Everything you need to know before your child's first session. Please read this before registering. By completing registration you confirm you have read and agree to the policies outlined here.
Adventuring Into Knowledge Nature School is dedicated to providing children with rich, meaningful time outdoors. We believe capable, curious, and resilient children are made in the natural world. Our programs are built on that belief and every decision we make comes back to it.
We seek to be a program that families trust to give their children real time in the natural world, and that helps those children grow into people who understand and care for it.
AIK programs are guided by outdoor and nature-based learning principles rooted in the belief that children learn best when they are following their own curiosity in a rich natural environment. Our facilitators observe, support, and extend learning — they do not direct it.
AIK facilitators are experienced outdoor educators who hold current first aid certification and are trained in our risk management and behaviour guidance approaches. They are reflective practitioners who see every session as an opportunity to learn alongside the children they work with.
When a facilitator is away:
Our facilitators plan programs that meet the individual needs of each child, minimizing opportunities for frustration and supporting meaningful engagement. Sessions are documented through observation notes, photos, and reflection. This documentation guides future planning and helps us share each child's experience with their family.
All interactions between children and AIK facilitators are designed to support a healthy, positive sense of self. Children learn through those interactions that they are capable of success and self-management.
Limits are established based on children's ages and developmental needs, and they are explained in age-appropriate language. Children are given choices wherever possible.
We encourage acceptable behaviour through environment design, relationship, and consistent positive guidance rather than punishment or control. Our approach includes:
Corporal punishment in any form is never used and is grounds for immediate termination of employment.
If a behavioural incident occurs during a session, the parent will be notified at pickup. If a significant or repeated issue arises, we may ask that a child attend with additional support.
Children of all ages and abilities are welcome in AIK programs. MacArthur Island Park is accessible by vehicle and most of our programming areas are accessible by foot or mobility aid.
If your child requires additional support to participate fully, please contact us before registering so we can discuss options together. These may include asking your child's support worker to attend with them, or arranging for a family member or friend to attend.
We welcome visitors and parent volunteers. If you would like to join a session, please contact us in advance. We ask that visiting adults come prepared to contribute something: a story, a skill, a song, a nature find.
All volunteers must submit a clear criminal record check before attending. A request form is available at your local RCMP detachment. A Ministry of Justice clearance letter is also accepted.
Program fees are due upon registration. Fees for each program are listed on the relevant program page at adventuringintoknowledge.ca.
Our full cancellation and refund policy is available at adventuringintoknowledge.ca/cancellation-policy. Key points:
We recognize that cost can be a barrier for some families. If you need financial support to participate, please reach out to us directly at info@adventuringintoknowledge.ca. All conversations are confidential.
If a child is not picked up by the end of their session: $5 for the first 15 minutes, then $1 per minute after that. Late pickup fees must be paid before the child can return to the program.
If your child does not attend a session for any reason, fees are not refunded or reduced. If space permits, a missed class may be made up within one week of the absence. Please contact us to arrange this.
The first four weeks of any program are a probationary period. AIK reserves the right to ask that a child be withdrawn if they are unable to adapt to the program. In this case a 50% refund will be offered.
Please keep your child at home if they are showing:
A doctor's note is required before a child can return following an undiagnosed rash. Families will be notified by email of any communicable disease outbreak in the program.
Children are expected to bring a nutritious, nut-aware snack and water bottle each session. The Kindergarten program also requires a packed lunch. Please notify us of any allergies or dietary restrictions at registration.
If you would like to mark a birthday or special day, you are welcome to bring a whole fruit or prepared fruit pieces to share with the group. Please ensure it requires no cutting or washing on our end.
Children in drop-off programs must be comfortable toileting outdoors with facilitator support. Accidents are normal and children will be changed using backup clothing from their bag. For Oaks and Acorns, parents are present and responsible for their child's toileting needs.
All AIK facilitators hold a valid first aid certificate and carry a first aid kit at all times. Acetaminophen and antihistamine (diphenhydramine) are carried and administered only with prior parent consent on the registration form.
Adults must sign their child in and out of every session. A facilitator must make eye contact with you before you leave at drop off and before your child is released at pickup. No child will be released to an adult not listed on their emergency contact form without prior notice from the parent.
All AIK staff are committed to the prevention of child abuse. In accordance with the Child, Family and Community Service Act of BC, staff are trained to report to MCFD immediately if they suspect a child has been abused or is at risk of abuse.
We believe risk is a necessary and valuable part of healthy childhood development. Our role is not to eliminate risk but to support children in assessing and managing it appropriately. Facilitators conduct individual, activity, and seasonal site risk assessments on an ongoing basis.
We go outside in rain, wind, snow, and cold. The following conditions may result in a modified or cancelled session:
In all cancellation situations, families are contacted by text or phone as early as possible. Credits are applied for any session shortened or cancelled due to weather. No cash refunds are issued for weather cancellations.
Email and phone are our primary communication channels. For attendance and absences, please call or text. Do not use social media to communicate time-sensitive information.
Staff are available for 15 minutes at the end of each session for quick questions. If you need a longer conversation, please let us know and we will arrange a time outside of program hours.
If you have a concern that cannot be resolved at the end of a session, please put it in writing and send it to info@adventuringintoknowledge.ca. We operate by the following principles:
AIK programs take place at MacArthur Island Park in Kamloops, BC. We are committed to reducing our ecological impact and leaving our programming areas in the same or better condition than we found them.
We recognize and respect that we work and learn on the traditional unceded territory of the Secwepemc Nation and the Tk'emlups te Secwepemc people.
AIK takes the privacy of all families seriously. Personal information shared with us is used only for the purposes you have consented to and is never shared with third parties without consent except where legally required. You may request removal of your data at any time by emailing info@adventuringintoknowledge.ca.
Photos are taken during sessions to document children's learning and share program content with families and the public. We will never identify a child by name in a publicly shared photo. If you do not consent to photography, please indicate this on your registration form.
Photography consent is collected at registration. If you object to any photo you see shared publicly, let us know and we will remove it.
We go outside in all conditions. The right clothing makes the difference between a great morning and a miserable one. Please dress your child for the low temperature of the day, not the high. Check the forecast each morning.
Detailed seasonal gear lists are available on the pages below. These include specific brand recommendations that won't break the bank.
