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.

Fall 2024: Tuesdays 9:30-3:30 Ages 5 - 12

**NEW: Non Instructional/PD day nature school sessions.

All Season Program run from the Foothills Camp & Retreat Centre:

Friday’s 9:00 - 3:00. Ages 5 - 12.

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. Friday’s 9:30 - 3:30.Ages 5 - 12. Our summer program is held at the Water Valley campground.

MADDEN: Equine Wellness & Bushcraft: a partnership with Heartsong Equine. Thursday’s 9:30-2:30. Ages 4 - 12.

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.

NW CALGARY - Bearspaw - Lochend Road private land: Students will learn bushcraft/wilderness skills. Tuesday & Wednesday 9:30 - 3:30. Ages 4 - 13. We also offer Before Care as early as 7:30 and After Care as late as 6pm. Half Day Option Available.

Votier’s Flats - Fish Creek Park, Calgary. Thursday 9:30-3:30. Ages 5- 14 **Please note this site will no longer be providing half day options.

CAROLINE/STAUFFER: 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 5 - 12.

OKOTOKS: Ages 6 - 13. Thursdays 9:30 - 3:00 Sept 12 - Dec 19. Waller Park Sept - May. Friday 1pm - 4pm Lions Park Day Use Area

**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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