Get in touch with The Pine Project directly
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Type:Overnight camp
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Focus:Adventure (multi)
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Cost:$1,020 to $1,145/week
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Ages:7 to 16
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Gender:Coed
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Main language:English
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Capacity:Varies
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Programs:View 4 available; 2 TBD
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Summary Profile
The Pine Project answered our questions
Who are you as an organization?
The Pine Project is all about inspiring kids to love nature and experience the many benefits of spending time outdoors. We offer year-round outdoor programs for people of all ages, in Toronto and southern Ontario. Our flagship program, Red Wolf Overnight Camp, gives campers the rare opportunity to fully immerse themselves in the wilderness. Living backcountry, campers practice survival skills, explore the forest, canoe, hike, play games, and more. They leave with a sense of confidence and resilience, life-long friendships, and a deep connection to nature.
- Special needs:
Yes, mild support.
A few of our campers have special needs. - LGBTQ+ friendly community
What do you do differently or uniquely well?
"Unlike many overnight camps, Red Wolf takes place in Ontario’s beautiful backcountry. Campers sleep in tents and are supported to combine minimal modern equipment with ancient technology. Red Wolf provides a safe space for kids to explore nature, be curious, experience new things, and overcome challenges. We mix wilderness and survival skills (eg. shelter building and fire making), naturalist skills (eg. plant and animal ID), exploration, the arts, games and play, and mindfulness activities for deeply immersive experiences. Through these, kids learn to assess and manage risks, creatively solve problems, and recognize their unique strengths."
Who are your staff and counsellors?
"At the Pine Project, we recognize that each child’s journey of learning, growth and connection takes many paths. That’s why our staff have a wide range of expertise, including ecology, survival skills, arts and education. Our staff and volunteers are all first aid certified, have up to date background checks, and deeply care for nature and the kids they work with."
What do families need to know about registration?
"We begin accepting applications for Red Wolf Overnight Camp in October and spots are limited. A deposit is required upon registration. The balance is collected following acceptance either in full, or a payment plan is available. Heads over to pineproject.org to learn more! "
COVID-19 Response
Pine programs adhere to provincial and municipal public health guidelines as they continue to evolve. Please feel free to reach out to our team at [email protected] for the most current information on measures we're taking to ensure the safety of our participants, staff and families.
View recent COVID-19 updates from The Pine Project
Photo Gallery
- Special needs:
Yes, mild support.
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Programs, Rates & Dates
Programs and Sessions Calendar
Choose the right programs and sessions for your child; The Pine Project currently has 4 programs available; 2 TBD.
Filter Activities
Ages: 7 - 14Overnight Camp
(Coed)Wilderness Skills
$1,145/weekHaliburton, ON
276 Carlaw Ave. Unit 302Aug 06-12 $1,145/week Haliburton, ON
276 Carlaw Ave. Unit 302Aug 13-19 $1,145/week Haliburton, ON
276 Carlaw Ave. Unit 302Aug 20-26 $1,145/week Ages: 15 - 16Overnight Camp
(Coed)Adventure (multi)
$3,435/3 weeksHaliburton, ON
276 Carlaw Ave. Unit 302Aug 06-26 $3,435/3 weeks Ages: 1 - 15Class/league/program
(Coed)Nature/Environment
$520 to $2,435/programEast York, Toronto, ON
373 Cedarvale AvenueOct 02, 2023-Jun 07, 2024 $520 - $2,435/program Ages: 1 - 15Class/league/program
(Coed)Nature/Environment
$520 to $2,435/programBloor West Village, Toronto, ON
21 Old Mill RoadOct 02, 2023-Jun 07, 2024 $520 - $2,435/program
Financial Aid & Payment Details
Payment Options:
Deposit required with acceptance Yes Credit card payment Yes Scholarships & awards:
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Bursary Fund
Type: Need basedAmount: 70% Deadline: Rolling
Age: 1 to 18
Details: Our Best Day Ever Bursary Fund helps provide people the opportunity to participate in Pine programs and connect to nature, regardless of their financial situation. The Fund is a limited fund that enables people to participate who would otherwise not be able to afford the full cost of Pine programs. The fund only provides assistance for program fees, not for travel or other costs. The majority of our bursaries are for 20-50% of a program’s tuition; however, in some cases, up to 70% is awarded. Priority is given to children and families, and to educators working with children and families.
Application Details: The bursary application process involves a simple online form with questions regarding your family's financial need.
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Insider Reviews & Perspectives
The Our Kids review of The Pine Project
While all camps are unique, the Pine Project is something of a rarity in that it offers both day programs in the city and overnight programs at a rural property. It’s a nice plus, allowing campers to attend different programs, and grow into overnight camp while staying within the same organization, culture, and to some extent personnel. In all, the Pine Project presents a tried and true array of camp activity, from woods lore, to skill development, to wilderness tripping and adventure. All activities are a means of getting at confidence, belonging, and fun, which is after all what camp is all about. Programs are based on academic research and insight, particularly undertaken at the University of Waterloo, so is sound both in curriculum, intent, and outcomes. Though, as with any great camp, kids learn and build skills entirely unaware that all the fun their having is good for them, too.
