Schoolyard Programs

Seasonal Schoolyard Programs below…

FALL OFFERINGS

TUES - Seeds: 5 - 8 years

  • 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 educator 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 - 8 YEARS)

    School Year (35 weeks, see dates below)

    Fall (14 weeks) Sept 15 - Dec 15

    Winter (9 weeks) Jan 5 - Mar 2

    Spring (12 weeks) Mar 23 - Jun 8

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

  • School Year Commitment: $77.50+HST per participant per day (10% discount reflected in price)

    Per Term Commitment: $85+HST per participant per day

    25% deposit due at time of registration; installment plans available for no fee

    5% sibling discount

    2.5% E-transfer Payment Discount (reach out to michellegraves@dogwoodforest.ca directly)

THURS - Sprouts: 7 - 10 years

  • 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 educator 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.

  • THURSDAY: SPROUTS (7 - 10 YEARS)

    School Year (35 weeks, see dates below)

    Fall (14 weeks) Sept 17 - Dec 17

    Winter (9 weeks) Jan 7 - Mar 4

    Spring (12 weeks) Mar 25 - Jun 10

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

  • School Year Commitment: $77.50+HST per participant per day (10% discount reflected in price)

    Per Term Commitment: $85+HST per participant per day

    25% deposit due at time of registration; installment plans available for no fee

    5% sibling discount

    2.5% E-transfer Payment Discount (reach out to michellegraves@dogwoodforest.ca directly)

TUES/THURS - 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.

  • Fall (14 weeks)

    Tues. Sept 15 - Dec 15

    Thurs. Sept 17 - Dec 17

    Spring (12 weeks)

    Tues. Mar 23 - Jun 8

    Thurs. Mar 25 - Jun 10

    Hours: 9:30am to 11:30am

  • Term Commitment

    • $25.50+HST per day per First Child: Any Age + First Adult (18+ yrs)

    • $8.50+HST per day per each Additional Child (15 months - 17 yrs)

    • $0 per day per each Additional Child (0 - 15 months)

    • $5+HST per day per each Additional Caregiver (18+ yrs)

    Drop In Option

    • $30+HST per day per First Child: Any Age + First Adult (18+ yrs)

    • $8.50+HST per day per each Additional Child (15 months - 17 yrs)

    • $0 per day per each Additional Child (0 - 15 months)

    • $5+HST per day per each Additional Caregiver (18+ yrs)

    2.5% E-transfer Payment Discount (reach out to michellegraves@dogwoodforest.ca directly)

Monthly and Specialty Programs

Wednesday

Chickadees: 5 - 7 years

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

    Students 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 immersive outdoor learning environment without a weekly commitment

  • WEDNESDAY (10 Sessions)

    Sept. 9, Oct. 7, Nov 4, Dec 2, Jan 6, Feb 3, Mar 3, Apr 7, May 5, June 2

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

  • $83+HST per session

    25% deposit due at time of registration; installment plans available for no fee

    5% sibling discount

    2.5% E-transfer Payment Discount (reach out to michellegraves@dogwoodforest.ca directly)

Raccoons (8 - 10 years)

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

    Students 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 immersive outdoor learning environment without a weekly commitment

  • WEDNESDAY (10 Sessions)

    Sept. 23, Oct.21, Nov 18, Dec 16, Jan 20, Feb 17, Mar 24, Apr 21, May 19, June 16

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

  • $83+HST per session

    25% deposit due at time of registration; installment plans available for no fee

    5% sibling discount

    2.5% E-transfer Payment Discount (reach out to michellegraves@dogwoodforest.ca directly)

Forest Foxes (10 - 14 years)

  • A physical health and social-emotional wellness program for youth to develop confidence, communication skills, leadership, and meaningful connection to self, others, and nature.

