School and Group Programs at John Janzen Nature Centre

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Facility Closure

January 2026 - The John Janzen Nature Centre remains closed due to a significant flood in April 2025 that was caused by a burst pipe. The basement of the nature centre was fully submerged. The building’s electrical and HVAC systems were completely destroyed, as were much of the contents in the basement. Repair work is scheduled to begin soon and the Nature Centre is expected to reopen in summer 2026.

Summer day camps and other nature centre programs have been relocated to other City of Edmonton facilities where space and staffing allow.

The John Janzen Nature Centre is nestled in the heart of the River Valley, the largest stretch of urban parkland in North America. Our goal is to promote stewardship of our natural world through experiences that build appreciation, encourage discovery and inspire action for the ecological challenges that the River Valley faces. Join us, and discover Edmonton naturally!

School/Groups Program Package

Preschool and Kindergarten

A Walk in the Valley

Tread among the trees in this nature program that uses the senses! Discover how soft moss is, hear the birds, see the blue sky above and smell the damp earth. Discover different plants, learn about local wildlife and play some forest games. We'll go out on a limb and say that we are going to have a great time!

Program Length: 1 hour
Fee: $205
Program supervision ratios apply (see program package) and must fit within the people limits.
Availability: All Year
Curriculum Links and Themes:

General Nature
Senses
Local Wildlife

Dino Discovery - Currently Unavailable

Discover dinosaurs through sensory play! In this hands-on program, we will discover the world of dinosaurs through activities that engage the senses and inspire learning. Dig for dino fossils, sort meat eaters from plant eaters and get a hands-on fossil experience. What a roaring great time!

Program Length: 1 hour
Fee: $205
Program supervision ratios apply (see program package) and must fit within the people limits.
Available: All year
Curriculum Links and Themes:

Dinosaurs
Senses
Fossils

Peter Rabbit Comes for a Visit - Currently Unavailable

Peter Rabbit is in town and it’s his birthday! All of the animals are invited to celebrate, but no one has come. Through fun games and activities, we'll discover how animals adapt to the seasons and make their homes in Edmonton!

Program Length: 1 hour
Fee: $205
Program supervision ratios apply (see program package) and must fit within the people limits.
Availability: September-March
Curriculum Links and Themes:

Animal Adaptations
Seasons
Local Wildlife

Choose Your Nature Adventure (includes Tegler time) - Ages 10 and Under - Currently Unavailable

A blend of 30 minutes of free play in the Tegler Discovery Zone and 30 minutes of guided activities led by one of our natural history interpreters! Choose from one of the following topics for your activities: birds, pollinators, bugs, or mammals! If you would like additional Tegler time and access to the facility after your 1-hour program, let the bookings team know and they can discuss add-on options with you! Tegler time can also be added to our other programs if the children are ages 10 and under.

Program Length: 1 hour
Fee: $205
Program supervision ratios apply (see program package) and must fit within the people limits.
Availability: All Year
Curriculum Links and Themes:

Local wildlife
Crawling and flying animals
Needs of animals and plants
Animal life cycles

Grades 1-3

Busy Bees and Bugs - Currently Unavailable

Look into the lives of our crawling and flying friends! We’ll take a look at a working beehive, learn about plants the help pollinators and go on a hunt under the leaves and logs. Get a taste of the hard work of bees and a new appreciation for the forests tiniest creatures.

Program Length: 90 minutes
Fee: $220
Program supervision ratios apply (see program package) and must fit within the people limits.
Availability: May-October
Curriculum Links and Themes:

Needs of animals and plants
Crawling and flying animals
Animal life cycles

Clever Creatures

What does a woodpecker eat? Where does a beaver sleep? Where did that sparrow go? We'll take a close look at how animals build their homes, what they eat and how they adapt to the city. We'll try our hand at nest building or food gathering and see if we are as clever as the creatures!

Program Length: 90 minutes
Fee: $220
Program supervision ratios apply (see program package) and must fit within the people limits.
Availability: All year
Curriculum Links and Themes:

Needs of animals and plants
Crawling and flying animals
Building with materials

Explore the Season

Snow, flowers, leaves, sticks and then more snow! Join us as we take a close look at the seasons of the River Valley. We'll talk about how the changes affect the plants and animals, how we adapt to the season and take a close look at ways of measuring temperature. Snow or sun, we'll be prepared!

Program Length: 90 minutes
Fee: $220
Program supervision ratios apply (see program package) and must fit within the people limits.
Availability: All year
Curriculum Links and Themes:

Seasonal changes
Hot and cold

Choose Your Nature Adventure (includes Tegler time) - Ages 10 and Under - Currently Unavailable

Program Length: 1 hour
Fee: $205
Program supervision ratios apply (see program package) and must fit within the people limits.
Availability: All Year
Curriculum Links and Themes:

Local wildlife
Crawling and flying animals
Needs of animals and plants
Animal life cycles

The Very Hungry Salamander - Currently Unavailable

What do salamanders eat? What else lives in a pond? Explore where the salamanders live and discover the life cycles and food chains of local critters as we dip into our Prairie Pond. This program won't leave you hungry for answers!

Needs of animals and plants
Crawling and flying animals
Animal life cycles

Grades 3-6

Life Cycles and Ecosystems

Explore the river valley while discovering the differences between the life cycles of a bird, an insect, a mammal, and a plant! Through games and exploration on the trails in the forest, you’ll discover how organisms change as they grow up and how they interact in an ecosystem!

