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Gabriola Yearlong Programs

Wayfinders, Seedlings and Tadpoles, September 2026 to June 2027

  1. A child climbing a bent arbutus, grinning

    Weekly program for ages 8-12

    Wayfinders

    Wayfinders is an offering for kids aged 8-12, for yearlong nature-based mentorship in the 8-Shields model.

    The kids will learn of responsible harvesting, medicinal and food plants, natural materials, wild crafting, navigation, tracking and stalking, bird language, ancestral heritage and local ecology. With strong core routines of gratitude, circle sharing, singing, storytelling, inquiring, mindful “sit spots”, and mentoring of each other, they will experience and incorporate a nature-connected community-minded culture, grounded in relationships of respect and reciprocity.

    Program starts in Sept 2026 and runs until June 2027. Registration is for the full 32 sessions.

    Details and Registration

    Where
    Whalebone Beach/Descanso Bay
    Day and Time
    Fridays
    Sept 18, 2026 - June 4, 2027
    9:30am-2:30pm
    Ages
    8-12
    Cost
    $1800 + GST
    32 sessions
    Payable in instalments
    Mentors
    Hilary Masson
    River Brent
    Wayfinders 2026/27, Fridays$1,800 + GST · 32 sessions
    Register

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  2. A child picking rosehips into a basket

    Weekly program for ages 4-7

    Seedlings

    Seedlings is an offering for kids aged 4-6, for yearlong nature-based mentorship in the 8-Shields model.

    The kids will learn of responsible harvesting, medicinal and food plants, natural materials, wild crafting, navigation, tracking and stalking, bird language, ancestral heritage and local ecology. With strong core routines of gratitude, circle sharing, singing, storytelling, inquiring, mindful “sit spots”, and mentoring of each other, they will experience and incorporate a nature-connected community-minded culture, grounded in relationships of respect and reciprocity.

    Program starts in Sept 2026 and runs until June 2027. Registration is for the full year of 32 sessions.

    Details and Registration

    Where
    Whalebone Beach/Descanso Bay
    Day and Time
    Thursdays
    Sept 17, 2026 -June 3, 2027
    10am-2pm
    Ages
    4-7
    Cost
    $1440 + GST
    32 sessions
    Payable in instalments
    Mentors
    JoAnna Rickard, ECE
    Danica Jeffrey
    Seedlings 2026/27, Thursdays$1,440 + GST · 32 sessions
    Register

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  3. A small child smiling from the top of a boulder

    Weekly Program for Ages 3-4

    Tadpoles

    Tadpoles is a nature preschool program for kids who love to be outside!

    Nature and the children’s interests will guide our days as we explore the forest and coastline and attune to seasonal changes. Children are encouraged to experience and express their knowledge through diverse activities including story, song, movement, and crafts. As they experience their gifts in a natural setting, they will be gaining an awareness of respect for self, others, materials, and the environment. Empathy and social-emotional skill development is promoted through everyday encounters with each other. We welcome unintended happenings and experiment toward open-ended imaginative outcomes.

    There are 3 terms, Fall, Winter, and Spring. Sign up for 1, 2, or all 3!

    Details and Registration

    Where
    Whalebone Beach/Descanso Bay
    Day and Time
    Wednesdays
    Fall: Sept 16 - Nov 4, 2026
    Winter: Jan 20 - March 10, 2027
    Spring: April 14 - June 2, 2027
    12:30-3:30pm
    Ages
    3-4
    Cost
    $247 + GST Wednesdays (8 sessions)
    Payable in instalments
    Mentors
    JoAnna Rickard, ECE
    Tadpoles Fall term$247 + GST · 8 sessionsRan in summer 2026
    Hear about next summer
    Tadpoles Winter term$247 + GST · 8 sessions
    Register
    Tadpoles Spring term$247 + GST · 8 sessions
    Register

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