Our Initiative Task Program is designed to build students’ social skills and confidence through active participation in group challenges. These mentally and physically engaging activities, including our low ropes course, provide a fun and supportive environment for strengthening teamwork and group cohesion.

Adult volunteer group leaders are required to help facilitate this program; please inquire at the time of booking for specific details.

Areas of Focus

• Organization

• Trust

• Compassion

• Adaptive communication

• Respect

• Cooperation

• Sense of belonging

Popular Initiative Tasks

• The Lava Walk

• The Laser Fence

• The Nordic Skis

• The Whale Watch

• The Tarzan Swing

• The Shuffle Beam

  And many more

A predator-prey based game which examines food chains, hunting, and conservation. Students assume the roles of Herbivores, Omnivores and Carnivores in this physically active game.  The effects of disease and natural disasters also play an important role in the outcome of the game.

This games seeks to develop an understanding of the flow of nutrients in the food chain and of the interdependency between producers, consumers and decomposers.  The effect of Man on this cycle and a basic introduction to the four elements of life are also covered in this physically active game.

This “festival” format is a collection of ice-breaker activities.

Most games are active, stressing co-operation within the group while de-emphasizing competition. They are fast paced and get participants active with a minimum amount of personal risk.

This fun, hands-on program is designed for primary grades, with adult accompaniment welcome. Large classes are divided into small groups that rotate through three activities. Program variations can be arranged upon request.

Program Components:

• Farm Animals: Students explore chickens, goats, sheep, and horses using their senses, learning what animals eat, why farmers raise different animals, and how animals differ from one another.

• Pony Rides: Each child enjoys a short, hand-led pony ride. Adult volunteers assist with leading ponies, and certified helmets are worn by all participants.

• Tractor-Drawn Wagon Ride: A safe, relaxing wagon ride through our scenic 80-hectare property completes the experience.

Recommended for: Preschool to Grade 4

Curriculum Connections:

• Science – Life Systems: Characteristics and needs of living things; growth and changes in animals

• Science and Technology: Exploration and experimentation

Step into the silent world of owls!
This high-energy, outdoor program invites students to learn by doing as they explore the fascinating life of owls. Through interactive discussion, students discover owl behaviors, predator–prey relationships, habitats, diet, reproduction, hunting skills, and the environmental and human factors that impact their survival.

The learning truly comes alive when students become owls themselves in an action-packed game. As they navigate the landscape, they must search for food, water, and shelter while avoiding natural dangers and human-made obstacles—just like owls in the wild. This immersive experience builds understanding, empathy, and excitement for wildlife and the ecosystems they depend on.

This program takes place in our beautiful Carolinian forest and garden, where students embark on an interactive exploration of the natural world. Through observation, investigation, and discovery, students learn to identify living and non-living elements within the environment and gain a deeper understanding of how plants and animals adapt to the changing seasons.

Guided walks through the forest, meadows, and wetlands are paired with hands-on activities that bring learning to life. A tractor-driven hayride adds an extra layer of excitement while reinforcing key concepts in a fun and memorable way. Our experienced staff work closely with educators to tailor each program to your specific curriculum goals or areas of interest.

Enhance your classroom learning this spring with an immersive, seasonal visit to Circle R Ranch—where nature becomes the classroom.

Students will see and take part in the exciting process of how yarn is made from raw wool. Students will actively discuss shearing the sheep, spinning yarn, producing mittens. Areas of focus will include: carding, spinning on a hand spindle and spinning wheel, dyeing with „kool-aid, knitting and weaving. In small groups, students will team up and using their own simple “spinning tool” spin their own piece of yarn to take home. This is a great compliment to our Farm Animal Program.

Understanding Earth and Space Systems: Rocks and Minerals

This highly engaging, hands-on program invites students to explore the fascinating world of rocks and minerals found in our natural environment. Through inquiry-based learning, students examine their physical characteristics and properties while developing key literacy, numeracy, and investigation skills.

Games, cooperative challenges, and simple experiments encourage curiosity and critical thinking, helping students understand how rocks and minerals are used by humans and the impacts these uses can have on the environment. Set within the unique outdoor learning environment at Circle R, the program inspires deeper thinking and meaningful connections to Earth science concepts.

Join Circle R’s enthusiastic and knowledgeable staff and come out to “Rock On” as learning comes to life outdoors!

Orienteering: Navigating Mind and Body

Orienteering is an exciting and educational activity that offers a double benefit—both physical and mental. When thoughtfully structured, orienteering develops navigational and map-reading skills, encourages problem-solving, and builds physical fitness and self-confidence.

This program introduces students to the fundamentals of orienteering, focusing on map-reading skills such as scale, distance, direction, elevation, and land formations. The experience culminates in a timed orienteering challenge through our beautiful Carolinian forest, allowing students to put their new skills to the test in a fun and engaging way.

