Claireville Conservation Area – Education Programs

Claireville Conservation Area is an 540 hectare natural landscape with beautiful wetlands, valleys, forests, grasslands, and the west branch of the Humber River. While Claireville is located in Brampton, it straddles Mississauga, Toronto and Vaughan.

We offer a variety of nature-based educational programs for children, families, students and teachers that embrace outdoor learning, play-based learning, and inquiry.

About Us

The Etobicoke Field Studies Centre was built in 1993 by the Toronto District School Board (then called the Etobicoke District School Board) and was used as an outdoor education centre by the board until recently.

Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) decided to expand its education programming to the outdoor centre at Claireville in 2021, offering Summer Camps and Nature School programs.

education centre at Claireville Conservation Area

WHERE ARE WE LOCATED?

Community Events

Outdoor Camps

The Nature School at Claireville

The Nature School provides an alternative form of education designed to explore experiential learning opportunities and promote curiosity to nurture the whole child.

Students will receive the benefits of an inquiry, play, and place-based education while learning in an outdoor setting.

primary student enjoys an outdoor learning experience at the Nature School at Claireville Conservation Area

If you have questions about The Nature School at Claireville, please contact Jasmine Green at jasmine.green@trca.ca or (647) 244-9767.

The Nature School – Junior Program

Our junior school program is for students from Grade 3 to 6.

Students are placed in a multi-age grade: an approach to education in which students are treated as individuals and their skills are built from the starting point of where they are at, rather than what grade they in.

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Nature School students make forest crafts with instructor

The Nature School – Primary Program

Our primary school program is for students from Kindergarten to Grade 3.

Students are placed in a multi-age grade: an approach to education in which students are treated as individuals and their skills are built from the starting point of where they are at, rather than what grade they are in.

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student takes part in outdoor activities at The Nature School primary program at Claireville Conservation Area

The Nature School – Preschool Program

The preschool program at Claireville is offered to children who are 2.5 to 5 years of age and are potty trained.

The program uses a child-led approach to learning that is exploratory, inquiry-based, fun and unhurried.

Children interact with the natural environment through the use of loose parts, creative play, shelter building, whittling wood, cooking on an open fire, knots, making woodland crafts, and sharing stories.

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student takes part in outdoor activities at The Nature School preschool program at Claireville Conservation Area

Little Saplings Parent & Tot Program

Little Saplings is recommended for children ages 1 to 5.

In this program, youngsters will explore a new nature theme each week. The format allows for consistent structure with flexible content. Parent or caregiver participation is required.

a TRCA educator introduces young students to local insect life during the Little Saplings Parent and Tot program at Claireville Conservation Area

Spring Dates: Wednesdays, April 24 to June 12, 2024
Hours: 10:00 to 11:30 a.m.

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Circle Time with nature-themed songs and stories
  • New nature themes explored each week
  • Connect with other young families
  • Get outdoors and learn about the natural world

PRICING

  • $170.00

REGISTER FOR LITTLE SAPLINGS

Homeschool Programs at Claireville

Claireville Conservation Area is pleased to offer programs specifically designed to compliment the unique scheduling and curriculum requirements of homeschooled students.

a student enjoys outdoor adventure as she takes part in the home school program at Claireville Conservation Area

This eight-week program combines team-building, outdoor learning, and hands-on experimentation with a curiosity-driven curriculum led by student wonder and interest.

Centered around a new theme each week – from Wilderness Survival to Animal Tracking, Mapping and Orienteering to Owl Discovery – the program offers students the opportunity to meet new friends and be immersed in a hands-on learning experience.

This program is suitable for children ages 5-12. Parents are encouraged to stay as part of the program but are also welcome to drop off their children if desired.

Children under 5 are welcome to attend with their older registered siblings free of charge. However, parents will be responsible for their younger children and must remain with the program.

Spring Dates: Wednesdays, April 24 to June 12, 2024
Hours: 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.

PRICING

  • $170.00 per child

REGISTER FOR THE HOMESCHOOL PROGRAM

Kids’ Birthday Parties

children go on a snowshoeing adventure during birthday party at Claireville Conservation Area
girl mimics animal survival techniques during birthday party at Claireville Conservation Area
girl enjoys birthday party at Claireville Conservation Area

Connect with nature at your child’s next birthday party. Bugs, bees, birds … or a little bit of everything!

Choose from one of the following themes, and let us help create an unforgettable birthday experience.

Snowshoeing:
Explore the winter beauty of the forest! Go looking for winter animal clues, follow animal tracks, and hike in snowshoes!

Amazing Animals:
Imagine you are a squirrel, a deer, or a rabbit. How would you survive in the forest? Play active games that show how animals manage to hide, find food, use camouflage, and communicate with each other.

Owl Prowl:
Become an owl explorer for the day! Keep your eyes and ears open for our feathery friends as you hike though owl territory. Learn to “hoot like an owl” and dissect owl pellets to see what owls have been eating.

Orienteering:
Explore the forest and meadow of Claireville Conservation area while you read a map and find points on the property. Learn how to use a compass, and become an expert as you navigate around the space.

Wilderness Survival:
Become an expert in the outdoors! Learn how to build fires and shelters in order to survive in the wilderness.

DETAILS:

  • Price: $340.00* + tax for a group of up to 20 participants
  • Our themed parties are designed for children from four to 12 years of age.
  • Available Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
  • Parties are three hours in length (1.5 hour guided program and 1.5 hour for food, cake and presents).
  • All parties are led by Claireville education staff and include a themed hike through the forest and nature games.
  • Indoor space included.
  • Every party has an outdoor component. For your comfort, we recommend that you dress for the weather on the day of your visit and that participants wear closed-toed, flat-soled footwear (such as running shoes).

