Child 1 Age 5 - 7 (Male)
Program(s) focused in Adventure (multi)
(5) Overall experience
Our son Rafi has been attending Evergreen Brick Works nature programs since kindergarten, and every session has been a highlight of his year. He started with the Nature Nuts after-school program, where he was the only kid who consistently took the shuttle from Broadview Station—just so he could chat with his beloved chaperone, Olivia (aka Blueberry). This is from my otherwise reserved kid! Since then, he has completed two full terms of Nature School and eagerly awaits his third session of Adventure Camp this summer.
Even now, while we’re on sabbatical in Germany, Rafi tells me the only thing he truly misses about Toronto is Nature School. That speaks volumes about the impact of these programs. The staff is not only knowledgeable and deeply committed but also creative, energetic, and FUN. Every time we go on a family walk at Brick Works, Rafi charges ahead like a park ranger, identifying species of flora and fauna with an authority that puts me to shame. I have no doubt he will grow into a dedicated steward of the natural world because of these experiences.
(5) Reason for choosing the program
Our son has participated in numerous extracurricular programs and day camps over the past few years, and I can say without hesitation that Evergreen Brick Works programs are head and shoulders above the rest. As a parent raising a sheltered city kid, I wanted him to have more opportunities to immerse himself in nature—to climb rocks, get muddy, take risks, and develop a real connection to the outdoors. These programs have given him exactly that and so much more.
(5) Program quality and activities
Day camps in Toronto often feel like glorified babysitting—but Evergreen is different. Here, kids don’t just pass the time; they embark on real adventures, exploring every corner of Brick Works and immersing themselves in all four elements. They’re not only climbing, digging, and discovering but also creating the most thoughtful and beautiful art projects—using paint made from grapes, for example, or creating little creatures out of leather and felt. Every day brings a sense of purpose, and kids come away feeling like they’ve truly accomplished something special.
(5) Social dynamics and experience
One of the highlights of this past session of Nature School was that Rafi was grouped with two kids from his school—one a year younger, the other a year older—whom he wouldn’t normally have much interaction with. Through shared adventures and the small-group setting, he formed deep bonds with both of them, feeling like part of a close-knit community. Since he can be a bit shy, seeing him connect so naturally and wholeheartedly has been very encouraging.
(5) Skills and growth
For kids growing up in a big city, programs like these are invaluable. They give children the chance to step away from screens and structured classrooms, immerse themselves in nature, take risks, and build resilience. The small-group setting and adventurous spirit of these programs helped Rafi come out of his shell, develop confidence, and cultivate a love for the quiet beauty of the outdoors. I wouldn’t be surprised if one day he returns to Evergreen—not as a camper, but as one of the incredible counselors who made such an impact on him.
(5) Staff/Instructors/Counsellors
The staff are remarkably devoted, experienced, and capable, and their love of the outdoors is absolutely infectious. Every day brings new adventures while also giving kids the chance to develop a deep sense of familiarity and belonging in the natural spaces around them. Rafi absolutely adores the counselors he’s had over the years, which speaks volumes—he can be reticent and even shy, but they embraced him for who he is and made him feel truly at home. Their warmth, enthusiasm, and ability to connect with each child on a personal level have been invaluable.
(5) Advice and tips
Sign up early and often! Summer Camp is an incredible experience, but Nature School is truly next-level—eight weeks of immersive, weekly sessions where kids step out of the classroom and into the wild. I was initially apprehensive about our child missing so much school, but I soon realized that what he gained in those hours at Brick Works far outweighed what he missed at school. There’s nothing like spending a full day outdoors each week, exploring, creating, and growing in ways that just aren’t possible inside four walls. The learning, the confidence, and the sense of adventure the kids develop are absolutely priceless.
