Art Naturally

Art and nature education. Together!

Art Naturally gives K-8 students an opportunity to engage with nature and visual arts in one fun-filled day! Students spend half their day outdoors participating in science projects, guided by The Riverwood Conservancy's (TRC) experienced outdoor educators, and half their day in-studio creating a take-home art piece with the instruction of the talented instructors at Visual Arts Mississauga (VAM).

Bring your elementary school class to Riverwood and let your students experience the wonders of nature and the joy of creativity all in one fantastic field trip.

Program Options

Art Naturally offers a variety of nature education programs and visual arts programs. All nature education programs are designed to complement grade-specific Life Systems curriculum incorporating activities that promote land-based inquiry. Choose from one of the following nature education programs:

  • Life in the Wetland
    • Explore Riverwood's wetlands and keep an eye out for the wildlife that inhabit the area! Learn about local beavers, muskrats, and waterfowl as we guide students through an unforgettable outdoor experience tailored to your learning needs.
  • Urban Wildlife
    • Discover how urban wildlife and people can co-exist within one of the most diverse ecosystems in the Credit River watershed. Whether your focus is on life cycles, adaptations, food chains, or beyond, our teachers will guide your students through a curriculum-connected, seasonally appropriate adventure.
  • Birds of Riverwood
    • Come face-to-face with wildlife at Riverwood! Connect with chickadees through a hands-on bird feeding experience, and explore our fields and forests to learn about local bird populations.
  • The Credit River
    • Explore the banks of the Credit River in the heart of Riverwood. This year-round program highlights the importance of clean water and its vital role in sustaining life through engaging animal events as they happen. From the fall salmon spawn and winter tracking to spring migration, our teachers look forward to leading your class on a curriculum-connected adventure through this critically important habitat.

Then choose from one of these visual arts programs:

  • Printmaking
  • Drawing
  • Painting
  • Mixed Media
  • Sculptural

Dates and Pricing for the 2024-2025 School Year

Art Naturally programs are only available Thursdays on the following dates:

October 10, 17, 31 – FULLY BOOKED
April 3, 10, 17, 24 – FULLY BOOKED
May 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
June 5, 12, 19, 26

Bookings for fall dates must be made by September 27, 2024

Bookings for spring dates must be made by February 7, 2025

$27 per student ($405 minimum)

Additional fees apply to classes of 30 or more students or classes from outside of Mississauga

Cancellation Policy

When a program must be cancelled by TRC/VAM or the school/group (E.g., in the case of inclement weather or bus cancellations), TRC/VAM and the school/group will attempt to re-schedule. Inclement weather includes, but is not limited to thunderstorms, high winds, flooding and temperature extremes.

Due to the high demand for programs, schools/groups who want to cancel their programs without penalty must communicate and be confirmed by TRC/VAM in writing no later than one month prior to the scheduled program.

The charge for a cancelled program is 50 percent of the booked program fee. A school/group may re-schedule their program without a charge, if booked within the current calendar year.

Schools will not be allowed to book or participate in more programs if they have invoices outstanding more than 120 days.

In cases where TRC/VAM cancels due to weather, illness, insufficient enrollment and we are unable to re-schedule. We will attempt to re-schedule or refund as determined by circumstances. Full refunds will be issued.

If the cancellation is due to the occurrence of a traumatic event at the school/group, at the discretion of TRC/VAM, the cancellation charge may be waived.

Program Booking and Payment

Complete the form below to book your Art Naturally program. Please note that separate forms must be submitted for each program you wish to book for your class.

After submitting your form, you will receive an email from artreach@visualartsmississauga.com with details on your program and a program contract. Contracts must be signed and returned to confirm bookings.

Visual Arts Mississauga will send an invoice to your school or organization after the delivery of your requested program(s).

Book your Art Naturally program