Foley Mountain CA (24)
Winter Wonderland Foley
Bundle up and prepare for a wild winter adventure! Explore the winter forest at Baxter and learn about how plants and animals have adapted to survive these cold Canadian months.
Additional Info
- Grade 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
- Season Winter
Fall Colours at Foley Mountain, 2023
Foley Mountain is spectacular in fall, but visitors should plan ahead to avoid crowds.
During the peak season (end of September to mid-October), staff will be on-site to assist visitors with purchasing passes, managing parking, and helping things run smoothly. Visitors may be asked to park in auxiliary parking at the Interpretive Centre and other areas away from Spy Rock to ease congestion.
See the Foley Fall Colours map for alternative parking and trail directions (click map to download a PDF):
To ensure a safe and enjoyable visit, follow these tips:
AVOID PEAK TIMES:
Thanksgiving weekend is the busiest time of the year at Foley Mountain, with weekends on either side of the holiday also attracting large crowds. Avoid line-ups and crowds by visiting at off-peak times, such as early in the morning or in the evening, and mid-week instead of weekends.
PARKING:
The Spy Rock parking lot fills up quickly, especially on weekends. Come prepared with coins instead of credit cards for the pay machine, or use www.PayByPhone.com to reduce long line-ups (location code 5204).
You may also be asked to park in auxiliary parking areas at the Interpretive Centre, group camping site or at designated spots along the main road to reduce congestion. Be prepared to hike a short distance back to Spy Rock, either along the road or using one of the park’s other trails.
SPY ROCK:
As one of the most popular lookouts at Foley Mountain, Spy Rock can be a busy spot during fall colours. Please be considerate of other visitors and resist the temptation to linger a long time when others are waiting. Take your time to enjoy the view and take some photos, and then let others have a chance!
EXPLORE THE PARK:
There’s more to Foley Mountain than Spy Rock: explore it! Check out this blog outlining three alternative fall hikes to try: https://www.rvca.ca/view-all-blog-posts/beyond-spy-rock-three-fabulous-fall-hikes-at-foley-mountain
STAY INFORMED:
For maps and general park information visit www.rvca.ca/conservation-areas/fee-required/foley-mountain-ca. For the most up-to-date information follow our Facebook pages at @FoleyMountain and @RideauValleyConservationAuthority or follow RVCA on Twitter at @RideauValleyCA.
Foley Mountain Forest School (Westport, ON)
Foley Mountain Forest School offers an alternative education in which children spend most of their time outside, playing and learning through experiential, hands-on activities that promote curiosity in an active and authentic learning environment. Students will receive the benefits of repeated and regular visits to a natural area, in a play and inquiry-based education setting.
Tuition subsidies for the forest school program may be available for those who qualify. Please contact for more details.
Location: Foley Mountain Lane, Westport, ON — Google map
Programs that we offer:
- Family Forest School
- Kindergarten for children aged 4-5
- School age for children aged 6-12
- Family drop-in programs for all ages
PLEASE NOTE — We will consider offering additional program days if there is demand!
PLEASE READ our Forest School Frequently Asked Questions for more information.
NEW PROGRAM – Family Forest School
Is your child a bit too young to join in our independent programs or are you just looking to be a part of their forest school experience? Well, this new program may be the perfect fit for you!
- The same play based, child centred learning environment as our other forest school programs. Enjoy play, stories, snack time, forest adventures, and more!
- A new forest school program for children aged 2-5 (younger or slightly older siblings are welcome to tag along) where a parent or guardian stays with the child during the program.
- Tuesdays from 9:30am – 11:30am offered in the same fall, winter, and spring sessions as our other programs. Registration is for the whole session.
- Supported by one of our skilled and experienced forest school educators.
- Cost per family is $18/morning plus HST.
| Program | Date/Time | Cost |
| Spring 2024 – Tuesdays REGISTRATION NOW OPEN! |
Mar 26 – June 11, 2024, 9:30-11:30 am | $244.08 |
To Register
Please complete the registration request form to be added to our registration list. 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.
