Nature Club for Home Schoolers: Spring Session

Getting to your course is simple. We’ll provide full details once you register but here’s what to expect:

• Drop-off & Pick-up: Each day begins and ends at the OBC classroom at the Don Valley Brickworks Park.
• Transportation Options: Drop offs are easy at the central parking lot, or TTC access with a free shuttle from Broadview Station
• Support & Supervision: OBC staff are present at designated meeting points.
• Questions? Our program Team is here to help: urban_wild@outwardbound.ca

Each day begins with a gathering activity to frame the adventure ahead and strengthen the group. Participants travel through natural landscapes, stopping to explore, learn, and follow their curiosity. Activities may include woodcraft, camp skills, physical movement, and creative play. Each day builds on the last, ending with a campfire reflection.

OBC provides essential group gear, technical equipment, and safety supplies. Participants only need to come prepared with personal items and appropriate clothing.

• Recommended Clothing & Footwear: Weather-appropriate layers, waterproof gear, quick-drying clothes, and sturdy footwear
• Personal Essentials: Lunch, water bottle, medications, sun protection, insect repellent
• Health & Safety: Clearly label all personal items and bring any required medications

Our instructors are more than trip leaders. They’re mentors, role models, and passionate educators dedicated to helping young people thrive.

• Highly Qualified: Certified and trained in First-Aid for wilderness and backcountry environments, technical activities, broad outdoor skills, and more!
• Experienced Leaders and Educators: Many years of training, mentoring, and guiding youth in backcountry environments
• Thoroughly Screened and Vetted: Rigorous hiring process, reference and credential checks, and clear vulnerable sector police check
• Trained by OBC: Ongoing professional development in leadership, inclusion, and youth development
• Supportive Mentors: Instructors take a participant-centred approach, meeting youth where they are and guiding them step-by-step to build confidence and resilience.
• Small Groups: Low instructor-to-participant ratios to ensure personalized guidance and care along with developing an effective team

“A ship is safe in the harbor, but that’s not what ships are for.” – William Shedd.

Risk and challenge are part of everyday life, and when approached with intention and support, they become powerful tools for growth. On an OBC course, risks are carefully managed and kept to a minimum, ensuring they enhance the learning experience every step of the way.

• Expert Instructors: Certified and trained in wilderness medicine, risk management, and youth development
• Small Groups: Low instructor-to-participant ratios for immediate supervision and care
• Reliable Systems: Well-maintained equipment that meets industry standards, thorough safety checks, and responsive emergency action plans
• 24/7 Preparedness: Groups carry communication and tracking devices and instructors are trained for emergency response and evacuations
• Dietary Support: We accommodate allergies and dietary restrictions with advance notice
• Personalized Care: Health forms are reviewed in advance, and participant care and wellbeing are supported holistically 
• Learn More: See our Risk Management page for details on our practices

Participants develop practical skills, personal confidence, memories that last a lifetime, and so much more.

• Leadership & Teamwork: Learn to communicate, collaborate, and support others in small tight-knit groups
• Outdoor Skills: Gain hands-on experience in navigation, camping, Leave No Trace practices, and activities such as paddling, hiking, etc.
• Environmental Stewardship: Develop a deeper connection to nature and outdoor places through responsible outdoor habits
• Life Skills: Build problem-solving, decision-making, organization, and personal responsibility
• Emotional & Social Growth: Strengthen self-awareness, coping strategies, and friendships through shared challenges
• Digital Detox: Learn to disconnect from screens and be less reliant on phones, enjoying the present moment in nature