    Cooperative strategy games, imaginative play, leadership challenges, problem-solving activities, and nature awareness practices, will support movement, creativity, social development, and groundedness

    THEMES & RELATED ACTIVITIES

    1. Sept – Observe & Explore: Strategy Challenges

    2. Oct -- Support the Pack: Collaborative Challenges

    3. Nov -- Adapt and Persevere: Predator vs. Prey Game

    4. Jan -- Take Healthy Risks: Open Season Game

    5. Feb -- Stay Curious: Master Tracker Game

    6. Apr -- Respect the Land: Nature Connection Games

    7. May -- Fox Games: Forest Skills & Creative Sports

  • WEDNESDAY: (7 Sessions)

    Sept 30, Oct 28; Nov 25; Jan 27, Feb 24; Apr 28; May 26

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

  • $83+HST per session

    25% deposit due at time of registration; installment plans available for no fee

    5% sibling discount

    2.5% E-transfer Payment Discount (reach out to michellegraves@dogwoodforest.ca directly)

Wilderness Wolves (10 - 14 years)

  • A project-based wilderness skills program for youth to develop practical bushcraft, survival knowledge, resilience, and environmental awareness.

    Hands-on activities and seasonal challenges support the development of focus, self-reliance, mastery, leadership and sense of community, as well as how to move safely, thoughtfully, and responsibly through natural environments

    THEMES

    1. Sept -- Tools of the Wild (whittling + other)

    2. Oct -- Knots & Shelter

    3. Nov -- Fire + Water

    4. Dec -- Navigation

    5. Jan -- Tracking & Wildlife Awareness

    6. Feb -- Winter Woods & Outdoor Cooking

    7. Mar -- Wilderness Safety & First Aid

    8. Apr -- Leave No Trace/Human Impact

    9. May -- Plant ID and Foraging

    10. June -- The Wilderness Challenge

  • WEDNESDAY: 10 Sessions

    Sept 16, Oct 14, Nov 11, Dec 9, Jan 13, Feb 10, Mar 10, Apr 14, May 12, June 9

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

  • $83+HST per session

    25% deposit due at time of registration; installment plans available for no fee

    5% sibling discount

    2.5% E-transfer Payment Discount (reach out to michellegraves@dogwoodforest.ca directly)

Rangers Leadership (12 - 16 years)

  • A mentorship program for youth to spend their days alongside Forest School educators to develop leadership, confidence, and collaborative skills.

    2-3 Ranger positions will be available to join as a leader in the Seeds, Sprouts, Chickadees, Raccoons, or Forest Camp groups (5 - 10 yrs)

    Application process

  • Schedule varies to the individual Ranger with the following options available:

    Weekly

    • Tues - Seeds

    • Thurs - Sprouts

    Monthly/Bi-Weekly

    • Wed - Chickadees & Raccoons

    Seasonal

    • Fri - Forest Camp

    Hours: 9am to :330pm; extended hours available (AM: 8:15 - 9:00; PM: 3:30 - 4:00)

  • $42+HST per session

    25% deposit due at time of registration; installment plans available for no fee

    5% sibling discount

    2.5% E-transfer Payment Discount (reach out to michellegraves@dogwoodforest.ca directly)

Seasonal Programs

Forest Camps: 5 - 10 years

  • An outdoor immersive forest school program that only takes place once per season and provides children the opportunity to explore the changes of the seasons and develop self-awareness, risk assessment, collaborative skills, resilience, and confidence

    Children will be supported in building connection to nature, self, and others through cooperative challenges, creative projects, and imaginative games and play.

    Dates align with DDSB/DCDSB PA Days, however any child is welcome to apply/register

  • 4 sessions:

    Fall: Monday Oct 26 2026

    Fall: Friday Nov 13 2026

    Winter: Friday Jan 22 2027

    Spring: Friday June 4 2027

    (PA Days for DDSB/DCDSB)

    Hours: 9:00am to 3:30pm

    Extended Hours

    • AM: 8:15 - 9:00

    • PM: 3:30 - 4:00

  • $78+HST when registering for all 4 dates

    $85+HST for single drop in sessions

    25% deposit due at time of registration; installment plans available for no fee

    5% sibling discount

    2.5% E-transfer Payment Discount (reach out to michellegraves@dogwoodforest.ca directly)

Weekly, Monthly & Seasonal Programs Extended Hours

  • AM Care: 8:15am to 9:00am

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

  • $7.50+HST per AM or PM block per child

EXPLORE . LEARN . CREATE . PLAY