Winter Nature Camp

Winter Break Nature Camp

Winter Break Nature Camp 2023 is now complete. Check back for updates on 2024

Kids aged 6 to 12 are invited to start the new year with four full days of seasonal outdoor fun, led by the Humber Arboretum's Nature Interpreters. Give your child a chance to get outside and be active while they develop a lasting appreciation for the natural environment.

In 2023 Winter Nature Day Camp ran from 9:00 am until 4:00 pm. Drop off was from 8:30 am to 9:00 am and pick-up was 3:45 pm to 4:15 pm.

Winter Break Nature Camp activities include:

• Snowshoeing, tobogganing, or boot skating (weather permitting)
• Chickadee feeding and owl prowls
• Nature walks & forest exploration
• Art & Ecology
• Animal tracking
• Shelter building
• Survival skills
• and more!

Cost

• Check back for 2024 pricing

Refund Policy 

Any cancellations requested two weeks prior to the start of the camp session will receive a full refund, minus a $25 administration fee; any cancellations requested less that two weeks prior to the start of the camp session will be refunded 50% of the total camp fees.

Masking Policy

Please note all campers are required to bring a mask with them to camp, and masking is strongly encouraged while indoors. Although masking will usually be optional, in some situations a camper may be required to wear their mask to continue to participate in indoor activities.

 

Registration is closed

Meals, Snacks, and Pizza Friday

Campers should bring their own morning snack, lunch, and afternoon snack, except on Friday when a pizza lunch will be provided (please still bring Friday snacks, though!).

Please inform us of any food allergies and please do not bring nut products of any kind to camp.

We strive to minimize the amount of waste produced at the Centre, and a key part of that is promoting Litterless Lunches. Please bring only reusable or recyclable containers and utensils. We will ask campers to take their garbage and anything that can’t be recycled here back home and to compost any food waste using our on-site compost bins. For tips, see "How to Pack a Waste-Free Lunch" on Recycle Nation. 

Transportation

The Humber Arboretum and Centre For Urban Ecology is accessible by TTC - see our directions page for details.

For those who are driving, pick-up/sign-in and drop-off/sign-out will take place in the Humber Arboretum turn circle. Please remember to have your photo ID.

What to Bring

• Warm coat
• Snow pants
• Scarf
• Toque x 2
• Gloves/Mittens - 2 to 3 pairs for when they get wet
• Long underwear
• A change of pants, in case they get wet
• Winter boots
• Thick socks - several pairs!
• Sweater
• Sunglasses
• Refillable water bottle
• Clean mask

Campers are encouraged to bring a helmet if they have one for boot skating or tobogganing (weather-permitting). Some extras will be available if required. Campers may also bring their own toboggan if they have one available. Both helmets and toboggans may be brought on Tuesday and stored at the Centre for Urban Ecology for the rest of the week.

 

Winter Clothing Tips

Whether it’s for coming to camp or just a walk in the woods, here are some tips on how you can best dress for winter weather:

• Wool is wonderful
• Cotton is cold
• Polyester (Polar fleece) is perfect
• Jeans are junk
• Gloves are good but mittens are marvelous
• Insulated boots are indispensable
• Layering is logical
• Under-layers should not be underestimated!