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Wild Kids
SUMMER DAY CAMP

Our unique farm and forest camps are designed to immerse children in the wonders of nature, fostering curiosity, resilience, and a sense of connection to the natural world. Rooted in child-led learning and inspired by Forest and Nature School principles, our camps provide an enriching environment where kids can thrive outdoors.​​​​Rewilding Summer Camp was inspired by the boundless joy, discovery, and growth that come from immersing ourselves in nature during the vibrant summer months. Like the flourishing ecosystems around us, this camp is designed to cultivate creativity, curiosity, and resilience in a space where children can thrive together. Each day at camp reflects our belief that learning and play go hand-in-hand, and that summer is the perfect time to deepen connections—with nature, peers, and ourselves. 

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Time:  MON-FRI 9AM - 3:30PM

**Before Care 8:30-9  +$5/day ** After Care 3:30-4    +$5/day

Ages: 5 years to 12 years (**4 year olds can attend with the approval of the director**)

Ratio: 1 Camp Leader for every 8 children (Max 32 children)

Cost: $350+HST/Week 

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       June 30 -July 4 : NO CAMP

Camp 1:  July 8-10, 2025   3-DAY MINI WEEK - TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY, THURSDAY ONLY ( $210+HST)

Camp 2:  July 14-18, 2025

Camp 3:  July 21-25, 2025

Camp 4:  July 28-Aug1, 2025

           Aug 4- Aug 8: NO CAMP

Camp 5:  Aug 11-15, 2025

Camp 6:  Aug 18-22, 2025

Camp 7:  Aug 25-29, 2025

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2025 Schedule:

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  • Diverse Outdoor Environments:  Greenhouse, Farm Fields, Chicken Coop, Yurt, and Private Forest Play area

  • Age Groups: Our programs are tailored for children aged 5-12. We believe strongly in mixed-age groupings and rarely separate the campers based on their age, rather we form smaller groups based on interests and needs

  • Location: Located just on the outside of Angus ON on the 5th Line of Essa on the property of Moondance Organic Gardens. We are 15 mins west of Barrie, 20 mins north of Alliston, 20 mins south of Wasaga Beach. Nestled in a picturesque farm and forest setting, our camp is a haven for outdoor exploration and discovery.

  • Fully Outdoor Program: Rain or shine, we embrace the outdoors! Families will receive a Handbook with tips on how to dress and prepare for all weather conditions to ensure comfort and fun.

  • Staff: Our experienced educators are all First Aid and CPR certified, have a clear Criminal Record Check completed including a clear Vulnerable Sector Screening. Our Director, Ms. Becky, is an Ontario Certified Teacher with over 20 years supporting children and youth, and our Lead Educators, Ms. Ashley and Ms. Sarah are Forest and Nature School Practitioners who prioritize safety, inclusivity, and the joy of learning.​

  • Sample Schedule for a Day at Camp:

    • 9-930: Arrival, Free Play, Morning Circle, Land Acknowledgement​

    • 930-10: Visiting and feeding the Chickens & Goats

    • 10-11: Morning Snack, Farming Activity (Planting, Harvesting, Watering, Exploring)

    • 11-1: Free Play in the Forest Nest (Hammocks, Fire Pit, Forts, Slack Line, Mud Kitchen, Arts & Crafts area) 

    • 1-3: Afternoon Adventure (Nature Hikes, Scavenger Hunts, Group Games, Water Play (sprinkler), Tool Use

    • 3-330: Sit Spots, Afternoon Snack, Closing Song (HUG-A -TREE)

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  ​Summary of Wild Kids Camp:​

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What Is Wild Kids Summer Camp?

At Rewilding Education, we believe in the magic of outdoor learning and the transformative power of child-led exploration. Our Summer Camp offers a week-long immersive experience for children to play, learn, and grow in the stunning natural landscapes of Moondance Organic Gardens. From the lush meadows to the shady forest trails, each day at camp is a celebration of nature’s abundance. Children engage in hands-on activities, games, and creative projects designed to inspire a sense of wonder and connection to the earth. With the guidance of skilled educators, campers embark on adventures that spark curiosity and encourage personal and collective growth.

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What to Expect:

True to the Rewilding philosophy, our Wild Kids Summer Camp emphasizes free play, child-led exploration, and creative expression. Each day also includes carefully planned activities and adventures that align with the rhythms of summer and the natural world. Whether building shelters in the woods, feeding the chickens and goats, or crafting nature-inspired art, every experience is designed to nurture curiosity and confidence.

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Hands-on Nature Exploration: From searching for mini-beasts (insects) to tracking animals, campers will engage in activities that encourage curiosity and ecological understanding.

Farm-to-Table Adventures: Children will participate in gardening, harvesting, and  caring for organic produce in our dedicated Learning Gardens on our farm.  At times, campers will be able to take home their harvest or try a taste of a freshly picked vegetable.

