October 10, 2024

Baxter Forest School DRAFT

Super User

Baxter 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.

PLEASE READ our Forest School Frequently Asked Questions for more information.

Location:  7498 Carter Road,  Kars, ON, South of Ottawa — Google map

Winter Forest School Registration NOW OPEN:

Complete this Registration Request Form to be added to our registration list. PLEASE NOTE that filling out this form does not necessarily guarantee a space in the program but begins the registration process. We will send registration packages out on a first-come, first-served basis, including the program handbook and other necessary documents, to complete registration and payment. 

Program Details

  • Program sessions offered for ages 4-6, 6-8, 6-10 and 8-13. Children must be the minimum age for the group by December 31, 2024.
  • Cost per child is $55/full day or $30/half day
  • We will do our best to accommodate your requests but reserve the right to alter the schedule based on demand.
  • 2025 Spring Forest School dates are listed below, and registration will take place in early 2025.

Tuition subsidies for the forest school program may be available for those who qualify. Please contact for more details.

Winter Forest School

Program Session Date/Time

Half Day — Mondays
(Ages 4-6) 

January 6 – March 3, 2025
(8 sessions - no program on Monday, February 17, 2025)
9 am. to 12 p.m.

Full Day
(with half day option) — Tuesdays
(Ages 6-8)

January 7– March 4, 2025
(9 sessions)
9 a.m. to 12 p.m. or 3 p.m.

Full Day — Wednesdays
(Ages 8-13)

January 8– March 5, 2025
(9 sessions)
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Full Day — Thursdays
(Ages 6-10)

January 9– March 6, 2025
(9 sessions)
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Half Day — Fridays
(Ages 6-10)
January 10 – March 7, 2025
(9 sessions)
9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Fall Forest School Sessions (Registration now open)

Program Session Date/Time Cost

Half Day — Mondays
(Ages 4-6) WAITLIST ONLY

September 9 – December 9, 2024
(12 sessions - no program on Monday October 14, 2024
and Monday November 11, 2024)
9 am. to 12 p.m.

$360

Full Day (with half day option) — Tuesdays
(Ages 6-8) One space available

 

September 10 – December 11, 2024
(14 sessions)
9 a.m. to 12 pm or 3 p.m.
$770 (full day)
$420 (half day)

Full Day — Wednesdays
(Ages 8-13) WAITLIST ONLY

September 10 – December 11, 2024
(14 sessions)
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
$770 (full day)

Full Day — Thursdays
(Ages 6-10) One space available

September 12 – December 12, 2024
(14 sessions)
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

$770

Half Day — Fridays
(Ages 4-6) WAITLIST ONLY

September 13 – December 13, 2024
(14 sessions)
9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
$420 (half day)

*plus any applicable taxes 

Spring Forest School (Registration Coming in Winter 2024-25)

Program Session Date/Time

Half Day — Mondays
(Ages 4-6)

March 17 – June 16, 2025
(12 sessions - no program on Monday, April 21 and Monday May 19, 2025) 9 am. to 12 p.m.

Full Day (with half day option) — Tuesdays
(Ages 6-8)

March 18 – June 17, 2025
(14 sessions) 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. or 3 p.m.

Full Day — Wednesdays
(Ages 8-13)

March 19 – June 18, 2025
(14 sessions) 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Full Day — Thursdays
(Ages 6-10)

March 20 – June 19, 2025
(14 sessions) 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Half Day — Fridays
(Ages 4-6)

March 21 – June 20, 2025
(13 sessions- no program on Friday, April 18, 2025)
9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

  

Our Community Partners
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Contact 

Forest School Lead Educator


E-mail: 
Tel: 613-489-3592
Fax: 613-692- 0831

RIDEAU AND MISSISSIPPI WATERSHEDS, October 8, 2024 – Public consultation is now open for several policy amendments to the Mississippi-Rideau Source Protection Plan. Proposed policy changes apply to the management of road salt, fuel tanks, agriculture, pesticides, fertilizers, chemical storage, snow storage and other potential drinking water threats near municipal wells or intakes. The Mississippi-Rideau Source Protection Plan is a locally developed plan to keep our municipal drinking water safe and clean. It is required under the Clean Water Act, 2006. This Plan is overseen by the Mississippi-Rideau Source Protection Region, and has been in effect since 2015. This plan contains policies for activities that have been determined to…

Dan Nguyen

Additional Info

August 30, 2024

Baxter PD Day Program

Super User

Baxter will be offering PD Day programs this school year! The days will be themed by our outdoor education staff depending on the season and time of year such as Outdoor Survival Skills, Navigation, Winter Wonderland, Animals and Habitats.

Come join us for a day in the Forest!

Please submit your request for Baxter PD Day Programs using our Registration Request Form. We are looking forward to welcoming your child(ren) to Baxter for days of exploration, outdoor learning, and play.

