What age groups do you serve?

We primarily serve children ages 5-15 though our family-focused approach means younger siblings and older teens often participate in age-appropriate ways. Parents are active participants in the learning process.

Where in Eastern Ontario do you operate?

We serve families throughout Eastern Ontario, including: - Ottawa and the Ottawa

Valley - Kingston and the Thousand Islands region - Cornwall and the St. Lawrence River

area - Pembroke and the Upper Ottawa Valley - Gatineau Park region as well as Toronto and the GTA- Surrounding rural communities.

Our programs take place in various outdoor locations across the region, with activities scheduled based on member interest and seasonal opportunities. We have a base camp set on 50 acres near Sharbot Lake, Ontario.

Do you offer programs in French?

Yes! We serve both English and French-speaking families. Patrick is bilingual and the community welcomes francophone families throughout Eastern Ontario.

How do I join the community?

Joining is simple:

1. Visit our Skool community page

2. Click “Join Community” (it’s free!)

3. Complete your family profile

4. Introduce yourself in the welcome thread.

5. Browse upcoming events and activities

6. Start connecting with other families

What makes Outdoor Kids different from traditional programs?

Outdoor Kids vs Traditional Indoor Programs: - Location: Natural outdoor settings vs

indoor classrooms - Learning Style: Hands-on experiential learning vs lecture-based

instruction - Community: Ongoing family network and peer support vs one-off classes 

Languages: Bilingual (English/French) vs typically English-only.

Philosophy: 

Parent-guided skill development vs instructor-dependent learning - Cost: Free

community membership vs expensive program fees

Is this a homeschooling program?

While many homeschooling families participate, Outdoor Kids serves all families—whether you homeschool, unschool, or have children in traditional schools. Our focus is on supplementing any educational approach with practical outdoor skills and nature connection.

What if I don’t have outdoor experience myself?

That’s exactly who we serve! Our community provides clear instructions, ideas, and

encouragement designed for busy parents who want to guide their children but may not

have extensive wilderness experience themselves. We learn together.

What are the type of skills you will learn?

• 🔥 Fire-building and outdoor safety

• 🏕️ Shelter construction

• 🪓 Tool use and craftsmanship

• 🧭 Navigation and orienteering (map & compass)

• 🐾 Wildlife identification and tracking

• 🍳 Outdoor cooking and camping essentials

• 🌿 Seasonal survival skills

• 🌲 Nature connection and sensory awareness

Who Is This For?

Outdoor Kids welcomes ALL families — homeschoolers, unschoolers, and kids in traditional schools. Whether you're an experienced camper or have never built a fire, you belong here.

• ✅ Families in Ottawa, Kingston, Cornwall, Pembroke, Toronto, GTA & surrounding areas

• ✅ Parents who want more outdoor time for their kids

• ✅ Homeschool and nature-school families

• ✅ Francophone families (bilingual community — English & French)

• ✅ Beginners and experienced outdoor families alike

How often do you meet?

Activity frequency varies based on member interest and seasonal opportunities. Our Skool platform allows families to: 

- Organize informal meetups 

- Share ongoing outdoor projects 

- Schedule seasonal events

- Connect for skill-sharing sessions 

- Support each other’s outdoor journeys year-round

What does membership cost?

Community membership is completely free. We believe every Eastern Ontario family should have access to outdoor education and wilderness connection, regardless of financial means.

Hands-on onsite event have a cost based on the duration and resources needed for example:

-Fire building workshop - ~$20 per parent + child (duration - 60 min)

-Weekend - learn to camp with Patchy  ~$1500 for a family of 4 (duration Friday 6pm to Sunday 12noon)

You are in good hands with us:

• Patrick Beriault — bilingual, 20+ years physical rehabilitation and cognitive neuro science studies at Ottawa U

• Developmental approach to skill-building in a judgement free zone

• Family-inclusive, judgment-free community

• Free membership to Skool