Compass Forest and Nature Programs

Serving Peterborough, City of Kawartha Lakes, Haliburton, Durham and Northumberland

Forest and Nature Program Vision

Compass ELC believes children deserve the freedom to connect with nature and gain an understanding of their role in the ecosystem as well as the positive impact nature has on wellbeing and mental health.

Our Forest and Nature programs offer children of all ages year-round opportunities to immerse themselves in the natural beauty of local forests, parks and trail systems in partnership with Kawartha Land Trust. We remain committed to our journey towards truth and reconciliation by learning, unlearning and thinking intentionally about the actions each of us can take to respect Indigenous knowledge, ways of being and advocate for change.

Each program seeks to foster ecological identity by intentionally offering child-led, unstructured time to deepen their relationship with nature and each other. We deeply believe in the importance of nurturing a child’s reciprocal relationship with nature.

We have ways of being which are important to us while in our programs;

Respect for yourself – Children are encouraged to take care of their physical well-being while in program. This includes autonomy, reading their own body cues, understanding their limits, holding space for all emotions and communicating personal boundaries.

Respect for Nature – The land is our teacher. We offer unstructured time for children to develop a reciprocal relationship with nature and the understanding that they are an equal part of the ecosystem. How can we lessen our impact?

Respect for others – Children build trusting relationships with peers; they listen to understand and respect each other’s personal boundaries.

CELC – Outdoor Programs:

Dance Nature Sanctuary

Dance Nature Sanctuary (Youngs Point)
2027 Preston Rd, Lakefield, ON
This property was generously donated to Kawartha Land Trust (KLT) in 2006 by Dr. Alice Sharpe. It anchors KLT’s Moore Lake Focus Area. A wide variety of plants grow on this property and its wildlife habitat, including fields, forests, marshes and swamps, are home to many different animal species, including White-tailed Deer, Wild Turkey, Fisher, Beaver, Porcupine, Red Squirrel, Evening Grosbeak, and many more.
Register for Dance Nature Sanctuary Summer Program

St. Martin Outdoor Program

CELC-St.Martin Outdoor Camp (Ennismore)
531 Ennis Rd, Selwyn, ON
On the outskirts of Peterborough, this rural location offers us nature at our fingertips right beside our Shamrock Childcare program.
Register for St. Martin (Ennismore) Summer Program

Millbrook Outdoor Program

Currently Full

Nature Roots Childcare Center

Licensed Childcare center for children aged 6 weeks to 4 years.
Located at 659 Brealey Dr, Peterborough ON.

Our Outdoor Programs seek to foster ecological identity by intentionally offering child-led, unstructured time to deepen our relationship with nature and each other. We deeply believe in the importance of nurturing a child’s reciprocal relationship with nature and are excited to share this journey with you and your family. We offer children from 6 weeks-12 years old the unstructured time in a natural setting that they need to deepen their relationships with nature and each other. We offer the children a variety of open-ended materials and provocations that will challenge them to work together, use critical thinking skills, take some risks and build trusting relationships.