Our Camp Programs
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In 2023, we updated the way we organize participants! Rather than only offering certain age groups each week, we offer programming for ages 5*-13 every week.
Now, we see what ages are registered, and create age-based pods of 10 to work with one incredible leader. Sometimes pods meet up to work on similar skills or games, and sometimes all groups come together as a whole camp.
The descriptions below still give a good sense of the skills and activities we focus on with each age range.
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Saplings (ages ~5*-7)
Join us for our well-loved program for 5 and 6 year olds! We will adventure into the woods to explore feathered, furred and finned creatures. We will open up our forest senses, sing lots of group songs, and finish the week off with a family celebration. * 5 year-olds must have completed one year of kindergarten
Forestkeepers (~ ages 7-9)
Let’s listen for bird song in the forest! We will also design and build natural shelters, and learn to be sneaky and camouflaged amongst the trees. We will also deepen our connection to the land through local stewardship activities and daily Sit Spots.
Foxwalkers (~ ages 9-13)
Be part of a group of emerging leaders as you continue to hone your outdoor skills and discover new passions. Explore Bow Drill fire-making and the basics of knife use and safety. Through games and stories, each season will present another opportunity to work as a team to complete outdoor sensory and survival challenges.
-- NEW -- Heartwood Youth Leadership Training (ages 13+*)
$460 + taxes/fees (Training Week + Mentored Volunteer Placement)
Join our team for a week of youth-focused training, and then bring your skills and passions to life on the ground as a youth leader volunteering with younger participants. We will dive into game facilitation, empathy through play, crafting and building, skill-development and so much more.
* If your child is younger than 13 and wants to participate, please email us at [email protected].
In 2023, we updated the way we organize participants! Rather than only offering certain age groups each week, we offer programming for ages 5*-13 every week.
Now, we see what ages are registered, and create age-based pods of 10 to work with one incredible leader. Sometimes pods meet up to work on similar skills or games, and sometimes all groups come together as a whole camp.
The descriptions below still give a good sense of the skills and activities we focus on with each age range.
~
Saplings (ages ~5*-7)
Join us for our well-loved program for 5 and 6 year olds! We will adventure into the woods to explore feathered, furred and finned creatures. We will open up our forest senses, sing lots of group songs, and finish the week off with a family celebration. * 5 year-olds must have completed one year of kindergarten
Forestkeepers (~ ages 7-9)
Let’s listen for bird song in the forest! We will also design and build natural shelters, and learn to be sneaky and camouflaged amongst the trees. We will also deepen our connection to the land through local stewardship activities and daily Sit Spots.
Foxwalkers (~ ages 9-13)
Be part of a group of emerging leaders as you continue to hone your outdoor skills and discover new passions. Explore Bow Drill fire-making and the basics of knife use and safety. Through games and stories, each season will present another opportunity to work as a team to complete outdoor sensory and survival challenges.
-- NEW -- Heartwood Youth Leadership Training (ages 13+*)
$460 + taxes/fees (Training Week + Mentored Volunteer Placement)
Join our team for a week of youth-focused training, and then bring your skills and passions to life on the ground as a youth leader volunteering with younger participants. We will dive into game facilitation, empathy through play, crafting and building, skill-development and so much more.
* If your child is younger than 13 and wants to participate, please email us at [email protected].
Information for Parents & Guardians
Parents & guardians must read through this information booklet
prior to their child attending our camp programs.
prior to their child attending our camp programs.
Registration Policies
Payment Plans
An option to enrol in a payment plan will be made available to you during registration.
Cancellation Policy
Rivers to Ridges designs and implements programs based on enrolment. We invest in program planning, equipment and other costs before the program begins. These expenses cannot be recovered in the event of a cancellation. When considering a cancellation, please be aware and respectful of our policies and commitment to facilitating quality programs.
Refund Policy
A full refund (less $50 non-refundable deposit) will be issued to any cancellation made during the notice period of 28 calendar days or more prior to the start date of the camp. Refunds are not available for cancellations made 28 days or less from the start of program. Full refunds (including $50 deposit) will be offered for a cancellation within 48 hours of registering.
Program Cancellation
Rivers to Ridges reserves the right to cancel camps that have low registration. In this event, a transfer or full refund will be provided (less processing fees).
Wait Lists
In past years we've had a wait list for most weeks of camp. When a spot becomes available, we will reach out to the next eligible family.
Late Pick-Up
If a parent/guardian is late to pick up their child (after 4:15 pm), a late fee charge of $25 may be recorded and invoiced. After 30 minutes (4:45 pm +), an additional $25 may be charged. Parents/guardians will be required to pay for any accumulated late fees, or services/service may be suspended for their child.
We apologize in advance for any inconvenience and encourage parents/guardians to try and make special arrangements if they know they will be unable to pick up their child on time.
An option to enrol in a payment plan will be made available to you during registration.
Cancellation Policy
Rivers to Ridges designs and implements programs based on enrolment. We invest in program planning, equipment and other costs before the program begins. These expenses cannot be recovered in the event of a cancellation. When considering a cancellation, please be aware and respectful of our policies and commitment to facilitating quality programs.
Refund Policy
A full refund (less $50 non-refundable deposit) will be issued to any cancellation made during the notice period of 28 calendar days or more prior to the start date of the camp. Refunds are not available for cancellations made 28 days or less from the start of program. Full refunds (including $50 deposit) will be offered for a cancellation within 48 hours of registering.
Program Cancellation
Rivers to Ridges reserves the right to cancel camps that have low registration. In this event, a transfer or full refund will be provided (less processing fees).
Wait Lists
In past years we've had a wait list for most weeks of camp. When a spot becomes available, we will reach out to the next eligible family.
Late Pick-Up
If a parent/guardian is late to pick up their child (after 4:15 pm), a late fee charge of $25 may be recorded and invoiced. After 30 minutes (4:45 pm +), an additional $25 may be charged. Parents/guardians will be required to pay for any accumulated late fees, or services/service may be suspended for their child.
We apologize in advance for any inconvenience and encourage parents/guardians to try and make special arrangements if they know they will be unable to pick up their child on time.
Sample Flow of a Day
What makes our camps different?
We believe that the more we get in touch with the natural rhythms of nature, the more we tune in with our own rhythms. By building trust, modelling positive behaviours, and inspiring deep connection to the land, our aim is to empower young learners to develop awareness, empathy and a deep connection to their community.
Our educational philosophy is built on the concept nature mentoring.
We encourage learners to develop a deep sense of place through understanding their role in the natural world. We are guided by the learners' passions, and we customize our programming around each unique group of students, based on their interested, needs and desires.
We believe strongly in fostering curiosity and we strive to hold space for learners to come to answers at his or her own pace.
We encourage learners to develop a deep sense of place through understanding their role in the natural world. We are guided by the learners' passions, and we customize our programming around each unique group of students, based on their interested, needs and desires.
We believe strongly in fostering curiosity and we strive to hold space for learners to come to answers at his or her own pace.