Visit camp's website
Editor's Review
Three Things: The Pine Project
Hear the three things that Our Kids’ editors see when they look at The Pine Project
User reviews of The Pine Project — Read all 6 reviews
Your instructors are a cut above
Parent of a Pine camper (Parent)We love Pine camp - in particular, your instructors are a cut above all other day camps.
An experience that should not be missed
Parent of a Pine camper (Parent)“Pine is an experience that should not be missed for all Toronto youth. The kindness of counselors along with their attention to getting to know each child individually is only equalled by the outdoor experience delivere... Read More
The best education beyond the classroom
Parent of a Pine participant (Parent)“This is the BEST education beyond the standard classroom. It offers children hands on learning by instructors who care about each child as an individual, providing them with a wealth of knowledge of the natural world in... Read More
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Location & Site Details
Address
Haliburton, ON276 Carlaw Ave. Unit 302, Toronto, Ontario, M4M 3L1East York, Toronto373 Cedarvale Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, M4C 2W3Bloor West Village, Toronto21 Old Mill Road, Toronto, Ontario, M8X 1G5Accommodations
Sleeping Accommodations
- Tents
Washrooms Facilities
- Outhouses
More details about accommodations: Our programs take place entirely outside - rain or shine - in all seasons. Nature is our "facility"! Programs that operate out of city parks make use of private portable toilets. At overnight camp, campers have the opportunity to camp and live backcountry. In the true spirit of nature connection and resilience building, we have no electricity, running water or buildings (other than tents and handmade shelters). Campers have access to a wilderness latrine, similar to what you might find backcountry in Algonquin.
Is The Pine Project technology free? Yes Our camps are a chance for participants to unplug from daily distractions, expand their awareness, use their hands to create, and connect with their peers face-to-face. We do not permit the use of any electronics, including cell phones and cameras.
Property Details
Landscape
- Forested Area
- Lake/Pond/River
- Nature Trails
More details about property: Our urban programs take place at two main locations within Toronto - King's Mill Park in the West End and Stan Wadlow Park in the East End - giving kids have the chance to explore Toronto's wilder side. Red Wolf Overnight Camp takes place in the forest on the Bark Lake property, nestled between 2 small lakes, where we swim, canoe, catch frogs and watch the sun set.
Rentals & Services
Offers outdoor education program for schools or corporate groups: Yes
The Pine Project partners with local schools to deliver weekly outdoor education programming for students ages 4-16 at our two Toronto locations: Stan Wadlow Park (East End) and King's Mill Park (West End). Please email [email protected] for more information! Please note: We do not offer single field trip-style programs.
Associations
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What's New
Director's Message
Andrew McMartin, Executive Director
Many adults have a special place in nature that they can draw up in their memory. A place where they caught frogs, got stung by bees, climbed trees, or built forts. They may even be able to remember what it smelled like, what birds lived there, where the fox made its den, or a number of different bumps and bruises they got along the way - evidence of great adventures! These are the kinds of experiences we hope to impart on today's children.
The Pine Project provides a space where kids can explore, ask questions, take risks and get very dirty!
At the end of their time with us, children may have burs in their hair, clay on their face, and dirt under their nails. Each of these is a thread, a connection to the natural world that, in addition to clogging up the laundry machine, brings them one step further on their path to connecting with nature, and ultimately themselves.
For us it doesn’t matter if the child’s path is heading towards a life as a naturalist, a biologist, an artist, or mechanic. We see again and again that spending time in nature with great mentors can help a person uncover their unique gifts, and add strength in curiosity, adaptability, creativity and resilience. All are tools that we believe set up kids well for a successful future.
Thank you for considering the Pine Project. We hope to have the opportunity to help fill your child's life with fun, laughs, dirt, and adventure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does The Pine Project have good reviews?
We've collected reviews from past attendees. Read 6 reviews of The Pine Project here.What types of programs does The Pine Project offer?
The Pine Project runs: overnight camps, year-round programs, day camps. Programming specializes in: Wilderness Skills, Adventure (multi), Nature/Environment. Browse the program calendar for rates and dates.What age does The Pine Project start?
The Pine Project has programs for children aged 7 to 16.How much does is cost to attend The Pine Project?
Fees to attend The Pine Project range from $1,020 to $1,145/week.Does The Pine Project offer support for children with special needs?
The Pine Project offers some mild support for children with special needs. Please contact the director to discuss your needs.Does The Pine Project offer busing?
No, The Pine Project does not offer transportation.
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Our Kids: The Trusted Source for Families since 1998. |
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Our Kids: The Trusted Source for Families since 1998. |
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