Forest School

Farm, Forest, and Nature School Programs

What is a Forest and Nature School?

 

You may have heard the term "Forest Kindergarten" or "Wild School" or any one of a number of names tagged in the Forest and Nature School Paradigm. The basis of the Forest and Nature School movement, centres on the desire to engage children and youth with their local environment, through child-directed experiences. These experiences may take place in a city park, open green space, or National Forest but what takes place is the same - Children at play in Nature. The goal remains the same: the child will create deeper connections with Nature through play, exploration, and a natural curiosity that is fueled by skilled educators who mentor students on their journey. 

Facilitators follow in the footprints made by the child and observe their learning closely. The child is the leader and the educator is their support, asking questions to probe their ideas and offering the tools and resources that enable the child to explore new worlds of their own curiosity. The facilitator sees themselves as a mentor/guide and understands the child to be naturally curious, capable, and competent.


What is a Farm School?

 

Do you ever wonder what it takes to grow your own food? Or maybe you have wondered where bacon comes from? Can you answer the question: what is companion planting? Farm school teaches children agricultural literacy and empowers them to build their own food supply chain. As the saying goes, give someone a fish and they will eat for one night, show someone to fish and they will never go hungry.

Children learn a great deal from caring for animals and plants, including a deeper sense of empathy, kindness, and resilience. A farm is a great place to explore science, husbandry, and culinary skills but more than that, it is a great place to get your hands and feet dirty and to have a lot of fun. 

 

Available Programs

 

Furnace Falls Farm and Forest School

Why Furnace Falls Farm?

Did you know that Wendy's Market in Lyndhurst used to be a School? It did and now the owner of Wendy's Market and Furnace Falls Farm is teaming up with the Frontenac Arch Biosphere Network to bring this great, new experience to the Lyndhurst Community.

Lyndhurst is a beautiful area, in the middle of the Frontenac Arch Biosphere Reserve. The relationship between people and their environment is very special here. Food production and agriculture is an important part of this community, as is time spent outdoors on the many lakes and hiking trails. At Furnace Falls Farm, we learn the importance of growing good, local food WITH nature. It is here that we will find the gentle balance between human needs and those of Mother Nature.

Autumn Adventures - REGISTRATION IS OPEN

Let's get outside and get dirty! Autumn is a very busy time on the farm, as the animals and the farmers get ready for the colder months ahead. Over the next 8 weeks, students and facilitators will learn to harvest and preserve the many bounties on the farm, while exploring the wonderful changes that the cooler weather brings to the Frontenac Arch Biosphere Reserve. If we are luck, we may even see some hints of the season to come. Our mornings are a fun mix of forest play and farm chores, including animal feeding of course. In the afternoon, we will dive into some of the delicious food forages from the farm and tend to the veggies gardens, play some games, and use our imaginations to the have the most magnificent adventures with our new friends.

Join us for our program on Tuesday or Thursday or come both days! Every day at the Farm and Forest School is different, motivated by the changes that the seasons bring to the land and led by the individual interests of our students. Our programs are designed by outdoor professionals and experienced educators with a passion for Nature-Based Learning.

How to Register:

Session fees must be paid in full, upon registration.
Select your program - Tuesday ONLY, Thursday ONLY, or both Tuesday/Thursday
Fill out the online registration form and pay directly through Paypal.

Program Details:

Hours: 8:30am to 3:30pm

Children will make their own lunch as part of the daily schedule for this program.

Cost: Tuesday Session (8 days) $320 / Thursday Session (8 days) $320

Start Date: October 5th

End Date: November 25th

This session will run for a total of 8 weeks. 

 

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Mac Johnson Forest and Nature School 

Registration is currently CLOSED
 

Why Mac Johnson Wildlife Area?

Did you know that Mac Johnson already hosts a great Summer Nature Camp and Outdoor Education Programs? Mac Johnson is not only a beautiful space but it is a FABulous place for Nature-Based learning and exploration. With a pond, forested trail system, wild flower gardens, tree nursery, and green spaces, Mac Johnson has many different ecosystems to connect with. Just a few minutes North of Brockville, this Conservation Area by the city is accessible and inviting. 

