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Out to Play

Locations: Ottawa, ON; Ottawa, ON
Out to Play logo
 

Out to Play  

Locations: Ottawa, ON; Ottawa, ON

  • Type:
    Day camp
  • Focus:
    Adventure (multi)
  • Cost:
    $415 to $445/week
  • Ages:
    4 to 12
  • Gender:
    Coed
  • Main language:
    English
  • Capacity:
    Varies
  • Programs:
    View 4 available
  • Verified Reviews:
    View 6 available
Request more info
Lara Purvis

  • Overview

    Here's what makes Out to Play stand out

    Looking for outdoor time for your children this summer? For imaginative play and unhurried days? Out to Play is a Forest and Nature School that offers outdoor arts, storytelling, and deep immersive, autonomous play in forests, meadows and city parks accompanied by experienced and enthusiastic educators. Out to Play has two unique summer camp programs to offer for 2025! A rustic Forest and Nature School summer camp experience at our Out to Play site for ages 4 – 12 years, with low ratio group programs and 1:1 options. And new this year, a one-of-a-kind urban Forest and Nature School experience with active outdoor play and showcasing the natural world learning opportunities of the Canadian Museum of Nature.

    • Special needs: Yes, mild support.
      A few of our campers have special needs.
    • LGBTQ+ friendly community

  • Programs, Rates & Dates

    Programs and Sessions Calendar

    Out to Play is known for exceptional educators, and imaginative programming that offers children a playful and nurturing outdoor experience. Out to Play programs are rooted in the Forest and Nature School approach which is described as child-centred, inquiry-driven learning and connecting through play on the land. Through deep connection with place through play, Out to Play programs centre child and youth wellness and well-being, and nurture a life-long care for the land. Out to Play has exceptional reviews and programs fill up quickly! Join our Urban Nature Camp in Downtown Ottawa at the Canadian Museum of Nature, and offer your child the Out to Play experience.


    Choose the right programs and sessions for your child; Out to Play currently has 4 programs available.

    Filter activities available:


    Choose location:

    Name
    Type/Gender
    Specialty
    Location
    Date
    Bus
     Cost
    Email
    Day Camp
    Coed
    Ages: 4 - 10
    Adventure (multi)
    $390 to $490
    Ottawa, ON
    230 Davidsons Side Road    		 Jul 07-11 $430 - $490
    Ottawa, ON
    230 Davidsons Side Road    		 Jul 14-18 $430 - $490
    Ottawa, ON
    230 Davidsons Side Road    		 Jul 21-25 $430 - $490
    Ottawa, ON
    230 Davidsons Side Road    		 Jul 28-Aug 01$430 - $490
    Ottawa, ON
    230 Davidsons Side Road    		 Aug 05-08 $390 - $438
    Ottawa, ON
    230 Davidsons Side Road    		 Aug 11-15 $430 - $490
    Ottawa, ON
    230 Davidsons Side Road    		 Aug 18-22 $430 - $490
    Ottawa, ON
    230 Davidsons Side Road    		 Aug 25-29 $430 - $490
    		Ropes Course|Survival skills|Wilderness Out-tripping|Wilderness Skills|Baking/Decorating|Cooking|Theatre Arts|Playwriting|Storytelling|Arts & Crafts|Ceramics |Drawing|Mixed Media|Painting|Pottery|Social Justice|Nature/Environment|Reading|Animals|Marine Biology|Zoology|STEAM|STEM|Hiking
    Day Camp
    Coed
    Ages: 5 - 10
    Adventure (multi)
    $350 to $475
    Ottawa, ON
    240 McLeod Street    		 Jul 07-11 $415 - $475
    Ottawa, ON
    240 McLeod Street    		 Jul 14-18 $415 - $475
    Ottawa, ON
    240 McLeod Street    		 Jul 21-25 $415 - $475
    Ottawa, ON
    240 McLeod Street    		 Jul 28-Aug 01$415 - $475
    Ottawa, ON
    240 McLeod Street    		 Aug 05-08 $350 - $398
    Ottawa, ON
    240 McLeod Street    		 Aug 11-15 $415 - $475
    Ottawa, ON
    230 Davidsons Side Road    		 Aug 18-22 $415 - $475
    Ottawa, ON
    230 Davidsons Side Road    		 Aug 25-29 $415 - $475
    		Survival skills|Wilderness Skills|Sewing|Arts & Crafts|Empowerment|Nature/Environment|Animals|Hiking
    Day Camp
    Coed
    Ages: 8 - 12
    Adventure (multi)
    $395 to $500
    Ottawa, ON
    230 Davidsons Side Road    		 Jul 14-18 $440 - $500
    Ottawa, ON
    230 Davidsons Side Road    		 Aug 05-08 $395 - $443
    		Ropes Course|Survival skills|Wilderness Out-tripping|Wilderness Skills|Baking/Decorating|Percussion|Vocal Training / Singing|Playwriting|Sculpture|Sewing|Storytelling|Arts & Crafts|Drawing|Knitting and Crochet|Painting|Pottery|Chess|Creative writing|Essay Writing|Empowerment|Leadership Training|Makerspace|Nature/Environment|Animals|Architecture|STEAM|STEM|Writing|Mindfulness Training
    Day Camp
    Coed
    Ages: 8 - 12
    Adventure (multi)
    $415 to $475
    Ottawa, ON
    240 McLeod Street    		 Jul 21-25 $415 - $475
    Ottawa, ON
    240 McLeod Street    		 Aug 11-15 $415 - $475
    		Survival skills|Wilderness Skills|Hiking


