Welcome to the Forest School in the City
Oak Learners endeavours every day to inspire learning through an authentic skill-based curriculum. Our teachers nurture children’s natural curiosity about their world with student-centered experiences. At Oak Learners, we believe every child can be successful when they belong to a truly supportive educational community.
Outdoor Education plays a key role in skill development!
Yet, in the past few decades, the amount of time that children spend outdoors and the ways they experience their neighbourhoods, have changed drastically. Much of the recreational time of today’s children is spent on indoor pursuits, even among children who live in rural areas.
Many research studies over the past decade link children’s mental, emotional, physical and spiritual health with time spent outdoors, experiencing nature. For example, students have been shown to have increased focus, confidence, self-esteem and overall feelings of happiness and satisfaction with school.
Even something as simple as looking at a tree can have surprisingly calming effects! In addition, directly observing plants and animals help children develop an understanding of “systems”, that is, the relationships and processes in nature, while building their connections to community. Not only that but learning outside is fun! Students are excited and enthusiastic to try new activities and discover new things. This type of experiential, “hands-on” learning often reaches students who don’t thrive in a typical classroom setting.
Environmental Stewardship
Navigation and Mapping
Observation and Inquiry
Sense of “Place” and Belonging,
Local Culture and Heritage
Oak Outside Programming
Environmental Exploration, STEAM, Leadership and more!
From our Blog
Stay connected with News, Activities, our latest Research and More!
Crawford Lake Field Trip – Oct 2024
On October 2, 2024, students from Oak Learners’ Royal York and Lakeshore Campuses ventured to Crawford Lake Conservation Area, where they stepped back in time to explore a 15th-century Longhouse Village!
The Best Fall Outdoor Clothing for Kids
Fall is an amazing time to get outside and explore the brilliant colours and changes as the seasons change. The weather trends towards cooler mornings and sunny afternoons, making it hard to feel prepared with the proper outdoor gear, but it is so important to remember that proper clothing lays the best foundation for building a love of learning outdoors in our children.
Supporting the Trans Canada Trail Care Day 2024
On Saturday, June 1, Oak Learners joined the Trans Canada Trail Team and the Waterfront Trail team for Trail Care Day 2024! Oak Learners was excited to provide activities for families, including a self-guided scavenger hunt on the Trail.
Our Students join the Shoreline Cleanup at Colonel Sam Smith Park for Earth Day 2024
On Monday, April 22, the entire student body and staff team gathered at the shores of Colonel Samuel Smith Park to collect garbage in an effort to contribute to keeping our shoreline and park free of garbage.
The Best Spring Outdoor Clothing for Kids
Spring is the perfect time to get outside and explore what nature has to offer, from hunting for worms to jumping in puddles. Here are a few suggestions when shopping for spring outdoor gear to ensure your child stays warm, dry, and loving the new life all around this spring.
Physical Play, Games and Student Engagement
Engaging children with activities and games like ball games, marital arts, and water sports can be a helpful solution that keeps students healthy physically and can keep them more engaged in the classroom