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Outdoor Education Program

Outdoor education is a key component of the Montessori experience at all levels. Students are encouraged to explore, connect with nature, and build resilience through hands-on, active experiences in the outdoors.

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CASA (Ages 3–6)

Even with their beautiful indoor environments, CASA students spend as much time outdoors as possible. Their outdoor experiences are essential for supporting independence, curiosity, and gross motor development.

They enjoy a dedicated, fenced outdoor space featuring:

  • A covered struture

  • Sand pit

  • Balance beams and logs

  • An outdoor sink for practical life work

  • Digging area

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CASA students also explore the natural areas around the school, learning through observation, movement, and guided experiences in nature.

 

Friday afternoons are Forest School Fridays—a weekly highlight where CASA children immerse themselves in nature-based play and discovery. Through unstructured exploration, storytelling, nature walks, and seasonal observations, children build a strong connection to the land while developing resilience, problem-solving, and a deep sense of wonder.

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​​​​​​​​​Elementary (Grades 1–6)

Elementary students spend significant time outside, both on school property and at local parks. Activities may include:

  • On-site sports and nature hikes

  • Off-site experiences, such as:

    • Autumn hike at Arrowhead Provincial Park

    • Downhill ski day at Hidden Valley

    • Three days of Nordic skiing at Arrowhead

    • Ropes courses and team-building at YMCA Camp Pinecrest

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Erdkinder (Grades 7–8)

Erdkinder students take outdoor education to the next level, spending time outside each week and devoting every Friday to a full day of outdoor learning. Their experiences include:

  • Volunteering: Local soup kitchens, farms, and community programs

  • Training & Certification (every two years):

    • Red Cross First Aid

    • Red Cross Babysitting Course

    • Canada Boater's Licence

  • Adventure and Wilderness Skills:

    • Hiking, canoeing (including portaging and rescues), swimming

    • Alpine and Nordic skiing, skating

    • Bushcraft skills: fire-building, tarp shelters, quinzhees

    • Climbing and ropes courses (Climb Muskoka, YMCA Camp Pinecrest, Treetop Trekking)

    • Team-building games and sports

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