Outdoor and Environmental Education

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

Coming Summer 2025

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

Please watch this website for further details regarding Summer Day Camp 2025.

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

Resources:

• Frequently Asked Questions for summer camp