Click here to read chapter 4.

Earth Care, People Care and Fair Share 

creating a deep and personal relationship between our children and the natural world

What we do !

Little Knapsack club is a nature immersion program for kids. The children are encouraged to participate through an emergent, child-directed and play-based curriculum.  We encourage them to use all of their their senses to experience the world around them. Nature becomes their teacher in building sustainable relationships with the world around them.  

Our heart is permaculture and we fallow the principles of Forest School. We honour traditional indigenous management practices and its legacy to permaculture.

  

About US

We aim to facilitate environmental, social and cultural healing, without restricting the children’s free thinking with strict concepts or ideals.  Through fostering a connection with food, the seasons, animal care, the environment, local traditions and culture – The kids learn to cultivate a sense of reverence for the Earth and all of life.

We help the children stay curious and gain confidence as they discover the natural world for themselves.  Our intent is to share the most powerful knowledge held within the teachings of our environment. 

Where we play !

We alternate and meet between Colony Farm Regional Park, Minnekhada Regional Park and a beautiful local Blueberry Farm which are on the ancestral, traditional and unceded Aboriginal territories of the of the Coast Salish people.

They are all peaceful nature sanctuaries. They provide an important wildlife habitat for many bird species and various animals. The network of quiet trails is a great place to watch for wildlife.  There are countless adventures to be had in the surrounding open fields, hedgerows and wetlands forest, marsh and rocky outcrops.

 

Self Care and Nurturance  *  Sharing Circles  *  Gratitude Share  *  Sit Spot  *  Natural Crafting *  Nature Journal  *  Herbal Medicine  *  Animal Tracking  *  Improvisational Theater  *  Yoga  *  Movement/Music * Foraging  *  Gardening  *   Food Preserving   *  

 

Our goal is to create a living curriculum that serves the needs of our children on a physical, emotional, spiritual and intellectual level. Ours is an activism that works on a subtle level, by giving nature the opportunity to do the teaching for us, while promoting self-sufficiency and sustainability through education.

We honour the seasonal cycles and celebrated festivals throughout the year. It renews our awareness to our relationship with the earth and its rhythms. We watch the cycle of the seasons through our plantings. As the seasons change, the landscape change, giving the children an opportunity to notice all the wonderful big and tiny changes in the environment. 

Together we’ll learn to understand processes that support more sustainable ways of living such as growing our own food, the life cycle of plants, composting and waste reduction. Through learning about the importance of sustainable practices, the children will be encouraged to hold respect for all living things, to care for animals and to appreciate local traditions and culture.  

We play all year round, in all weathers. They will  enjoy themselves, as long as they are properly dressed.

 
“My daughter looks forward to going to ‘outdoor preschool’ every week! Little Knapsack Club offers her experiences that she couldn’t get anywhere else. The amazing facilitators make every week a unique adventure. I love hearing all about their morning when I pick her up!

”
— Erin Franklin Coates
“
Kaiden and Jaxon love going to Little Knapsack club every week, rain or shine! Their facilitators are knowledgable and have a passion for the outdoors that they share with the kids. I love that they have the opportunity to explore, connect with nature and get dirty!”
— Gina F Snyder
“My daughter just ADORES her first “preschool” experience, especially her teachers. She is excited to go, and talks non-stop about all the fun they had when I pick her up. Thank you LKC!!!”
— Natalie DeGoey
“My son loves his adventures with Little Knapsack Club. He explores and learns about nature with gentle guidance from the leaders who have such passion bringing kids and nature together!

”
— Danae Jensen
“Liam loves being outside, and the teachers at Little Knapsack Club make it even better!! I’m so grateful for the dedication and clear love of nature and children ”
— Roxanna Farnsworth