Outdoor and Environmental Education

Durham District School Board (DDSB) encourages learning both inside and outside of the classroom. Outdoor and Environmental Education programs promote environmental responsibility by providing experiential learning in the natural environment.

Outdoor education centres

DDSB offers grades 2-12 outdoor learning programs at 4 educational centres in Durham Region.

Duffins Creek Environmental Education Centre

This site hosts a diverse range of natural habitats, which are home to a variety of plant and animal species. This is an excellent choice to showcase the importance of the Durham Region’s watersheds. There is also an Archery Range where our NASP certified instructors introduce students to the sport of archery. Duffins offers outdoor eating areas and firepits. Outdoor Learning programs at Duffins make use of creeks, forests and wetlands as well as an extensive trail network and diverse terrain features.

General Programs

Orienteering
GPS
Ecology Games
Interpretive Nature Hikes
Species Identification
Outdoor Skills
Snowshoeing
Live Reptile Educational Talks
Invasive Species
Wildflowers Hike

Signature Programs

Archery
Stream Study
Salmon Revitalization Program
Invasive Species and Wildflowers
Beaver Tales
Puppet Shows

Accessibility Notes

Classrooms are accessible
One washroom is wheelchair accessible
Some trails are accessible by all-terrain wheelchair and toboggan

Visit Duffins Creek

Duffins Creek is located at 2500 Concession Rd 7 in Pickering, ON.

Contact OEE@ddsb.ca for more information.

Nonquon Environmental Education Centre

Situated in the Nonquon Provincial Wildlife Reserve, this site provides easy access to the Nonquon River and the provincially significant wetlands. There are indoor teaching spaces, washroom facilities and outdoor eating areas with fire pits and an accessible bathroom featuring an elevating change table. Classrooms are home to live animal specimens such as snakes and turtles. The Main Site also boasts a wheelchair-accessible 260 metre-long riverside boardwalk from which visitors can view waterfowl, beavers and other wetland plant and animal species. Outdoor Learning programs at this site are focused on wetland ecosystems and their conservation.

General Programs

Orienteering
Ecology Games
Interpretive Nature Hikes
Species Identification
Outdoor Skills
Snowshoeing
Live Reptile Educational Talks

Signature Programs

Pond Study
Birding
Beaver Tales
Wetland Interpretive Hike
Chickadee Feeding
Puppet Shows

Accessibility Notes

One classroom is accessible
Wheelchair accessible washroom with bench lift
All-terrain wheelchair and toboggan
Some trails and boardwalks are accessible

Visit Nonquon

Nonquon is located at 1710 Scugog Line 10 in Greenbank, ON.

Contact OEE@ddsb.ca for more information.

Pheasant Pen

“The Pen” is located 1.5 km north of Nonquon’s Main Site. It lies within the Nonquon Provincial Wildlife Reserve but differs in its terrain. Higher and dryer than Nonquon, the Pheasant Pen exemplifies the transition from aquatic to terrestrial ecozone. This site has facilities with indoor teaching space, accessible washroom facilities and outdoor eating area with a firepit. There is an extensive trail system with opportunities for students to explore forest, field and wetland habitats and observe signs of beaver activity.

There is also an Archery Range where our NASP certified instructors introduce students to the sport of Archery.

General Programs

Orienteering
GPS
Ecology Games
Interpretive Nature Hikes
Species Identification
Outdoor Skills
Snowshoeing
Live Reptile Educational Talks

Signature Programs

Pond Study
Birding
Beaver Tales
Wetland Interpretive Hike
Chickadee Feeding
Archery

Accessibility Notes

Classroom is accessible
Wheelchair accessible washroom
All-terrain wheelchair and toboggan
Some trails are accessible

Visit Pheasant Pen

Pheasant Pen is located at 19745 Old Simcoe Road. Seagrave, ON.

Contact OEE@ddsb.ca for more information.

Durham Forest Environmental Education Centre

Durham Forest sits on the peak of the Oak Ridges Moraine. The centre itself lies within vast stands of mature pine plantations and stands of mixed hardwoods. This site has indoor teaching areas, washroom facilities and outdoor eating areas with firepits. Students begin near the classroom buildings and then venture out to explore the forest under the supervision of experienced Outdoor Educators to expand their learning, make connections to nature and experience the rich biodiversity that the forest supports.

General Programs

Orienteering
GPS
Ecology Games
Interpretive Nature Hikes
Species Identification
Outdoor Skills
Snowshoeing
Live Reptile Educational Talks

Signature Programs

Cross Country Skiing
Team Building and Co-operative Games
Low Ropes Courses
Tree Identification

Accessibility Notes

Classrooms are accessible
Wheelchair accessible washroom
All-terrain wheelchair and toboggan
Some trails are accessible by all-terrain wheelchair and toboggan

Visit Durham Forest

Durham Forest is located at 3821 Concession Rd. 7, Goodwood, ON.

Contact OEE@ddsb.ca for more information.

Summer Day Camp

Summer 2025

Durham Forest Environmental Education Centre is gearing up for another summer full of fun, learning, and adventure for 7-12 year olds in the Summer of 2025.

Review the program opportunities here.

Resources:

Frequently Asked Questions for summer camp
Register at ddsb.schoolcashonline.com
Payment can be made via Mastercard, Visa, or American Express. Registration closes on Friday, June 13, 2025, and no refunds will be issued after this date. Any changes to bookings must be made by June 13, 2025, and are subject to availability. Register early to secure your spot!

Please email durhamforest@ddsb.ca if you have any questions.

DDSB Staff: Please LOG IN to the Spark Portal in order to access programs and booking information.