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: flood
Water Conditions Statement: Flood Warning — Lower Ottawa River
May 10, 2023 — This FLOOD WARNING statement is an update to the Flood Warning issued for areas along the Lower Ottawa River (Arnprior to Hawkesbury) on May 2nd, 2023.
Water levels along the main stem of the Ottawa River reached peak levels on May 5th and 6th due to above normal snow melt in the upper region of the basin this spring, combined with large regional rain events that occurred over several days in late April and early May.
Based on Ottawa River Regulating Committee forecasts, it is expected that water levels will continue to slowly decline along the main stem of the Ottawa River. Water levels are expected to remain high for the next few weeks.
Affected locations include flood-prone areas at Chats Lake, Constance Bay area, Britannia / Lac Deschênes, Cumberland, City of Clarence-Rockland, Township of Alfred Plantagenet, and other vulnerable areas down to Carillion Dam.
Peak river conditions remain dependent on the amount of rainfall received. Forecast levels over a four-day period are provided at the Ottawa River Regulation Planning Board website (Forecasts - Ottawa River Regulation Planning Board) and updated daily as conditions could change quickly. Wind and wave effects are not included in this forecast and water levels could fluctuate due to high wind gusts.
Residents in flood-prone areas are encouraged to closely follow changing conditions and to take necessary measures. Residents are advised to stay away from watercourses where flows are high and where banks might be unstable. Parents are encouraged to explain dangers to children and provide appropriate supervision around all waterbodies.
The Mississippi Valley, Rideau Valley, and South Nation Conservation Authorities monitor water levels and weather forecasts with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry as part of the Flood Forecasting and Warning Program. Updates are provided as conditions change.
The Ottawa River Regulating Committee will be reassessing forecast conditions and providing hydrological condition updates on its website daily at www.ottawariver.ca/forecasts.
To view current flood warnings across Ontario, visit: www.ontario.ca/law-and-safety/flood-forecasting-and-warning-program.
This FLOOD WARNING STATEMENT is in effect until May 23, 2023 at 5:00 PM. Updates will be provided as conditions change.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Brian Stratton
RVCA Manager Engineering Services
613-692-3571 or 1-800-267-3504 ext. 1141
Definitions:
- Water Conditions Statement: Water Safety: indicates that high flows, melting ice or other factors could be dangerous for such users as boaters, anglers and swimmers but flooding is not expected.
- Water Conditions Statement: Flood Outlook: gives early notice of the potential for flooding based on weather forecasts calling for heavy rain, snow melt, high winds or other conditions.
- Flood Watch: potential for flooding exists within specific watercourses and municipalities.
- Flood Warning: flooding is imminent or occurring within specific watercourses and municipalities.
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Déclaration sur l’état de la rivière, mise à jour no 3 : Avertissement de crue: - Cours inférieur de la rivière des Outaouais
10 mai 2023 — Cet AVERTISSEMENT DE CRUE est une mise à jour de l’avertissement de crue émis le 2 mai 2023 pour les secteurs situées le long du cours inférieur de la rivière des Outaouais (d’Arnprior à Hawkesbury).
Les niveaux d'eau le long du bras principal de la rivière des Outaouais ont atteint une pointe les 5 et 6 mai en raison d'une fonte des neiges supérieure à la normale dans la région supérieure du bassin ce printemps, combinée à d'importantes précipitations régionales qui se sont produites pendant plusieurs jours à la fin du mois d'avril et au début du mois de mai.
Selon les prévisions du Comité de régularisation de la rivière des Outaouais, on s'attend à ce que les niveaux d'eau continuent de baisser lentement le long du bras principal de la rivière des Outaouais. Les niveaux d'eau devraient rester élevés au cours des prochaines semaines.
Les endroits touchés comprennent les secteurs sujets aux inondations du lac des Chats, de la région de la baie Constance, de Britannia / Lac Deschênes, de Cumberland, de la Cité de Clarence-Rockland, du canton d’Alfred et Plantagenet et d’autres zones vulnérables jusqu'au barrage de Carillion.
Les conditions de pointe de la rivière dépendent de la quantité de pluie reçue. Les niveaux prévus pour une période de quatre jours sont indiqués sur le site Web de la Commission de planification de la régularisation de la rivière des Outaouais (Prévisions - Commission de planification de la régularisation de la rivière des Outaouais) et mis à jour quotidiennement, car les conditions peuvent changer rapidement. Les effets du vent et des vagues ne sont pas pris en compte dans ces prévisions et les niveaux d'eau pourraient fluctuer en raison de fortes rafales de vent.
