School Age Nature Clubs in Toronto's High Park
Naturally curious school‑aged children can explore Toronto’s High Park and grow their naturalist skills within a welcoming, safe and engaging outdoor learning community.
Registration for Fall Nature Clubs in High Park is OPEN!
Fall Nature Clubs will meet at the High Park Forest School on 375 Colborne Lodge Drive.
School Age Clubs are drop-off. For caregiver-accompanied clubs for younger children, check out our Early Years Clubs!
Our School Age Nature Clubs give kids the chance to dive into Toronto’s natural world, exploring High Park’s savannahs, woodlands, wetlands and wildlife through hands‑on outdoor learning. Kids discover the amazing plants and animals that live here while building real naturalist skills through play, inquiry, direct experience, and close observation. These drop‑off programs foster independence, confidence, and a deep connection to nature in a safe, supportive environment.
Don’t let cost stand in the way of your child’s nature adventures in High Park. Our Happy Camper Fund Bursary is here to help! Apply today!
Looking to plan ahead? Check out our Clubs Registration and Program Dates for the year.
In all our School Age programs, kids will get to explore High Park while building confidence as they dive into hands‑on outdoor learning with other kids who share a love for nature. These nature‑based programs in Toronto help children develop real naturalist skills, curiosity, environmental awareness and care for nature at an early age through creative and engaging activities, open-ended and active outdoor play, and meaningful, guided experiences in the park.
Each week, we will:
- Explore High Park’s savannahs, woodlands, and wetlands on guided hikes
- Ask questions and nurture our sense of wonder
- Use our senses to notice seasonal changes and wildlife activity
- Practice beginner naturalist skills through hands-on learning
- Discover local plants, trees, insects, and wildlife
- Build confidence with simple nature‑based activities
- Share discoveries and connect with a community of young explorers
…and engage in so much more outdoor learning and unstructured play!
Fall Nature Clubs
Celebrate the beauty of fall as High Park transforms into a tapestry of colours! Discover leaves as they change and fall, search for signs of animals preparing for winter, listen for the calls of migrating birds, and explore how plants and wildlife adapt to the cooler days. Your child will learn to notice the small things in nature that make autumn a season of change, magic and wonder.
Along the way, you and your child will:
- Make new friends and connect with nature
- Crunch through colourful leaves and enjoy the crisp fall air
- Engage in simple nature-inspired activities
- Build a lasting sense of curiosity and confidence outdoors
Learn more about individual nature clubs below. You can also download the PDF of the School Age Nature Clubs schedule to learn more.
Chipmunks experience hands-on nature exploration through play, storytelling, and crafts.
Fall Clubs
- Weekly Saturdays Club (2-4PM)
- Days: September 26, October 3, October 10, October 17, October 24, October 31, November 14, November 21, November 28, December 5, December 12, December 19
- Price: $480 for 12 sessions
- Biweekly Sundays Club (2-4PM)
- Days: October 4, October 18, November 1, November 15, November 29, December 13
- Price: $240 for 6 sessions
Our Raccoons program digs deep into naturalist skills, while making time for outdoor games, crafts and other fun nature activities
Fall Clubs
- Weekly Saturdays Club (2-4PM)
- Days: September 26, October 3, October 10, October 17, October 24, October 31, November 14, November 21, November 28, December 5, December 12, December 19
- Price: $480 for 12 sessions
- Biweekly Sundays Club (2-4PM)
- Days: October 4, October 18, November 1, November 15, November 29, December 13
- Price: $240 for 6 sessions
Coyotes take naturalist skills to the next level! They explore High Park while deepening their knowledge of nature.
Fall Clubs
- Weekly Saturdays Club (2-4PM)
- Days: September 26, October 3, October 10, October 17, October 24, October 31, November 14, November 21, November 28, December 5, December 12, December 19
- Price: $480 for 12 sessions
Spring Nature Clubs
Celebrate the magic of spring as High Park comes alive again! Discover budding plants, search for animal tracks in the soft, muddy earth, listen for returning birds, and explore how wildlife wakes up and adapts to the changing season. Kids will learn to notice the tiny signs of spring that turn the landscape into a living storybook.
