Natureways Outdoor Education - Summer Day Camp

All sessions feature a general variety of hands-on activities including shelter building, hiking on the Seaton Trail, arts and crafts, discovering creek critters, learning about nature, and playing Predator and Prey. 

Guests visiting our base camps will enhance the theme focus of each week. Theme based trip locations will vary and are subject to the Camp Director's assessment of weather conditions.

We do all our activities, rain or shine.

In the event of thunderstorms or very heavy rain we run programs inside the Whitevale Community Centre.

Weekly Themes

Insectopolis (Session 1) in Whitevale

Bugs and critters are everywhere! During this ever popular week of adventure we will be exploring where our six legged and eight legged friends ‘hang out’. Campers will discover what insects live in “grasshopper haven” and learn about crayfish and the life cycle of winged insects through stream studies in Duffin’s Creek.

Our away day will include searching for fossil remains of critters from long ago and may include a farm where campers will be able to pick strawberries.

Wild Wind & Wings (Session 2) in Whitevale

Campers will discover what insects live in meadows and marshes, and learn about crayfish and the life cycle of winged insects through stream studies in Duffins Creek. The food web shows the relationship between bugs and birds. A wonderful variety of birds inhabit the Seaton Trails. Campers will learn to identify some of their favourite birds and learn to recognize their sounds. Our away trip will include searching for fossil remains of critters from long ago at Hayden Shore in Whitby and a visit to the Lynde Shores bird trail.

Nature Discovery (Session 3) in Whitevale

Some people might think not much happens in Duffins Valley. Once our campers come to know this incredible landscape they will discover it’s anything but an uneventful place. There is much more going on in our woods, and there are many more creatures - tiny critters to large four legged mammals, to animals that swim and fly too- that might even be watching us. Campers will have opportunities to explore large and small habitats, play Predator and Prey, and build shelters. Our Thursday trip will include searching for fossil remains of critters and explore the pollinator gardens and ponds at Enniskillen Conservation Area.

Artists in Nature (Session 4): Enniskillen Conservation Area, in Clarington

A variety of different functional artistic creations will be made this week including plant markers for pollinator gardens, making puppets, creating garden stones, and exploring the relationship of nature and art. We will take a hike and search for creatures in the pond with a focus on appreciating the aesthetic quality of nature by exploring colour, texture, pattern, and rhythm. Our away trip is to be announced.

Native & Nature Ways (Session 5): Enniskillen Conservation Area, in Clarington

Campers will have opportunities to examine large and small habitats, play Predator and Prey, and connect with our natural landscape. We will explore our relationship with nature by watching the sky for weather patterns, looking at what makes a habitat healthy, and looking at how aboriginal teachings elementally teach us how to respect our planet. Looking through the lens of Aboriginal peoples we will explore the rhythm of cycles through the teachings of the medicine wheel, legends, natural surroundings, and crafts. Our away trip will include fossiling at Hayden Shores and visiting Purple Woods Conservation in Raglan.

Ponds & Pioneers (Session 6) : Enniskillen Conservation Area, in Clarington

Campers will discover what insects live in a pollinator garden and the life cycle of winged insects through pond studies. They will also be learning about invasive species and how to care for our natural habitats with a visit from    Central Lake Conservation Authority Staff. 

Pioneer crafts, toys, dip candles, and playing pioneer games are part of this week’s theme. Our day trip will include fossiling at Hayden Shores and visiting the Oshawa Museum.

*Please contact the camp or visit its website for further details (schedules, fees, registration, policies, etc) or the latest updates.   

Exit 401 at Waverly Rd., travel North on Reg. Rd. #57, turn left at Concession Rd. 7. Turn Right on Holt Road and follow the signs.