Nature school expands offerings with new “Chipmunks” and “Rooted In Nature” programs

Kendra Martin and her Chickadee program students taking a snack break at Coyote Nature School. Alex Hunt photo

By Alex Hunt

Coyote Nature School, an outdoor educational alternative for kids, is preparing to open its summer-camp registration and recently unveiled new programs for 2026 and 2027.

Parents can register their child in Coyote Camp this summer on Feb. 1. The full-day nature school welcomes registrations from current families starting Feb. 1 and will open it up to the general public on March 1.

“As we did last year, we’re running two Coyote Camps this summer,” said Martin. “One will be a week-long program here at Stoneridge Farm, and the other will run for a week in Harrington around the Mill Pond. Both offer distinct, beautiful, natural environments, but they’re focused on helping kids explore, connect and learn outdoors.”

Founder and director Kendra Martin is planning to launch the new Chipmunks program at the school’s Harrington location next year. The full-day class is aimed at children ages four to seven as a transition into the full-year nature school. This program will run in the fall and the spring seasons, taking a break for winter. The Rooted in Nature program focuses on child wellness through deeply connected outdoor experiences. This is Coyote Nature School’s first weekend program and will take place over six weeks this fall on the farm for children aged eight to 14 years old.

Martin said that she plans to broaden the programs next year and will continue to run the Acorn & Oaks (parent-and-tot) program. An eight-week program in the spring and fall, the class allows parents to connect with their child in a natural setting.

“Parents and children will explore nature together while parents learn how to bring the outdoors into their kids’ lives in meaningful ways,” said Martin. “By increasing parents’ nature literacy, their children can engage more fully with the natural world.”

Currently, the school is running the Chickadees, Herons, Homesteaders and Turtles programs. One day a week, classes run during the school year for children between the ages of four and 16. Children learn according to what nature brings. Right now, Martin said students are learning how animals adapt during the winter and how that translates to humans.

Experienced students can now take on a leadership role as a junior nature mentor. In this position, they help teach and assist younger students and take part in planning what’s on the menu for learning.

“We wanted to offer a leadership role within the school so students would stay invested in the program, take on greater responsibilities and support younger kids throughout the day,” said Martin. “It’s an important role for us and we hope that they can take new skills back into their lives, be a better leader, community member and eventually come back as staff.”

Twelve-year-old Hadley Carson-Voyce and 11-year-old Jamie Barber serve as junior nature mentors, helping younger students and taking part in planning activities.

“My favourite part of being a nature mentor is spending time with the kids. It helps me learn how to be a leader, and it even makes me a better sibling,” said Carson-Voyce. “I enjoy interacting with the younger students because they have such creative ideas and it’s a lot of fun to be with them.”

Barber said she’s learned lots of life skills from the role, such as helping other kids focus during lessons, as well as building shelters and campfires.

In addition to learning skills, “We focus on overarching quality or character traits that will help kids navigate through life when things get tough,” added Martin.

Martin said when she started Coyote Nature School, she was unsure if parents would understand or appreciate the nature-education approach. After experiencing the school’s programs, she says parents have seen the health and mindset benefits the school has to offer and they keep coming back each year.

“Parents feel that this school has a huge value, and when you put something out there that’s new, it’s a risk,” said Martin. “Now I have many people who jump on board and want to get involved.”

To lessen financial barriers, some community members chose to sponsor a child’s participation by making a donation to cover costs. Find out more about sponsorship at www.coyotenatureschool.ca.

Coyote Nature School invites volunteers to support children in learning activities and as guests to share their skills (gardening, sewing, art, woodworking, etc.). Anyone interested in getting outdoors and being around some amazing adults and children can email coyotenatureschool@gmail.com or call Martin at 519-852-1842 for more information.