Frequently Asked Questions

Is this a full school replacement? No- Guelph Outdoor School is an alternative and complement to conventional classroom learning, distance learning, and homeschooling / un-schooling choices. Most children attend GOS 1 or 2 days a week, and “regular” school for the rest of the week.

GOS operates during school hours - won’t my child fall behind? This is our most common question from parents. Kids will inevitably miss some classroom content by taking a day away. At GOS, we know that when a child does a weekly nature immersion and mentorship program, they will enjoy a higher level of success in their other weekly endeavours - that can mean higher grades, more positive social interactions, being more helpful around the house,

Do you do Ontario Curriculum? Are their grades or certifications? No to all 3. Although, our time in the woods is relevant to all curriculum areas. GOS programs support success in life. Increased outdoor time is a demonstrated avenue towards healthy growth on all the metrics: cognitive & academic, social & behavioural, physical and developmental. Check out the testimonials page for more on that.

How much does it cost? Program costs vary, but work out roughly to $10/hr. A seven hour day-long program or a day of sunmer sessions works out to $67.00. Half days are roughly $45.00. For exact program pricing, link to the register button on your program session / trimester of choice.

What are the hours of program? Most of our programs are full day, from 9am to 4pm. Some of our programs are half days, featuring a morning session from 9am to 12pm & 1pm to 4pm. Start and End times are listed on the registration page for a given program.

Can we do a trial? Yes. Families and kids are welcome to trial a program for up to 2 weeks, and if it’s not the right fit, a full refund minus days attended can be issued. After 2 weeks, we ask that families commit to covering fees for the trimester for which they have registered.

What are your Covid-19 safety precautions? We keep an updated page called ‘adapting our programs’ here.