Super User
Regulations & Planning
The Rideau Valley Conservation Authority (RVCA) conserves and protects natural resources in the Rideau River valley for the benefit of everyone. The RVCA believes that sound land use and municipal planning is a critical part of protecting our land and water. It is also essential to preventing the loss of life and property damage due to flooding and erosion.
Note: As of April 1, 2024, a new Minister’s regulation (Ontario Regulation 41/24: Prohibited Activities, Exemptions and Permits) will replace the RVCA's existing Ontario Regulation 174/06 under Section 28 of the Conservation Authorities Act. Moving forward, O. Reg. 41/24 will be used by all Conservation Authorities.
As part of this mandate, the RVCA continues to:
- Regulate construction in and along environmentally sensitive areas such as floodplains, steep slopes, wetlands, shorelines and waterways
- Review development proposals (municipal plan / Planning Act review) within or adjacent to natural areas
- Administer Part 8 of the Ontario Building Code on behalf of the City of Ottawa and Tay Valley Township by reviewing and issuing Building Permits for construction, enlargement and/or alteration of sewage disposal systems.
Our team of staff work towards clean water, natural shorelines and sustainable land use throughout the watershed.
About Us
RVCA is one of Ontario’s 36 Conservation Authorities. Under Ontario's Conservation Authorities Act, the RVCA is responsible for furthering the "conservation, restoration, development and management of natural resources in the watershed." We are responsible for protecting people and property from natural hazards like flooding and erosion.
For over 50 years, the RVCA has worked to protect the health of our watershed and the people who live in it. Through environmental monitoring and reporting, on-the-ground restoration and stewardship, conservation lands and education, development review and approval and flood forecasting and warning working in close partnerships with our member municipalities, other levels of government and academia has made this work possible.
Our Vision
Our vision is for a thriving watershed with clean abundant water, natural shorelines, rich forests and wetlands, diverse habitat and sustainable land use that is valued and protected by all.
Our Mission
Our mission is to understand, manage, protect, restore and enhance the Rideau watershed through science, stewardship, education, policy and leadership.
Stewardship Services & Landowner Grants
RVCA helps improve the quality of water in our streams, lakes, rivers and groundwater reserves. We look to protect and enhance our watershed's natural resources by providing programs that will leave a healthy and sustainable environment for future generations. Programs such as tree planting, landowner incentive programs and shoreline restoration help us achieve our goals. We are delighted work with private landowners, lake associations, NGOs, Friends of groups, businesses, government agencies and the general public to make improvements to the watershed. Working with others, we divide the task and double the success!
Foley Educational Brochure
This guide provides description of each program. Demand for these programs is high, so it is recommended you book early to avoid disappointment.
Baxter Educational Brochure
This guide provides description of each program. Demand for these programs is high, so it is recommended you book early to avoid disappointment.
Foley Mountain Day Camps
2024 Summer Day Camp Registration Now Open!
Join our qualified and experienced outdoor educators for some summer fun in the forest! Designed for children aged 6 – 12, we spend our time outside exploring, playing, and learning through experiential, hands-on opportunities. Each themed week is full of nature-based activities that could include discovering creatures that live in the beaver, searching for salamanders, playing Instincts for Survival, learning to build a shelter, crafts, and more! Our ratio of staff to campers is 1:8 and we accept 24 campers per session.
| Date | Program | Age | Camp Hours | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
July |
Outdoor Adventurers |
6-12 | 9am - 4pm | $220/week $195/week for additional children in the same family |
| July 22 – 26 WAITLIST ONLY |
Nature Explorers |
6-12 | 9am - 4pm | $220/week $195/week for additional children in the same family |
| August 12 – 16 WAITLIST ONLY |
Forest Fun | 6-12 | 9am - 4pm | $220/week $195/week for additional children in the same family |
| August 26 - 30 WAITLIST ONLY |
Junior Naturalists | 6-12 | 9am - 4pm | $220/week $195/week for additional children in the same family |
To Register
Please complete the registration request form to be added to our registration list or wait list for camps that are currently full. Upon completion of the form, we will send you a registration package, including the program handbook and other necessary documents. PLEASE NOTE that filling out this form does not necessarily guarantee a space in the program but begins the registration process.
Interested in volunteering?