PLEASE NOTE that filling out this form does not necessarily guarantee a space in the program but begins the registration process. We will send registration packages out on a first-come, first-served basis, including the program handbook and other necessary documents, to complete registration and payment.

Children at Baxter building outdoor forts with tree branches with their instructor. Children at Baxter playing in a pile of colourful Autumn leaves.

PD Day Program Details:

  • We are excited to offer programming for the following age groups: 6-12.
  • Children are eligible for a session if they are six years old by December 31, 2024.
  • Cost per child is $55/full day.
  • The program will run from 9 AM to 4 PM each day.
  • You can register for all sessions for your school board or one at a time.
  • Our PD Program days will be run out of Baxter’s Interpretive Centre.
  • There are no before or after care options for our PD Day Program.

Contact

Baxter Conservation Area Supervisor 
E-mail: 
Tel: 613-489-3592

(WCS – R08/2024)August 08, 2024 – The Rideau Valley Conservation Authority is issuing a WATER SAFETY message for the entire Rideau Valley Watershed. A low-pressure system associated with remnants of Tropical Storm Debby is expected to produce heavy rainfall throughout the region. Local estimates of 50 to 100 mm of rainfall are possible beginning Thursday evening and continuing into Friday. Despite above normal precipitation over the last month, stream flows have generally stabilized at normal seasonal levels. Although riverine flooding is not anticipated at this time, all water levels and flows across the Rideau Valley Watershed are expected to increase. Depending on the location and rainfall intensity,…

ATR-July-August 2024

RIDEAU AND MISSISSIPPI WATERSHEDS, July 31, 2024 – This summer’s weather has been unpredictable at best: torrential rains, extreme heat and even a recent tornado on Christie Lake near Perth.  With this volatility becoming the norm, planting trees on marginal land or unused fields can help protect your property by reducing erosion, creating windbreaks, improving drainage, providing shade and more.  And, comparatively at least, it’s not expensive. The Rideau Valley Conservation Authority (RVCA) offers generous tree planting subsidies for rural landowners in the Rideau and Mississippi watersheds with at least 1.25 acres of suitable land. The full-service program includes customized tree planting…
KARS-ON-THE-RIDEAU, August 1, 2024 – If you’ve always wanted to try Forest School, now’s your chance.Baxter Conservation Area in Kars will offer Summer Forest School Drop-In Days throughout the month of August for both kindergarteners and school-age kids.  Kids aged 4 to 6 (or turning so before Dec. 31, 2024) can register for half-day sessions from 9 to noon on August 23 and 28. The cost for half-day sessions is $30 per child plus HST. Kids aged 6 to 10 (or turning so before Dec. 31, 2024) can register for full-day sessions from 9 to 3 on August 9, 14, 26…
July 18, 2024

NEW Summer Programs at Baxter!

Super User

NEW Summer Forest School Drop In Days at Baxter!

REGISTRATION NOW OPEN

Baxter will be offering Summer Forest School Drop In Days in August 2024 with a summer camp twist! For any families wondering what Forest School is all about, this is your chance to try it out for a day without signing up for an entire session. Since it’s the summer, we’re going to include some summer camp activities throughout the day as well. Come join us for a day in the Forest!

Please submit your request for Forest School Drop-In Days using our Registration Request Form. We are looking forward to welcoming your child(ren) to Baxter Forest School for summer days of exploration, outdoor learning, fun and play.

PLEASE NOTE that filling out this form does not necessarily guarantee a space in the program but begins the registration process. We will send registration packages out on a first-come, first-served basis, including the program handbook and other necessary documents, to complete registration and payment.

Drop In Program Details:

  • We are excited to offer programming for the following age groups: 4-6 and 6-10.
  • Children are eligible for a session if they meet the minimum age requirement by December 31, 2024. The minimum age requirement is 4 years old for the half day program and 6 years old for the full day program.
  • Cost per child is $55/full day or $30/half day plus HST.
  • You can register for any number of sessions for your age group.
  • Our summer drop-in days will be run out of Baxter’s River Cabin at our group campsite – where Forest School is normally run throughout the school year.
  • There will not be swimming at our Summer Forest School Drop-In Days, although water games and alternative ways to cool off will be included in the program, especially during hot weather.
  • There are no before or after care options for Summer Forest School Drop-In Days.
  • We will consider offering additional program days if there is demand!

Drop-In Days:

Salamanders (4-6 years old)
Half Day: 9 AM – Noon
$30 plus HST

  • August 7
  • August 23
  • August 28

Frogs (6-10 years old)
Full Day: 9 AM – 3 PM
$55 plus HST

  • August 8
  • August 9
  • August 14
  • August 26
  • August 27

Contact

Baxter Conservation Area Supervisor 
E-mail: 
Tel: 613-489-3592

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Contact Us

Address:
Rideau Valley Conservation Authority
3889 Rideau Valley Drive
Manotick, Ontario K4M 1A5

Phone:
613-692-3571, 1-800-267-3504

Email:

Hours:

Regular Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Member of: conservation ontario