Where children are learning on the land, from the land.
Summer Camps
Outdoors, Small Groups & Hands-On
Where children are learning on the land, from the land. We offer both day camps and overnight camps for various age groups. Rain or shine we are out in it; playing, learning and making friends with ourselves, each other and the amazing living world all around us!
what to expect
Nature Immersion
Bushcraft
Plant Magic
Arts
Fire-building
Woodcarving
Games and Teambuilding Experiences!
Unique Experiences
Day CaMPS
The KAN Centre offers a variety of day camps for children of all ages. We aim to create a memorable experience that engages children with nature, play and crafts. Each camp has their own unique theme and activities that nurtures the child’s curiosity, creativity, and enthusiasm. The camps change each summer, but some of the popular camps we have offered include:
Buttercup
For younger children, between ages 3-6, this is an outdoor discovery camp. Buttercup campers get to learn new songs, do crafts, play games, tend the garden, and explore the woods. The fields and forests made for a wonderful setting for children delight in the wonders of nature!
Field and Forest
One of our oldest running camps, Field and Forest is a week long day camp for children between ages 6-12. Children get the opportunity to explore the woods, garden, learn survival skills, and play games. Rain or shine they venture into the forests and fields to engage their hands, hearts and minds.
Yoga Art and Plant Magic
This unique camp brings the ancient gifts of yoga, plant medicine, and artistic expression all into one amazing week. Stretch into tree pose and flow into down dog, play balance games, and feel your inner peace. Make poultices, teas, and salves with the helpful plants who live all around us. Bring your sketchbook to the woods and enjoy the rich textures and colours of the Acadian forest. Nourish your body, mind, and soul!
Unique Experiences
overnight CaMPS
The KAN Centre has been expanding our selection of overnight camps to give children of all ages the opportunity to camp under the stairs and on the forest floor! Whether it’s rekindling or creating a relationship with nature, campers will be outside, rain or shine, learning new skills, playing games, and
Ancestral Skills
One of our longest running overnight camps. Ancestral skills expands over two nights and introduces younger children to shelter building, bushcraft, fire-building, cooking over a fire and more!
Coming of Age Camps
We offer both a coming of age female-lead camp for girl-identifying campers, and a coming of age male-led camp for boy-identifying campers where campers learn to work together, build confidence and learn survival skills throughout the week and finishing off with an overnight. This is an opportunity for preteens to create and strengthen bonds with fellow peers, and share experiences and stories.
Teen Overnight
Ready for a challenge? This camp takes teens bushwhacking and trekking through the forests with minimal gear to camp under the stars. They will learn to pack only what they need to survive! Camps will hone their survivalist and bush crafting skills, and thrive in the wilderness!
KAN Centre 2023 Summer Camps
Registration for KAN Centre Summer camps is now open!
Find the registration form below
NEW: Buttercup Camp on August 8-9th!
UPDATE: Teen Overnight Camp is now an Adult Overnight Camp for $100
Buttercup Camp
Ages: 3-6
Dates: May 30-31, June 6-7, July 18-19, August 8-9
Tuesdays & Wednesdays 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
Cost: $65/week
This is an outdoor discovery camp for young children and a great introduction to our Forest Preschool program. We will learn songs, do crafts, play games, tend the garden, and explore the woods. Our forest trails and open fields are the perfect setting for our youngest campers to delight in the wonders of nature.
Youth Leadership Training
Ages: 13-17
Date: June 22 – 24 overnight.
Drop-off: 6:00 pm Thursday
Pick-up: 11:00am Saturday
Cost: $60
Hands on leadership and eco-stewardship training that is at the heart of our summer program offerings. Build experience in land skills, handcrafts and working as a team including building trails, gardens & outdoor infrastructure. This is the core training for the summer volunteers and staff and will culminate in hosting the kick-off Summer Pancake breakfast! Meals & tents provided.
