Programs
COSTS of sessions will change based on number of weeks per session and number of days your child attends. Please see registration page for pricing.
Sessions:
2023/2024: Early Fall: September 5-October 27 Late Fall: October 30-December 22
Winter: January 8-March 22 Spring: April 8-June 14
Days Off:
Statuary Holidays: Orange Shirt Day (September 30), Thanksgiving, Remembrance Day, Victoria Day
Break Weeks: (as observed by Rockyview Schools): Christmas Break, Family Day Break, Easter Break
Sessions:
2023/2024: Early Fall: September 5-October 27 Late Fall: October 30-December 22
Winter: January 8-March 22 Spring: April 8-June 14
Days Off:
Statuary Holidays: Orange Shirt Day (September 30), Thanksgiving, Remembrance Day, Victoria Day
Break Weeks: (as observed by Rockyview Schools): Christmas Break, Family Day Break, Easter Break
COMMUNITY BASED HISTORIC COCHRANE RANCHE PROGRAMS
LITTLE SPROUTS NEW
Ages: Geared toward 18-36 months, siblings & other ages welcome too
Fridays: 10:30am-12:00pm
Fall Dates: September 13 to November 3, no class September 29
Location: Historic Cochrane Ranche, by the firepits
Cost: $15/class per family
Join our staff as we play, explore, learn and connect together in nature. This program is geared at those littles who are too young for our traditional programs yet love to move and explore. Siblings are welcome, price is per family. We will bring loose parts, go on adventures, create and share space. Please bring your own snack if desired.
RANCHE RAMBLERS
Ages: Kindergarten to Grade 6
Fridays: 1:30pm-4:00pm (we will also pick up at Elizabeth Barrett at the bell and walk down)
Dates: October 13 to November 3
Location: Historic Cochrnae Ranche, by the stage
Cost: $120
Do those Friday early bell times come to quick? Does you child need to run wild after a week in school? Do you want some extra outdoor time built into your child's week? Ranche Ramblers will fill the gap for a 4 week program until it gets too dark! Focused on the Tri Schools, we welcome all homeschoolers or other students who want to end their week exploring outdoors. We can pick up at Elizabeth Barrett or your child can walk down the hill and meet us at the stage.
MAIN SITE MOUNT SAINT FRANCIS RETREAT CENTRE PROGRAMS
FOREST PLAY SCHOOL
Ages: 3-5
Mornings: 9:00-11:30
Afternoons: 12:30-3:00
MONDAYS (Muddy Mondays) **MORNINGS ONLY
TUESDAYS & THURSDAYS (Bush Buds)
WEDNESDAYS (Wednesdays in the Woods)
(or combine for three days/week)
This program will provide all of the tools needed to confidently enter kindergarten. With an emphasis on whole child development, participants will experience a deep connection to nature, enhance their social interactions and increase their problem solving skills. Our educators bring years of experience exploring with little ones and, as co-learners, will facilitate opportunities for learning with natural tools in an outdoor classroom. Storytelling, nest making, journaling, hiking and building are just a few of the things we get up to. We will play together, explore together and learn together.
FOREST EXPLORERS
Ages: 5-11
Afternoons: 12:00-3:00
NEW Fall 2023 9:00-3:00
2023/24 MONDAYS Full Day & Afternoons
This program will provide children with time and space to explore and expand on their connection with nature. By following the lead of the children, our educators will help to deepen each child's experience of the outdoor world. In addition to learning through self-directed investigation, children will have the opportunity to work on bush craft skills, explore a nearby pond, go bird watching, play games, make land art, enjoy oral storytelling and communicate their learning through a medium of their choice. We will learn together, grow together and discover together.
SUMMER CAMP 2023
Ages: 3.5-10
HALF DAY 9:00-12:00/1:00-4:00 ($200)
FULL DAY 9:00-4:00 ($325)
July 3 - 7 Full & AM Half Day
July 10 -14 Full & AM Half Day
July 17 - 21 Full & AM Half Day
This program will provide children with time and space to explore and expand on their connection with nature. By following the lead of the children, our educators will help to deepen each child's experience of the outdoor world. Participants will also have the opportunity to explore a nearby pond, play in the mud with friends, enjoy oral storytelling We will explore together, get messy together and learn together.
Half day and full day options available depending on the needs of your child and family. A week immersed in our beautiful outdoor setting will provide a deep connection to our space and forest friends.