Creative Play: Guided by Waldorf, and Reggio Emilia principles, we offer opportunities for imaginative play and artistic expression using natural materials.

Outdoor Skills Development: Campers will have the opportunity to learn shelter-building, fire-making (safely guided), and other essential wilderness skills.

Summer Camp Activities: Campers will have the opportunity to engage in traditional summer camp activities like water-play,  arts and crafts, group-games, treasure hunts and so much more!

'Risky Play' Opportunities: At Rewilding Education, we embrace and support' risky play'—challenging, adventurous activities that allow children to explore their limits, make decisions, and build confidence. Examples include climbing trees, balancing on logs, and using tools under close supervision.​​​​​​

Adventuring Spaces:​

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The diverse environments at Moondance Organic Gardens provide endless opportunities for exploration and discovery.

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​​​​The Forest Nest: A natural playground for climbing, building, and imagining, complete with a slack line, hammocks, forts, a mud kitchen, picnic shelter, arts and crafts area and so much more!

The Learning Gardens: A hub for scientific discovery, tending to plants and for quiet reflection.

The Farm Fields: A chance to connect with the land, explore mini eco-systems and learn about sustainable growing practices.

The Greenhouse: A place for hands-on projects and nurturing plants. (And for taste-testing Sun-sugar cherry tomatoes)

The Yurt: A welcoming space for gathering, storytelling and taking a break on really rainy days 

The Barn: At times we will visit the barn space for a planting activity or in the event of a Thunderstorm. Our office is also located in the barn.

Old Maple: A 200+ year old Maple Tree called Old Maple, where we rest in her shade, play in the sprinkler, play running games or have a picnic snack​​​

​Why Choose Us?

Planning enriching summer activities can be overwhelming—Rewilding Summer Camp takes the work off your plate and provides an unforgettable experience for your child. Our program fosters curiosity, resilience, and a sense of wonder, all while allowing kids to enjoy the freedom and magic of outdoor play. We are an established Summer Camp that operates programs year-round for outdoor education, and nature-immersion.  Our Leaders are trained in trauma-informed approaches,  model respectful living, and practice low-demand strategies. 

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Rewilding Education promotes and aims to model Respectful Living. We understand “behaviour” to be that which someone does, not that which someone is/has. We appreciate the social development that necessarily occurs in childhood; the challenging, testing, learning, making mistakes, growing, messiness that comes with civilization and we are here to support your child and you along this journey. We operate with a child-centered approach to be able to meet the needs of each child; supporting their processing, expansion and growth on an individual basis. Working together as educators, with caregivers, our goal is to establish an environment in which every child feels safe and valued.

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Due to the nature of our program operating on a working organic farm and in a forest, all children who attend our camp MUST stay within the safety boundaries established. Parents/Guardians will be called to pick up their child immediately if the child repeatedly leaves the safety boundaries, doesn't stay with the group,  or displays extreme behaviour which:

  • is unsafe or harmful (verbally, emotionally or physically) towards themselves or others

  • interferes with another child’s ability to learn or participate in the camp activities

  • prevents the leaders from facilitating (We do not have the staffing to provide  prolonged, focused support)

  • is defiant, and/or refuses to participate in the activities which impedes the program from running

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Frequently Asked Questions:

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1. What should my child bring to camp? 

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We recommend sending your child with:

- Weather-appropriate clothing and sturdy footwear

(Flip flops are not sufficient. Croc style shoes with a back strap are ok )

- A refillable LABELED, reusable water bottle

- Peanut-free snacks/lunch with icepacks

- A backpack to carry their belongings (sunscreen, bug spray, change of clothing etc)

- A Sun Hat is Mandatory and must be worn at all times

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In an Extra Tote Bag or Tote Bin:

-  FULL change of clothes (underwear and socks included)

- A backup Warm  layer (Sweater & Pants - it can sometimes feel very cool in the forest)

- 1 extra pair of footwear: Rain Boots/Hiking Shoes/Crocs/ Running Shoes (whichever not wearing)

- Send Rain Coat/Waterproof Gear EVERYDAY

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2. What if my child has allergies or medical needs?

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Our staff is trained in first aid, trained in Sabrina's Law (Epi-Pen training) and we have an allergy and medication management policy. Please provide detailed information about your child’s needs during registration, and we’ll work with you to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.​ Our space is Peanut- Free, but we are not a nut-free space. We aim to be an inclusive and safe-space for everyone. We will do our very best to accommodate any and all needs as much as we can.

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3. Do you offer sibling discounts? 

 

Yes! Families enrolling multiple children receive a 10% discount on the second and subsequent children . This will automatically be applied to your cart upon registration.

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4. What is your cancellation policy? 

