Nature School Programs
Camp Kawartha Environment Centre Nature School Programs
where learning meets the great outdoors!
Nature School is an enrichment program for children between the ages of 4-17. We explore the beautiful Trent Nature Sanctuary through inquiry-based learning. Each week, we build knowledge and skills, and forge bonds with Nature and friends. Through lessons, adventures, exploration, games & play, projects, arts, drama and more that appeal to a variety of learning styles, this program provides repeated exposure & experience that inspires & helps young people develop a robust connection with the living world.
Please check back soon for the 2025-2026 season! Registration launching June 1st!
Nature School Open House – June 7th!
Camp Kawartha will be hosting an open house on June 7 from 1-4pm at our Environment Centre in Peterborough for anyone interested in learning more about our Nature School. This event is drop-in and open to families – we will have light refreshments, as well as some activities and tours of the facilities! We hope to see you there!
“I thought my sons teachers Amanda and Anna were just great – they seemed to genuinely enjoy spending time outdoors learning with these kids and I know my son felt very comfortable and at home there as a result.”
“…this is our kids’ FAVourite thing, hands-down. We go to Forest Fridays at the Camp Kawartha Environmental Centre. The kids there are 5 and up. If your 8 yr old is having the hardest time, maybe just send him. It might just be the clincher. All the kids there love that day better than any day anywhere else they go.”
“You must be doing good because it is pouring rain and (our daughter) is really excited to be here! She said, ‘Yay! We get to run around in the forest in the rain!”
“CKEC Nature School is amazing: lots of time in nature, lots of games, & lots of learning. I can’t recommend it enough!!”
FAQs
What is Nature School?
Nature School is an enrichment experience for students who might be looking for a different learning environment. Each week, we build knowledge and skills, and forge bonds with Nature and friends. Through lessons, adventures, exploration, games & play, projects, arts, drama and more that appeal to a variety of learning styles; this program provides repeated exposure & experiences that inspires & helps young people develop a robust connection with the living world.
Where are you located?
The Camp Kawartha Environment Centre is located at 2505 Pioneer Road, Peterborough, Ontario.
What does a typical day look like?
Every day is different as we change our programming to reflect the natural seasons, although we do follow a general structure. We begin with a morning circle to check in and go through our plan for the day, followed by a quick snack. We then head out to our first program of the day, break for lunch, and then continue onto another activity before returning to the centre for a closing circle.
What are the drop-off and pick-up times?
Drop-off is between 9am and 9:15am, pick-up is between 3pm and 3:15pm.
(Creative Critters drop-off is between 9:30-9:45am)
Does Nature School run in the rain and snow?
For the most part, Nature School takes place outside, all year round. The only time that we use the Environment Centre building is when the weather is dangerous, or with the younger kids who are still getting used to being outside.
What are your teacher qualifications?
Our educators are experienced teachers, some teacher certified. All of our staff are First Aid Certified and have gone through Vulnerable Sector background checks.
How do I sign my child up for Nature School?
You can choose from multiple options depending on the learning goals and needs of your family. You can sign your child up for weekly or bi-weekly programs as well as the options to pay upfront for the whole year at a discounted rate, or by selecting one season at a type. New this year, we offer installment plans!
Sign up through the registration portal or contact sarah@campkawartha.ca (705) 652-3860 ext. 201.
If you are interested in a program that has reached capacity, please join the waitlist or contact us directly.
Please note that we do require minimum registration to run each program. If we do not reach sufficient registration, we may need to reconfigure, postpone, or cancel the program.
Do I have to sign up for the entire year?
New this year, you can sign up for the entire year – and save money!
If you’re not sure about the full year commitment, we offer signing up one season at a time – Fall, Winter, and Spring.
Do you offer installment plans?
New this year, we offer installment plans using credit card or automatic bank withdrawals.
Camp Kawartha Environment Centre, 2505 Pioneer Road, Peterborough
The Camp Kawartha Environment Centre is one of Canada’s most sustainable buildings. The programs take place within the Trent University Nature Areas, which represents over 200 acres of wild and semi-wild areas, including a variety of ecosystems in which we are fortunate to play, learn, climb, observe, and explore!
Acknowledgement(s): We remember, acknowledge, and seek to honour that the beautiful Trent Nature Areas are on the traditional territory of the Michi Saagig Anishinaabeg. This is the area governed by Treaty 20. The First Peoples of this area have, in the past, and continue to today, to care for this place, the land, and all our relations human & non-human alike. It is a privilege, and responsibility to enjoy, work, learn, play, share, and live here and it is part of our mission to better understand this place, the history, and the People, as well as to play a role in caretaking the Land and in beginning to reconcile.
Feel free to contact us with any further questions!
Acknowledgement(s): We remember, acknowledge, and seek to honour that the beautiful Trent Nature Areas are on the traditional territory of the Michi Saagig Anishinaabeg. This is the area governed by Treaty 20. The First Peoples of this area have, in the past, and continue to today, to care for this place, the land, and all our relations human & non-human alike. It is a privilege, and responsibility to enjoy, work, learn, play, share, and live here and it is part of our mission to better understand this place, the history, and the People, as well as to play a role in caretaking the Land and in beginning to reconcile.