Les résidents des zones sujettes aux inondations sont invités à suivre de près l’évolution des conditions et à prendre les mesures nécessaires. Il est conseillé aux résidents de rester à l’écart des cours d’eau où les débits sont élevés et où les berges pourraient être instables. On demande aux parents d'expliquer ces dangers à leurs enfants et d'assurer une surveillance appropriée autour de tous les cours d'eau.
Les offices de protection de la nature de la vallée de la Mississippi, de la vallée de la Rideau et de la Nation Sud surveillent les niveaux d'eau et les prévisions météorologiques avec le ministère des Richesses naturelles et des Forêts dans le cadre du programme de prévision et d'alerte des crues. Des mises à jour sont émises au fur et à mesure que les conditions changent.
Le Comité de régularisation de la rivière des Outaouais réévaluera les conditions prévues et publiera des mises à jour sur l’état de la rivière sur son site Web tous les jours à www.ottawariver.ca/forecasts.
Pour consulter les avertissements d’inondation actuels en Ontario, visitez : www.ontario.ca/law-and-safety/flood-forecasting-and-warning-program.
La présente DÉCLARATION D'AVERTISSEMENT DE CRUE est en vigueur jusqu’au 23 mai 2023 à 17 h 00. Des mises à jour seront transmises au fur et à mesure que les conditions changent.
POUR PLUS D’INFORMATIONS :
Brian Stratton
RVCA Manager Engineering Services
613-692-3571 or 1-800-267-3504 poste 1141
Définitions :
- Communiqué sur les conditions des bassins versants – Sécurité aquatique : indique que des débits forts, de la glace fondante ou d’autres facteurs peuvent être dangereux pour des utilisateurs comme les plaisanciers, les pêcheurs à la ligne et les baigneurs, mais qu’une crue n’est pas prévue.
- Communiqué sur les conditions des bassins versants – Perspective de crue :préavis de crue possible basé sur des prévisions de pluies abondantes, de fonte des neiges, de forts vents ou autre.
- Veille de crue :possibilité de crue pour des cours d’eau et municipalités spécifiques.
- Avertissement de crue : crue immimente ou en cours pour des cours d’eau et
municipalités spécifiques.
Water Conditions Statement: Water Safety — Lower Ottawa River
May 18, 2023 – The Flood Warning for the Ottawa River issued on May 10, 2023 has been downgraded to a Water Safety Statement.
Water levels along the Lower Ottawa River from Gatineau to the Grenville/Hawkesbury area are expected to continue decreasing over the coming days.
Based on Ottawa River Regulating Committee forecasts, Ottawa River water levels are declining, and the rate of decline is slowing as they reach normal summer targets. There is no snow remaining in the watershed and reservoirs are now targeting summer levels. No significant rain is forecasted for the next couple of days.
Residents are advised to stay away from watercourses where flows are high and where banks might be unstable. Parents are encouraged to explain dangers to children.
The Mississippi Valley, Rideau Valley, and South Nation Conservation Authorities monitor water levels and weather forecasts with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry as part of the Flood Forecasting and Warning Program. Updates are provided as conditions change.
This Water Safety Statement will remain in effect until Thursday, June 1 at 5:00 p.m. No further updates will be issued unless forecasted levels or conditions change.
For more information regarding the Ottawa River, visit www.ottawariver.ca.
To view current flood warnings across Ontario, visit: www.ontario.ca/law-and-safety/flood-forecasting-and-warning-program.
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FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Brian Stratton
RVCA Manager Engineering Services
613-692-3571 or 1-800-267-3504 ext. 1141
Definitions:
- Water Conditions Statement: Water Safety: indicates that high flows, melting ice or other factors could be dangerous for such users as boaters, anglers and swimmers but flooding is not expected.
- Water Conditions Statement: Flood Outlook: gives early notice of the potential for flooding based on weather forecasts calling for heavy rain, snow melt, high winds or other conditions.
- Flood Watch: potential for flooding exists within specific watercourses and municipalities.
- Flood Warning: flooding is imminent or occurring within specific watercourses and municipalities.
Déclaration sur l’état de la rivière, mise à jour no 5 : Déclaration Sécurité Aquatique: - Cours inférieur de la rivière des Outaouais
Le 18 mai 2023 - L'avertissement de crue pour la rivière des Outaouais émis le 10 mai 2023 a été rétrogradé à une déclaration de Sécurité aquatique.
