Welcome

Roots 2 Rise Outdoors offers year round nature-based exploratory programs for children ages 2 to 10 throughout Toronto and surrounding areas.

Offering an alternative approach to education, we believe that by facilitating opportunities for children to deepen their connection to natural world, we are meeting a need that is vital to the healthy development of the whole child and dependent on the future of our environment.

Play

Through play, children have the opportunity to organically engage in experiences that spark their own interests. We provide children the space and time they need to process the world around them.

Explore

Exploration evokes and encourages wonder and awe. Without placing timelines and pressure to accomplish a prescribed "outcome," children have the freedom to tune into themselves and the natural rhythms of the world around them.

Connect

By exploring through play, children have the space and opportunity to re-connect to themselves, each other and the natural world in a way that is determined by their own experiences.

Our Locations

Toronto

(Cedarvale Ravine)

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Grey Bruce County

(Greystone Trails)

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Markham

(Chava Farms)

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B-Earthday Parties

We would love to celebrate your birthday with you this year! Curated experiences that meet each unique birthday child's interests.

Testimonials

"Our daughter participated in the Saturday morning program. She enjoyed the walks in the forest, getting dirty, climbing the hills and looking for adventure. Robyn was an amazing leader and opened her eyes to new things. There is no other program like this. I would highly recommend."

"Both my children had the opportunity to participate in this amazing program. From day one, it was clear that the goals of the program have made an impact on both of my kids. They have become more aware of their environment when exploring the outdoors and feel more confident. It has provided them with an incredible opportunity to connect with nature and understand how to respect and care for it. It has even motivated one of my kids to be more independently active!"

"Leo really enjoyed his experience with Roots 2 Rise! We were so lucky to have found such a unique experience of getting to learn and explore the outdoors! He has many fun memories about his adventures; all the while making some great new friends!

Connecting kids with nature...just what we need more of these days!"

"My son absolutely loves his experiences with Roots 2 Rise. He has gained an appreciation for exploring nature (especially in winter), when he otherwise wouldn’t have had much opportunity to be in the forest. I am grateful this program exists and cannot wait to continue in the upcoming months (for as long as we possibly can!). Thank you Robyn for developing a program that gets kids into nature and that is super informative and fun! Outdoor exploration at its finest!”

"Robyn's program was engaging and full of fun! My 3 year old loved 'forest school' and being able to run around and explore with friends! He loved all the different programming throughout the weeks and can't wait to return for another session!"

"Roots 2 Rise is truly something so special to everyone involved. Thank you for introducing me to (what now feels like) a whole new world!"

-Roots 2 Rise Educator

Get in touch

Latest Blogs

Victoria Zotz – Pediatric Occupational Therapist

I am so excited to be a part of the Roots 2 Rise Outdoors team. I am a pediatric occupational therapist, who has spent most of my career working in clinic and school settings. Occupational therapy at its heart is about what we do to occupy our time. The foundational idea is that what we are doing, being, and becoming

The magic of the little things

Dedicated to my dad, Arnie. My dad passed away last year, October 2022. We celebrated what would have been his 80th birthday a few weeks ago. Each day that passes I notice more and more of everything that that has been weaved into the fabric of my life. The deep values my dad and mom instilled in me over my

Pockets of time and space

In our often rushed and structured lifestyles, kids are typically shuffled along their day, directed into being told what to learn, when to eat, how to play and how much time they have for everything. Children’s programs are typically structured, where the goal is to learn a certain skill, requiring a predetermined set of instructions and lessons for them to

The need to slow down childhood

Time seems to move faster the older we get! There never seems to be enough of it, yet we somehow keep looking ahead, waiting for the weekend or our next vacation. The world seems to be spinning faster and faster, endless scrolling, newer and better things available all the time, and the striving to reach for something that just seems