Kindergarten Program
- Children ages 4-5 years
- Program runs from 9am – 12pm
- Cost per child is $30/morning plus HST. All prices below include HST.
- Participants must be able to use the toilet independently
- Please check out our Frequently Asked Questions for more information.
| Program | Date/Time | Cost |
|
Spring 2024 – Wednesdays |
Mar 27 – June 12, 2024, 9 am-12 pm | $406.80 |
To Register
Please complete the registration request form to be added to our registration list. 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.
School Age Program
- For children aged 6–12
- Cost per child is $55/full day or $30/half day plus HST. All prices below include HST.
|
Program Session |
Date/Time |
Cost |
| Spring 2024 – Thursdays, Full Day REGISTRATION NOW OPEN! |
Mar 28 – June 13, 2024, 9 am-3 pm | $745.80 |
| Spring 2024 – Thursdays, Half Day REGISTRATION NOW OPEN! |
Mar 28 – June 13, 2024, 9 am-12 pm | $406.80 |
To Register
Please complete the registration request form to be added to our registration list. 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.
Forest School FREE Family Drop In Programs
Pack up the family and head down to Foley Mountain Conservation Area to explore, adventure, play, and learn in the forest! Thanks to the Township of Rideau Lakes, we are offering FREE family drop-in program.
2024 Drop In Programs
- April 20, from 10-11:30 am Waitlist Only
- May 18, from 10-11:30 am
- June 15, from 10-11:30 am
- July 20, from 10-11:30 am
- August 17, from 10-11:30 am
- September 21, from 10-11:30 am
- October 19, from 10-11:30 am
- November 16, from 10-11:30 am
- December 21, from 10-11:30 am
General Information:
- All ages of children welcome, children must be accompanied by an adult
- PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED and group size will be limited - please complete the registration request form to pre-register or be added to the waitlist.
- FREE of cost
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Spring Water Awareness Program (S.W.A.P.) Resources
Free online resources available for all teachers and group leaders at https://www.rvca.ca/outdoor-education/spring-water-awareness-program.
Additional Info
- Grade K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
- Season Spring
Snowshoeing
Come and experience one of the oldest forms of transportation in Canada! Students will learn how to safely travel with snowshoes and, once comfortable, follow the snowshoe trail through the forest and maybe even try snowshoe games.
Additional Info
- Grade 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
- Season Winter
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
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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!
Additional Info
- Grade 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
- Season Spring, Summer, Fall
Pond Ecology
Investigate the diversity of living things found in a pond ecosystem and how they all have a role to play. Students use dip nets, basins, magnifiers, and identification keys to tally species and learn how these observations can be related to water quality and ecosystem health.
Additional Info
- Grade 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
- Season Spring, Summer, Fall
Beaver Pond Bonanza
Beavers aren’t the only critters in our pond! Using nets, basins, and fact sheets, students will get up close and personal with the animals that call the pond home. Hear stories of how these curious critters have adapted to life under water and how they fit into the food chain.
Additional Info
- Grade K, 1, 2, 3, 4
- Season Spring, Summer, Fall
More...
A Bug’s Life
Put on your detective’s hat and investigate some incredible insects. Students use nets and containers to collect as many different critters as they can to learn about what makes a bug a bug, how they have adapted to their environment, and what makes them so special to the natural world.
Additional Info
- Grade K, 1, 2, 3
- Season Spring, Summer, Fall
Naturally Artistic
Get inspired by nature and the work of artist Andy Goldsworthy. Students will use the concepts of colour, form, shape, pattern, light and shadow to create a piece of natural art that will be photographed. They will then have the opportunity to express their experiences through writing.
Additional Info
- Grade K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
- Season Spring, Summer, Fall
GPS and Geocaching
Weave together technology, the outdoors, and physical activity! Get an introduction to GPS technology and how it can be used along with map and compass in navigation. Students will complete a mini geocaching treasure hunt.
Additional Info
- Grade 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
- Season Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Knee High Navigation
It is never too early to learn the basics of navigation! Students try their hands at using map and compass to work their way through a mini-orienteering course.
Additional Info
- Grade K, 1, 2
- Season Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
