Through our Kitchener Natural Areas Program (KNAP), we offer events and learning opportunities for people of all ages. We run these programs at Huron Natural Area and other spaces in Kitchener.
On this page:
About the program
The Kitchener Natural Areas Program (KNAP) is an environmental program that promotes the stewardship of our natural spaces by:
- engaging the community in environmental stewardship projects
- educating people about our natural areas
- creating opportunities for people to experience nature in the city
We offer this program through partnerships with:
- Waterloo Region Nature Club
- Waterloo Stewardship Council
- Nature Connect
- Humans in Nature
Current programs
Open the accordions below to find information about our upcoming programs.
| September 28 - Cedar Creek Club |
| Date: Thursdays for eight weeks starting on September 28 Time: 3:45 to 5 p.m. Location: Huron Natural Area Cost: $75 Age: girls aged 6 to 11 One of our first programs in 2015 was our "Girls in Nature" after school group. We're reviving it again! This group will be for those who identify as girls and will nurture growth in mind, body, spirit, heart, opening a space for connection, decompression and play after a school day. Games, art activities, and more at Huron Natural Area. |
| October 2 - Guided Nature Meditation (online) |
| Date: Monday, October 2 Time: 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Location: online on Zoom Cost: free Age: 18+ Wind down your day with two guided meditations that draw on the elements of nature to help you ease into a state of peace and relaxation. This program is suitable for beginners. This program is offered for free online through Zoom. Registration is required. |
| October 4 - Intuitive Painting at Huron Natural Area |
| Date: Wednesday, October 4 Time: 10 to 11:30 a.m. Location: Huron Natural Area Cost: $21.18 Age: 16+ The group will combine walking the trails at Huron Natural Area and stopping to paint in inspiring locations in the park. Watercolour kits, cushions for sitting on, watercolour paper will be provided. We will use the Intuitive Painting approach which requires no previous experience or expertise. Participants will be introduced to basic use of watercolour paints. They will be encouraged to practice using their intuition to guide their painting process rather than creating a pre-planned piece of art. We will paint for fun, exploration and discovery. Reflections and closing thoughts on the process will conclude the session. |
| October 4 - Guided Nature Walk |
| Date: Wednesday, October 4 Time: 10 to 11:30 a.m. Location: Monarch Woods Cost: free Age: all ages, children must be accompanied by a caretaker at all times Explore one of Kitchener’s natural areas on this guided walk. There will be time to enjoy the sights and sounds, take photos, and indulge our curiosities about nature. This program runs rain or shine but will be cancelled or re-scheduled if severe weather is expected. Please dress for the weather and trail conditions. No pets please. Meet at the park entrance located between 112 and 106 Stoke Drive. Street parking. The instructor will provide participants with a sign-in sheet and waiver form to complete at the start of the program. Note: Washroom facilities are not available at this location. There are natural trail surfaces that may not be stroller friendly. Children must be accompanied by a parent/guardian at all times. No registration required. |
| October 7 - Forest Bathing Walk |
| Date: Saturday, October 7 Time: 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Location: Huron Natural Area Cost: free Age: 18+ Take some time to slow down and connect with nature on a Forest Bathing Walk led by a certified Nature Therapy Guide. This will be a gentle and mindful stroll along the trails as we get to explore Huron Natural Area. This program includes some moments of pause to enjoy our surroundings and to practice techniques that will help you release stress and rejuvenate! Come out and absorb all the benefits the great outdoors has to offer! This program runs rain or shine but will be cancelled or re-scheduled if severe weather is expected. Please dress for the weather and trail conditions. No pets please. Meet by the picnic shelter located by the park main entrance. The instructor will provide participants with a sign-in sheet and waiver form to complete at the start of the program. No registration required. |
| October 11 - Intuitive Painting at Huron Natural Area |
| Date: Wednesday, October 11 Time: 10 to 11:30 a.m. Location: Huron Natural Area Cost: $21.18 Age: 16+ The group will combine walking the trails at Huron Natural Area and stopping to paint in inspiring locations in the park. Watercolour kits, cushions for sitting on, watercolour paper will be provided. We will use the Intuitive Painting approach which requires no previous experience or expertise. Participants will be introduced to basic use of watercolour paints. They will be encouraged to practice using their intuition to guide their painting process rather than creating a pre-planned piece of art. We will paint for fun, exploration and discovery. Reflections and closing thoughts on the process will conclude the session. |
| October 14 - Yoga Hike |