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If you wish to withdraw your child from Rewilding Education programming for any reason, outstanding fees due are still required to be paid in full. Please note that the program fees for Rewilding Education programs are non-refundable nor are they transferable. Our fees and financial agreement is for your child's space. You are agreeing to pay the amount in full, regardless of your child's attendance. Our cancellation policies are based on our investment in Educators, course planning, land rental, and equipment purchases before our programs. We cannot recover our expenses if you withdraw your child. Only in the circumstance if we have a waiting list and we are able to immediately fill the space, a pro-rated refund minus an admin fee could be issued. Any extenuating circumstances refund requests will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis and decided by the Director. Rewilding Education does not process refunds for missed days due to illness.  If we need to cancel our programming before drop-off due to severe weather, you will receive a credit on your account to be applied to use towards a future program.​

 

If you must cancel your child’s participation in one of our Farm & Forest School programs PRIOR to the start of the program, the following refund policy will apply:

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30 or more days notice: FULL REFUND minus an admin fee and non-refundable deposit

14-29 days notice: 50% REFUND minus an admin fee and non-refundable deposit

Less than 14 days notice: NO REFUND AVAILABLE

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5.  How do you handle inclement weather? 

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We believe there’s no such thing as bad weather, only inappropriate clothing! Our programs run rain or shine, but in adverse weather conditions, activities will be adapted or moved to sheltered areas. We have our Yurt, forest shelters, the greenhouse and tarps to use as dry spaces in the event of a really rainy days. In the event of extreme weather conditions (Heat Warnings/ Air Quality Warnings/ Severe Thunderstorms/ Tornado Warnings), our programs will be canceled or we will call for early pick up for everyone's safety. Our barn is our Thunderstorm safe space, with lightning rods on the roof and is a grounded building. In the event of a pop-up thunderstorm, we will move into the barn ASAP. We will check the radar and decide if we need to call for early pick-up or wait it out. When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors! We do not have a dedicated cooling or air conditioned space, however the forest often feel 8-10 degrees cooler than out on the farm. 

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6. Risky Play?! That sounds dangerous. What does it mean and  Why do you allow this type of play? 

 

Risky play refers to thrilling and exciting activities that involve a degree of risk or uncertainty, allowing children to test their boundaries, develop skills, and build confidence. It is a natural part of childhood that fosters learning, resilience, and problem-solving abilities.

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Research that supports our position on Active, Outdoor, Risky Play:

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Examples of risky play include:

  • Climbing trees, rocks, or playground equipment at challenging heights

  • Exploring unknown or uneven terrain, such as forests or streams

  • Rough-and-tumble play, such as wrestling or chasing

  • Speed-related activities, like running fast, biking, or sledding

  • Using tools, such as hammers or saws, under supervision

  • Engaging with natural elements, like water, fire, or mud, with appropriate guidance

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Risky play allows children to experience controlled challenges in a safe environment, helping them understand their limits, assess danger, and gain independence while developing essential life skills.  Risky play does NOT mean dangerous or hazardous play. An example of a potential hazard is a rotted tree branch that a child may not yet be able to recognize. For this reason, risky play should always happen in areas where trained adults manage hazards, while children are encouraged to take on and manage risks or challenges during their play.

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10 Reasons Why Risky Play is Essential for Healthy Child Development:​

 

Builds Resilience and Confidence: Risky play helps children face challenges, overcome fears, and celebrate successes,

fostering self-assurance and emotional strength.

Enhances Risk Assessment Skills: By navigating controlled risks, children learn to evaluate potential hazards and

make informed decisions.

Encourages Physical Development: Activities like climbing or balancing improve motor skills, coordination, and

overall physical fitness.

Promotes Independence: Engaging in self-directed risky play allows children to take ownership of their actions and decisions.

Stimulates Creativity and Problem-Solving: Unstructured play in dynamic environments encourages children to think

creatively and adapt to changing situations.

Nurtures Emotional Regulation: Experiencing controlled risk teaches children how to manage fear, frustration, and

excitement, building emotional intelligence.

Fosters a Connection with Nature: Risky play often takes place outdoors, deepening a child’s appreciation and understanding

of the natural world.

Improves Social Skills: Group risky play fosters collaboration, communication, and empathy as children negotiate

and solve challenges together.

Prepares for Real-World Challenges: Learning to navigate risks in a safe environment equips children with essential

life skills to handle uncertainty and adversity.

Supports Mental Well-being: Physical activity and engagement in adventurous play reduce stress and promote a sense

of joy and accomplishment.​

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7. How can I register?​

 

Visit our website’s registration page to secure your spot. Spaces fill quickly, so early registration is encouraged!​Join us this summer and let your child’s love for the outdoors grow at Rewilding Education's Wild Kids Camps. We can’t wait to welcome [back] your family to our community!​

 

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Outdoor Play Canada - Position Statement PDF

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