CC0001 - Exploring Nature - Outdoor Learning Program
Course Description
Dear Prospective OLP Families,
After an under-enrolled 2025, we implemented advanced/early enrolment for our internal CCLC and OLP alumni families. Due to overwhelming demand, both sessions of the program sold out in under 15 minutes. Unfortunately, this means that there is no public registration available for OLP this year. We’re sorry for the disappointment this may cause. And although we are thrilled the program is so popular, we too are disappointed for the families who will not get to attend OLP. We hope you will continue to consider OLP for your summer programming in the future.
On Thursday January 22nd at 10:00 AM the registration link will be open to add yourself to our waitlist, if you are interested. We will use this chronological waitlist to fill spaces as/if they become available.
Take care,
Kim
Our seasonal, month-long, inquiry-based program is designed to provide children ages 4 to 8 years old with meaningful opportunities to explore and learn through nature. Through this learning program led by our Registered Early Childhood Educators and Ontario Certified Teachers, we aim to help children strengthen their connection with the natural world and foster stewardship of the environment. Registration is for 4-week sessions and includes one freshly prepared plant-based meal per week (please note: this year, we are not providing daily meals and snacks to reduce food waste and to have our lunches more portable so we can enjoy them on our explorations). Please provide a litterless lunch and snacks for your child(ren). If your child has food allergies or restrictions, please contact outdoor@uoguelph.ca to confirm that we can accommodate your child’s needs prior to registration.
Learning Outcomes
Time spent learning in nature has been shown to have dramatic benefits for children's social, psychological, and physical functioning. Through this learning program, we aim to help children develop a lasting and meaningful relationship with nature that will help them become stewards of the environment.
As the outdoor environment provides a rich place for exploration and learning, there are many opportunities for connections to the Ontario Science and Technology Curriculum for the primary grades, which could include understanding life systems, understanding structures and mechanisms, understanding matter and energy, and understanding earth and space systems. The focus of the programming will include daily exploration both inside and outside with intentionally planned experiences that will support the children's learning.
Note:
Hours of Operation
Drop Off - 8:00 AM to 9:00 AM
Programming - 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Pick Up - 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Additional Program Information
The program spends the majority of their time outside, including many explorations in the Arboretum, and as such, children must come prepared for all types of weather. The program runs from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm each day with complimentary before and after care (8:00 am – 9:00 am and 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm). Please see the documents below for more information about the dates and costs for the OLP.
Registration Information
Registration (wait list) for Summer 2026 Outdoor Learning Program will open Thursday, January 22nd, 2026, at 10:00 am. (open to all)
In an effort to enhance the connections in the learning community, we are hosting two 4—week sessions this summer. Registration for both session 1 (July 6th —July 31st, 2026; and session 2 (August 4th —August 28th, 2026; excluding Monday, August 3rd) will open on Thursday, January 22nd, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. Please ensure that you fill out the application under the Family Portal tab (one per child) when you register for the program. A completed Informed Consent Form will need to be uploaded as part of the application (one per child). The form can be completed digitally as a fillable PDF, or it can be scanned in as an image document. Please note: The program fills up very quickly – sometimes within minutes of registration opening.
Cancellation Policy
A full refund will be issued if cancellation is received at least 1 month prior to start date. Registration will be cancelled for all four weeks. Cancellation for Session 1 must be received by June 6th and cancellation for Session 2 must be received by July 4th.
Contact Us
For questions about the program, please contact the OLP team at outdoor@uoguelph.ca
For questions about the SCS registration system, please contact register@uoguelph.ca
Technical Requirements
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*Course details are subject to change.