Ages: Kindergarten–Grade 7
Schedule: Tuesdays or Thursdays | 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Location: Thompson Regional Park-Home Base & Local Field Trips
🌲 Weekly Outdoor Learning Program
A full day of outdoor learning where children explore, create, play, and grow through meaningful experiences in nature. Guided by experienced educators, children build confidence, friendships, and real-world skills while learning through hands-on exploration, curiosity, and connection to the land.
🌿 Program Overview
The Weekly Outdoor Learning Program offers children a full day immersed in nature-based learning. Each session balances structure and flexibility, allowing children to explore, investigate, create, and play while feeling safe, supported, and deeply engaged.
Days begin with connection and community building, followed by outdoor exploration, learning stations, creative projects, physical play, and reflection. Children learn through direct experience observing ecosystems, building structures, experimenting with science, creating art, telling stories, and working together in meaningful ways.
Academic learning is woven naturally into the day. Science, math, literacy, and social studies emerge through real-world experiences such as pond studies, weather investigations, mapping trails, cooking over a fire, storytelling, and seasonal exploration. Learning feels relevant, active, and connected to place.
The program follows a multi-age model, allowing children to learn alongside peers of different ages. Younger children gain confidence and inspiration, while older children develop leadership, responsibility, and empathy. Strong relationships with educators, peers, and the land are central to the program experience.
Families often notice that children grow in independence, emotional regulation, confidence, and curiosity. Children leave each day tired, proud, and excited to return carrying the learning beyond the forest and into daily life.
🌟 Who This Program Is Best For
This program is a great fit for children who:
• Learn best through hands-on, experiential learning
• Benefit from movement, outdoor time, and flexible environments
• Enjoy creativity, exploration, and meaningful social connection
• Are part of public school, homeschool, or distributed learning programs
💚 What Families Love About the Weekly Program
Families often notice their children coming home happy, calm, and full of stories. They appreciate the balance of structure and freedom, the strong relationships with educators, and seeing learning happen naturally through real experiences — not worksheets.
🌱 What Children Love About the Weekly Program
Children love having the space to build, explore, create, and play all day outdoors. They enjoy hands-on projects, group games, fires, science experiments, and the feeling of being trusted to learn through doing with their friends.
🌿 Skills We Nurture
Through daily outdoor experiences, children naturally build:
• Confidence and independence
• Curiosity and problem-solving
• Cooperation and communication
• Physical awareness and resilience
💛 Supportive Learning Environment
Children are supported at their own pace through clear routines, consistent educator guidance, and a calm, respectful outdoor learning environment.
🧑🏫 Staffing & Supervision
Our programs maintain low staff-to-child ratios to support safety and meaningful relationships.
• Staff-to-child ratio: 1 educator to 12 children
• Maximum group size: 24 children
• Programs are led by experienced educators who support safety, learning, and positive group dynamics
*Additional educators may be present to support group activities and safety.
📅 Program Schedule
Weekly Outdoor Learning Program runs from September to June and typically follows the SD33 calendar. Breaks align with SD33 winter, spring & summer break. Some statutory holidays may still include programming when connected to community or seasonal learning opportunities.
📘 Program Learning & Report Card Summaries
Families receive seasonal program report card summaries that highlight what children explored during each term, how learning took place, and how understanding was demonstrated. Summaries reflect hands-on experiences in nature and are aligned with the BC Curriculum, including Big Ideas and Core Competencies.
These summaries document group learning experiences rather than individual assessment, offering families a clear picture of the themes, skills, and learning approaches used throughout the program.
✔ Report card summaries are included in the program fee.
📝 Individual Education Plans
Individual Education Plans (IEPs) or additional documentation may be requested for students requiring individualized learning goals or external reporting. IEPs are available at an additional cost and are developed on a case-by-case basis.
📣 Communication & Updates
• Public Facebook page for program highlights and announcements
• Private Facebook groups for registered families
• Facebook Messenger for general questions, and group links.
• Text messages for field trip locations and urgent updates
• Email for receipts, forms, and general information
Facebook participation is optional.
* Families will receive the full Family Handbook, including detailed policies, expectations, risk-assessments and safety procedures, upon registration
Frequent
Questions
Questions are welcomed and encouraged.
Can my child try the program for a day?
Yes. Families may book a trial day for $50. If you decide to continue, the $50 will be applied toward your first month’s tuition.
Can I stay with my child until they feel comfortable?
Yes. Parents or guardians are welcome to attend temporarily to help their child settle in. All visiting adults must follow program safety guidelines and educator direction to ensure a consistent experience for all children.
What if my child is new to outdoor learning?
No experience is needed. Many children join without prior outdoor program experience. Educators support children gently as they learn routines, boundaries, and safety skills at their own pace.
What happens in bad weather?
We program outdoors in most weather, with activities adapted for safety and comfort. We use indoor space for increment weather. In cases of extreme or unsafe conditions, families will be notified of any changes.
What ages is the Weekly Program for?
The program is mainly for Kindergarten to Grade 6, with flexibility based on a child’s maturity, interests, and comfort in a multi-age outdoor setting. Older students or siblings may be considered on a case-by-case basis. If unsure, feel free to reach out we’re happy to talk it through.
Do you follow the BC Curriculum?
Yes. Learning experiences are thoughtfully aligned with the BC Curriculum while remaining flexible, hands-on, and responsive to children’s interests.
How do you support different learning needs?
We value open communication with families. Sharing relevant information during registration helps us support each child safely and successfully. Additional supports may be discussed on a case-by-case basis.
How do families stay informed?
Families receive regular communication through text messages and a private Facebook group, where we share photos, weekly highlights, and program updates.
Still have questions?
We’re happy to help — feel free to reach out anytime.