On s'attend à ce que les niveaux d'eau le long du cours inférieur de la rivière des Outaouais, de Gatineau à la région de Grenville/Hawkesbury, continuent de diminuer au cours des prochains jours.
Selon les prévisions du Comité de régularisation de la rivière des Outaouais, les niveaux d'eau de la rivière des Outaouais diminuent, et le taux de baisse ralentit alors qu'ils atteignent les cibles estivales normales. Il ne reste plus de neige dans le bassin versant et les réservoirs approchent maintenant les niveaux d'été. Aucune pluie importante n'est prévue pour les deux prochains jours.
Il est conseillé aux habitants de ne pas s'approcher des cours d'eau dont le débit est élevé et dont les berges peuvent être instables. On demande aux parents d'expliquer ces risques à leurs enfants.
Les offices de protection de la nature de la vallée de la Mississippi, de la vallée de la Rideau et de la Nation Sud surveillent les niveaux d'eau et les prévisions météorologiques avec le ministère des Richesses naturelles et des Forêts dans le cadre du programme de prévision et d'alerte des crues. Des mises à jour sont transmises au fur et à mesure de l'évolution des conditions.
Cette Déclaration Sécurité Aquatique restera en vigueur jusqu'au jeudi 1er juin à 17 h. Aucune autre mise à jour ne sera émise à moins que les niveaux ou les conditions prévus ne changent.
Pour de plus amples renseignements sur la rivière des Outaouais, visitez le site www.ottawariver.ca.
Pour consulter les alertes de crues en cours en Ontario, visitez le site www.ontario.ca/law-and-safety/flood-forecasting-and-warning-program.
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POUR PLUS D’INFORMATIONS :
Brian Stratton
RVCA Manager Engineering Services
613-692-3571 or 1-800-267-3504 poste 1141
Définitions :
- Communiqué sur les conditions des bassins versants – Sécurité aquatique : indique que des débits forts, de la glace fondante ou d’autres facteurs peuvent être dangereux pour des utilisateurs comme les plaisanciers, les pêcheurs à la ligne et les baigneurs, mais qu’une crue n’est pas prévue.
- Communiqué sur les conditions des bassins versants – Perspective de crue :préavis de crue possible basé sur des prévisions de pluies abondantes, de fonte des neiges, de forts vents ou autre.
- Veille de crue :possibilité de crue pour des cours d’eau et municipalités spécifiques.
- Avertissement de crue : crue immimente ou en cours pour des cours d’eau et
municipalités spécifiques.
(WCS – R12/2023)
May 19, 2023 – The Rideau Valley Conservation Authority (RVCA) is terminating the Flood Watch that was previously in effect and issuing a High Water Safety message for Bobs Lake and Christie Lake.
The water levels on Bobs and Christie Lakes continue to decline slowly. Although some precipitation is in the forecast for the weekend, both lakes are now near seasonal levels and are not expected to increase significantly. Parks Canada staff are closely monitoring the water levels in these lakes. Operations at the Bolingbroke Dam will take place as required to balance the levels in Bobs Lake and Christie Lake.
Water levels and flows in the rest of the Rideau Valley Watershed are generally average for this time of year.
Everyone should be cautious around lakes and streams given the fluctuating water levels. Children should be educated about the hazards and supervised around all watercourses.
This watershed conditions statement is in effect until Thursday June 1, 2023 at 5 PM. No further messages will be issued unless forecasted levels or conditions change.
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More Information:
Contact: Brian Stratton, RVCA Manager Engineering Services
Rideau Valley Conservation Authority
613-692-6804, 1-800-267-3504 ext. 1141
www.rvca.ca/watershed-conditions
"Rideau Valley Conservation Authority is a partnership of municipalities within the Rideau Valley watershed
created under the Conservation Authorities Act to deliver a range of programs in watershed management and
natural resource conservation."
RVCA Watershed Conditions Statements:
- Water Safety – High flows, unstable banks, melting ice or other factors that could be dangerous for recreational users such as anglers, canoeists, hikers, children, pets, etc. Flooding is not expected.
- Flood Outlook – Early notice of the potential for flooding based on weather forecasts, calling for heavy rain, snow melt, high winds or other conditions that could lead to high runoff, cause ice jams and/or lakeshore flooding or erosion.
- Flood Watch – Flooding is possible in specific watercourses or municipalities. Municipalities, emergency services and individuals in flood prone areas should prepare.
- Flood Warning – Flooding is imminent or already occurring in specific watercourses or municipalities.
