Our Mission
Parry Sound Forest School strives to provide a child-centred, inquiry-based experience where our learners can develop greater:
resilience,
perseverance,
communication and social skills,
the ability to navigate risk safely,
and to form personal connections to many facets of the Georgian Bay Biosphere.
Through this personal connection with nature, we strive to foster an ethic of care towards our local environment and ultimately towards living a more ecologically sustainable life.
Weekly programs are broken into 3 semesters - Fall, Winter & Spring. Each run one day a week throughout the school year.
Winter Programs
run from January 5 to March 19
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Rangers
For children aged 10+, this program acts a a supplement to regular schooling or homeschooling. It offers challenging outdoor play and learning activities.
THURSDAYS
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Saplings
For children ages 6-12, this program acts as a supplement to regular schooling or homeschooling. It includes hikes and snowshoe adventures, camp fire skills, wild edibles, wood craft and more.
TUESDAYS
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Chickadees
For children ages 4-6. This program offers opportunities for the growth of so many skills!! Language, numeracy, gross and fine motor, socialization, self regulation, and so much more!
WEDNESDAYS
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Sprouts
This is a half-day introductory program to Forest School, for children ages 3.0+, geared to younger learners. If your child is not quite ready for a full day of Forest School, this program is for them!
WEDNESDAYS
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Forest Families
This program is designed for infants, young children and their caregivers or parents. It is an opportunity to spend time in the forest together with an experienced forest educator.
MONDAYS
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Forest Friends After School
Forest Friends offers your child after school care in the outdoors. Wood working, nature art, hiking, flashlight tag, campfires, knot tying, snowshoeing, sliding and so much more await.
EVERY AFTERNOON
Supplement classroom learning with hands-on outdoor experiences.
Offered in English and French
Upcoming Events
Winter Solstice Family Lantern Walk
Come experience the magic of light shining brightly through the darkness of some of the longest nights of the year. We will enjoy some time by the fire and a lantern-lit walk through the forest.
Tuesday, December 16 or
Friday, December 19.
6:30 - 7:30 pm
Donations go toward our Nearby Nature class trip program.
Wildlife Tracking Series
3-Part Experience
hosted by Diana Clements, Internationally Certified Cybertracker Level 3
January 10, February 8, March 7
9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Different locations each weekend.
Join Diana Clements for this three-part tracking series where you will develop an increased understanding of many facets of the art and science of wildlife tracking. Topics will include how to identify tracks on the landscape, determine direction of travel, aging prints, and identifying feeding sign and scat. As we learn more about the prints and signs of our furred and feathered neighbours we will also develop a greater understanding of their behaviour and how they fit into the greater ecology of the area. We will spend full days together on the land at a different location each week.
$225 for all three workshops, all proceeds donated to Parry Sound Forest School.
Squall Night
presents:
Out of Africa
A Fundraiser for Parry Sound Forest School.
January 15, 7:00 pm
Parry Sound Hub
86 Gibson Street
Family Animal Tracking Hike
Join Diana Clements for a tracking hike: a great introduction to the world of reading nature's signs. We'll grab our snowshoes and head out following animals' tracks to try to learn more about them and the forest they call home.
This more rugged hike will most likely lead us off-trail. Therefore, it is geared toward older children and adults (please note: all children must be accompanied by a caregiver). Snowshoes of all sizes are available to borrow, and there is a maximum of only 11 participants.
Saturday, January 31
1:00 - 3:00 pm
Registration donations go toward our Nearby Nature class trips program.
Animal Tracks & Sign Certification
by Cybertracker North America,
hosted by Parry Sound Forest School
February 28 - Mar 1, 2026
The Cybertracker Track and Sign Certification is an internationally applied, professional-level certification used to promote wildlife tracking and knowledge.
The Tracker Certifications emphasize practical tracking and the development of reliable field skills.
TWO SPOTS LEFT
We gratefully thank donors who have already donated to Parry Sound Forest School, giving children the gift of nature play and connection for healthy growth.
There are still many families hoping to access forest school with the help of donations. Please consider donating.
