Eco and Nature Workshops and Camps for Kids in Toronto

We know that kids do better when they spend more time outside in a natural environment. The trouble is, such events are usually one-off school field trips or the occasional family hike, bike ride or camping trip. We’re keen to get our kids outside way more often during the school day and out-of-school times, learning about plants, animals, gardening, farming, sustainability, and more. Thankfully, there are more options out there than ever before, from after school-programs, to nature schools, weekend workshops and field trips—and the selection just keeps growing. Take a look at the list and share it with the kiddos’ teachers, the school principal and the PTA to try to make these programs a greater part of everyday life. Or design the kids’ experiential education on your own. It’s good for the kids, it’s great for the environment, and the potential for learning and personal development is vast.

These curriculum-connected outdoor education programs are active and engaging—plus, they’re within the city limits! From Art and Ecology to Snowshoeing and Pond Life, these sessions are as adventurous as they are educational, and offered year-round to boot. Programs are available even for the kindergarten tykes, so all the ages can have some good outdoor fun. Learn more at humber.ca/arboretum

There’s a totally outdoor and experiential elementary school in the west end, and we are thrilled. Not only is a range of outdoor activities and visits planned, there is also a keen emphasis on the arts, including film, theatre and music. Starting a school morning with an opening circle and hanging out by the fires are just some of the ways that this school shines. There’s also a half-day option if that is a better fit. Learn more at tamarackwest.com

This is a wonderful slice of nature and wilderness, right along the Credit River. There are sessions for kindies, primary, junior, intermediate and senior groups, along with programming for special needs. One group might hunt for fossils, or dissect an owl pellet, while another gets close to toads, deer, salamander, salmon and more. Others will become the proud caretaker of the very own plants. Booking now for fall/winter 2017/2018. From $10 per student. Learn more at theriverwoodconservancy.org

The Dovercourt Clubhouse has a new teaching garden! That means that this summer there will be super cool gardening program for the summer campers. Look for it to be used in year-round programming as well. From $120 per week for summer camp. Learn more at dovercourtkids.com

Alive has been creating outdoor adventures for kids of all ages for 20 years, and the lasting impression on each student is a legacy to the power of natural experiences. From Ontario to overseas, there’s an adventure just right for each class, grade, school or team. It could be canoeing through Algonquin, learning mountain skills in B.C., or taking a deep dive into the culture of Bhutan. Dogsledding, ecology, polar dips and much more await. Learn more at aliveoutdoors.com

The P.I.N.E. Project has so much going on it’s hard to know where to start. There’s an Oaks and Acorns program for parents and tots that gets new parents getting into nature with their littles. Then there are the full-day, after-school and weekend outdoor programs for a deeper dive into the arena of outdoors schools. They’ll learn how to make a fire, build a shelter, naturalist and stewardship education and making food and objects from wild plants—among a whole host of other natural experiences. Learn more at pineproject.org

The kids can now go to school at the gorgeous Kortright Conservation centre! They’ll be opening a full-time JK- Gr. 3 program and a part-time preschool for 2017/2018, so keep an eye out for the upcoming info sessions. There is also a Saturday program and PA Day coverage. There will be lots of inquiry, play-based learning and experiencing all that Kortright’s 555 acres of ponds, forests and wetlands has to offer. Experiences include cooking over an open fire, learning all about the flora and fauna, and so much more. From $300. Learn more at kortright.org

It’s all about edible gardening. Check out the ten week spring and fall workshops all about building, planting and harvesting edible plants. It results in the creation of a Kids’ Food Garden right at school or home-so the edibles are at the kids’ fingertips, and they’re in charge of planning, planting and maintaining. Great for teaching responsibility and food sustainability all in one. Learn more at kidsgrowingcity.ca

From canoe trips to foraging for spring edible and medicinal plants, there are a lot of great hand-on workshops at this gem of an outdoor school. We think the kiddos will adore the wildlife tracking weekend in Algonquin, staying in cabins and generally revelling in the wild. From $80. Learn more at earthtracks.ca

There are lots of opportunities to get the kids’ school eco-certified or to add on to existing certification. Learn about funding opportunities and idea starters for new campaigns and projects to get the entire school community actively working together to care for the earth. Parents can help EcoTeams by volunteering to lead an environmental campaign or lending technical support in their area of expertise, from web design to gardening. Learn more at ontarioecoschools.org

Everdale is a magical farm less than an hour from the city, complete with chickens, loads of organic veggie crops, and a forest for exploring. Kids from grades K-12 will have fun tending to the flocks, soil and crops, likely nibbling on the fruits – or should we say veggies – of their labours. From $10 per student. Learn more at everdale.orgFind even more day camps for kids in Toronto on Help! We've Got Kids.