With nearly 50 years of experience in environmental education, Lake St. George Field Centre is a beautiful experiential learning facility with a tranquil kettle lake on the ecologically significant Oak Ridges Moraine, just east of Bayview Avenue in the Town of Richmond Hill.
Interested in booking a trip to Lake St. George Field Centre?
Contact vservices@trca.ca.
School Field Trips
Visit Lake St. George Field Centre for an immersive outdoor education field trip. The great outdoors is calling – and it’s only a short drive away.
An overnight field trip is a perfect way for students to bond and make memories, learn through hands-on experiences, and cover curriculum that can’t be taught in the classroom.
Overnight trips are taught by Ontario-certified teachers following the provincial curriculum, align with OPASSE, and are accredited by the Ontario Camps Association.
To check out the facilities and learn more, view About Us and read our FAQs.
EXPLORE & BOOK OUR SCHOOL PROGRAMS
PROGRAM PRICING:
| Elementary (K-8) | Monday to Wednesday: $235/student (includes lunch on Monday) |
| Wednesday to Friday: $225/student | |
| Secondary (9-12) | Monday to Wednesday: $242/student (includes lunch on Monday) |
| Wednesday to Friday: $232/student |
For schools needing a discounted fee, field trips in September and January have reduced rates*:
| Elementary (K-8) | Monday to Wednesday: $160/student (includes lunch on Monday) |
| Wednesday to Friday: $150/student | |
| Secondary (9-12) | Monday to Wednesday: $167/student (includes lunch on Monday) |
| Wednesday to Friday: $157/student |
*Limited to public schools only.
Post-Secondary Programs
Lake St. George is an ecologically rare kettle lake that is accessible to colleges and universities for class trips or research purposes.
Students can learn about lake ecology on the pontoon boat, or do some group bonding on the canoes.
For more information about how your post-secondary school can visit Lake St. George Field Centre, please contact Sherri.Owen@trca.ca.
Weekend Trips
Calling all Girl Guide and Scout leaders, coaches, and youth mentors seeking an unforgettable weekend retreat!
At Lake St. George Field Centre, your group can experience weekends retreats filled with outdoor adventures, skill-building activities, and lasting memories. Enjoy an inspiring getaway where team bonding meets exploration and discovery.
Planning your weekend getaway is easy because retreats at Lake St. George are all-inclusive, with flexible program options designed for children and youth.
Have questions? Check out our FAQs.
WEEKEND TRIP BOOKING DETAILS:
- Capacity in Bond Dorm: 34 youth and four group leaders.
- Capacity in Snively Dorm: 34 youth and four group leaders.
- Dorms can accommodate up to 20 students of either gender, or can host single-gender groups.
- Rooms are available with advance notice for participants who are gender non-binary, or who have special needs (such as service animals, limited mobility, or requirement for 1:1 care).
PRICING:
| Under 15 years | $150 per person for a minimum of 20 participants for two nights |
| Ages 15-plus | $160 per person for a minimum of 20 participants for two nights |
| Groups can bring one leader free of charge for every 10 participants. (Adults supporting children and youth with special needs are always free of charge). | |
To book your weekend trip to Lake St. George Field Centre, please contact vservices@trca.ca.
Nature Camps
Lake St. George Field Centre has been delivering education and recreation programs for nearly 50 years, teaching children from the Greater Toronto Area about nature, adventure, leadership, and teamwork.
Lake St. George staff are trained in child development and are experienced in making the outdoors a safe and welcoming space for every child, student, or camper who comes through our doors. Staff are trained in waterfront supervision, canoe instruction, and lake conservation practices.
Lake St. George’s small-scale day camps allow for individual attention from our experienced camp counselors and outdoor education specialists.
Day camps include a hot lunch for all campers, with accommodation made for dietary needs.
Gorgeous outdoor spaces, delicious, healthy, kid-friendly food, and lots of time on the lake and trails will help your child build confidence and independence and create lifelong memories.
View the Lake St. George Field Centre Camp FAQs.
LEARN MORE & REGISTER FOR CAMPS
New for 2024! Backcountry Canoe Adventures Camp
In this day camp, campers will learn how to paddle a canoe, use a map, make a fire, and set up camp in the wilderness. Campers will have the opportunity to earn an ORCKA certificate for canoeing skills. Ages 12-14.
About Us
Lake St. George Field Centre is a conservation education site with multiple buildings, including two dormitories, a dining hall, and a boathouse. The lush and peaceful landscape lies within the Humber Headwaters region, part of the environmentally significant Oak Ridges Moraine.
Address: 950 Bethesda Side Road, Richmond Hill, ON, L4E 3G2. View MAP + DIRECTIONS.