Program Length: 90 minutes
Fee: $220
Program supervision ratios apply (see program package) and must fit within the people limits.
Availability: All year
Curriculum Links and Themes:

Life cycles
Wetlands ecosystems

Stalking and Tracking

Investigate habitats around the Nature Centre for tracks and traces that animals leave behind. Practice identifying tracks with our animal track replicas, hone your hiding skills and practice stalking prey with a game! We'll find who's been wandering through the woods for sure!

Program Length: 90 minutes
Fee: $220
Program supervision ratios apply (see program package) and must fit within the people limits.
Availability: All year
Curriculum Links and Themes:

Life cycles
Evidence and investigation

Choose Your Nature Adventure (includes Tegler time) - Ages 10 and Under - Currently Unavailable

Program Length: 1 hour
Fee: $205
Program supervision ratios apply (see program package) and must fit within the people limits.
Availability: All Year
Curriculum Links and Themes:

Local wildlife
Crawling and flying animals
Needs of animals and plants
Animal life cycles

Tree-mendous Trees

Take a walk on the shady side! Classify plants on the trails and learn about the different uses they have. We'll take a close look some issues in forest use and how we can plan for our urban forest. You'll have a great time, we guaran-tree!

Program Length: 90 minutes
Fee: $220
Program supervision ratios apply (see program package) and must fit within the people limits.
Availability: All year
Curriculum Links and Themes:

Plant growth and changes
Trees and forests

Junior High

Ecosystems - Currently Unavailable

Humans depend on the environment to live, just like every other species on Earth. This program explores the ecosystems of Edmonton’s river valley and how we use the environment for our needs, such as food, water, and much more. Join us to find out what makes the river valley a special place in the city!

Program Length: 90 minutes
Fee: $220
Program supervision ratios apply (see program package) and must fit within the people limits.
Availability: All year
Curriculum Links and Themes:

Interactions and Ecosystems
Plants for Food and Fibre

Wetlands - Currently Unavailable

Explore a wetland and get inspired to be a changemaker! In this program, we'll test the water quality of a pond and determine possible impacts of urban development. We'll discover the importance of wetland organisms, ecosystems and current conservation tactics. Small actions create big change!

Freshwater & saltwater ecosystems
Environmental chemistry

Additional Information

Our programs are designed to complement the Alberta curriculum and badge themes for Science. But If you are looking to cover a specific topic that you do not see here or require a shorter program, please connect with our team. We are happy to help.

Booking Checklist

Please be prepared with the following information to make your booking:

Program name
2-3 potential program dates
School mailing address, including postal code, school telephone number, and fax number
Contact name and names of teachers for all classes being booked
Email address(es) of teacher(s) booking and attending the program
Number of students attending
Number of supervisors
Individuals with diverse abilities/accessibility arrangements
Name and cell phone number of on-site contact person for programs at your school

Three kids wearing green pinnies that say "Daycamp" on the back.

Day Camps

Explore nature with hands on activities and adventures in the Edmonton River Valley!

Book Your School or Group Program

(2025/26 School Year)

Fees and Payment

The amount owing is shown on your program booking confirmation. Payment is required prior to the program. Invoices are sent out by the City on the first of each month. You will receive your invoice in the same month as your program runs. For example: for a May booking, your invoice will be issued May 1. Payment can be made by cheque, Visa, MasterCard and American Express. Please have cheques made payable to the City of Edmonton and write your booking confirmation numbers on your cheques.

Credit card payment can be made over phone by calling 311.

Mail cheques to:
Citizen Services Payment Processing
PO Box 2359
19th Floor, Edmonton Tower
Edmonton AB, T5J 2R7

Group Size

The maximum number of students permitted in a program is 35. The maximum number of adults permitted in a program is 10. Groups exceeding 35 students must book an additional program.

Adults are required to remain with their group and supervise participating students at all times during the program. Adult supervisors are strongly recommended as per these ratios:

Pre-school (3-4 years): 1 adult per 3 students
Kindergarten - Grade 6: 1 adult per 5 students
Grades 7-12: 1 adult per 10 students

Your group may have a higher number of adults than the recommended ratios, but group size limits still apply. For example, your group could have 16 students, 16 adults, and 1 teacher for a group size of 33.

Additional adults and children exceeding the group size limits will be asked to pay facility admission fees and tour the facility on their own. Additional participants can rejoin their group after the program ends.

Planning Your Visit

The John Janzen Nature Centre explores a variety of outdoor spaces during your program in sun, snow or rain. Please ensure your group is prepared for the weather and wears closed-toed shoes. If you are planning for your group to stay at the facility outside of your scheduled program time, note that there are no indoor or covered resting areas.

Cancellation and Rescheduling

You are required to submit written notice of cancellation of program(s) via email to artsattractionsbookings@edmonton.ca.

Programs cancelled with 30 days notice or more will not be charged the program fee or a cancellation fee. Programs cancelled with 8-29 days notice are subject to be charged 50% of the program fee. For programs cancelled with 7 days notice or less, the full program fee will be charged.

Programs run rain or shine. In the event of poor weather, you must email artsattractionsbookings@edmonton.ca if you are not coming.

Programs cancelled due to severe weather conditions will not be charged a cancellation fee as long as they are rescheduled within the current or upcoming school year fall term (September-November).

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Other School and Group Programs

Looking for more program options? See the complete list of school and group programs at attractions and recreation centres.

Contact Us

School/Group Program Reservations Office

Location
7000 143 Street
Whitemud Drive & Fox Drive

Shared parking lot with Fort Edmonton Park

Mailing Address
PO Box 2359
Edmonton, AB T5J 2R7

Email	artsattractionsbookings@edmonton.ca