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 day and night curriculum connected to outdoor learning at 3 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. Duffins offers an outdoor eating area, and firepit. Programming at Duffins makes use of the creek itself as well as an extensive trail network and diverse terrain features.

General Programs
  • Orienteering
  • Ecology-based Role Playing Games
  • Interpretive Nature Hikes
  • Species Identification
  • Outdoor Skills
Signature Programs
  • Archery
  • Stream Study
  • Salmon Revitalization Program
  • Invasive Species and Wildflowers

Visit Duffins Creek

Contact OEE@ddsb.ca for more information. Duffins Creek is located at 2500 Concession Rd 7 in Pickering, ON.

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 frogs, snakes and turtles. The Main Site also boasts wheelchair-accessible trails leading to a 260 metre-long riverside boardwalk from which visitors can view waterfowl, beavers and other wetland species. Programming at this site is focused on wetland ecosystems and their conservation.

General Programs
  • Orienteering
  • Ecology-based Role Playing Games
  • Interpretive Nature Hikes
  • Species Identification
  • Outdoor Skills
Signature Programs
  • Pond Study
  • Ecology Role Play Game
  • Birding

Pheasant Pen

“The Pen” is located 1.5km 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.

General Programs
  • Orienteering
  • Ecology-based Role Playing Games
  • Interpretive Nature Hikes
  • Species Identification
  • Outdoor Skills
Signature Programs
  • Snowshoeing
  • Interpretive Wildlife Hike
  • Wolf Prowl Ecology Simulation Game

Visit Nonquon

Contact OEE@ddsb.ca for more information.

  • Nonquon is located at 1710 Scugog Line 10 in Greenbank, ON.
  • Pheasant Pen is located at 2500 Concession Road 7, Pickering, ON.

Information for parents

If your child is attending a field trip at Nonquon wetland, please read our packing list and additional information resource to help prepare for the trip.

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 within the centre’s fenced compound then venture out into the forest under the supervision of experienced Outdoor Educators to expand their learning and experience all the land has to offer.

General Programs
  • Orienteering
  • Ecology-based Role Playing Games
  • Interpretive Nature Hikes
  • Species Identification
  • Outdoor Skills
Signature Programs
  • Cross Country Skiing
  • Team Building and Co-operative Games with low ropes

Visit Durham Forest

Contact OEE@ddsb.ca for more information. Durham Forest is located at 3821 Concession Rd. 7, Goodwood, ON.

Information for parents

If your child is taking a class trip to Durham Forest, review our Frequently Asked Questions and the packing list to help prepare.

Community use

Durham Forest Environmental Centre is available for not-for-profit groups to rent on weekends during the school year. We can accommodate up to 30 people. For details on fees, program options, and booking, please call 905-666-6310.

Summer Day Camp

Durham Forest Environmental Education Centre is gearing up for another summer full of fun, learning, and adventure.

2024 Summer Camp information arriving in the spring of 2024

For more information, contact:

Durham Forest Camp Director

durhamforest@ddsb.ca

2023 Resources:

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