    Registration Details

    Registration is full for the West Ottawa site at Beetbox Farm. Join the waitlist if you're eager for a space. There are still open spaces in Out to Play's new partnership program with the Canadian Museum of Nature, called Urban Nature Camp! https://www.outtoplay.ca https://nature.ca/en/visit-us/whats-on/listing/urban-nature-camp-at-the-museum/ https://out-to-play-inc.jumbula.com/

  • Reviews & Insider Perspectives

    The Our Kids review of Out to Play

    our take

    Nestled in the urban expanses of Ottawa, Out to Play provides a sanctuary for children and families to connect with the land and revel in the joys of outdoor play. They offer a range of services through an independent school, field trips, summer day camps, as well as respite and psychotherapy services at their Nepean centre and across the city’s green spaces. Adhering to the Forest and Nature School principles, Out to Play places the child at the center of a curiosity-led learning journey, deeply rooted in land-based play. This approach cultivates a life-long stewardship for the environment as children learn to care for the land through their playful interactions. Out to Play is inclusive and open to all. Their summer day camps are a medley of farm and forest adventures, where children from 4 to 15 years old can immerse in imaginative play, storytelling, hiking, and various skill-building activities. The Foxes program weaves in circle time and art, while The Wolves and the new LIT (Leader in Training) program for teens focus on autonomy, creativity, and mentorship. The staff, comprised of skilled facilitators from diverse backgrounds, prioritize safety through supportive risky play and intuitive guidance, while also integrating a strong commitment to environmental preservation into every aspect of their play-based, child-centric approach. Through thoughtful play and learning, Out to Play not only champions environmental conservation but also ensures a welcoming and enriching environment for every child.

    More reviews of Out to Play

    Show all 6 reviews

    Esther O'Riordan, Parent

    A fantastic experience!

    Read review

    Ava L, Parent

    We can't wait for next summer.

    Read review

    A. Schaffer, Parent

    Dynamic and creative!

    Read review

    Pearl Cohen, Parent

    Absolutely wonderful

    Read review

    Jess Smith, Parent

    We cannot recommend this enough

    Read review

    Rob Wilson, Parent

    Amazing educators

    Read review

    More reviews of Out to Play

    Esther O'Riordan, Parent

    A fantastic experience!

    A fantastic experience for children! The staff and programming are truly unique and unlike anything we’ve encountered. We’re thrilled to have discovered this outdoor option for our curious and adventurous child.

    Ava L, Parent

    We can't wait for next summer.

    We can’t wait for next summer. What a wonderful place for the kids. How can anyone return back to your every day preschool once you’ve experienced all of this. Great work creating this on the land.