*Fees are subject to change.

To book birthday parties, please contact Jasmine.green@trca.ca.

Corporate Teambuilding

Take a break from your regular work environment and plan your next corporate outing at Claireville Conservation Area.

Get outdoors and breathe in the fresh air as you connect with your team surrounded by Claireville’s beautiful wetlands, valleys, forests, and grasslands

corporate group takes part in team building exercise at Claireville Conservation Area
work as a team with colleagues to build a fire
corporate team members take part in geocaching exercise at Claireville Conservation Area

TRCA’s expertise in leading outdoor excursions means you’re in good hands when you book your corporate function at Claireville. Choose from one of our programs below or reach out to us about a customized program.

PROGRAMS

Geocaching
Time: 1.5 to 2 hours
Number of Participants: 20 to 30
Season: Offered all year
Cost: $25 per person
Take part in the popular activity of geocaching: a high-tech scavenger hunt using GPS units! First, participants will learn how to use the GPS units and how to navigate a map. Next, in small teams, participants will walk just over 1-2 km of beautiful trails to find hidden treasures. This program can be adapted to be a fun, camaraderie-building competition.

Teambuilding Games
Time: 1.5 to 2 hours
Number of Participants: 20 to 30
Season: Offered all year
Cost: $25 per person
Establish positive group dynamics through physical and mental challenges that require group collaboration. Each challenge is designed to improve interpersonal skills and help participants to overcome barriers to personal and group growth. Our activities will help to build leadership, communication, creative problem-solving and positive group decision-making.

Wilderness Survival
Time: 1.5 to 2 hours
Number of Participants: 20 to 30
Season: Offered all year
Cost: $25 per person
Learn fire building safety and techniques and then put your skills and wits to the test. Learn different traditional (non-lighter/match) fire starting methods and try one of these methods out yourself. Unleash your competitive side as you work with your team to compete against other teams to burn through the string first.

To book a program, please contact Jasmine.green@trca.ca.

Educator Workshops

Nature and Outdoor Play in All Weather (Online Workshop)

Wondering what to do with families and young children in the rain and snow? This fun and creative workshop will give participants ideas and examples of how we can support young children (1-12) and their families as they play outside in all weather.

teacher and students explore Claireville Conservation Area in winter

Engage in conversation and examples of winter activities, rainy day fun, and what it really means to dress for the weather! Participants will also have an opportunity to see what programming at The Nature School looks like with examples of nature-based play that can be altered for various ages.

Inquiry Based, Emergent and Experiential Learning (In-person Workshop)

Learn different educational models of child engagement in the outdoors. This approach to learning is child-led, child-centered, exploratory, unhurried and fun.

students experience hands-on outdoor activities at Claireville Conservation Area

Participants in this workshop will get an in-depth tour of The Nature School and will experience hands-on activities and land-based unstructured free play ideas and activities that are great for early years programs.

CONTACT US TO LEARN MORE

Meet Our Staff

Jasmine Green Jasmine Green, Supervisor, Claireville Education, OCT
Jasmine has been an outdoor educator for more than 15 years. With a B.Ed in Outdoor and Experiential Education, a Forest School Practitioners Certificate, and general love and enthusiasm for bringing kids outside, she has helped to develop and deliver nature programming for children of all ages.Jasmine has worked at The Tawingo Outdoor Education Centre, The Toronto Botanical Gardens, and The Kortright Centre for Conservation. She is excited to bring her passion for the outdoors to The Nature School at Claireville.

Jasmine believes that there is no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing. When she’s not teaching other people’s offspring, she spends her time raising her own adventurous kids, taking them hiking, camping, and exploring!

Ken MacGillivray Ken MacGillivray, Teacher, The Nature School, OCT
Ken grew up in Etobicoke but spent his childhood weekends and summers at his family’s cottage on Lake Huron on the Bruce Peninsula. He went to York University to become a teacher, and then to Humber College for a Certificate of Outdoor Education.Ken briefly worked at a museum near his cottage, then at a YMCA camp in a National Park. Finally, he worked for two years as a primary school teacher at a reserve in Northwestern Ontario.

Ken started his time with Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) as an environmental educator at the Kortright Centre, and he has been working for TRCA ever since.

Ken enjoys camping, hiking, canoeing and birdwatching, and he still spends a lot of time at his family’s cottage. He also has a passion for conservation and volunteers with the Canadian Chestnut Council.

Betty de Groot Betty de Groot, Educator, The Nature Preschool
Betty de Groot’s love for nature began on the farm where she grew up, in rural Bolton. As a child she knew she wanted to be a teacher, and she was educated in the Trent-Queens Concurrent Education program.Betty spent 31 years teaching elementary school children in Toronto, Brampton and Caledon. She especially enjoyed her kindergarteners, whose love for nature and sense of wonder never ceased.

Betty was also a leader of her schools’ Eco Team. For 21 years, she learned and shared with her various enthusiastic members what it means to value our precious home, the Earth. From community clean-ups, to bike rodeos, to butterfly garden building, the experience led her and the students to know the beauty and joy of being outdoors.

Betty looks forward to welcoming all children in outdoor settings to explore, and challenge themselves and experience wonder in nature.

Questions?

Contact us at vservices@trca.ca or call (416) 667-6295