"The love for all living creatures
is the most noble attribute of man."
- Charles Darwin
YOUTH EDUCATIONAL INITIATIVES
WILD Moves – Adventures in Nature WILD Moves is a nature-based recreation and education program designed to inspire healthy movement, outdoor exploration, and environmental awareness in children ages 5–13. This FREE program runs multiple times a year based on funding opportunities.
In 2026, the program will be open during:
March 16 - 20, 2026 (March Break) -------FULL
Summer (9 Weeks) ------Registration to Open in May
By fostering positive connections between physical activity, land-based skills, and the natural environment, WILD Moves encourages children to develop lifelong healthy habits that can be shared with their families and carried into adolescence and adulthood. The program is rooted in Ontario curriculum connections for Health and Physical Education and Environmental Science, integrating physical literacy with ecological learning through structured, age-appropriate outdoor activities.
The program runs in week long intervals, with a maximum of 30 participants to ensure all participates have a fun and engaging experience. The program itself is led by certified wildlife educators and qualified expert instructors. Youth will be divided into two age groups—ages 5–9 and ages 10–13—to ensure appropriate skill progression, safety, and engagement. The younger group focuses on foundational movement skills and nature discovery, while the older group develops advanced coordination, teamwork, leadership, and environmental stewardship skills.
WE ARE EXCITED TO SHARE THAT
OUR MARCH BREAK CAMP IS
EXAMPLES OF DAILY THEMES AND ACTIVITIES FOR SUMMER 2026
Monday – Exploring the Natural World Around Us
The first day introduces campers to their home base for the week. Youth receive camp t-shirts and backpacks, review weekly expectations, and begin their outdoor adventure. Activities include hiking local trails, learning orienteering skills, and using a compass. Participants are introduced to the Oak Ridges Moraine, including local habitats, wildlife, and forest safety. Wildlife educators trained in the Hug a Tree Program (Ontario Search and Rescue) teach critical forest safety protocols, including what to do if lost and how to stay safe while awaiting rescue. This session is supported through a partnership with Ontario Search and Rescue, who provide educational resources and activity books to all participants. As the program is hosted onsite at Soper Creek Wildlife Rescue (donated the use of land and equipment), campers also participate in movement, strength, and locomotion activities connected to native Ontario wildlife, complemented by guided, up-close educational tours of animals in care. These experiences demonstrate how movement and physical strength support survival in the wild.
Tuesday – Wilderness Survival & Fishing
Tuesday features a Wilderness Survival Guide from Hike Ontario and instruction from a member of the Anglers Association, teaching fishing techniques and water safety. Programming takes place at a secondary site located a short distance from the main camp. Youth hike through forest trails to reach the pond, applying the orienteering skills learned on Monday while engaging in hands-on fishing experiences.
Wednesday – Mindfulness, Meditation & Yoga
Wednesday focuses on mental wellness through Mindful Movement in Nature. Guided yoga and stretching sessions help participants connect breath, body, and environment, reinforcing the importance of nature as a space for emotional regulation and mental health. Sessions are led by professional yoga and mindfulness instructors. A secondary session includes guided meditation delivered by a certified mental wellness instructor from Bark Lake.
Thursday – Pollinators & Dance
Session One introduces youth to the importance of pollinators. Led by a professional bee expert, participants learn about local bee species, their role in ecosystems, and safe hive observation, including opportunities to wear protective gear and observe bees up close.
Session Two features a Dance Academy workshop, where youth explore creative movement inspired by wildlife behaviors and natural rhythms.
Friday – Martial Arts & Birds of Prey
Session One is led by a Martial Arts instructor, introducing foundational martial arts skills through demonstrations and guided practice, emphasizing discipline, coordination, and confidence.
Session Two highlights birds of prey as powerful examples of strength and agility. The Eyrie provides live flight demonstrations featuring birds such as bald eagles, owls, and falcons.
Supporting Program Activities
• Animal Movement Circuits: Full-body exercises that mimic wildlife locomotion to build strength, balance, and agility, while teaching why animals move differently across seasons.
• Habitats and Community: Guided trail hikes explore wildlife homes and ecosystems. Youth build nests, dens, and shelters, learning structural techniques for strong and stable habitats.
• Trail Tracking, Navigation & Technology: Participants identify animal tracks, use trail markers, and practice orienteering while hiking the Oak Ridges Moraine. Youth also use educational apps such as iNaturalist, Merlin, and iSeek to identify species and nature sounds.
• Eco-Games & Challenges: Team-based obstacle courses, scavenger hunts, and relay races that reinforce cooperation, problem-solving, and ecological concepts such as predator–prey relationships.
• Wildlife Conservation Lessons: Curriculum-aligned modules exploring habitats, adaptations, and environmental stewardship.
please note that all programs are subject to seasonality.
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