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 2026 Semester (topics subject to change)

September 6 | 2:30 – 4:00 pm | Nature Walk
September 20 | 2:30 – 4:00 pm | Butterfly Nets
October 4 | 2:30 – 4:00 pm | Salmon Run
October 18 | 2:30 – 4:00 pm | Trees & Logs
November 1 | 2:30 – 4:00 pm | Fossils
November 15 | 2:30 – 4:00 pm | Service Project
November 29 | 2:30 – 4:00 pm | Nature Craft
December 13 | 2:30 – 4:00 pm | Signs of Winter

Pricing and Cancellations

A $200 registration fee covers all programs for one parent/guardian and child pairing.

Registration cancellations can be made any time up to September 6, 2026, and are subject a processing fee of $50. No refunds will be given for no-shows following this date.

Locations

Session locations will vary, depending on the topic to be covered. Mini Naturalists regularly visit Riverwood, the University of Toronto Mississauga campus, Erindale Park, Hewick Meadows, the Small Arms Inspection Building, and Jack Darling Memorial Park to name a few.

Organizers will notify parents on the Thursday prior to each Sunday session about the location and provide additional session information.

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. However, that one parent/guardian doesn't have to be the one who registered for the program. For example, any parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle, family friend, etc. can take part in any given session, as long as only one adult accompanies your child to the session.

Only registered children aged 3-5 years old (as of September 6, 2026) 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.