Youth Programs

Year-round nature connection programs for youth of all ages!

Located in the Montreal area, we provide bilingual nature connection programs for all ages, teaching wilderness skills, naturalist knowledge, and promoting resiliency and leadership.
With guidance from our skilled team, participants will learn about local plant and animal species, read animal tracks, practice traditional survival skills, craft with natural materials, and more, all while building connections to place, self, and community.

Youth Programs Overview:

Activities for ages 5 to 17 that build connections with nature through exploration, crafting, and games.

Choose a bi-weekly or monthly program in various locations: Angrignon Park, Grand Potager (Verdun), Jardins Carya (Senneville).

Regular nature connection time offers an excellent balance for urban youth!

Weekly drop-off programs for ages 5 to 12, complementing homeschooling with immersive nature experiences.

Choose either Mondays (5-12 years old) in Lasalle/Verdun, Montreal or Wednesdays (7-12 years old) in Kahnawake.

Weekday programs are eligible for RL-24s.

 

Financial assistance:

Click here for more info!

Camping Trips:

Integrated into our year-round programs for ages 7 and above. Most trips occur in October and May. Weekend programs have trips from Friday afternoon/evening to Sunday afternoon. Weekday programs have trips from Tuesday afternoon/evening to Thursday afternoon.

We will connect with the wilderness, test our skills and teamwork, and learn the lessons of living in community. We’ll enjoy the majesty of a starry sky and the warmth of a campfire surrounded by friends after a day of adventure.

In the weeks leading to the trip, we prepare participants for this experience of being immersed in nature. This means going over and preparing our gear, setting goals, getting ready to take on more responsibilities and getting excited for awesome encounters with the forest.

What to Expect:

  • Outdoor center rental, approximately 1.5 hours from Montreal
  • Parents of hesitant children are encouraged to join for the weekend
  • Food and water is included
  • Detailed email with trip details and gear list sent a month before
  • Boys and girls sleep in different areas
    • Male and female staff available at all times
    • Non-binary participants can contact us for comfortable arrangements
Financial Assistance:

We are doing our best at the moment not to let finances get in the way of people’s participation. We are a social enterprise and we raise money every year through fundraising events and activities in order to keep our programs accessible. We are very grateful for all of the support from caring donors, and want to honor the gifts they give us.

Please consider that we wish this support goes to where it is most needed: for families who have a sincere financial need and who truly value this unique outdoor education opportunity.

Click here to fill out the Financial assistance form!

Becoming a Coyote Family:
  • When you sign up for a program, you’ll also have access to:
    • Four free community events for your whole family
    • Early registration for future programs and summer camps
    • After each day, we send a short summary and photos of the activities to help deepen the experience.
    • There are two “Make up days” scheduled that you can sign up for if ever you had to miss a day of activities for whatever reason.

Prioritizing Long-Term Mentorship:
  • Small staff-to-participant ratio (1:6) ensures personalized attention
  • We adapt our teachings to the passions and excitement emerging in the group
  • At the end of the fall and spring seasons, parents are invited to hear stories, celebrations, and reflections about their child.
  • Staff are available at the start and end of the program to discuss any needs that might arise
How we approach bilingualism:

We are used to facilitating in both languages and have witnessed significant language development in an informal and relaxed setting. We are attentive to make sure no one feels left out, to build friendships and bonds that are beyond language barriers, and will emphasise vocabulary in English and French.

Fire Quest:

This is an invitation only weekend program offered to youth 12 and up, to participate in an amazing camping weekend with a special challenge. Participants will receive an invitation at some point in the fall, and if they accept (with the support of their parents), will receive special missions through the year. 

These missions will help prepare themselves for a night alone in the woods tending a fire (supported by our team) and to reflect on their life and growing autonomy. Parents are welcomed at the end of the Fire Quest to witness the group and to celebrate their children. The weekend is free, and donations are encouraged.

Core Practices for Nature Connection:

Each day, these practices form the foundation of our activities:

  • Storytelling
  • Setting community conduct agreements
  • Using all our senses
  • Being quiet and observant in the forest
  • Singing, moving, playing
  • Sharing gratitude
  • Making space for everyone’s voice in the circle
Activities We Offer:

Depending on the age group, the passions of the group and the expertise of the staff, we offer some of the following activities:

  • Friction fire
  • Tracking wildlife
  • Listening to bird language
  • Sneaking and camouflage
  • Edible and medicinal plants
  • Mapping the land
  • Tarp and knot skills
  • Crafting with natural materials like basket-making
  • Navigation and lost-proofing
  • Natural shelter building
  • Playing nature-inspired games
  • And much more!

Weekend Programs:

Foxes

7 to 9 years old
Parc Angrignon
Bimonthly – Saturdays

Otters

10 to 12 years old
Parc Angrignon
Bimonthly – Saturdays

Marmots

7 to 12 years old
Mont Royal
Monthly – Sundays

Jays & Crows

7 to 12 years old
Jardins Carya
Monthly – Sundays

Teen Program

13 to 17 years old
Parc Angrignon
Bimonthly – Saturdays

Dragonflies

5 to 7 years old
Grand Potager
CANCELED

Homeschool Programs:

Chickadees

5 to 6 years old
Montréal
Weekly – Mondays

Minks

7 to 12 years old
Montréal
Weekly – Mondays

Wood Frogs

7 to 12 years old
Kahnawake
Weekly – Wednesdays

Apply for Financial Assistance by August 16th for the 2024-2025 season!

Contact us if you have any questions or comments!!

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