Lansdowne, ON
Join us in nature-based, place-based, and child-inspired learning at the farm!
About Us
At Nature's Cool, we aim to weave a variety of outdoor learning models together, with a strong focus on Forest and Nature School Pedagogy, as well as Coyote Mentoring. Our programs take a holistic approach to learning in the outdoors, supporting the healthy development of children and youth on an emotional, mental, and physical level.
My name is Kelly, and I co-facilitate this program with two beautiful mentors - Leah and Ashley. We all share a passion for nature connectedness, community, and of course - PLAY. Don't be surprised to see us rolling around in the mud, climbing trees, and pretending to be wild animals alongsideour Forest School Friends. Combined, we have over 20 years of outdoor education experience.
Nature’s Cool
Farm & Forest School
Location: Warburton Road, Lansdowne, ON
Dates: Spring, Fall, and Winter
Days: Mondays and Fridays
Times: Drop off 8:30-8:45 / Pick up 3:15-3:30
Ages: 4 to 12 years old
Note: Children must have turned 4 years old before or during the program
Pilot Project
Spring 2024 was the start of our pilot project at the farm. We intend to support the community through nature-based and child-inspired learning. We realize that it takes time to grow something beautiful and are taking small steps towards our goal of connecting our community with nature. We planted the seeds in Spring 2024, and each season, we water them and see how they grow. Join us and connect with your local community and environment.
Holistic Approach
Program Details
All of our facilitators are experienced in
Forest and Nature School Pedagogy. We all come from several backgrounds, from certified teachers and Early Childhood Educators, to Firefighters and Homeschoolers. What we all have in common is a desire to reconnect with nature through a hands-on approach to learning in the outdoors. Our goal is to learn with the natural changes each season, taking our direction from each child’s interests and from Mother Nature herself.
Nature's Cool Farm & Forest School programs are offered in the Spring, Fall, and Winter. Sessions run on Mondays and Fridays, registration permitting. Our Spring and Fall Sessions run for 14 weeks, and our Winter Session runs for 8 weeks. You can register for one day a week or both days because no day outside is ever like another! When registering, you are registering for the full session. Unfortunately, due to the financial needs of the program (basically paying facilitators), we cannot offer single-day registrations at this time.
Our program will run on a 1:6 child-to-facilitator ratio. This ratio will allow us to work with children on an individual basis, while also supporting a healthy community environment.
Our program is fun, collaborative, and supports our community in getting outside and recharging while disconnecting from our devices.
My daughter enjoys opportunities to explore the forest, visit the farm and the animals (Duck-Duck, Taco the cow, Frankie & Mable), and to be outside for the whole day! Kelly, Leah, and Ashley are amazing mentors, making Nature's Cool Farm and Forest School a place where children can nurture their desire to get outside, explore, disconnect from screens, and reconnect with nature.
- Grace Tran
Kelly, Leah, and Ashley are incredible human beings with such kind hearts that love the environment and inspiring little ones. The farm and forest school has a great balance of forest play where imagination comes to life, and the farm, where kids can have hands-on experience with animals, learning about them and respecting their boundaries. Overall, this is a great learning experience for all ages!
I don’t think words are enough to truly express how grateful I am for this program. You’ve created something so special, a safe, engaging, and deeply meaningful space for children to learn, grow, and just be.What you offer goes far beyond learning. You create an environment where children can express themselves fully, without judgment, where they are seen, supported, and encouraged to explore who they are. That is such a rare and powerful gift.
- The Noel Family
Meet The Facilitators
Kelly
Leah
Ashley
Kelly McGann is an Ontario College of Teachers (OCT) certified Forest and Nature School Practitioner. With over 15 years of outdoor education and learning experience, her passions are rooted in nature. Kelly and her partner Keenan live on the land where Nature’s Cool Farm and Forest School operates, with their many two-legged and four-legged friends. Kelly is a certified kayak instructor, yoga teacher, and lover of animals - the wild ones and the domestic ones, too. If Kelly is not at Forest School, you can find her teaching at the local Conservation Area and the local Wildlife Rescue, cuddling the animals, building shelters, cleaning stalls, planting trees, or getting her hands dirty in the garden. Connecting communities in nature and building relationships with the land are her passions.
Leah Kiil is a Registered Early Childhood Educator and a certified Forest and Nature School Practitioner, with a BA in Psychology and years of experience with neurodivergent learners. She lives on the beautiful Gananoque River with her family, enjoying her love and passion for nature-rooted learning. She loves to hike, snowshoe, ski, garden, canoe, camp, bird watch, swim, sing, read, and journal. She is deeply passionate about getting kids and families outdoors to play and follow their curiosities, learning to show kindness and care for the Land.
Ashley Hamilton is a certified Forest and Nature School Practitioner, with a Bachelor of Physical and Health Education, and years of experience as a first responder. She is a Homeschool mom who lives in the forest with her family, spending her time following animal tracks, identifying birds, climbing trees, building stick shelters, foraging for edible plants and fungi, gardening, canning, singing and story telling.