Forest School Programs

Registration Now Open!

Check out our Program Guide for an overview of all program offerings.

Weekly Programs

Tuesday or Thursday

Seeds (5 - 7 years)

  • Our days are spent exploring the natural environment, practicing skills & risk management, developing mindfulness, embracing passions, and engaging in games and activities that teach.The learning experience is ever-changing and driven by questioning, storytelling, and inquiry.

    Children will have opportunities to develop an understanding of nature concepts and learn and practice new skills such as woodworking, cooking, orienteering, crafting, outdoor survival skills and more.

    Through facilitator mentorship, reflection, community building activities, and nature inspired challenges, we aim to develop critical thinking skills, resiliency, focus, positive social skills, and overall physical and emotional wellbeing of individuals and the whole group.

  • TUESDAY: SEEDS (5 - 7 YEARS)

    School Year: Sept 17 – June 10 (35 wks)

    Fall: Sept. 17 – Dec. 17 (14 wks)

    Winter: Jan. 7 – Feb. 25 (8 wks)

    Spring: Mar. 17 – June 10 (13 wks)

    THURSDAY: SEEDS (5 - 7 YEARS)

    School Year: Sept 19 – June 12 (35 wks)

    Fall: Sept. 19 – Dec. 19 (14 wks)

    Winter: Jan. 9 – Feb. 27 (8 wks)

    Spring: Mar. 20 – June 12 (13 wks)

    Hours: 9am to 3:30pm; extended hours available (AM: 8:15 - 8:45; PM: 3:30 - 4:00)

Sprouts (8 - 10 years)

  • Our days are spent exploring the natural environment, practicing skills & risk management, developing mindfulness, embracing passions, and engaging in games and activities that teach.The learning experience is ever-changing and driven by questioning, storytelling, and inquiry.

    Children will have opportunities to develop an understanding of nature concepts and learn and practice new skills such as woodworking, cooking, orienteering, crafting, outdoor survival skills and more.

    Through facilitator mentorship, reflection, community building activities, and nature inspired challenges, we aim to develop critical thinking skills, resiliency, focus, positive social skills, and overall physical and emotional wellbeing of individuals and the whole group.

  • TUESDAY: SPROUTS (8 - 10 YEARS)

    School Year: Sept 17 – June 10 (35 wks)

    Fall: Sept. 17 – Dec. 17 (14 wks)

    Winter: Jan. 7 – Feb. 25 (8 wks)

    Spring: Mar. 17 – June 10 (13 wks)

    THURSDAY: SPROUTS (8 - 10 YEARS)

    School Year: Sept 19 – June 12 (35 wks)

    Fall: Sept. 19 – Dec. 19 (14 wks)

    Winter: Jan. 9 – Feb. 27 (8 wks)

    Spring: Mar. 20 – June 12 (13 wks)

    Hours: 9am to 3:30pm; extended hours available (AM: 8:15 - 8:45; PM: 3:30 - 4:00)

Roots & Shoots (0+ years)

  • Parents and young children alike will have opportunities to socialize and interact with others and the natural environment and activities will include short hikes, outdoor play with age appropriate tools and loose parts, stories, songs, and lots of play.

    This program is meant to introduce families to the Forest School experience and to provide opportunities for families to spend time together outside in nature.

  • TUESDAY: ROOTS & SHOOTS (0+ years)

    Fall: Sept. 17 – Dec. 17 (14 wks)

    Spring: Mar. 17 – June 10 (13 wks)

    THURSDAY: ROOTS & SHOOTS (0+ years)

    Fall: Sept. 19 – Dec. 19 (14 wks)

    Spring: Mar. 20 – June 12 (13 wks)

    Hours: 9:30am to 11:30am

Monthly and Specialty Programs

Tuesday or Wednesday

*Saturday (Forest Families Only)

Monthly Seeds (5 - 7 years)

  • Similar to our weekly programs, but only takes place once or twice per month throughout September to June.

    Students can build connection and friendships with the same group of students, spaces and throughout each season to develop their skills and community.

    It provides children the opportunity to experience an outdoor learning environment without a weekly commitment

    NOTE: Families will have the option to register for 1 or 2 monthly sessions (i.e. Maple Seeds + Cedar Seeds, to attend 2 dates within a given month – see pricing)

  • MAPLE SEEDS (5 - 7 YEARS)

    Wednesday: (10 Sessions)

    Sept. 11, Oct. 9, Nov. 6, Dec. 4, Jan. 8, Feb. 5, Mar. 5, Apr. 9, May 7, June 4

    CEDAR SEEDS (5 - 7 YEARS)

    Wednesday: (10 Sessions)

    Sept. 25, Oct. 23, Nov. 20, Dec. 18, Jan. 22, Feb. 19, Mar. 26, Apr. 23, May 21, June 18

    Hours: 9am to 3:30pm; extended hours available (AM: 8:15 - 8:45; PM: 3:30 - 4:00)

Monthly Sprouts (8 - 10 years)

  • Similar to our weekly programs, but only takes place once or twice per month throughout September to June.

    Students can build connection and friendships with the same group of students, spaces and throughout each season to develop their skills and community.

