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.
WHERE ARE WE LOCATED?
Community Events
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.
LEARN MORE & REGISTER FOR THE NATURE SCHOOL
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.
Spring Dates: Wednesdays, April 23 to June 11, 2025
Hours: 10:00 a.m. 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
- $180.00 per child
Home School Programs at Claireville
Claireville Conservation Area is pleased to offer programs specifically designed to compliment the unique scheduling and curriculum requirements of home schooled students.
This 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 4-12. Parents are encouraged to stay as part of the program but are also welcome to drop off their children if desired.
Children under 4 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 23 to June 11, 2025
Hours: 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
PRICING
- $180.00 per child
REGISTER FOR THE HOME SCHOOL PROGRAM
Kids’ Birthday Parties
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: $360.00* + 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 cheryl.patten@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
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: $26.25 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: $26.25 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: $26.25 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 cheryl.patten@trca.ca.
Meet Our Staff
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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. |
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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?
Please contact cheryl.patten@trca.ca.