What is Nature School?

Nature Schools provide space and time for emergent curriculum and child inquiry to lead educators. Rediscover Play Nature Schools include focused learning moments in bushcraft, permaculture, farm husbandry, and equine wellness (site specific). Benefits of participating in a Nature School include increases in child perseverance, resilience, self-esteem, and mental well-being - it is a holistic approach that meets many needs and learning styles.

General Forest/Nature School Teachings with Rediscover Play.

Bushcraft/wilderness skills: shelters, fire building, flint & steel, knots & tarps, compass use, basic navigation skills, knife & real tool use, basic first aid, bear & cougar safety, hikes, plant identification, habitat understanding, pit toilets & outdoor hygiene, science exploration, outdoor cooking, seasonal learning, permaculture & vermicomposting (specific sites), storytelling, nature crafting, gratitude circles, and loose parts play. We pay respect to Indigenous teachings and include education on their land based learning knowledge, history and current understanding and teachings, respecting Indigenous and Metis day and participate in Every Child Matters education.

Children should be dressed according to weather, preferably in layers. Please provide an extra set of clothes, mittens, and socks. Lunches, snacks, and water bottles are to be sent in a backpack the child can carry.

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**We are happy to announce our programs qualify for the “Metis Youth Program Funding” .

Contact Métis Nation of Alberta Youth.: sports@metis.org

“R3 Sports and Recreation Grant.” $500 a child

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BRAGG CREEK: All Season Program held at the Bragg Creek Provincial Park. We may run 2 separate groups to accommodate for various ages if group size mandates. Otherwise we run 1 group of various age levels.

Spring, Summer & Fall 2024: Tuesdays 9:30-3:30 Ages 3 - 15 Half day options available.

**NEW: Non Instructional/PD day nature school sessions: April 2 - 5, April 29, May 17 $50 a day - 10% sibling discount.

PRIDDIS PRESCHOOL & KINDER CARE: Friday’s 9 - 12 Priddis Hall Come have some nature inspired fun as we learn and play in an indoor/outdoor setting!

WATER VALLEY: Camp Valaqua is located at Township Road 300. Our site is beautifully situated in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains on the Little Red Deer River .

Our summer program is held at the Water Valley campground.

Friday Ages 4 and older

Full-day 9:30am - 3:30pm.

Half-day Options Available.

MADDEN: Equine Wellness & Bushcraft: a partnership with Heartsong Equine.

Thursday: Ages 4 - 14. 9:30-2:30

Our class provides a unique learning environment that allows time and space for caring for our miniature horses and other farm animals and then we move into exploration, and bushcraft/nature learning. Please note this is not a riding school.

Summer Camp has space available. July 8-12. 9:30-2:30

NW CALGARY - Bearspaw - Lochend Road private land: Students will learn bushcraft/wilderness skills and permaculture/gardening as well as farm husbandry.

Our sessions will run 9:30 - 3:30

Tuesday: ages 3 - 5 and grades 1-6 (grouped accordingly)

Wednesday: kinder - grade 2 and grade 3 - 6 (grouped accordingly)

BEBO GROVE - Fish Creek Park, Calgary

Thursdays 9:30-3:30. Ages 4 - 12

CAROLINE : We are very excited to share we will be running year round from private land. We will run Mondays 9:30 - 3:30 for ages 3(potty trained please) to age 12.

NAKUSP: We are excited to be venturing into Beautiful British Columbia once again - Summer and Fall 2024! Stay Tuned.

**We do not want finances to be the reason a child cannot participate in our programs. If your family is experiencing financial difficulty please contact Melissa at 403-999-8413 or email rediscoverplay19@gmail.com to discuss this.

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