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
Clearance of Conditions Form
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Commemorative Foley Mountain puzzle to support park programs
Thank you for your interest in booking an education program at Baxter Conservation Area. Please check out our list of Baxter Educational Programs and then review the Baxter Education calendar and complete the form to request a booking.
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Foley Mountain Forest School (Westport, ON) draft)
Foley Mountain 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.
Tuition subsidies for the forest school program may be available for those who qualify. Please contact for more details.
Location: Foley Mountain Lane, Westport, ON — Google map
Programs that we offer:
- Family Forest School
- Kindergarten for children aged 4-5
- School age for children aged 6-12
- Family drop-in programs for all ages
PLEASE NOTE — We will consider offering additional program days if there is demand!
PLEASE READ our Forest School Frequently Asked Questions for more information.
NEW PROGRAM – Family Forest School
Is your child a bit too young to join in our independent programs or are you just looking to be a part of their forest school experience? Well, this new program may be the perfect fit for you!
- The same play based, child centred learning environment as our other forest school programs. Enjoy play, stories, snack time, forest adventures, and more!
- A new forest school program for children aged 2-5 (younger or slightly older siblings are welcome to tag along) where a parent or guardian stays with the child during the program.
- Tuesdays from 9:30am – 11:30am offered in the same fall, winter, and spring sessions as our other programs. Registration is for the whole session.
- Supported by one of our skilled and experienced forest school educators.
- Cost per child is $18/morning plus HST.
Program | Date/Time | Cost |
Fall 2024 – Tuesdays Registration open now |
Sept 10 – Nov 26, 2024/9:30am – 11:30am | $244.08 |
Winter 2025 – Tuesdays | Jan 14 – March, 4/9:30am – 11:30am | $162.72 |
Spring 2025 – Tuesdays | March 25-June 10, 4/9:30am – 11:30am | $244.08 |
To Register
Please complete the registration request form to be added to our registration list. Upon completion of the form, we will send you a registration package, including the program handbook and other necessary documents. PLEASE NOTE that filling out this form does not necessarily guarantee a space in the program but begins the registration process.
Kindergarten Program
- Children ages 4-5 years
- Program runs from 9am – 12pm
- Cost per child is $30/morning plus HST. All prices below include HST.
- Participants must be able to use the toilet independently
- Please check out our Frequently Asked Questions for more information.
Program | Date/Time | Cost |
Fall 2024 – Wednesdays REGISTRATION NOW OPEN! |
Sept 11 – Nov 27, 2024/9am – 12pm | $406.80 |
Winter 2025 - Wednesdays | Jan 15 – March 5/9am – 12pm | $271.20 |
Spring 2025 - Wednesdays | March 26 – June 11/9am-12pm | $406.80 |
To Register
Please complete the registration request form to be added to our registration list. Upon completion of the form, we will send you a registration package, including the program handbook and other necessary documents. PLEASE NOTE that filling out this form does not necessarily guarantee a space in the program but begins the registration process.
School Age Program
- For children aged 6–12
- Cost per child is $55/full day or $30/half day plus HST. All prices below include HST.
Program Session |
Date/Time |
Cost |
Fall 2024 - Thursdays, Full Day REGISTRATION NOW OPEN! |
Sept 12 - Nov 28, 2023/9am - 3pm | $745.80 |
Fall 2024 - Thursdays, Half Day REGISTRATION NOW OPEN! |
Sept 12 - Nov 28, 2023/9am - 12pm | $406.80 |
Winter 2025 – Thursdays, Full Day | Jan 16 – Mar 6, 2025/9am - 3pm | $497.20 |
Winter 2025 – Thursdays, Half Day | Jan 16 – Mar 6, 2025/9am - 12pm | $271.20 |
Spring 2025 – Thursdays, Full Day | March 27 – June 12, 2025/9am - 3pm | $745.80 |
Spring 2025 – Thursdays, Half Day | March 27 – June 12, 2025/9am - 12pm | $406.80 |
To Register
Please complete the registration request form to be added to our registration list. Upon completion of the form, we will send you a registration package, including the program handbook and other necessary documents. PLEASE NOTE that filling out this form does not necessarily guarantee a space in the program but begins the registration process.
Forest School FREE Family Drop In Programs
Pack up the family and head down to Foley Mountain Conservation Area to explore, adventure, play, and learn in the forest! Thanks to the Township of Rideau Lakes, we are offering FREE family drop-in program.
2024 Drop In Programs
- April 20, from 10-11:30 am Waitlist Only
- May 18, from 10-11:30 am Waitlist Only
- June 15, from 10-11:30 am Waitlist Only
- July 20, from 10-11:30 am
- August 17, from 10-11:30 am
- September 21, from 10-11:30 am
- October 19, from 10-11:30 am
- November 16, from 10-11:30 am
- December 21, from 10-11:30 am
General Information:
- All ages of children welcome, children must be accompanied by an adult
- PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED and group size will be limited - please complete the registration request form to pre-register or be added to the waitlist.
- FREE of cost
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