Special Programming

This 1/2 day Fall weekday session is designed to introduce younger children to our forest and basecamp. The program is inspired by a child-oriented learning approach with activities freely conducted in the natural environment. Through short exposure to real nature, young children’s psychophysical well-being and quality of life, cognitive function, motor coordination and balance, connectedness to nature, and health and well-being improves. Participants will develop positive resilience, initiative, and self-regulation.

*Children must be potty-trained and will be required to carry their own backpack to basecamp, containing snacks and lunch, water, a seasonally appropriate change of clothes, and a light coat if rain is in the forecast. Please do not pack toys or special belongings from home.

Hike, canoe, camp, and explore with the Lynx group! In this program for female identifying high schoolers, participants will become more comfortable in the great outdoors. By learning some basic survival and navigational skills they will gain confidence to explore and adventure with their friends and on their own. Our Lynx course improves self-confidence, communication, and leadership skills by working closely as a group, celebrating individuality and teamwork, all while making new friends in the process. The Lynx meet once per month from September to June on weekends, culminating with a final weekend campout in the wilderness in the spring. The location of this course will move around between a variety of locations in Pictou County.

*Gear will be provided for the campout*

This course teaches youth self-reliance and develops a love of the outdoors and all things living. Participants will learn to overcome challenges in the face of adversity and work together as a team towards a common goal. This course takes place once per month on the weekend, beginning in October and ending in June. Similar to our other programs this course will teach a combination of natural history and skills to survive and thrive outside. This is a more challenging course than many of the other programs we offer but still filled with fun. The March session will be an overnight winter camping experience, and the final June session will be an overnight camping and canoeing expedition. The location of this course will move around between a variety of locations in Pictou County.

*Gear will be provided for the campout*

Women in the Woods offers a shared experience through the peaceful and nurturing elements of nature and movement. Together we’ll hike or snowshoe (in the winter), paddle canoes on the river (in the spring and fall), and practise yoga with a certified instructor. We’ll find warmth, comradery and conversation around the campfire, cultivate positive mental health through the healing power of nature, and inspire community together and within ourselves.

We will enjoy the use of our new insulated and solar heated off-grid building overlooking the pond for indoor yoga and warming up when needed, and there is an outhouse on site with hand sanitizer available.

This program is uniquely intended as a fundraiser, with the fees going directly toward creating affordable programming for other groups. Each single day weekend session will have a specific group, association, club or society that the cost will be dedicated to.