Have questions about an upcoming trip? Check out our FAQs.
Our amenities include:
- Two dormitories with accommodations for 34 participants and four leaders per dorm
- Fully-staffed commercial kitchen
- Large student lounges in each dorm with ping pong, games, activity supplies and a kitchenette with fridge, sink, kettle and microwave
- Ecologically rare kettle lake accessible for boating programs
- Solar-powered pontoon boat with life raft and safety equipment
- Fleet of canoes, PFDs, paddles
- Low ropes challenge course
- Equipment for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing
- Campfire pits with seating for 40 children or 30 adults
- Maintained hiking trails
- Free parking
Just 30 minutes from Toronto, Lake St. George Field Centre is a nature getaway in an ecologically protected area right in the GTA.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are your cancellation policies?
For other bookings cancellation questions, please contact Sherri.Owen@trca.ca.
How is privacy managed in the dormitories?
Each dorm room has its own door that closes. For safety reasons, room doors cannot be locked.
The washrooms include sinks, toilets and showers. The toilets each have a private stall. The individual showers have full length curtains.
Are the dormitories divided by gender?
The hallway for the rooms is divided into two sections by a door. Each section has its own entrance from the stairwell and separate washrooms. The dividing door can be moved to accommodate different sizes of groups.
It is possible for each dorm to be reserved for a single gender, provided a minimum number of participants is met.
Do you have dorm rooms for youth identifying as non-binary?
Yes, we can accommodate students who are gender non-binary with advance notice. Private rooms can be arranged (the overall capacity of the dorm will be affected). Non-gendered toilets are accessible downstairs, but Lake St. George does not have non-gendered showers. Further accommodation will need to be discussed with the supervisor.
Is it possible for a child to have a private room?
Teachers may arrange room assignments to meet the needs of their students. All beds in the dorm are bunk beds, but there are several rooms with one bunk bed if privacy is required. Students who require a private room may be assigned to their own room which will have one bunk bed. This will affect the maximum capacity of the dormitory.
What are the nearest hospitals and walk-in clinics?
- Mackenzie Health
10 Trench Street, Richmond Hill, ON L4C 4Z3
14.4 km - Southlake Regional Health Centre
596 Davis Drive, Newmarket, ON L3Y 2P9
13.7km - Oak Ridges Medical & Urgent Care Centre
13291 Yonge Street, Suite 100, Richmond Hill ON L4E 4L6
4.2km
Is the site accessible?
Parts of the site are accessible, but other parts are not. The driveway is a level gravel road and provides connections between the main buildings. There are open, level grassy playing fields. The wilderness trails vary in condition and may be muddy.
The dorms have two floors with a flight of stairs. There is no elevator. Upstairs and downstairs are accessible from the outside at ground level.
The dining hall has a removable ramp to the porch. However, there is a step into the boot room and another step into the building.
Are there first-aid trained staff on site?
All staff at Lake St. George have a current first-aid and CPR certification.
Can you accommodate students with dietary restrictions?
Yes, we will provide meals that suit the needs of each individual, as long as dietary restrictions are indicated on the Dietary Sheet.
Will meals at the centre accommodate dietary restrictions?
We will accommodate dietary restrictions by not serving meals that contain restricted dietary items to those with dietary needs.
Do you offer specific dietary options like kosher or halal meals?
While we do not serve foods that would conflict with dietary restrictions such as kosher or halal, we try to offer acceptable alternatives in most cases.
When we cannot offer a kosher or halal ingredient, a vegetarian or vegan meal will be provided, as appropriate.
How should we communicate dietary needs to the centre?
Dietary should be included in the Dietary Restrictions form that your trip organizer will complete. Please be sure to provide details.
If you or your child/student has significant dietary needs, please contact Sherri.Owen@trca.ca to discuss a meal plan.
Do you have epi-pens for students with anaphylactic allergies?
Anyone with an anaphylactic allergy must provide their own epi-pen. Youth under the age 18 must carry it with them at all times for the duration of their visit; adults with anaphylactic allergies are encouraged to do the same.
Is the tap water at Lake St. George potable?
Yes. Lake St. George is on the municipal tap water system.
Can you swim in Lake St. George?
No, Lake St. George is an ecologically protected lake and swimming is not allowed.
Is the field centre accessible to the general public?
No, Lake St. George is only available to groups who have booked programs or are otherwise permitted to be on site. Anyone not given permission to be on site is trespassing.
Members of the public can visit Lake Wilcox Park, the Oak Ridges Moraine trail, or Bruce’s Mill Conservation Park for similar recreational activities.