LITTLE SPROUTS NEW
Ages: Geared toward 18-36 months, siblings & other ages welcome too
Fridays: 10:30am-12:00pm
Fall Dates: September 13 to November 3, no class September 29
Location: Historic Cochrane Ranche, by the firepits
Cost: $15/class per family
Join our staff as we play, explore, learn and connect together in nature. This program is geared at those littles who are too young for our traditional programs yet love to move and explore. Siblings are welcome, price is per family. We will bring loose parts, go on adventures, create and share space. Please bring your own snack if desired.
RANCHE RAMBLERS
Ages: Kindergarten to Grade 6
Fridays: 1:30pm-4:00pm (we will also pick up at Elizabeth Barrett at the bell and walk down)
Dates: October 13 to November 3
Location: Historic Cochrnae Ranche, by the stage
Cost: $120
Do those Friday early bell times come to quick? Does you child need to run wild after a week in school? Do you want some extra outdoor time built into your child's week? Ranche Ramblers will fill the gap for a 4 week program until it gets too dark! Focused on the Tri Schools, we welcome all homeschoolers or other students who want to end their week exploring outdoors. We can pick up at Elizabeth Barrett or your child can walk down the hill and meet us at the stage.
MAIN SITE MOUNT SAINT FRANCIS RETREAT CENTRE PROGRAMS
FOREST PLAY SCHOOL
Ages: 3-5
Mornings: 9:00-11:30
Afternoons: 12:30-3:00
MONDAYS (Muddy Mondays) **MORNINGS ONLY
TUESDAYS & THURSDAYS (Bush Buds)
WEDNESDAYS (Wednesdays in the Woods)
(or combine for three days/week)
This program will provide all of the tools needed to confidently enter kindergarten. With an emphasis on whole child development, participants will experience a deep connection to nature, enhance their social interactions and increase their problem solving skills. Our educators bring years of experience exploring with little ones and, as co-learners, will facilitate opportunities for learning with natural tools in an outdoor classroom. Storytelling, nest making, journaling, hiking and building are just a few of the things we get up to. We will play together, explore together and learn together.
FOREST EXPLORERS
Ages: 5-11
Afternoons: 12:00-3:00
NEW Fall 2023 9:00-3:00
2023/24 MONDAYS Full Day & Afternoons
This program will provide children with time and space to explore and expand on their connection with nature. By following the lead of the children, our educators will help to deepen each child's experience of the outdoor world. In addition to learning through self-directed investigation, children will have the opportunity to work on bush craft skills, explore a nearby pond, go bird watching, play games, make land art, enjoy oral storytelling and communicate their learning through a medium of their choice. We will learn together, grow together and discover together.
SUMMER CAMP 2023
Ages: 3.5-10
HALF DAY 9:00-12:00/1:00-4:00 ($200)
FULL DAY 9:00-4:00 ($325)
July 3 - 7 Full & AM Half Day
July 10 -14 Full & AM Half Day
July 17 - 21 Full & AM Half Day
This program will provide children with time and space to explore and expand on their connection with nature. By following the lead of the children, our educators will help to deepen each child's experience of the outdoor world. Participants will also have the opportunity to explore a nearby pond, play in the mud with friends, enjoy oral storytelling We will explore together, get messy together and learn together.
Half day and full day options available depending on the needs of your child and family. A week immersed in our beautiful outdoor setting will provide a deep connection to our space and forest friends.
Additional Program Information
What to Wear:
Dress for the weather, we WILL be outside
We suggest a rain-suit and rain-boots for warmer days,
a rain suit over warm layers for really wet, but cold days
and good quality Winter gear for our colder months.
Spare mitts are also needed, a smaller pair for snacking is handy.
The ground will be mucky and wet some days so please dress in clothes that
can get dirty, mucky and messy.
Appropriate Footwear is also required for walking and playing outside.
What to Bring:
Please send a small comfortable back pack to carry,
water bottle and a healthy snack. Please also send a change of clothes
in a ziploc bag with your child's name on it, that can be stored at our main site
Dress for the weather, we WILL be outside
We suggest a rain-suit and rain-boots for warmer days,
a rain suit over warm layers for really wet, but cold days
and good quality Winter gear for our colder months.
Spare mitts are also needed, a smaller pair for snacking is handy.
The ground will be mucky and wet some days so please dress in clothes that
can get dirty, mucky and messy.
Appropriate Footwear is also required for walking and playing outside.
What to Bring:
Please send a small comfortable back pack to carry,
water bottle and a healthy snack. Please also send a change of clothes
in a ziploc bag with your child's name on it, that can be stored at our main site