    A. Schaffer, Parent

    Dynamic and creative!

    If your child needs something more to their emotional, social, physical, or academic education, the programs here are dynamic and creative. Our family accesses their therapeutic services at the Out to Play site for a year now. I only wish I could send my children to more programs here. Worth the drive from outside the city - we drive about 40 minutes each way to attend. This is child-centered programming in action ... Show More

    Pearl Cohen, Parent

    Absolutely wonderful

    Absolutely wonderful educators and facility. Understanding, compassionate teachers who are excited about their work and nature. My kid comes home happy, tired, covered in mud, and full of stories and questions about the land and animals ... Show More

    Jess Smith, Parent

    We cannot recommend this enough

    Our two oldest daughters attend forest school here. To say it has been a life saver is an understatement. Out to play has given them a chance to be free and unapologetically themselves. They are accepted and encouraged in ways that you do not get in a regular school environment (or most other extracurriculars). They have learned so much and have deepened their understanding, love and appreciation for the land. Faith, Zofia, Addison, Kayley and their other teachers give so much positivity, love and care to each kid, share an abundance of knowledge, are open to adventure and are grounding presences in their weeks. We cannot recommend this enough , cannot wait until our youngest is old enough to join, and only wished we had started sooner ... Show More

    Rob Wilson, Parent

    Amazing educators

    Amazing educators that respect the diversity of the children and support them with all their needs daily. They are kind, caring, and outgoing, and always have time to answer questions when I’m doing pick up or drop off. Highly recommend ... Show More


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  • Gallery
    Out to Play - profile photo

    Video Gallery

  • Meet the Staff

    Director's Message

    Dear Families Thank you for considering Out to Play.  Out to Play Children’s Programs are undeniably a community creation, with the first steps taken by myself, and so many hands pitching in since then. I'm Lara! I have a BA in Child and Youth Studies, a BEd specializing in the Primary Grades and a MA in Development Studies. With a background in therapeutic outdoor education, Forest and Nature School, and Equity and Inclusion, I and an incredible team of educators, drew together a pedagogy and emergent curriculum in creating Out to Play.  At Out to Play, we centre the connection with the land, we gather together for story, we trust that children's play will guide their learning and we align ourselves with parents in raising up thoughtful, innovative and creative young people who will grow to make the right choices to care for the earth. We hope you'll join us. Warm wishes from a greenhouse turned office, Lara Purvis and the Out to Play team


    Staff and Counsellors

    Out to Play staff are experienced, playful and intuitive facilitators with diverse backgrounds. They have their First Aid and CPR qualification and they've either completed or are studying to be Forest and Nature School practitioners, teachers, child and youth workers and/or early childhood educators.

  • Location & Operations

    Address

    Ottawa, ON
    230 Davidsons Side Road, Ottawa, Ontario, K2K 2Y9
    Ottawa, ON
    240 McLeod Street, Ottawa, Ontario, K2P 2R1


    Property Details

    Landscape

    • Forested Area
    • Lake/Pond/River
    • Nature Trails
    • Open Field

    More details about property: Out to Play programs take place in forests and in meadows. We wander trails through the farm and into the shade of the forest, play beside the beaver dam or snack beside the river. Our shelters are canvas wall tents and the bathrooms are composting toilets and outhouses.

    Is your property accessible for persons with disabilities? Out to Play trails are not wheelchair accessible.


    Accommodations

    Washrooms Facilities

    • Composting Toilets
    • Outhouses

    Is Out to Play technology free? Yes. The Out to Play approach nurtures connection with the land, each other and self. Children are not permitted to have phones, tablets and smartwatches Out to Play, with the exception of devices that meet communication or health needs.


    Rentals & Services

    Offers outdoor education program for schools or corporate groups: Yes
    Out to Play hosts public schools and private schools for stand-alone programs or a series of multi-week programs. All programs are child-centred, inquiry-driven, educator-supported and emergent learning and connecting to play. Please take a look at the website for more information about Out to Play field trips for children K-Gr 6.

  • What's New

    Social Feeds


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Thank you for your interest in Out to Play. They will be in touch with you shortly.

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