Mini Naturalists Club
You're never too young to explore nature!
Building on the success of our Junior Naturalists Club, we now host a series of nature education programs for Mississauga's youngest explorers!
The Riverwood Conservancy’s Mini Naturalists Club (MNC) gives children aged 3-5 (not yet in Grade 1), along with a parent/guardian, the chance to explore the outdoors, and develop a meaningful connection to the natural world.
Dates, times, and topics for the Fall 2025 Semester (topics subject to change)
Saturday Cohort
September 13 | 2:30 – 4:00 pm | Introductory Nature Walk
September 27 | 2:30 – 4:00 pm | Butterfly Nets
October 4 | 2:30 – 4:00 pm | The Salmon Run
October 25 | 2:30 – 4:00 pm | Trees and Logs
November 8 | 2:30 – 4:00 pm | Fossils
November 22 | 2:30 – 4:00 pm | Service Project (TBD)
November 29 | 2:30 – 4:00 pm | Bird Box Building
December 13 | 2:30 – 4:00 pm | Signs of Winter
Sunday Cohort
September 14 | 2:30 – 4:00 pm | Introductory Nature Walk
September 28 | 2:30 – 4:00 pm | Butterfly Nets
October 5 | 2:30 – 4:00 pm | The Salmon Run
October 26 | 2:30 – 4:00 pm | Trees and Logs
November 9 | 2:30 – 4:00 pm | Fossils
November 23 | 2:30 – 4:00 pm | Service Project (TBD)
November 30 | 2:30 – 4:00 pm | Bird Box Building
December 14 | 2:30 – 4:00 pm | Signs of Winter
Locations
Session locations will vary depending on the topic to be covered. Mini Naturalists regularly visit Riverwood, the University of Toronto Mississauga campus, Rattray Marsh, and Erindale Park.
Organizers will notify participants well in advance the location and timing of each session.
Important Information
The MNC was created for parents/guardians and their children to enjoy nature together. It is expected that the parent/guardian of a child in the MNC will be an active participant in all sessions. The MNC is not a drop-off program.
Please note that in each session of the MNC, only one parent/guardian may participate with your child in the day's programming.
Only registered children aged 3-5 years old (as of September 13, 2025) will be able to participate in MNC programming.
No friends, siblings, or relatives of your child may participate unless they are registered separately.
Children who have begun Grade One are not permitted, and are encouraged to join the Junior Naturalists Club.
Each parent/guardian and child pairing will be registered for either the Saturday or Sunday Cohort. Switching between the Saturday and Sunday Cohorts is not permitted.
Pricing and Cancellations
A $200 registration fee covers all programs for one parent/guardian and child pairing.
Unique registration forms must be completed if you wish to register more than one parent/guardian and child pairing.
Registration cancellations can be made any time up to September 13, 2025, and are subject a processing fee of $50. No refunds will be given for no-shows following this date.