Sprouts Forest Program · For preschool-age children · Winter & Spring 2026

Where capable
kids are made.

Three hours in the forest at MacArthur Island Park. Real mud, real trees, real learning. This is not a drop-in or a daycare. It is three hours of genuine outdoor time, and it shows.

Get on the list Learn about the program
🌿  Returning Sprouting Knowledge families: You are always welcome here. Your child's spot is waiting.
Ages
3 – 5
Must be potty trained
Location
MacArthur Island Park
Kamloops, BC
Program hours
9am – 12pm
Mon, Tue, Wed, or Thu
Class size
Max 12
2 facilitators per class
About the program

The forest does the teaching.

Sprouts is our outdoor forest program for preschool-age children, ages 3 to 5. Every session takes place entirely outdoors at MacArthur Island Park, in all seasons and most weather. Drop off and pick up is at the Kamloops Sports Council parking lot. This is not a backup plan when the gym is booked. The forest is the plan.

Children spend their mornings climbing, digging, building, exploring, and learning to read the natural world around them. They develop confidence, independence, resilience, and the kind of problem-solving that comes from real challenges in real environments.

Our facilitators guide the experience without directing every moment. They know when to step in and when to step back. That balance is where capable kids are made.

Sprouts continues the tradition built by Sprouting Knowledge, now under the Adventuring Into Knowledge Nature School umbrella. The faces, the place, and the spirit of that program all carry forward.

What carries forward from Sprouting Knowledge
Everything that made it worth loving.
  • MacArthur Island Park as home base
  • Small class sizes with two experienced facilitators
  • Child-led exploration with supported risk-taking
  • Year-round programming in all weather
  • A community of families who understand why this matters
  • The belief that capable kids are made outside, not in
A day in the forest

What your child's morning looks like.

Every session follows a familiar rhythm. Predictability helps children feel safe enough to take risks and go deep into play.

9:00 – 9:15
Arrival
Families arrive and children transition in at their own pace. Gear check, greetings, and settling in.
9:15 – 9:30
Morning Circle
The group gathers. Songs, stories, a look at the day ahead. This is where community gets built.
9:30 – 10:00
Snack Time
A pause before the adventure begins. Children bring their own snacks. A moment to fuel up and connect.
10:00 – 11:30
Free Exploration
The longest and most important block. Children lead. Facilitators observe, support, and extend.
11:30 – 11:45
Clean Up and Head Back
Children help tidy the space, gather their gear, and make their way back together for closing.
11:45 – 12:00
Closing Circle
Stories from the day. A moment of reflection. Goodbyes that give children closure before pickup.
Program fees

Choose your days.

Families choose one, two, three, or four days per week. Fees are paid by session. One day is $38 per class. Two or more days is $35 per class. Winter and Spring 2026 session dates are being confirmed. Register your interest now to secure your spot.

01
1 day / week
One day
$494
per session
$38 per class  ·  Mon, Tue, Wed, or Thu
Most popular
02
2 days / week
Two days
$910
per session
$35 per class  ·  Choose any two days
03
3 days / week
Three days
$1,365
per session
$35 per class  ·  Choose any three days
04
4 days / week
Four days
$1,820
per session
$35 per class  ·  Mon through Thu
Stat holidays: AIK does not run on BC statutory holidays. Fees are pro-rated to reflect any cancelled sessions.  ·  Payment is made online at time of registration by credit card via Stripe.  ·  Spots are held on a first-come, first-served basis and are only confirmed once payment is received.
What to bring

Dressed for the forest.

We go out in rain, wind, mud, and cold. The right gear makes the difference between a miserable morning and a magical one.

Every session — rain or shine
  • Rain jacket and rain pants (waterproof, not just water-resistant)
  • Rubber boots or waterproof hiking boots
  • Warm base layer (even in warmer months — forest mornings are cool)
  • Weather-appropriate mid layer
  • Change of clothes in a labelled bag
  • Snack and water bottle (nut-aware snacks please, we are a nut-aware program)
  • Small backpack the child can carry themselves
  • Sunscreen applied before arrival in warmer months
Good to know
  • Label everything. Gloves, hats, and jackets go missing in the forest.
  • Children are expected to manage their own gear as much as possible. This is part of the program.
  • We do not cancel for rain. We do not cancel for cold. We may cancel for lightning, extreme wind, or wildfire smoke. You will be notified directly.
  • Muddy clothes come home muddy. This is a feature, not a bug.
  • A full gear list is included in the Parent Handbook sent upon registration.

Not sure what to buy? We have gear recommendations in the parent handbook that won't break the bank.

Common questions

Before you register.

Yes. Children must be fully potty trained before their first session. We spend our mornings deep in the forest and managing diapers or pull-ups is not something our facilitators are equipped to do while maintaining the safety and experience of the group. Accidents happen and that's completely fine — that is why we ask families to pack a full change of clothes every day.
We go out anyway. Rain is part of the forest, not a reason to stay home. Children in proper rain gear have some of their best sessions in wet weather. The only conditions we cancel for are lightning, extreme wind events, and air quality advisories due to wildfire smoke. If cancellation is ever necessary, families are notified by email as early as possible.
Day changes are subject to availability and must be requested in writing at least two weeks before the change takes effect. We cannot guarantee availability on alternate days. If you're unsure which days work best for your family, starting with one or two days is always a good way to find your rhythm before committing to more.
We do not offer credits or refunds for individual absences. If your child is unwell, please keep them home — we ask that children be symptom-free for 24 hours before returning. Fees are structured around the session as a whole, not individual attendance, which allows us to plan and staff consistently. If your child misses an extended period due to illness, please reach out and we will do our best to work with you.
No. Sprouts is a recreational outdoor forest program, not a licensed childcare facility or preschool under BC's Child Care Licensing Regulation. We operate entirely outdoors, which places us outside the licensing framework that applies to indoor facilities. Our facilitators are experienced outdoor educators with first aid training. We are not a substitute for licensed childcare and do not provide childcare receipts for tax purposes.
Each day has a maximum of 12 children. Spots are held on a first-come, first-served basis and are only confirmed once registration and payment are complete. Returning Sprouting Knowledge families will be notified first. If a day you want is full, contact us to be added to the waitlist.
Written notice of withdrawal is required a minimum of 14 days before your child's last session. Fees paid beyond the notice period are non-refundable. Registration fees are non-refundable. Please review the full terms in the Parent Consent and Waiver document before registering.
Winter & Spring 2026

Dates coming soon.

Winter and Spring session dates are being confirmed. Spaces are limited to 12 children per day and fill quickly. Get on the list now and you will hear from us first when registration opens.

01
Read the waiver
Download and review before you register.
02
Complete registration
Fill out your child and family details.
03
Pay online
Secure payment via Stripe. Spot confirmed.
04
Get your handbook
Parent handbook arrives by email within 48 hours.
Join the waitlist for upcoming sessions ↓ Download waiver (PDF)
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