Along the way, children will:
- Make new friends and connect with nature
- Splash through puddles and enjoy the fresh spring air
- Engage in simple nature-inspired activities
- Build a lasting sense of curiosity and confidence outdoors
Learn more about individual nature clubs below. You can also download the PDF of the School Age Nature Clubs schedule to learn more.
Chipmunks experience hands-on nature exploration through play, storytelling, and crafts.
Early Spring Clubs
- Weekly Saturdays Club (2-4PM)
- Days: March 28, April 4, April 11, April 18, April 25, May 2
- Price: $216 for 6 sessions
Late Spring Clubs
- Weekly Saturdays Club (2-4PM)
- Days: May 16, May 23, May 30, June 6, June 13, June 20
- Price: $216 for 6 sessions
Our Raccoons program digs deep into naturalist skills, while making time for outdoor games, crafts and other fun nature activities
Early Spring Clubs
- Weekly Saturdays Club (2-4PM)
- Days: March 28, April 4, April 11, April 18, April 25, May 2
- Price: $216 for 6 sessions
Late Spring Clubs
- Weekly Thursdays Club (4-6PM)
- Days: May 14, May 21, May 28, June 4, June 11, June 18
- Price: $216 for 6 sessions
- Weekly Saturdays Morning Club (10AM-12PM)
- Days: May 16, May 23, May 30, June 6, June 13, June 20
- Price: $216 for 6 sessions
- Weekly Saturdays Afternoon Club (2-4PM)
- Days: May 16, May 23, May 30, June 6, June 13, June 20
- Price: $216 for 6 sessions
Coyotes take naturalist skills to the next level! They explore High Park while deepening their knowledge of nature.
Early Spring Clubs
- Weekly Saturdays Club (2-4PM)
- Days: March 28, April 4, April 11, April 18, April 25, May 2
- Price: $216 for 6 sessions
Late Spring Clubs
- Weekly Saturdays Club (2-4PM)
- Days: May 16, May 23, May 30, June 6, June 13, June 20
- Price: $216 for 6 sessions
Winter Nature Clubs
Learn to read the landscape like a storybook through the art of animal tracking, explore the incredible winter survival strategies of local plants and wildlife, and master the cozy crafts of fire-making and storytelling. Along the way, your child will:
- Make new friends
- Soak up sunshine and fresh air
- Sip warm apple cider by the fire
- Build a lasting sense of comfort and confidence outdoors
To help you get started, we’ll send all participants our Warm Up to Winter Tipsheet — a handy guide to layering like a pro. We also have some warm clothing and boots available on-site for children and youth who may need to borrow them.
Learn more about individual nature clubs below. You can also download the PDF of the full School Age Nature Clubs schedule to learn more.
Chipmunks experience hands-on nature exploration through play, storytelling, and crafts.
Winter Clubs
- Weekly Saturdays Club (2-3:30PM)
- Days: January 17, January 24, January 31, February 7, February 14, February 21, February 28, March 7
- Price: $288 for 8 sessions
Our Raccoons program digs deep into naturalist skills, while making time for outdoor games, crafts and other fun nature activities
Winter Clubs
- Weekly Saturdays Club (2-4PM)
- Days: January 17, January 24, January 31, February 7, February 14, February 21, February 28, March 7
- Price: $288 for 8 sessions
Coyotes take naturalist skills to the next level! They explore High Park while deepening their knowledge of nature.
Winter Clubs
- Weekly Saturdays Club (2-4PM)
- Days: January 17, January 24, January 31, February 7, February 14, February 21, February 28, March 7
- Price: $288 for 8 sessions
Fall Nature Clubs
We will be offering Fall Nature Clubs in High Park this season. Learn more about individual nature clubs below. You can also download the PDF of the full School Age Nature Clubs schedule to learn more.
Chipmunks experience hands-on nature exploration through play, storytelling, and crafts.