| Date: Saturday, October 14 Time: 9:30 to 11 a.m. Location: Huron Natural Area Cost: free Age: 18+ Get your vitamin-N (nature) along with your daily exercise on a 90-min yoga hike at Huron Natural Area. During this program we will get to enjoy moments of pause to stretch and enjoy the beauty of the meadows, maples and pines! The walking pace will be moderate with leisurely portions. Yoga postures will be suitable for all skill levels. No yoga mat required, only comfortable footwear. This program runs rain or shine but will be cancelled or re-scheduled if severe weather is expected. Please dress for the weather and trail conditions. Be prepared for biting bugs. No pets please. Meet by the picnic shelter located by the park main entrance. The instructor will provide participants with a sign-in sheet and waiver form to complete at the start of the program. No registration required. |
| October 18 - Intuitive Painting at Huron Natural Area |
| Date: Wednesday, October 18 Time: 10 to 11:30 a.m. Location: Huron Natural Area Cost: $21.18 Age: 16+ The group will combine walking the trails at Huron Natural Area and stopping to paint in inspiring locations in the park. Watercolour kits, cushions for sitting on, watercolour paper will be provided. We will use the Intuitive Painting approach which requires no previous experience or expertise. Participants will be introduced to basic use of watercolour paints. They will be encouraged to practice using their intuition to guide their painting process rather than creating a pre-planned piece of art. We will paint for fun, exploration and discovery. Reflections and closing thoughts on the process will conclude the session. |
| October 18 - Guided Nature Walk |
| Date: Wednesday, October 18 Time: 10 to 11:30 a.m. Location: Kiwanis Park Cost: free Age: all ages, children must be accompanied by a caretaker at all times Explore one of Kitchener’s natural areas on this guided walk. There will be time to enjoy the sights and sounds, take photos, and indulge our curiosities about nature. This program runs rain or snow or shine but will be cancelled or re-scheduled if severe weather is expected. Please dress for the weather and trail conditions. No pets please. Meet by the gatehouse located at the park main entrance. The instructor will provide participants with a sign-in sheet and waiver form to complete at the start of the program. Note: Washroom facilities are not available at this location. There are natural trail surfaces that may not be stroller friendly. Children must be accompanied by a parent/guardian at all times. No registration required. |
| October 21 - Ordinary Magic - An Expressive Arts Nature Retreat |
| Date: Saturday, October 21 Time: 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Location: Huron Natural Area Cost: $35 Age: 16+ This retreat will look at the magic of the natural world and how we connect to it. Our morning will begin with setting the scene for the day and warm up activities. We will use watercolour to paint in natural settings around the park. Reflection and discussion will follow art making. Participants will bring a bag lunch. Tea and water will be provided. In the afternoon, each participant will create a textured wet felted art piece reflecting their interconnection with nature. Reflections and discussion will follow art making. We will conclude with a closing exercise. |
| October 21 - Nature Journaling |
| Date: Saturday, October 21 Time: 10 to 11:30 a.m. Location: Huron Natural Area Cost: free Age: 18+ Step out of the busyness of life during this nature journaling program. We will begin with a short walk and relaxation techniques to warm up the body and calm the mind before settling into our practice. There will be opportunity to experiment with a variety of nature journaling techniques. Join us and discover how being still and observing nature can be a relaxing, rejuvenating and rewarding practice. This program runs rain or shine but will be cancelled or re-scheduled if severe weather is expected. Please dress for the weather and trail conditions. No pets please. Meet by the picnic shelter located by the park main entrance at 801 Trillium Drive. The instructor will provide participants with a sign-in sheet and waiver form to complete at the start of the program. No registration required. |
| October 25 - Guided Nature Walk |
| Date: Wednesday, October 25 Time: 10 to 11:30 a.m. Location: Huron Natural Area Cost: free Age: all ages, children must be accompanied by a caretaker at all times Explore one of Kitchener’s natural areas on this guided walk. There will be time to enjoy the sights and sounds, take photos, and indulge our curiosities about nature. This program runs rain or shine but will be cancelled or re-scheduled if severe weather is expected. Please dress for the weather and trail conditions. No pets please. Meet by the picnic shelter located by the park main entrance at 801 Trillium Drive. The instructor will provide participants with a sign-in sheet and waiver form to complete at the start of the program. Note: There are natural trail surfaces that may not be stroller friendly. Children must be accompanied by a parent/guardian at all times. No registration required. |
| November 4 - Forest Bathing Walk |
