Toronto: Urban Wild Introduction to Outdoor Skills

Get ready for an exciting adventure in your own urban backyard this summer!

Join us at the Don Valley Brick Works Park to hone your outdoor skills and have an adventurous experience.

You’ll participate in hands-on activities such as building shelters, lighting campfires, cooking outdoors, paddling urban rivers, climbing the OBC challenge tower and more. You and your new friends will also have the opportunity to help out with a local conservation project that will give you a deeper insight into the ecological challenges of the region.

The program runs from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm (Monday through Friday) at the Don Valley Brick Works Park. The program culminates with a memorable overnight Thursday to Friday where participants put their newly learned skills to the test. Participants should bring their own lunch and be prepared to be outside all day. If needed, you can borrow our equipment, such as waterproof pants and hats.

Area and activities

For a century, Don Valley Brick Works Park was the site of a major brick manufacturer and supplier of buildings throughout Toronto. That changed in 1989 when the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) acquired the site and began restoration work with the City of Toronto in 1995. This involved creating a series of wetlands that provide habitat for aquatic plants and wildlife, and channeling water from nearby Mud Creek through the wetland to filter it naturally before it flows into the Don River and eventually Lake Ontario.

Today, the 200-hectares of wetlands, dry wildflower meadows and forest plant communities create a variety of ecosystem types that provide the ideal setting for Outward Bound Canada’s urban programs, where participants can hike the many nature trails, paddle the Don River and perfect their outdoor skills surrounded by nature in this special area – all within 10 minutes of downtown Toronto and accessible by car, public transit, foot or bike.