We're still very much in summer camp mode, but registration for the fall club season is already underway! Our nature clubs meet regularly throughout each season to explore the natural wonders of High Park through trail hikes, sensory activities, games, and stewardship opportunities! In the fall we plant native plants in the savannah garden, play in fallen leaves, and appreciate the bird migration. We offer clubs for nature lovers ages 6 months and up!
Our Early Years clubs are caregiver-accompanied: a chance to bond with the little ones you care for through nature, and meet other nature-loving families! We start each session with some introductory activities and circle time (singing songs and learning rhymes), and then head out on a hike. Please note that Nature Baby hikes at an adult pace with all babies in carriers, while the other early years clubs are taken at a child-walking pace. We still have space in the following early years clubs this fall:
Nature Baby (Friday), 6-18 months
Waddlers (Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday), 18-36 months
Knee-High Naturalists (Tuesday), 3-5 years
Fox & Kits (Tuesday), 18 months-5 years
The learning continues after school and on weekends at the Nature Centre! Our after school and weekend drop-off clubs are accessible to participants who are already of school age. These often high-energy clubs have our nature explorers playing games, going on hikes, and asking lots of questions! We still have space in our Raccoons clubs (Wednesday, Saturday, Sunday) for participants who are 6-9 years old.
We also have a French program for your French or bilingual adventurers! Les écureuils (Saturday, 5-8 years), one of our drop-off weekend clubs, is for kids interested in learning about the wonders of nature in High Park, like to have fun, and either speak French at home or are enrolled in a French program at school.
En français:
Nous avons un programme en français pour les enfants qui aiment explorer les merveilles de la nature dans High Park! Les écureuils (samedi cinq à huit ans) est un club créatif et actif pour ceux qui aiment s'amuser. Notre programme en français s'adressent aux enfants qui parlent français (français parler à la maison ou inscrit dans une école en français).
Our clubs aren't only open to kids; adults can join in too! The Urban Naturalists club (Saturday, ages 18+) takes adults on guided hikes on some of the lesser-explored trails in the park. You'll learn about the park's natural history, explore seasonally significant species, and be part of a community of nature enthusiasts!
Kami Valkova- Kami started working with the HPNC in May 2017. She is currently the Nature Clubs Coordinator and a Naturalist Teacher for the HPNC. To read more about Kami check out her Staff Spotlight HERE.