Ancestral Skills Overnight Camp
Ages: 8 – 12
Date: July 4 – 6
Drop-off: 9:00 am Tuesday
Pick-up: 4:00 pm Thursday
Cost: $180
Come together with a community of friends and build your very own base camp at the edge of the woods. Watch the moon rise over the open meadow and sleep under the whispering spruce and fir, in self-made shelters. During the day we will play active woods games, learn to whittle, cook over the campfire and furnish our base camp with basic supplies for surviving two nights in the woods!
Eco-Explorers Camp
Ages: 6-12
Date: July 10-13
Cost: $125
Unfortunately, due to low registration numbers, this camp will be cancelled.
Join us for our 16th season of nature camps for kids in Knowlesville! We will explore the woods, follow the streams, visit a natural waterfall and play lots of woodsy games. Rain or shine we will venture out into the woods to engage our hands, and minds. Be prepared for wet feet, muddy camouflage and lots of adventure.
Yoga Plant Magic, Art & Theater Camp
Ages: 6-12
Date: July 24-27
Monday to Thursday
9:00 am – 4:00 pm daily
Cost: $125
This unique camp brings the ancient gifts of yoga, plant medicine, and artistic expression all into one amazing week. Stretch into tree pose and flow into down dog, play balance games, and feel your inner peace. Make poultices, teas and salves with the helpful plants who live all around us. Bring your sketchbook to the woods and enjoy the rich textures and colours of the Acadian forest. Nourish your body, mind and soul!
Rewilding Ourselves! Becoming Outdoor Humans.
Ages: 18+
Date: July 31- August 1st
Drop-off: 10:00 am Monday
Pick-Up: 2:00 pm Tuesday
Cost: $100
Trekking through the woods and sleeping under the stars. Join Tegan Wong-Daugherty and Shannon Herbert as they lead us off the beaten track over Skiddaddle ridge and all the way to South Ridge – we will carry what we need, keeping our gear minimal to free ourselves to fully immerse ourselves into the wild. While we will pack some basic foods, we will amplify with wild foraging. We will build fires for cooking and community in the evenings and mornings. There will be hiking and playing in the woods – as well as time for meditation, reflection and crafting. This is a special retreat from our digital, media filled world – a chance to reground in the natural rhythms of the woods and streams.
Sol’s Fire
Ages: 9-12
Date: July 31- August 3
July 31-Aug 1: 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
August 2-3: Overnight
Cost: $180
This camp brings a unique team building experience for boy-identifying campers. Harnessing our capacities to work together and support the growth of inner confidence to help us thrive, rather than just survive, in the wild. Shelter building, carving, fire craft & cooking, team challenge games and more. Build confidence and friendship as we build, craft, play, and laugh.
Luna’s Fire
Ages: 9-12
Date: July 31- August 3
July 31-Aug 1: 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
August 2-3: Overnight
Cost: $180
This unique women-led camp is a chance for girl-identifying campers to build confidence and self esteem as we explore survival skills, herbal medicine, journaling, primitive arts and cooking, songs and games.
Note: this camp will take place at Fairlight Farm, just down the road from us!
NEW: Art and nature camps at the Meduxnekeag Preserve!
Buttercup on the Preserve
Ages: 3-5
Date: Monday, June 26
9:00 am – 2:00 pm
Cost: $40
Buttercup campers will learn new songs, do crafts, play games, and explore the beauty of the Meduxnekeag Nature Preserve. An ideal day spent in the woods. Parent accompaniment is welcomed but not necessary.
Eco Explorers on the Preserve
Ages: 5-10
Date: Tuesday, June 27
9:00 am – 3:00 pm
Cost: $40
This camp is for those who like to explore their environment. Tree identification, games such as Eagle Eye and nature sit spots will have your Eco Explorer returning home with many findings to report.
Way-finders on the Preserve
Ages: 6-10
Date: Wednesday, June 28
9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Cost: $45
This camp is for those who like to adventure off the beaten path. Way-finders will have the an opportunity to develop navigation skills, camouflage and nature craft. Noting watershed topography, landmark trees and building a sun compass, your Way-finder will return home eager to show you their new honed skills.
