Nature Kids

Nature Kids for Every Season!

Nature Kids is Green Venture’s nature-based, drop-off program for children aged 5 - 13, with space for youth volunteer guides ages 14+! Nature Kids aims to increase access to nature in childhood, providing opportunities for children and youth to get outside, engage with nature, and stay active.

We run outdoors all year round! During the school year, Nature Kids runs as an afterschool program and is free of charge for all participants. Priority is given to children who identify as belonging to one or more equity-deserving groups. The Fall, Winter, and Spring seasons run weekly after school, and new in 2025, the summer season was run as a full-day day camp with potential for future years to follow. We share program dates and registration details on this page when registration opens each season. Feel free to contact us at [email protected] with any questions.

Our Nature Kids fall series will run from September 17 to October 15, Thursdays from 4:30pm - 6pm. You can drop your child off up to 30 minutes early.

PLEASE NOTE: Our program runs in English, but we have a Spanish registration form available for those who need it. Contact us at [email protected] with any questions or to request support in other languages.

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Fall 2026 Season

Join us at Fall Nature Kids for a weekly afterschool adventure in nature! Our season will run from September 17 to October 15, running weekly on Thursdays from 4:30pm to 6pm. Drop off can happen as early as 4pm. Registration will open August 17th and close on September 13 at 11:59pm.

Register A Participant

Volunteer with Nature Kids

We are now taking volunteers for the 2026 fall season! The program will run from September 17 to October 15, Thursdays from 3:30pm - 6:30pm. There is an additional, mandatory in-person training session on September 10th, from 4pm - 6pm.

Be a Volunteer

Volunteering with Nature Kids is a perfect opportunity to work with children, in a nature setting.

Work with kids outdoors
Learn new skills
Make a difference in Hamilton
Earn 15+ volunteer hours
Build your resume

This program requires an application process, and there is a mandatory in-person training day.

Please reach out to us if you would like to discuss any barriers to participation that you may experience. Owning appropriate outdoor gear is not a requirement to volunteer as we are able to lend this to volunteers as needed.

Please contact us at [email protected] if you have any questions or for more information.

* Volunteers must be 14 years of age to apply. Children between the ages of 11 and 13 can register for a regular spot and participate in the program or, if they are interested, they can request to be a "helper" to younger participants. Volunteers 18 and older are required to submit a police background check.

Nature Kids Through the Seasons

Nature Kids runs in all seasons!

Summer
In 2025 and 2026, we ran Nature Kids Summer Camp! Summer is a wonderful time to spend quality time outdoors. Kids join staff and volunteer guides at EcoHouse and enjoy fun, engaging activities. Some of our favourite 2026 nature activities included: visiting the local creek to explore and splash in the water, creating tumeric sun prints and homegrown crystals, building shelters and forts, and simply having time and space to play, observe, get dirty and make connections in nature.

Fall
The crisp air, bright leaves and abundance of insects and seeds make fall an exciting time to be outside. Some of our favourite activities included: bug observation, scavenger hunts, shelter building, leaf mask painting, fall hikes ,and so much more!

Winter
Yes, we still run in the winter! Campers bundle up and we embrace the cold and the snow. We’ve gone box sledding down our small hill, built snow forts and castles, played winter animal games and made clay paints using natural materials. We also take time to warm up and get cozy playing games and creating indoors in our heated building.

Spring
The world is waking up again! In spring, we’ve searched for signs of frogs, made seed balls, gone birdwatching, built shelters, searched for crawfish, created nature art and planted in the garden. We love the joy of mud season and observing bugs, buds and birds in the warmer weather.