Elementary School Programs
The High Park Nature Centre offers a wide-range of high quality curriculum-based outdoor environmental education and stewardship education programs to classroom teachers and their students. Our knowledgeable nature interpreters engage students in outdoor activities that encourage exploration, community-based stewardship of nature and knowledge about the natural world.
Links to the Ontario Curriculum
All of our education programs are developed to meet objectives in the Ontario Curriculum Grades 1 – 8: Science and Technology, Ministry of Education and Training. We also have programs which meet objectives in Mathematics, Social Studies, History and Geography, and Health and Physical Education.
French Programming for French Immersion Classes
Several of the Nature Centre’s most popular programs have been translated into French by our bilingual nature interpreters! Please see program descriptions below marked “offered in French”. Should you have any questions regarding our French programming, please contact us.
Booking Instructions
Educational programs can be booked at any time by calling the High Park Nature Centre at (416) 392-1748 ext. 2 or by e-mailing at naturecentre@highpark.org.
Please send a detailed message including your name, school, contact phone number, grade, class size, proposed dates and choice of program. We will confirm our availability by phone and then also by writing. Please note the dates of your availability for each program, both by season and by date.
Click here to read about our Fall programs.
Click here to read about our Winter programs.
Click here to read about our Spring programs.
Times
Two-hour morning program: 9:30 – 11:30am
Two-hour afternoon program: 12:30 – 2:30pm
Note: We can be somewhat flexible with start and end times to accommodate bus schedules.
Make a Day of It! Book a full day of programming by selecting 2 half-day programs at the Nature Centre. Or book a half-day at the Nature Centre and a half-day program at one of our partner sites in the park, Colborne Lodge or the High Park Children’s Garden and receive a $0.50 discount per student at each site. Please inquire at the time of your initial booking.
Location
Programs take place at the High Park Nature Centre, located at 440 Parkside Drive on the eastern perimeter of the park (at Parkside Drive and Indian Valley Crescent) for most programs. High Park Zoo Tour programs take place at the Zoo, and groups receive special instructions about where to meet.
Cancellation Policy
Please be advised that seven days notice is necessary for cancellations and two days notice to reschedule. An invoice for 50% of the originally booked group fee will be issued for any late cancellation or rescheduling.
Programs will proceed rain or shine. Please remind all participants to dress appropriately for the weather as we will be outdoors for most of the activities. Programs may need to be rescheduled in the case of severe inclement weather such as heavy rain, thunderstorms, snowstorms or high winds over 35 km per hour. We also advise wearing long pants, socks and long sleeved tops to protect against poison ivy. If you have any questions please call our office at 416-392-1748 ext. 2
Acknowledgments
The High Park Nature Centre would like to thank our programming partners, the Greater Toronto Hawk Watch, the City of Toronto’s Urban Forestry Department and the High Park Zoo staff, for their on-going support and outstanding instructors.
We would also like to thank High Park Initiatives for their fundraising efforts to help cover the cost of operating our education programs. Please consider becoming a member of High Park Initiatives or making a donation to the Nature Centre program. For more information call 416-392-1748 ext. 2