    It provides children the opportunity to experience an outdoor learning environment without a weekly commitment

    NOTE: Families will have the option to register for 1 or 2 monthly sessions (i.e. Maple Seeds + Cedar Seeds, to attend 2 dates within a given month – see pricing)

  • MAPLE SPROUTS (8 - 10 YEARS)

    Wednesday: (10 Sessions)

    Sept. 11, Oct. 9, Nov. 6, Dec. 4, Jan. 8, Feb. 5, Mar. 5, Apr. 9, May 7, June 4

    CEDAR SPROUTS (8 - 10 YEARS)

    Wednesday: (10 Sessions)

    Sept. 25, Oct. 23, Nov 20, Dec. 18, Jan. 22, Feb. 19, Mar. 26, Apr. 23, May 21, June 18

    Hours: 9am to 3:30pm; extended hours available (AM: 8:15 - 8:45; PM: 3:30 - 4:00)

Forest Families (4+ years)

  • Children and parents alike will spend time together outside within each season exploring, learning, creating & playing.

    Parents will have an opportunity to experience “forest school” alongside their child, taking part in games, skill development such as tool use, and enjoying a meal around the fire together.

    2 Saturdays in each season (Fall, Winter, Spring): 10am to 12pm with free time from 12 - 1pm for lunch around the fire (food not provided).

    Single day sign up or sign up for all 6 sessions.

  • SATURDAY: (3 Sessions)

    Fall: Oct. 5

    Winter: Feb. 1

    Spring: May 3

    Hours: 10:00am to 1:00pm

Busy Bees (9 - 14 years)

  • Students develop bushcraft, foraging, and cooking skills along with communication, problem-solving, critical thinking, teamwork and collaboration and mindfulness skills; topics may include whittling, basket weaving, foraging, cooking, cordage & natural dyes + more.

  • TUESDAY: (6 Sessions)

    Sept 24, Oct 29, Nov 26, Jan 28, Apr 29, May 27

    Hours: 9am to 3:30pm; extended hours available (AM: 8:15 - 8:45; PM: 3:30 - 4:00)

Wilderness Wolves (9 - 13 years)

  • Students develop wilderness, bushcraft, and survival skills along with communication, problem-solving, critical thinking, teamwork and collaboration and mindfulness skills; topics may include fire building, knots, shelter, cooking, animal/plant ID, tracking, orienteering, whittling, first aid, cordage & natural dyes + more.

  • WEDNESDAY: (10 Sessions)

    Sept. 18, Oct. 16, Nov. 13, Dec. 11, Jan. 15, Feb. 12, Mar. 19, Apr. 16, May 14, June 11

    Hours: 9am to 3:30pm; extended hours available (AM: 8:15 - 8:45; PM: 3:30 - 4:00)

Forest Rangers (11 - 14 years)

  • In a more advanced learning environment, youth will examine nature concepts through inquiries, field studies, and exploration; learn about and make connections to local, national, and international environmental issues; and continue to refine and master skills in woodworking, cooking, orienteering, crafting, outdoor survival skills and more.

    Activities will also focus on the development of leadership and mentorship skills through peer and role modelling experiences.

  • WEDNESDAY: (18 Sessions)

    Sept. 18, Oct. 2, Oct. 16, Oct. 30, Nov. 13, Nov. 27, Dec. 11, Jan. 15, Jan. 29, Feb. 12, Feb. 26, Mar. 19, Apr. 2, Apr. 16, Apr. 30, May 14, May 28, June 11

    Option: to be a Volunteer Ranger on Tuesdays or Thursdays

    Hours: 9am to 3:30pm; extended hours available (AM: 8:15 - 8:45; PM: 3:30 - 4:00)

Camp Programs

Forest Camps (5 - 10 years)

  • Activities will reflect the season and include forest exploration & learning, various team and leadership games, cooperative group games, and arts.

    Offered on days that DDSB and/or DCDSB have PA Days

  • SEASONAL PA DAYS

    Fall: Fri. Nov. 15

    Winter: Fri. Jan. 24

    Spring: Mon. March 31

    Summer: Fri. June 6

    Hours: 9am to 3:30pm; extended hours available (AM: 8:15 - 8:45; PM: 3:30 - 4:00)

March Break Camps (5 - 10 years)

  • Days will be spent outdoors in the forest exploring, learning, creating, and playing!

    Activities will reflect the season and include things like hiking, fort building, arts & crafts, team & leadership challenges, campfire cooking, and so much more!

    If there is still snow - winter activities will be part of our days and we may even still be in the process of making maple syrup!

    March can be a mixed bag of activity and weather but in true forest school fashion, we always make the most of it and we leave our days feeling refreshed and happy!

  • 4 DAY CAMP

    March 10 - 13

    Hours: 9am to 3:30pm; extended hours available (AM: 8:15 - 8:45; PM: 3:30 - 4:00)

Summer Camp (5 - 13 years)

  • Days will be spent fully immersed in the natural environment, exploring unique ecosystems, embracing child passions, playing games, creating arts & crafts, practicing mindfulness, developing nature knowledge & skills, and making friendships and memories to last a lifetime

    This is a fantastic experience for children to disconnect from screens & technology and reconnect with the natural world around them!

  • 2024 DATES:

    July 2 - 5 (4 day week), July 8 - 12, July 15 - 19, July 22 - 26, July 29 - August 2, August 12 - 16, August 19 - 23

    2025 DATES:

    TBD

    Hours: 9:00am to 3:30pm; extended hours available (AM: 8:15 - 8:45; PM: 3:30 - 4:00)

  • Extended Hours available for Weekly & Monthly Programs, PA Day Programs, March Break & Summer Programs.

  • AM Care: 8:15am to 8:45am

    PM Care: 3:30pm to 4:00pm

EXPLORE . LEARN . CREATE . PLAY