Plant Magic on the Preserve
Ages: 8-12
Date: Thursday, June 29
9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Cost: $45
For children, between ages 8-12, this camp brings focus to the plants on the preserve. Learning about plant medicine, these magicians in the making will collect plants to make a wild crafted tea and bring home some of their plant magic makings to share with the entire family.
pROGRAMMING INFORMATION
the need to knows!
Are you wondering what to bring to camp? How to register?
We’re here to help you! If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to reach out and contact us.
Phone: (506) 375-6400
Email: info@knowlesvillenature.ca
Registration and Pre-Payment
Please note that registration and payment are required to secure your spot for all camps!
Please send your Summer Camp Registration Form for each child to camps@knowlesvillenature.ca (note that only one summer camp registration is required for each child even if they are attending multiple camps)
Full payment is due by May 31st for all camps, or upon registration after June 1st. Please send any camp payments to admin@knowlesvillenature.ca.
A sibling discount of 10% is automatically applied to multiple children in the same family attending camp during the same week. More information about payment, discounts and financial aid options can be found at the bottom of the registration form.
Cancellation and Refund Policy
Cancellations for any of our camps must be made by telephone or email request. For a full refund, cancellations must be made at least 2 weeks before the camp starts, a check will be issued for the full refund of camp fees.
Cancellations made with less than 2 weeks notice prior to camp start date are entitled to a 50% refund.
We cannot provide refunds via e-transfers.
NOTE: If public health directives are reinstated that prevent us from holding any of our camps, you will receive a full refund.
What To Bring
Below you will find a general list of things to expect to pack for camp. As all of our camps are unique, once the date nears, we will send you a list specific to that camp.
Clothing:
Please send your child to camp in clothes that can stand up to adventures, mud, and water, and still be comfortable to wear. Natural, earthy colors are a bonus! Campers should wear shoes that are comfortable to walk and run in (not flip-flops). A long sleeve for warmth or bug protection is helpful. Please send rain-gear if the forecast calls for rain! We will be outside in all weather.
Day Camp:
√ Water bottle
√ Long-Sleeve shirt & Hat for Sunny Days
√ Good Shoes or sandals for hiking
√ Change of clothes & Outer Rain Gear
√ Healthy Snack
√ Healthy Lunch
√ Backpack your child can carry
What NOT to bring:
X Electronics
XA watch
X Cell phone (we have a phone for emergencies don’t worry)
X Toys from Home
Note on Technology at Camp: Summer at Knowlesville is time to unplug! Please leave all electronics at home so they stay safe and your camper can fully engage with our wonderful programming in nature. A camera is acceptable if the device has no other capabilities (no games or internet).
Overnight Camps:
√ Flashlight
√ Good outer gear for any time of weather (rain jacket, sweater, light layers, hat, boots, crocs or comfortable sandals)
√ Largewater bottle (or two smaller ones)
√ Camp dishes (a non breakable bowl , spoon and fork)
√ Fixed blade for carving
√ Backpack
√ Toothbrush/toothpaste
√ Book to read/journal
√ Sleeping bag and pillow
√ Sleeping pad/mat/wool blanket
√ Small/medium size tarp, if you have one
√ Tent (the smaller/lighter the better- this will be carried along with gear. If children are part of the same family/friend bubble tents can be shared) * this is specific to ancestral skills
√ Changes of clothes
√ Light Colored Shirt or Coat for Night Hike
√ Warmer layers for the evening (including a hat)
√ Medication (if any) in original packaging with directions to be given to camp counselors upon arrival
Directions
Drop off for the Knowlesville Art & Nature Centre is at our main KAN centre parking lot:
111 Simms Road, Knowlesville
Meduxnekeag Preserve Camps will meet at the Yellow Trail Parking :
260 Red Bridge Rd
Drop off for Fairlight Farm is at the end of South Knowlesville Road (bus turnabout) – Go to T-junction of Simms Road and South Knowlesville Rd and turn right.
DO NOT use Howard Brook Road – it is not passable!
