooding in low lying areas adjacent to any rivers, creeks or ditches. The current weather forecast indicates that it will remain cool (near freezing) for Saturday and Sunday with a mix of rain, freezing rain, and snow on Saturday. However, there is uncertainty about how…
Published in
Media Release
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Emma Jackson
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Corporate Services
March 19, 2019
Snow Melt Gradual, But Still Be Prepared for Spring Flooding Across the Rideau Valley Watershed
March 19, 2019 – Despite some gradual snow melting over the last two weeks, the snowpack throughout the Rideau Valley Watershed remains above average so there is still a potential for above average flooding this spring across the Rideau Valley Watershed, especially in low lying areas which have flooded in the past. However, the current weather forecast until end of March is indicating that daytime temperatures with single digit highs and below zero conditions at night with very little precipitation, so no significant flooding is anticipated in the next week or so. This could change if the forecast changes (i.e.,…
Published in
Media Release
March 19, 2019
Snow Melt Gradual, But Still Be Prepared for Spring Flooding Across the Rideau Valley Watershed
March 19, 2019 – Despite some gradual snow melting over the last two weeks, the snowpack throughout the Rideau Valley Watershed remains above average so there is still a potential for above average flooding this spring across the Rideau Valley Watershed, especially in low lying areas which have flooded in the past. However, the current weather forecast until end of March is indicating that daytime temperatures with single digit highs and below zero conditions at night with very little precipitation, so no significant flooding is anticipated in the next week or so. This could change if the forecast changes (i.e.,…
Published in
Watershed Conditions Statements
March 6, 2019 – The winter of 2018-19 has been an old-fashioned winter with lots of snow (over 250 cm to-date) and no significant thaw events. As such, the snowpack throughout the Rideau Valley Watershed is well above average. Current conditions at several RVCA snow course sites are indicating near record water content amounts in the snow for this time of year, generally not seen since the late 1970s. Based solely on the fact we have above average water content, there is a potential for above average flooding this spring across the Rideau Valley Watershed, especially in low lying areas…
Published in
Media Release
