Saturday Crows (Fall)

The Out to Play Centre is nestled at Beetbox Farm — an organic, people-centred farm where the first sparks of what is now the Out to Play community were lit.

Easily accessed from downtown Ottawa, Nepean, Barrhaven, and Kanata, Beetbox Farm is surrounded by public land and connected to the Shirley’s Bay trail network. Here, children spend their days immersed in meadows, orchards, forests, and along the shoreline of the Kitchissippi River. The farm experience is woven naturally into each day — children might gather vegetables from the gardens, feed the chickens, or pause to greet the animals.

At the Out to Play Centre, our shelters include spacious canvas wall tents and a cabin. In the colder months, these spaces become warm and welcoming, with woodstoves offering a cosy place to gather.

About the Program
For children aged 4–10 years, our Saturday Crows Program offers child-centred, inquiry-driven learning, where connection and discovery unfold through play on the land. Educators thoughtfully support each day, meeting children’s ideas with care, curiosity, and intention.

Our time together begins and returns to a warm and connected circle — a space for oral storytelling, sharing books, gathering for meals, and engaging in kind, playful conversation. From there, children head out on a short hike and are invited into a variety of experiences, including art, large loose parts play, and hands-on science investigations.

Time on the land allows for deep, immersive play and the development of wilderness skills. Educators play alongside children — scaffolding learning, supporting thoughtful risk-taking, and guiding children in being safe and kind together.

The Crows Program offers a shorter day, from 9:00am–1:00pm, making it a gentle and engaging way to experience Out to Play.

Families receive a packing list to support their days (including spare clothing, snacks, lunch, and water), along with an invitation to an Out to Play Family Gathering — a wonderful opportunity to connect with the wider community.

Program Dates
This program takes place from 9:00-1:00 on Saturdays from September 12, 2026 to November 7, 2027 at the Out to Play Centre. There are 8 program days and a Saturday Family Gathering Day on October 24 and May 15.

There is no program on October 10 for the holiday weekend.

Registration and Payment Details
Out to Play programs require an access code to complete registration. If you do not have an access code, please reach out to [email protected] or add your child to our waitlist here!

Out to Play offers flexible payment and withdrawal options. You can pay in full at the time of registration, or choose a 10% deposit followed by three seasonal installments. Payment options include credit card, pre-authorised debit, or e-transfer, selected at the time of registration. The cancellation and withdrawal policy is generous, and is shared in detail during the registration process.