Outdoor Nature Programs for Children

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Kids In the Woods Initiative—K.I.W.I. is a nonprofit organization providing beneficial outdoor nature experience programs. Established in 2013, our mission is to reconnect kids to nature through adventure-play and mentoring in wild and natural outdoor spaces.

K.I.W.I. programs address the entire child, with a view to having a positive impact, physically, emotionally, and developmentally through the benefits flowing from nature-based play and mentoring in the great outdoors!

Through the delivery of programs that provide safe and fun adventures within Rouge National Urban Park, children will learn about themselves, their peers, and the environment around them in a journey of “discovery from the outside in”.

Image with Black Canadian boy in the river

Testimonials

I signed up my son Luke for the Kids In the Woods Initiative "Little Rougers" program this past Spring, when he was six years old. Luke is an active and curious boy, and like most kids his age, likes to be outdoors. The K.I.W.I. program looked like exactly the kind of program that would allow him to spend time outdoors, with the right balance of freedom and structure and the right mix of independence and adult supervision.

The day came for Luke's first K.I.W.I. experience. Although he is very energetic and social, when meeting new people and trying new experiences for the first time, he can became very anxious. In fact, when we met up with Mark and his volunteers that morning, Luke was in tears, and did not want me to leave his side. Mark demonstrated his understanding of kids and their emotional needs by allowing me to walk the first short leg of the hike with the K.I.W.I. group. I then left Luke, comfortable that he was in caring and experienced hands.

When I picked Luke up two and a half hours later, he came running up to me excitedly, telling me that K.I.W.I. was "awesome!", and he couldn't wait to share details from his hike with me. For the next four weeks, Luke looked forward to his Saturday morning hike with the K.I.W.I. group, and on the days in between, he would pepper us with things he'd seen or learned in Rouge Park. He also took pride in now being the nature "expert" in our family, and it was obvious that this gave him a sense of competence, confidence, and accomplishment.

We are very grateful to Mark Yearwood for creating and delivering this program, and to his volunteers for sharing their enthusiasm for nature with Luke. We hope many more families will take advantage of what K.I.W.I. has to offer, and will reap the same benefits we have.

Sincerely, Suzanne O.

This is wonderful! Kids away, parents at play! Kids In The Woods is a very interesting concept. We believe that this is a great initiative taken on by Mark and Company as he extends what he had started many years ago with a few boys as mentor and hiking guide. When Mark told us about this initiative we got excited and thought that this was a great way for our children to experience some of what we did as children, only that it is supervised by someone we trust and feel safe with. We also enjoyed the fact that we did not have to be there and could do other things during their time in the program. We enjoyed seeing the photos taken on the expeditions and listening to the fascinating stories they brought back.

Thank you Mark and I pray that this will go on for many years and impact many young lives. Here is the feedback from our kids.

Nallyssa: "I liked it. It's exciting, interesting, and fun. I enjoyed being with the other kids and hiking the most". Mark is very knowledgeable and patient with us.

Jaiden: "It is fun. I get to be with many boys and have fun in the woods. The animals we saw were very interesting and not usually the ones we see outside of the woods. Mark is interesting and cares about us. He answers our questions and educates us on our findings. Mark is fun to be around. I enjoyed hopping on stones to cross the river and getting soaked when it rains. Kids In the Woods is fun and I want to go back next session."

Thank you Mark for taking our kids in the woods to get outdoor experience and away from electronics.

Regards: Jacqueline J. and Claudius J.

My daughters had a wonderful time participating in KIWI's Little Rougers program and can't wait for the next session to begin! The program greatly enhanced their interest in and understanding of nature and provided a fun activity for Saturday mornings.

Sincerely, Cindy K.

KIWI is a great way for kids to get outdoors and energized. The fresh air and natural sunlight give kids the positive energy they need to appreciate nature and their surroundings. Seeing and hearing how much fun my son had each week reminds me how important it is to get him outdoors doing something fun. My son’s positive attitude is a constant reminder to me that as a working parent I get too focused on the everyday chores and that I need to take the time to reenergize also. KIWI is well worth the drive.

Sincerely, Leigh H.

My 6 year old son participated in the winter session 2014. I knew of KIWI through Facebook posts and took a look at the media coverage and knew this would be something my son would enjoy, as well as be a great learning opportunity. I remember being dropped off to a local outdoor activity club when I was young, and it's a great way for a kid to develop skills and gain confidence by interacting away from parents with a trusted adult and other kids. I was impressed with the way Mark and his volunteers lead the kids and I know my son thoroughly enjoyed the outings. I would recommend KIWI to anyone who appreciates the importance of adventure in nature and group participation.

Sincerely, Cordelia C.

In addition to my child thinking KIWI guide and cofounder Mark is the smartest person ever, this program encouraged my 5 year old son to be more confident and respectful of the environment while exploring nature. He gladly gave up Saturday morning cartoons to head out for hikes in the woods with his KIWI friends. Braylen thoroughly enjoyed the program and is looking forward to the Fall session.

Nicole W.

Living in the city, it's not easy to find natural surroundings for children to enjoy nature experiences that my friends and I had as children. It's a blessing to have Rouge Park nearby, and to have KIWI to bring it to life for the kids. Being in nature, getting dirty and being away from her parents for a while all helped my daughter to grow. And of course she had a ton of fun!

Chris U.

Our first outing with Kids In the Woods Initiative (KIWI) Discovery Day trips, Frogs and Friends edition. Al humdu lillah, it exceeded our expectations. So happy we found this organization. Looking forward to our other monthly trips with them.

There was a unanimous sentiment that the KIWI programs were more fun and engaging for all the kids, regardless of age, and that had everything to do with Mark, the founder of KIWI and facilitator of the KIWI programs.

Hope Center: Islamic Early Years and Middle Years Center

We love your program Mark! Thanks for all the great outdoor activities you do with the kids and for instilling a love of the outdoors in them. It is so important today when kids are glued to their screens!

Minaz K.

Mark, you’ve been awesome with our son and his special needs. He loves coming out each week to the program. He looks forward to it and it has helped him socially. Thank you. Christin F.

Thank *YOU* for giving our children this wonderful experience! It was such a delight to pick them up after each class and see their joyful hearts, rosy cheeks and sense of wonder piqued! Thank you for introducing them (and us) to the beauty of the Rouge!!

Joelle L.

Thank you for providing such a great and educating outdoor program. With the positive experience and feedback from my son, I think K.I.W.I. is a wonderful program. We really value the education and hands-on activities that generate positive value for preserving green space in urban areas.

Sally C.

Our daughter loved the experience. I think it is a fantastic program and we hope to join in again. Thanks so much!

Karen N.