Baxter Outdoor and Environmental Education Programs
Baxter Conservation Area offers outdoor and environmental education programs for students and community groups from preschool to grade 12 and beyond. Join us in our outdoor classroom and give your students the opportunity to explore and connect with nature. Our education programs provide students and visitors with interactive, hands-on, curriculum-based experiences where they will learn about the natural world and their relationship with it. We also offer outdoor education programs where students will learn navigation and outdoor survival skills as well.
Baxter can accommodate up to 60 students per day. All equipment is included in our programs and each program runs approximately 1.5 hours in length. Below please find descriptions of each of the programs we offer. 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 also only guidelines. Please select any desired fields to narrow your search.
| Half Day Program | $200 / group * | maximum 30 students, 90 minutes with an RVCA instructor |
| Full Day Program | $275 / group * | maximum 30 students, two 90 minutes with an RVCA instructor |
| Self-directed | $2.50/person * | 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). |
* plus applicable taxes
Baxter’s Cancellation Policy: A minimum of fifteen (15) business days notice is required to cancel education programs at Baxter Conservation Area.
This policy gives schools/groups on our waiting list sufficient time to try and fill the program opening. If Baxter Conservation Area is notified of a cancellation less than 15 business days in advance of your scheduled visit, a cancellation fee of $50.00 will be charged.
In the event of severe weather conditions (i.e. thunderstorms, snowstorms, etc.), Baxter staff will make contact with your school/group by 7:00 AM the morning of your trip if we need to re-schedule or cancel the program on that day. There will be no charge for a cancellation made due to school bus cancellations or severe weather conditions on the day of your trip.
Baxter Education Program Descriptions
Family Programs (2)
Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, we will not be offering any family programs at Baxter in the summer of 2020. Please check back in the spring of 2021 for more information.
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