(WCS – R13/2023)
August 10, 2023 – Caution is advised around all waterways in the Rideau Valley Watershed following several large rain events over the last few weeks, with additional rain in the forecast. Observed rainfall amounts for the last month across the watershed are significantly more than normal. Environment Canada’s short-term weather forecast indicates we may receive an additional 50 to 100 mm of rain over the next 7 days.
Water levels and flows in all waterways are generally higher than average for this time of year across the Rideau Valley Watershed. Although no significant riverine flooding is anticipated, water levels and flows are expected to remain seasonally high in all waterways in the Rideau Valley Watershed over the next week.
Until the water levels and flows recede, the RVCA advises the public to exercise extreme caution around ALL WATERBODIES AND DAM STRUCTURES and remind children about the dangers of playing near open water. All boaters and swimmers using the Rideau River and other larger water bodies are advised to exercise extreme caution due to much higher flows than normal over the next few days.
This watershed conditions statement is in effect until Friday, August 18, 2023 at 5 PM or until an update has been issued.
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More Information:
Contact: Brian Stratton, RVCA Manager Engineering Services
Rideau Valley Conservation Authority
613-692-6804, 1-800-267-3504 ext. 1141
www.rvca.ca/watershed-conditions
"Rideau Valley Conservation Authority is a partnership of municipalities within the Rideau Valley watershed
created under the Conservation Authorities Act to deliver a range of programs in watershed management and
natural resource conservation."
RVCA Watershed Conditions Statements:
- Water Safety – High flows, unstable banks, melting ice or other factors that could be dangerous for recreational users such as anglers, canoeists, hikers, children, pets, etc. Flooding is not expected.
- Flood Outlook – Early notice of the potential for flooding based on weather forecasts, calling for heavy rain, snow melt, high winds or other conditions that could lead to high runoff, cause ice jams and/or lakeshore flooding or erosion.
- Flood Watch – Flooding is possible in specific watercourses or municipalities. Municipalities, emergency services and individuals in flood prone areas should prepare.
- Flood Warning – Flooding is imminent or already occurring in specific watercourses or municipalities.
Cold Weather Could Cause Localized Ice Jams and Flooding in Rideau Valley Watershed
(WCS – R01/2024)
January 15, 2024 – The Rideau Valley Conservation Authority is issuing a WATER SAFETY message for the entire Rideau Valley Watershed due to the potential for localized ice jams which could cause sudden water level increases and flooding.
Following a period of warmer than usual temperatures and then a significant snowstorm, Environment Canada is forecasting cold temperatures, as low as -20°C overnight, for the next week with little precipitation. The forecast also indicates sustained winds are expected, which will cause wind chill temperatures. Many waterways are not yet frozen and with the onset of colder weather, there is a potential in localized areas for ice to form quickly, especially on water structures such as bridge abutments, piers, riverbanks, and channels. This could obstruct the flow of water and cause local water levels to rise. Any sudden water level increases may cause localized flooding. Parks Canada, which manages water levels for the Rideau Canal waterway, is also undertaking necessary dam operations in some areas which may increase the potential for rapid ice formation during this cold spell.
Residents are advised to stay away from all rivers and watercourses in the vicinity of any ice jams and high water areas. Parents are encouraged to explain these dangers to their children.
This watershed conditions statement is in effect until Thursday, January 25, 2024 at 5 PM and may be updated at that time unless the forecast or conditions change.
-end-
More Information:
Contact: Brian Stratton, RVCA Manager Engineering Services
Rideau Valley Conservation Authority
613-692-6804, 1-800-267-3504 ext. 1141
www.rvca.ca/watershed-conditions
"Rideau Valley Conservation Authority is a partnership of municipalities within the Rideau Valley watershed
created under the Conservation Authorities Act to deliver a range of programs in watershed management and
natural resource conservation."
RVCA Watershed Conditions Statements:
- Water Safety – High flows, unstable banks, melting ice or other factors that could be dangerous for recreational users such as anglers, canoeists, hikers, children, pets, etc. Flooding is not expected.
- Flood Outlook – Early notice of the potential for flooding based on weather forecasts, calling for heavy rain, snow melt, high winds or other conditions that could lead to high runoff, cause ice jams and/or lakeshore flooding or erosion.
- Flood Watch – Flooding is possible in specific watercourses or municipalities. Municipalities, emergency services and individuals in flood prone areas should prepare.
- Flood Warning – Flooding is imminent or already occurring in specific watercourses or municipalities.