| Date: Saturday, November 4 Time: 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Location: Huron Natural Area Cost: free Age: 18+ Take some time to slow down and connect with nature on a Forest Bathing Walk led by a certified Nature Therapy Guide. This will be a gentle and mindful stroll along the trails as we get to explore Huron Natural Area. This program includes some moments of pause to enjoy our surroundings and to practice techniques that will help you release stress and rejuvenate! Come out and absorb all the benefits the great outdoors has to offer! This program runs rain or shine but will be cancelled or re-scheduled if severe weather is expected. Please dress for the weather and trail conditions. No pets please. Meet by the picnic shelter located by the park main entrance. The instructor will provide participants with a sign-in sheet and waiver form to complete at the start of the program. No registration required. |
| November 13 - Guided Nature Meditation (online) |
| Date: Monday, November 13 Time: 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Location: online on Zoom Cost: free Age: 18+ Wind down your day with two guided meditations that draw on the elements of nature to help you ease into a state of peace and relaxation. This program is suitable for beginners. This program is offered for free online through Zoom. Registration is required. |
| November 18 - Yoga Hike |
| Date: Saturday, November 18 Time: 10 to 11:30 a.m. Location: Huron Natural Area Cost: free Age: 18+ Get your vitamin-N (nature) along with your daily exercise on a 90-min yoga hike at Huron Natural Area. During this program we will get to enjoy moments of pause to stretch and enjoy the beauty of the meadows, maples and pines! The walking pace will be moderate with leisurely portions. Yoga postures will be suitable for all skill levels. No yoga mat required, only comfortable footwear. This program runs rain or shine but will be cancelled or re-scheduled if severe weather is expected. Please dress for the weather and trail conditions. No pets please. Meet by the picnic shelter located by the park main entrance. The instructor will provide participants with a sign-in sheet and waiver form to complete at the start of the program. No registration required. |
| November 25 - Mindful Movement in the Woods |
| Date: Saturday, November 25 Time: 10 to 11:30 a.m. Location: Huron Natural Area Cost: free Age: 18+ Connect with nature during this meditative movement class where we practice amongst the evergreens and bird calls. Similar to tai chi, this type of movement helps support health and harmony of body and mind. The class will begin with a gentle walk to warm up the body and calm the mind before settling into our practice of connecting to, and moving with, the rhythms of nature and our own body and breath. This program runs rain or snow or shine but will be cancelled or re-scheduled if severe weather is expected. Please dress for the weather and trail conditions. No pets please. Meet by the picnic shelter located by the park main entrance. The instructor will provide participants with a sign-in sheet and waiver form to complete at the start of the program. No registration required. |
| December 9 - Yoga Hike |
| Date: Saturday, December 9 Time: 10 to 11:30 a.m. Location: Huron Natural Area Cost: free Age: 18+ Get your vitamin-N (nature) along with your daily exercise on a 90-min yoga hike at Huron Natural Area. During this program we will get to enjoy moments of pause to stretch and enjoy the beauty of the meadows, maples and pines! The walking pace will be moderate with leisurely portions. Yoga postures will be suitable for all skill levels. No yoga mat required, only comfortable footwear. This program runs rain or snow or shine but will be cancelled or re-scheduled if severe weather is expected. Please dress for the weather and trail conditions. No pets please. Meet by the picnic shelter located by the park main entrance. The instructor will provide participants with a sign-in sheet and waiver form to complete at the start of the program. No registration required. |
| December 11 - Guided Nature Meditation (online) |
| Date: Monday, December 11 Time: 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Location: online on Zoom Cost: free Age: 18+ Wind down your day with two guided meditations that draw on the elements of nature to help you ease into a state of peace and relaxation. This program is suitable for beginners. This program is offered for free online through Zoom. Registration is required. |
| December 21 - Winter Solstice Forest Bathing |
| Date: Thursday, December 21 Time: 7 to 9 p.m. Location: Huron Natural Area Cost: free Age: 18+ Celebrate the changing of the seasons on a forest bathing walk led by a certified Nature Therapy Guide. This will be a gentle and mindful stroll along the trails as we get to explore Huron Natural Area, observe the seasonal changes, and absorb the benefits of being in nature. This program runs rain or snow or shine but will be cancelled or re-scheduled if severe weather is expected. Please dress for the weather and trail conditions. No pets please. Meet by the picnic shelter located by the park main entrance at 801 Trillium Drive. The instructor will provide participants with a sign-in sheet and waiver form to complete at the start of the program. No registration required. |
Program cost
Most programs are free. If there is a fee, we will include it in the program description.
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