Explore Nature Is an innovative outdoor learning experience:

What is Explore Nature?

Explore Nature is an outdoor learning program focusing on connections to animals, science and nature education.

Offering daily programs, for part-time or by-the-day students, summer camp, PA day camp and Caregiver & Tot programs.

Explore Nature's small group setting creates a quiet and calm environment to allow children to focus on learning in a hands-on fashion, exploring things they are curious about. Learning outside helps children improve their attention span, feel engaged and invested in learning, reduce anxiety, help with self-regulation, and build self-awareness.

Where is the program located?

Located in Leaside, our program has an outdoor forest classroom in Sunnybrook Park and Serena Gundy.

Explore Nature is partnered with Pawsitively Pets and located in their facility, providing us with easy access to our outdoor classroom, but also the use of their facility for indoor learning and the opportunity to interact and care for their wonderful team of rescue animals.

About the Program

Students at Explore Nature are allowed to embrace their individual learning styles and are given an encouraging and inclusive space to learn and grow. We take great pride in creating an intimate setting that empowers children to reach their learning potential.

Our program is a by-the day program and is offered part-time as a great break from the traditional classroom or an opportunity for homeschoolers to connect with others. The program does follows key aspects of the Ontario curriculum, covering expectations in math, language, science, nature and social studies and physical fitness.

Our teachers have a variety of backgrounds in outdoor education, ECE's and teaching and have an excellent understanding of providing students with a platform for success, growth, and overall well-being. The overall physical, emotional and mental health benefits of learning outside and caring for the environment and animals will allow children to build a great sense of pride and confidence in their abilities and develop a strong sense of leadership.

How Can my Student participate?

Our program is open to children for a by-the-day registration, you can choose between 1-3 days per week. Registration is open to children 4-8 years old (JK-Grade 3) with children working in multi-age grade groups to take on leadership roles and work together. This educational approach ensures that students are treated as individuals and their skills are built upon and developed from their unique starting point, rather than the grade associated with their age.

We are partnered with Gradale Academy and if you are looking for a full-time (5-days a week) opportunity, they have enrollment for children full-time JK to Grade 4. Explore Nature only provides part-time program options.

How Many Students Can Register?

Our program takes a maximum of 14 students per day with a 7:1 ratio.

Leaders at Explore Nature use a teaching model that includes inquiry-based, play-based, experiential and place-based learning opportunities.

Please visit our Program page to register online for the upcoming term.