Looking to get your high school volunteer hours or just add some great experience to your resume? Fill in our volunteer information form at https://bit.ly/3RY4zuh to connect with our camp staff
| Our Community Partner | ||
 |
Baxter Day Camps
2024 Forest Explorers Summer Camp Ages 6-12 | Five-day program | $250 All fees are plus applicable taxes.
Baxter’s Forest Explorers Summer Camp gives campers the opportunity to enjoy summer adventures immersed in nature while playing, exploring, and making new friends. Camp will include a number of organized activities like our pond study, insect study, crafts, etc. and unstructured, child-directed time where our camp counsellors will follow the campers’ interests while providing a safe and fun summer camp experience. Campers will enjoy swimming at Baxter beach supervised by two certified lifeguards.
Our Forest Explorers Summer Camp will be offered for 6- to 12-year-old children. If your child turns 6 during the calendar year (by December 31st), they are eligible to register for our summer camp programs this year. We will have a 1:8 ratio with 24 campers and 3 staff each week. One week of camp will run from Monday to Friday from 9:00am to 4:00pm. One week of camp costs $250 per camper. We also offer before and after care for summer camp. Before care ($5/camper/day) is available from 8:00-9:00 am and after care ($5/camper/day) is available from 4:00-5:00 pm. The maximum cost for before and after care is $100 per family. All fees are plus applicable taxes.
Interested in volunteering?
Looking to get your high school volunteer hours or just add some great experience to your resume? Email .
| Date | Program | Age | Camp Hours | Cost* | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| July 8 to 12, 2024 | Forest Explorers Summer Camp WAITLIST ONLY |
6–12 | 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. | $250 | ||
| July 15 to 19, 2024 | Forest Explorers Summer Camp WAITLIST ONLY |
6–12 | 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. | $250 | ||
| July 22 to 26, 2024 | Forest Explorers Summer Camp WAITLIST ONLY |
6–12 | 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. | $250 | ||
| July 29 to August 2, 2024 | Forest Explorers Summer Camp WAITLIST ONLY |
6–12 | 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. | $250 | ||
| August 12 to 16, 2024 | Forest Explorers Summer Camp WAITLIST ONLY |
6–12 | 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. | $250 | ||
| August 19 to 23, 2024 | Forest Explorers Summer Camp WAITLIST ONLY |
6–12 | 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. | $250 | ||
To Register
Click here to request registration.
PLEASE NOTE that Baxter’s summer camp is small and very popular. Spaces are limited and fill up very quickly once registration opens. Please check back here for the link to our registration request form.
PLEASE NOTE that filling out our registration request form does not guarantee you a space in our summer camp program. Registration requests are time stamped and processed in order they are received. Our staff will contact you ONLY if you are able to obtain a space in our summer camp. We will begin notifying families if they have obtained a space in our summer camp programs on February 5, 2024.
Additional Information
- Before and After Care is available at an additional fee. - Before Care 8:00-9:00 am - After Care 4:00-5:00 pm
Qualified and experienced outdoor education and camping staff Regular camp hours — 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. - All fees are plus applicable taxes
Educational Programming Costs
Half Day Program
$175 per group
(maximum 30 students)
(90 minutes with an RVCA instructor)
Full Day Program
$250 per group
(maximum 30 students)
(two 90 minutes with an RVCA instructor)
Self-directed
Interested in just visiting the conservation area with your class but not booking a program? The cost is $2.50/person. This does not include the use of buildings other than access to public washrooms. To reserve facilities, contact staff. Staff must still be contacted to book a self-directed visit.
Overnight Tent Camping (accommodations only)
1-15 people - $75/night
16-30 people - $150/night
30+ people - contact for pricing
*Additional buildings also available for rent (link to facility rentals)
Take you class on an overnight adventure to our group camping area! Plan your own activities or book our education staff to provide programming during your stay (see above for pricing).
Foley Mountain Educational Programming
The outdoor environmental education program at Foley Mountain provides students with interactive, experiential, curriculum-based experiences that will help them to understand our natural world and their relationship with it. The Program can accommodate up to 60 students per day and all equipment is provided. All programs are approximately 1.5 hours in duration. Descriptions are offered as general guidelines — if there are specific objectives that you would like to accomplish, please let us know. Although grade levels are recommended for each program, these are only guidelines. Please select any desired fields to narrow your search.
The Incredible Insect Challenge
In this scavenger hunt activity, students will be tasked with finding samples of insects and other living things found in the forests of Foley Mountain. Take the challenge and see who will earn the most points in this amazing race of nature discovery!
