Community Education Programs
Get outside and have fun learning! Through exploration and guided activities, our expert educators will help you and your family connect with nature and make lasting memories.
Nature Backpack
Nature Backpacks
Two libraries are making it easier for families to explore their local outdoors by offering free "Nature Backpacks" for loan.
The free "themed" Nature Backpacks include an activity guide, games, identification sheets, a magnifying glass, a storybook, and more. Each backpack can be borrowed at no cost through the Town of Aurora and Town of Newmarket Public Libraries.
There are six nature backpacks available for loan, each focused on a different theme:
Things with Wings – Provides activities that focus on learning about butterflies, moths, dragonflies and backyard birds while searching with your compass and binoculars.
Creepy Crawly Critters – Focuses on spiders, slugs, bugs and centipedes.
Who's Been Here? – Learn how to identify animal tracks and signs of animals
Splish, Splash, Splosh – Discover aquatic habitats and learn all about reptiles and amphibians.
Buds, Blossoms and Leaves – Learn about wildflowers, and take part in a nature scavenger hunt.
Explore Outdoors – Play nature bingo, find natural treasures, and learn how to use a compass as you explore the outdoors.
The Nature Backpack initiative is a pilot project that is led by Healthy Living Division, York Region Public Health, and supported by the Healthy Kids Community Challenge, Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority, Toronto and Region Conservation Authority, Windfall Ecology Centre, York Region Nature Collaborative, Town of Aurora Public Library, and Town of Newmarket Public Library.