Outdoor Target Archery

Students learn the fundamentals of target archery on our outdoor range while exploring important values such as responsibility, respect, and perseverance. The program covers essential skills including archery safety, stance, nocking, draw and release, aiming, parts of the bow and arrow, and equipment care. Hands-on instruction ensures that students build confidence, focus, and coordination as they practice and refine their skills in a safe, supportive environment.

Basic strokes, canoe safety and skills are taught to prepare students for recreational canoeing. Our small calm pond provides an ideal situation for the novice canoeist to hone their skills. Personal Flotation Devices (P.F.D.’s) are required and supplied to all participants.

L.E.A.D. gives students a hands-on opportunity to build leadership, communication, and teamwork skills while fostering positive attitudes, problem-solving abilities, and group cohesion. Through cooperative games, low ropes challenges, and initiative activities, students are inspired to step up, take risks, and succeed in a fun and supportive environment.

The program encourages students to plan, practice, evaluate, and apply life skills in meaningful ways. As part of the experience, students collaborate to create a ‘Full Value Contract’—a practical tool they can bring back to the classroom to strengthen respect, responsibility, and cooperation.

Fall 2025

• 4.5 hour program

• ($70.70 + HST) = $79.90 per student

Horseback riding is an exciting and fun-filled activity that helps students develop self-confidence, coordination, balance, strength, and flexibility. Our large herd allows us to match each student with a horse suited to their age and skill level. Circle R provides all students with certified riding helmets that meet provincial safety standards, though personal helmets that meet these standards may also be used.

Students begin with a lesson in horsemanship, covering horse handling, proper western riding position, and trail safety. Led by our qualified instructors, they then enjoy a leisurely trail ride across over 80 hectares of beautiful forest and meadows. For comfort and safety, long pants and hard-soled shoes or boots with a heel are recommended.

To ensure the best learning experience and maintain high safety standards, we will need to split a class into two groups (8 to 12 riding at a time maximum).

Western Horseback Riding 2026

• ($37.17 + HST) = $42.00 per student

• Combine with one core program includes HST $63.00

• Combine with two core programs includes HST  $84.00

For over 25 years, Circle R has offered an exciting, hands-on sugar bush experience. Students explore the world of maple syrup through interactive activities that engage all the senses.

Highlights of the program include:

• “Tap” a tree using a safe hand drill, attach a spile, and hang your bucket

• Collect sap in your own small bucket

• Watch sap transform into syrup in the evaporator

• Taste freshly made maple syrup

• Compare past and present syrup-making methods

• Learn to identify maple trees

• Enjoy a tractor-drawn hayride through the sugar bush

• Explore nature and ecology through observation and sensory activities

Curriculum Connections:

• Science & Technology: Exploration and experimentation

• Life Systems: Growth and changes in plants

• Matter & Materials: Properties and changes in matter

• Energy & Control: Heat

• Social Studies: Pioneer life

All tours are age-appropriate and led by experienced, knowledgeable instructors who make learning interactive, memorable, and fun.

Maple Sugar Bush Tours Spring 2026

• Program Price: ($18.60 + HST) = $21.00 per student (no meal) 

• Length: 1.5 (no meal) – 2 hour (includes meal) program

• Add a second 1.5 hour core program to create a full-day experience for a total of $42.00/student

• Dates available: March 1 through to April 15

• Stay for lunch and enjoy our delicious pancakes with our ‘real’ maple syrup.  Meal Price: $3.75 + HST = $4.25/person
  Tour and Meal: $25.25/person (tax included)

Cross country skiing is a fun and effective way to boost physical fitness while exploring the wonders of nature in winter. Our skiing area spans over 80 hectares of forest and open meadows in the beautiful Dingman Creek Valley, featuring more than 15 km of carefully groomed and tracked trails for skiers of all levels—including a 5 km skate skiing trail.

Students will take part in our ski school for lessons, and use top-of-the-line rental equipment to ensure a safe, successful, and enjoyable adventure.

Cross-Country Skiing Pricing 2026

• Half-Day – Morning or Afternoon Program (2 – 2.5 hours) - $37.17 + HST = $42.00 per student. Includes mini lesson, rentals & trail fees

• Full-Day Program -Morning skiing and afternoon snowshoeing, includes mini lessons, rentals & trail fees. $55.75 + HST = $63.00 per student

• 3km snowshoeing trail, as well as off-path snowshoeing

• Learn about the history, use, and techniques of snowshoeing

• Lesson and trail guided by staff

• Program aligns with health and physical education and the social studies curriculum

  Snowshoeing 2026

• ($18.58 + HST) = $21.00 per student

This is a custom program to introduce students to the world of survival and bushcraft skills. Please contact our Nature School Director, Jeremiah, for more details. Options for 1.5 hour program include:

• Fire Starting with Flint and Steel

• Shelter Building

• Tracking the Wild Ones

• Wild Food Foraging