At Pictou County Forest School we believe time in nature is never time wasted.

Our special programming offers seasonal and multi-season groups, gender specific programs, adult programs, and stand alone sessions. Some of these programs operate during school hours and some take place on the weekend.

Seedlings: Ages 3-5

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.

Lynx & Coyote Outdoor Leadership & Expedition Skills: grade 9-12 students

This accredited outdoor leadership course develops confidence, self-reliance, and wilderness skills through hiking, canoeing, camping, and outdoor adventure. Students learn navigation, survival, environmental stewardship, teamwork, and leadership, culminating in a student-led three-night expedition on the Cape Chignecto Coastal Trail.

Participants must be prepared for physically demanding activities, including hikes of up to 20 km carrying a pack. Attendance is mandatory to earn the Department of Education-recognized High School Leadership credit.

For more information, please see our registration form.

Note: This program will be offered as a CO-ED course for the 2026–2027 year.

Women in the Woods

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.

Adult Forest School (18+)

Kids aren’t the only ones who benefit from time spent in the woods learning bushcraft skills, playing camouflage, and practising survival techniques. Adult Forest School is for the young at heart, ready to play, learn, and grow, the forest school way!

During these mini weekend sessions, we’ll practise our PCFS core routines such as tracking and plant identification, fire starting and whittling, compass basics and shelter building, solo sit spots, hammock time, and hiking. We’ll play games, make crafts, and when the weather is right we’ll canoe down the Big Caribou River, or snowshoe through the forest!