 

 

Themes and Dates

Click on the theme/session to learn more. Select one or more sessions that you would like to register for, and complete the rest of the form.

Sessions
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Refund Policy

A 75% refund will be provided for cancellations of 7 days or more, prior to the session start date. Cancellations with less than 7 days, are subject to a zero refund policy. Refunds will not be provided for single day absences. If a program is cancelled by FABN due to a shortage of staff, illness, weather, or any other reason beyond FABN's control, a full refund for the date (s) involved will be provided.

Use of Photos

This is to give permission for photographs of the camp participants, including my child, to be shared with others on our Facebook page and for advertisement in publications and/or newspapers. Names will not be released with any photos.

Declaration for Distribution

This is to give permission for photographs of the camp participants, including my child, to be shared with others on our Facebook page and for advertisement in publications and/or newspapers. Names will not be released with any photos.

Release of Liability, Waiver of Claims Assumption of Risks and Indemnity Agreement

By signing this document you will waive certain legal rights, including the right to sue. PLEASE READ CAREFULLY QUALIFICATION AND STANDARDS

The Frontenac Arch Biosphere Nature Camps are organized and facilitated by the Frontenac Arch Biosphere Network, a not-for-profit, in conjunction with local municipalities and townships. We aim to provide high standard of care and experiences, to all of our attendees. We have taken into consideration, the inherent risks associated with facilitating a camp near water and with children aged 5-13. Our staff are hired and trained to meet industry standards and have received clean Police Record Checks and have acquired up-to date CPR training. Our lifeguards are certified by the National Lifesaving Society and are required to participate in regular skills updates.

AWARENESS AND ASSUMPTION OF RISK I am aware that the Frontenac Arch Biosphere Nature Camp involves risks including risk of personal injury, death and property damage. Included in these risks are negligence on the part of the Frontenac Arch Biosphere Network, its directors, staff and volunteers, other participants and owners of the facilities where the activities occur (referred to in the rest of this agreement as “FRONTENAC ARCH BIOSPHERE NETWORK AND OTHERS”). I freely accept and fully assume all such risks and the possibility of my son/daughter’s personal injury, death and/or property damage. RELEASE OF LIABILITY, WAIVER OF CLAIMS AND INDEMNITY AGREEMENT In consideration of the Frontenac Arch Biosphere Network accepting my son/daughter’s application to participate in this activity, I agree: • To waive any and all claims that I may have in future against FRONTENAC ARCH BIOSPHERE NETWORK AND OTHERS. • To release the FRONTENAC ARCH BIOSPHERE NETWORK AND OTHERS for any and all liability of my son/daughter’s personal injury, death, property damage, as a result of my daughter/son’s participation in this activity, due to any cause whatsoever, including negligence, breach of regulation or breach of any statutory duty of care. • To hold harmless and indemnify FRONTENAC ARCH BIOSPHERE NETWORK AND OTHERS from any and all liability for any damage to property of, or personal injury to, any third party, resulting from my daughter/son’s participation in this activity. • That this agreement is binding on not only myself but my daughter/son’s next of kin, heirs, executors, administrators and assigns. I HAVE READ THIS AGREEMENT AND UNDERSTAND IT. I AM AWARE THAT BY SIGNING THIS DOCUMENT I AM WAIVING CERTAIN RIGHTS WHICH I OR MY DAUGHTER/SON’S NEXT OF KIN, HEIRS, EXECUTORS, ADMINISTRATORS AND ASSIGNS MAY HAVE AGAINST FRONTENAC ARCH BIOSPHERE NETWORK AND OTHERS.

COVID-19 Disclaimer

All FABN Programs will follow Ontario Government Policies and Regulations, with regards to the COVID 19 Pandemic. FABN will not permit a person to participate in any FABN Programs who is displaying symptoms of COVID 19 or has come into contact with someone who has. If a participant or a family member has been diagnosed with COVID 19, that participant will not be able to attend a FABN Program until 14 days after the positive diagnosis was provided. All participants must complete the FABN COVID 19 Screening prior to attending any FABN Program. Refunds will not be provided to participants who are unable to attend, due to COVID 19. If FABN cancels a program day (s) for any reason, including but not limited to a shortage of staff or an order from the Health Unit, a full refund will be provided.
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