Early Fall 2025 Schedule:
- Weekly Saturdays Club (2-3:30PM)
- Days: September 27, October 4, October 11, October 18, October 25
- Price: $180 for 5 sessions
Late Fall 2025 Schedule:
- Weekly Saturdays Club (2-3:30PM)
- Days: November 8, November 15, November 22, November 29, December 6, December 13
- Price: $216 for 6 sessions
Note: On Saturdays, Raccoons (6-8 years) and Coyotes (9-11 years) Nature Clubs will run as a combined club for kids ages 6-11 years)
Raccoons learn about nature through hikes, outdoor games, and other fun nature activities
Early Fall 2025 Schedule:
- Weekly Saturdays Club (2-4PM)
- Days: September 27, October 4, October 11, October 18, October 25
- Price: $180 for 5 sessions
- Days: September 27, October 4, October 11, October 18, October 25
Late Fall 2025 Schedule:
- Weekly Saturdays Club (2-4PM)
- Days: November 8, November 15, November 22, November 29, December 6, December 13
- Price: $216 for 6 sessions
Note: On Saturdays, Raccoons (6-8 years) and Coyotes (9-11 years) Nature Clubs will run as a combined club for kids ages 6-11 years)
Coyotes take naturalist skills to the next level! They explore High Park while deepening their knowledge of nature.
Early Fall 2025 Schedule:
- Weekly Thursdays Club (4-6PM)
- Days: September 25, October 2, October 9, October 16, October 23
- Price: $180 for 5 sessions
- Weekly Saturdays Club (2-4PM)
- Days: September 27, October 4, October 11, October 18, October 25
- Price: $180 for 5 sessions
Late Fall 2025 Schedule:
- Weekly Thursdays Club (4-6PM)
- Days: November 6, November 13, November 20, November 27, December 4, December 11
- Price: $216 for 6 sessions
- Weekly Saturdays Club (2-4PM)
- Days: November 8, November 15, November 22, November 29, December 6, December 13
- Price: $216 for 6 sessions
Club Policies
Club spots fill very quickly! Be prepared for registration day by reading the tips below and by making sure you already have an account. Learn more by checking out some of our tips for registration day.
At High Park Nature Centre, we want all kids to experience the joy that time in nature can bring and grow up with a connection to the natural world.
The High Park Nature Centre strives to ensure that all kids get the chance to experience the joy of nature. This is why we offer a financial aid program called the Happy Camper Fund. If you are in need of financial aid to attend our programs, please apply here.
Our Happy Camper Fund is made possible thanks to your generosity and support. Consider making a donation today to continue supporting this fund.
Note: You will need to register for a club before we look at your bursary application.
For all programs, children MUST be of the minimum age of the program on or before the start of the program.
Our Nature Clubs are for registered participants who are within that club’s age range only.
If you need more information on our sibling policy, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Fall Nature Clubs will meet at the High Park Forest School located at 375 Colborne Lodge Drive located in the north of High Park.
We continue to recommend using the TTC or biking as the best way to get to High Park and the Nature Centre’s facilities. The Forest School is situated just a 5-minute walk from the High Park Subway Station. In case you were biking, there are bike racks available in front of the Forest School.
A number of changes were made to the travel network within High Park as part of the High Park Movement Strategy that might influence your decision to drive to High Park. In case you’re driving we strongly recommend you to park your car at the public parking lot near Grenadier Cafe.
Please note, High Park is closed to cars on the weekends. If your program is on a weekend, you will need to park outside the park and walk in, or take transit.
Visit our How To Get Here page to learn more about planning your trips to High Park.
Hike routes through High Park might include some uneven terrain and mild slopes.
High Park Nature Centre’s Cottage building is not yet an AODA-compliant facility. We try our best to accommodate accessibility needs on a case-by-case basis. Please reach out to us about any accessibility-related questions you might have.
We welcome registered therapy or guide dogs to our programs. However, we kindly ask that that family pets be left at home.
Dogs and other pets are not permitted in our programs. However, certified service animals, such as registered therapy or guide dogs, are welcome.
Please ensure you’ve read and understood our registration policies. This includes:
- General Cancellation Policy
- Extreme Weather-Related Cancellation Policy
- Behaviour Policy
- Drop-off Program Readiness Policy
Financial Assistance
Looking to get involved with our Nature Clubs this season? Keep an eye out for the opening of applications for our Nature Clubs Assistant volunteer roles! It’s a great opportunity to support our outdoor educators and help inspire curiosity and connection with nature at the High Park Nature Centre.
Registration Policies
Please ensure you’ve read and understood our registration policies:
- General Cancellation Policy
- Extreme Weather-Related Cancellation Policy
- Behaviour Policy
- Drop-off Program Readiness Policy
