No, we are not licensed child care. We are a home-run business offering an alternative education program. We offer learning opportunities in a stimulating, dynamic environment, immersed in nature and with regular exposure to a wide array of barnyard friends! We also currently do not run any regular programming for children under the age of 4. 

No. Currently we would be considered a home-run business, not licensed by the Government of Ontario. There is also no formal accreditation process for Forest Schools in Ontario. We could take a course through an independent company to become a certified ‘Forest & Nature School Practitioner,’ yet feel this might be unnecessary given the experience and credentials of our main instructor (see below). 

Joe, our main educator, has the following credentials:

• Ontario and Alberta Certified Teacher

• Three degrees from Lakehead University: 

  • A Bachelor of Education, 

  • A four year Honours Bachelor of Outdoor Recreation, Parks and Tourism

  • A three year Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature

• Current Certification in Standard First Aid and CPR and previously trained and certified as a Wilderness First Responder

• Aided in the development and teaching of Outdoor Education programs in two schools: Fort Frances High School in northwestern Ontario and Valhalla Community School in northern Alberta

Janelle has 7 years of experience as a homeschooling mother of three, and is University Educated with an Honours Degree in Biology.

Safety is our top priority. We will always have small adult to child ratios, and very clear guidelines and rules for when participating in higher risk activities. 

While we will always be prepared for circumstances beyond our control, we prefer to take a proactive approach to risk and safety, therefore we will be assessing risks daily and again in real time as each day’s events take place. Furthermore, as much as we would love to have a river or lake directly onsite, we do not, which eliminates any concerns related to water safety.

One of the key elements of our programming will always be to teach safe and proper animal handling techniques: how to read an animals mood, how to approach an animal, how to interact, and how to get cleaned up afterwards. 

While the majority of our animals are selected for their good temperament, some of them are still large and as such are kept within secure pens at all times. Our bull pen will be off-limits at all times. 

Children will not be allowed to enter any of the animal pens without direct supervision, and most interaction will involve animals being brought out of the pens on halters - again while directly supervised.  

For all day programs, children should bring a hat and wear appropriate clothing, outerwear and footwear for the season and day’s expected weather.

We may request extras to be packed such as another pair of mitts or socks if we expect them to possibly get wet.

During the warmer months we will still require children to pack a pair of closed toed boots for when they are interacting with our larger animals, but they can wear a lighter pair of shoes or secure sandals for most other activities, so long as they are still suitable for hiking and playing on uneven terrain. 

Additionally, a nut-free lunch, snacks, refillable water bottle, and sunscreen and bugspray if desired in season - preferably all packed in a backpack. 

We believe that for most cases, there is no such thing as bad weather if you’re dressed appropriately for it. It will be extremely important for children to be sent with proper clothing. 

However we do understand that sometimes severe weather does occur (extreme hot or cold temperatures, thunderstorms, etc), and so for this first year, until we can build a small cabin for indoor programming, our large, finished walk-in basement space will be set up with tables for use for if children need to come inside for lunches and/or crafting (especially in winter).  

If rural bus routes are not running due to hazardous road conditions then we will likely close for the day as well. 

Yes! We offer a small tuition fee reduction for each sibling enrolled if you are signing up multiple children from one family for the same program. See ‘Our Programs’ page for more information.

Currently we have chickens, a few breeds of ducks, quail, rabbits, nubian goats, a few sheep, kunekune pigs, small jersey cows and a bull, as well as a few berkshire pigs and turkeys destined for the freezer. Check out ‘Our Animals’ page for more detailed information about some of our star critters. 

Yes! We hope to expand to more but currently have to offer:

Colourful free-range chicken eggs: $7/dozen

Quail eggs, pack of 15: $5/dozen

Homemade simple milk soap: 3 bars for $10

We are right off of Highway 11/17, under 5 minutes west of Kakabeka Falls, past the Provincial Park.