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
Displaying items by tag: covid19
RVCA Offices Closed to Public
Rideau Watershed, March 17, 2020 — The health, safety and well-being of our visitors and staff is our top priority. RVCA is responding to the COVID-19 pandemic with the following changes in operations and programming effective immediately:
- The RVCA Administrative Centre (3889 Rideau Valley Drive, Manotick) is closed to the general public.
- Meetings and events scheduled at the RVCA Administrative Centre are cancelled.
- Education programming and rentals at Baxter and Foley Mountain Conservation Areas are cancelled.
- Interpretive centres and privies at RVCA Conservation Areas are closed to the general public. The trails remain open for physical and mental health benefits and will be available free of charge until April 6, 2020.
- All essential services including RVCA’s flood forecasting and warning operations and planning and permitting remain active.
Staff will continue to provide service over the phone and through email. Please call 613-692-3571 or 1-800-267-3504 or search online at www.rvca.ca/directory for a directory of services and contact information. Permits and other hard copy documents can be dropped off in our drop box at RVCA Administrative office or emailed to the appropriate staff member. Payment can be taken over the phone at 613-692-3571 ext. 1100.
Theses decisions are in response to recent measures implemented across the province. As of today, we plan to reopen on Monday, April 6, 2020. We will continue to monitor the situation and reassess as more information becomes available. Please check the RVCA website and social media platforms for updates. Your patience and cooperation are appreciated.
RVCA’s outdoor facilities at our developed Conservation Area will remain open for public use; only the interpretive centres and privies will be closed. The public are invited to use our outdoor trails and boardwalks free of charge until April 6, 2020. Visit www.rvca.ca/conservation-areas for a complete listing of locations and amenities.
Keeping you safe at our conservation areas
OTTAWA, JAN. 11, 2020 – We know that outdoor spaces matter right now more than ever: your mental and physical health depend on them. That's why we are proud to keep our 11 conservation areas and 42 km of trails open for you during this time.
When visiting our sites, your safety and the safety of others is our top priority. Please remember:
- Stay 2 metres from people outside your household, or wear a mask if that’s not possible;
- Follow all directional signs on trails (many are now one-way loops to limit passing);
- No more than 25 people in gathering areas like parking lots, trailheads, viewing areas and toboggan hills;
- Mask required when congregating at parking lots, trailheads, viewing areas and toboggan hills;
- If the park looks busy, be prepared to come back another time;
- Stay on the trails and park only in designated areas;
- Keep dogs on leash at all times;
- Ice conditions are not monitored and may be unsafe;
- All conservation areas close at dusk.
Please note that parking fees apply in some parks. Annual passes are also available at paybyphone.com (code 5222).
Thank you for your continued commitment to keeping our community safe and healthy.
Happy trails!
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For more information:
Chelsey Ellis
Conservation Lands Planner
