Thursday Family Program (Fall)

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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Open to children and their trusted adults, this is the first of three sessions over the Fall, Winter and Spring, with each session lasting for ten weeks.

Each day includes storytelling, circle time, a hike out, play with art, large loose parts, science investigations and periods of deep immersive play. Families will be able to connect with each other, and adventure out together with the support of an educator. 

Spring and Fall programming will include mud kitchen play, loose parts in the forest and snacking out on the land. Winter program days will include winter sit spots, tea from the kelly kettle, and snowy outdoor play. 

This program includes a dry and warm indoor space for changing clothes, diaper changes and storing bags. 

All family program days will follow the pedagogy of the Forest and Nature School approach - child-centred, inquiry-driven, interest-led learning and connecting through play on the land. 

Families will receive a packing list for the days together including back-up clothing, snacks, lunch and water. Families receive a monthly newsletter and two invitations to Out to Play Family Gathering events. Join the Out to Play community!