Ages 4-6

Leafhoppers are the youngest naturalists at camp! As our youngest naturalists, they will have time to explore and discover through hikes, active play in OURSpace and lots of nature-related games, art, and songs. Their natural sense of wonder and curiosity will be encouraged as they learn about nature and engage in activities like exploring raindrops on spiderwebs, following ants busy at work, building insect shelters with found items, or identifying bird songs.

Ages 6-8

Cicadas are active and curious campers! They will play nature-related games, go on scavenger hunts, and showcase their creativity with nature-themed art. Cicadas will visit and learn about the animals and plants of the rare Black Oak Savannah ecosystem. They will use tools like binoculars and identification guides to build naturalist skills and take care of nature through planting and stewardship activities.

Ages 8-10

Dragonflies will have fun exploring High Park and learning about its diversity of species and important ecosystems. Dragonflies will go on hikes, plant native species in High Park’s Black Oak Savannah, and learn about the importance of protecting High Park’s ecology through fun activities and games.

Ages 10-12

Mantids will develop their skills for observation, species identification, and environmental stewardship, while working together as a team of young naturalists. Mantids will engage in a variety of activities such as orienteering, microscopes, and citizen science projects.

Ages 12-14

Ramblers develop naturalist skills and perform meaningful stewardship work in the park. This could include removal of invasive plant species, restoration of High Park’s Black Oak Savanna, development of signage for environmentally sensitive areas of High Park, etc. They will work with tools, develop species ID skills, go on hikes, and bond with youth who share their passion for nature.

Ages 14-16

Our Leadership in Training program is an important part of our mission to promote awareness and respect for nature through year-round, hands-on outdoor nature education and park stewardship. LIT is a leadership and mentorship program that strives to inspire a sense of wonder, knowledge and respect for nature in youth. Youth are the leaders of tomorrow and we recognize the importance of helping to build their confidence in facilitating nature education programs. LIT participants will develop their naturalist knowledge and leadership skills in a fun, welcoming and inclusive camp community. The LIT program is a two-part program.

Part 1: Leadership Training

In part one, participants will engage in a weeklong training session. The week will be a combination of naturalist skills building activities such as orienteering, introductory birding skills, plant identification, hands on restoration work, as well as leadership skill development. Through team-based activities, reflection and problem-based learning, participants will focus on communication, behaviour management techniques, program development and building confidence when working as a leader in a camp setting. Participants will apply their leadership training to their volunteer placement at summer camp.

There are two leadership training sessions to select - July 3-7, 2023 OR July 31-August 4, 2023. Participants can volunteer for any camp week following their leadership training week. Participants can choose to continue volunteering at summer camp after their placement week (Part 2: Volunteer Placement) to gain more camp experience and community volunteer hours.

Part 2: Volunteer Placement

In part two, participants will spend a week in a volunteer capacity in partnership with an Environmental Educator to facilitate programming with a camp group. This will be chance to practice skills learned in part one and gain experience working directly with children with the guidance and mentorship from Nature Centre staff. Secondary students can also collect community involvement volunteer hours for this week at camp*.

*Participation in our LIT program will contribute towards community involvement volunteer hours required to graduate secondary school in Ontario.

For more information on our year-round leadership programs, visit our High Park Youth Rangers page.

Requests for cancellations or refunds must be made in writing and submitted to the High Park Nature Centre at info@highparknaturecentre.com.

• Cancellations made 14 or more days in advance of the start of the program date will receive a refund minus the $50.00 deposit fee paid at the time of registration.
• Cancellations made fewer than 14 days before the start of the program date will receive no refund.

Summer Camp sessions are offered for $465.00 per week.

See the section "Weekly Schedule Overview & Camp Fees" below, for a week to week schedule to programs.

Happy Camper Fund Bursary

Applications for the Happy Camper Fund Bursary are now closed for Summer Camp 2023.

The High Park Nature Centre strives to ensure that all kids get the chance to experience the joy of nature. Thanks to a generous donor and several donations made by supporters of the Nature Centre, we are able to provide our financial assistance program called the Happy Camper Fund Bursary. If you would like to apply, please follow the link below.

Click here to APPLY for the Happy Camper Fund Bursary.

Note: For our 2023 summer camps, we can only provide financial assistance for a maximum of one week (five days) of camp per camp participant.

At the time of registration we require a $50 deposit for each session. This deposit is non-refundable and will be retained in the event of cancellation. The remainder of the fees will be charged to your credit card on June 1, 2023.

Children may be enrolled in a maximum of two camp sessions per summer.

If a program is full, you may choose to be added to the waitlist through our online system. When a space becomes available in a camp we will contact those on the wait list by email.

Campers will be divided into counsellor groups based on age. If you know your child has friends attending the same week and age group as your child, please fill out the friend requests form upon your registration.

Friend requests must be made in writing before the start of your child's camp week. Friend requests made upon your arrival to camp will not be accommodated.

Camp drop-off starts at 9:00 AM. Pick-up starts at 3:45 PM.

At the High Park Nature Centre, we strive to create a safe, inclusive environment for everyone. We want to work with participants/caregivers/teachers to overcome challenging behaviours. Our staff use behavioural management techniques like setting clear expectations for behaviour, positive reinforcement, empowering language, and friendly reminders of what appropriate behaviour looks, sounds, and feels like. When conflicts arise, we guide participants through conflict resolution discussions so they can change their behaviour and continue taking part in High Park Nature Centre programming. When necessary, staff will discuss with participants/caregivers/teachers strategies for improving behaviour.

A Program Coordinator can make the decision to remove a participant from the program due to inappropriate behaviour and refunds will not be provided. Participants will be asked to leave immediately. If the participant is a minor, caregivers will be called in to pick up their youth/child. Examples of inappropriate behaviour include (but are not limited to): violence to themselves or others, hateful/offensive/abusive language, bullying, damaging property, refusing to follow safety rules, repeatedly running out of sight, or continued disruption of the program.

Examples of behaviour that will result in removal include (but are not limited to):

• violence to themselves or others,
• bullying,
• damaging property,
• refusing to follow safety rules,
• repeatedly running out of sight, or
• continued disruption of the program.

The High Park Nature Centre promotes awareness and respect for nature through year-round, hands-on outdoor nature education and park stewardship activities. We strongly believe that an important part of connecting with nature involves responsible, active outdoor play.

At Nature Centre programs, we do engage in activities such as playing in soil and getting dirty, climbing trees and balancing on logs. Our staff prioritizes safety by establishing clear guidelines with all participants. Children are encouraged to decide if/when they are ready to participate in these activities and are supervised throughout.

If you have questions or would like to talk with staff about your child's participation in active outdoor play, please talk with us.

Programs will proceed rain, snow or shine. Please be sure to dress your child appropriately for the weather as we will be outdoors for most of the activities. Indoor programs will be run in the case of extreme weather such as heavy rain, thunderstorms, snowstorms or high winds over 35 km per hour. If you have any questions please email us at info@highparknaturecentre.com.