Friday Tinkers

The Out to Play Centre is at Beetbox Farm. It was on this organic people-oriented farm that the magic was first stirred up to become the community that is Out to Play.

Easily accessed from downtown Ottawa, Nepean, Barrhaven and Kanata, Beetbox Farm is surrounded by public land and the Shirley’s Bay Trail Network. At the Out to Play Centre children play in meadows, orchards, forests and along the shoreline of the Kitchissippi River. The farm experience at the Out to Play Centre is unique, where children might gather vegetables from the gardens, feed the chickens or say hello to Fiona, the goat. 

The shelters at the Out to Play Centre are large canvas wall-tents and a cabin. In the winter they’re cosy and heated by woodstoves.

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For children 9.5-14 years the Tinker Club acknowledges your young person's growing thoughtfulness and autonomy. The Tinker Club includes the youth-centred, inquiry-driven and educator-supported learning and play that is central to every Out to Play program. 

Each day includes warm and connected circle time with oral storytelling, a daily hike out, and the options of playing with art, large loose parts and science investigations. Out to Play values the learning that is inherent in adventurous play so hikes, pond and creek investigations, tree climbing and tool use will be safely supported by educators.

Half of the Tinker's time together is spent in project-based learning and skill-development that is chosen and designed by the group. Past projects have included playwriting and performing, bat boxes, raised bed gardens, orienteering, cooking and baking on the fire, and visible mending. This program will also include two field-trips to nearby forests!

The 2025-2026 Project Curriculum is child-centred and open to changes. It includes some specialist instructors and is currently mapped out as:

Sept-Nov

* Wilderness Skills including: Orienteering, tenting, hiking, cooking meals over the fire and First Aid

Dec-Feb

* Winter outdoor skills and safety, Snowshoeing, Nature Journals, Theatre, Sewing and Basketry

March - May

* Woodworking with a few smaller projects and one primary woodworking project (We'll consider benches, birdhouses, bridges and garden boxes!)

May -June

Pollinator Garden Design and Planting

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This program takes place from 9:00-3:00 on Fridays from September 5 to June 12 at the Out to Play Centre. There are 37 program days and two Saturday Family Gathering Days on October 25 and May 23.

There is no program on December 26, January 2, March 20, and April 3 for seasonal breaks and holidays.

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Out to Play offers flexible payment and withdrawal options. You can pay in full at the time of registration, or choose a small deposit followed by three seasonal instalments. The cancellation and withdrawal policy—which is explained in detail during registration—requires one month’s notice, after which any remaining balance will be refunded.

If this program is full, please add your child to our waitlist here!