For over 100 years, the YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka has offered outdoor education programs to the community. We’re excited to introduce our newest children’s program, Escape in the Landscape – an outdoor education experience like no other.
The YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka’s Escape in the Landscape program offers nature immersion activities lead by qualified staff for children in Junior Kindergarten to 14 years of age. Through experimentation, peer-to-peer learning and storytelling, your child will be encouraged to discover new experiences and skills, all while making lasting friendships and developing a love of the great outdoors.
During this memorable program, your child will:
- Learn about the land and how to be environmental caretakers
- Connect with nature and build self-confidence
- Improve their mental and physical health
- Be curious, resilient, and motivated to make a difference
This fall, sessions will be offered in Wasaga Beach, Barrie, Innisfil, Collingwood, Hawkestone, Midland, and Alliston. Spaces are limited and the sessions begin mid-September. Fall sessions focus on the changing of the seasons, what happens to plants and vegetation when colder weather comes, how to protect trees in season changes, learning about how and why leaves change colors, etc.
Program Details:
Click on a program below based on your child’s age to view locations, dates, pricing, and more.
Unleash your child’s inner explorer in our new Junior Explorers program! This program offers 8 weeks of memorable nature immersion activities lead by qualified staff for children ages JK-5. Through experimentation, peer-to-peer learning and storytelling, your child will be encouraged to explore the natural world and engage all five senses in play. Register now to help your child:
- Learn about the land and be creative with outdoor elements
- Make new friends and lasting connections
- Improve their mental and physical health, inspire their curiosity, resilience, and the desire to make a difference.
Dates and Locations:
- Wasaga Beach – Wednesdays starting September 25th to November 13th, 2024, from 4:30-6:00pm.
- Barrie – Saturdays starting September 21st to November 9th, from 10:00-11:30am.
Cost for the 8-week session: $140
The Explorers session of the Escape in the Landscape program offers nature immersion activities lead by qualified staff for children ages 6-12. Through experimentation, peer-to-peer learning and storytelling, your child will be encouraged to explore the natural world and engage all five senses in play.
- Learn about the land and how to be environmental caretakers
- Make new friends and lasting connections
- Improve their mental and physical health, inspire their curiosity, resilience, and the desire to make a difference
Dates and Locations:
- Collingwood – Saturdays starting September 21st to November 9th, 2024, from 10:00am-12:00pm.
- Midland – Tuesdays starting September 24th to November 12th, 2024, from 4:30-6:30pm.
- Innisfil – Saturdays starting September 21st to November 9th, 2024, from 1:00-3:00pm.
- Hawkestone – Saturdays starting September 21st to November 9th, 2024, from 10:00am-12:00pm
- Barrie – Saturdays starting September 21st to November 9th, 2024, from 12:00-2:00pm.
Cost for the 8-week session: $180
Unleash your youth’s inner explorer in our new Advanced Explorers program! This program offers 8 weeks of memorable nature immersion activities lead by qualified staff for youth ages 10-14. Youth will have the opportunity to learn outdoor survival skills and how to be an explorer. Youth have the opportunity to sign up for an additional weekend course to acquire their Wilderness First Aid presented by the YMCA and the Lifesaving Society.
Following the completion of the 8-week program, youth have the opportunity to sign up for our weekend explorer’s trip to YMCA Camp Kitchikewana in Spring 2025. Youth will have the opportunity to test their survival skills, explore the national park, and embrace the islands history and all it has to offer.
Dates and Locations:
- Collingwood – Wednesdays starting September 25th to November 13th, 2024, from 4:30-6:30pm.
- Alliston – Wednesdays starting September 18th to November 6th, 2024, from 4:30-6:30pm.
Cost for the 8-week session: $180
Need assistance creating an account or navigating the YMCA Online Portal? Our Community Care Team is here to help! Contact hello@sm.ymca.ca or call 705-792-7822.