Educational Experiences for Families and Community Groups
Ausable Bayfield Conservation offers a wide variety of programs for all age levels.
Quick Links
- Oaks and Acorns
- Birthday Parties
- Family Outdoor Experiences
- Scout and Guide Badge Requirements
- Yellow Fish Road™
Birthday Parties
Call 519-235-2610 or toll-free 1-888-286-2610 to book
Availability: Birthday parties are available the first and third Saturday of each month at either 10:00 a.m. or 1:00 p.m. at either Morrison Dam Conservation Area or Clinton Conservation Area.
Cost: $150.
$50 deposit required at time of booking.
Includes 1.5 hours of programming with Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority (ABCA) conservation education staff plus use of pavilion. Program does not include food or party favours. Ask us for tips on hosting a no or low waste or a plastic-free party!
Contact conservation education staff to find out more.
Oaks and Acorns (18 months to 4 years old with caregiver)
Oaks and Acorns registration is open.
Registration is now open for Ausable Bayfield Conservation's spring Oaks and Acorns program.
In partnership with Huron County Library and Huron EarlyON and Lambton EarlyON Centre.
Free with funding from Rotary Club of Grand Bend; Sunset Community Foundation; and Ausable Bayfield Conservation Foundation.
Pre-registration is required.
Oaks and Acorns Spring Sessions 2026
This spring (2026), join Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority (ABCA) for the Oaks and Acorns programs.
These are designed for children ages from 18 months to 4 years.
It is free! (Registration is required).
Each week we will focus on a new, fun theme.
Join us to discover, play and learn while spending time outdoors.
We will share in songs, stories, hikes, sensory activities and crafts, free time and exploration.
Experience nature from a toddler's perspective and see how easy it can be to spend even just a couple of hours a day outside.
* PLEASE NOTE, this is not a drop-off service and caregivers must attend with their children. *
- Exeter – Morrison Dam Conservation Area – Four-week Program – Tuesdays – 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. – May 5, 12, 19, 26 * In partnership with Huron EarlyON and Huron County Libraries – Exeter Branch.
- Grand Bend – Warner Nature Preserve – Four-week program – Thursdays – 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. – May 7, 14, 21, 28 * In partnership with Lambton EarlyON.
Each program will be limited to 15 families.
Often, we will have a wait list.
Please advise Conservation Education Supervisor Cassie Greidanus (email at cgreidanus@abca.ca or by text to 519-870-6759) if you are unable to attend.
Families that do not contact Cassie about absences may have their spot given to another family.
Filling out the form does not indicate confirmed registration.
Cassie will send a confirmation email with an attached Parent Information Guide as registration confirmation.
Funding is provided by Ausable Bayfield Conservation Foundation; Sunset Community Foundation; and Rotary Club of Grand Bend.
When you submit the form, it will not automatically collect your details like name and email address unless you provide it yourself.
Family Outdoor Experiences
Immerse yourself in nature! Guided by an Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority (ABCA) staff member. Learn about trees, birds and the many animals that live in and around Morrison Dam Conservation Area.
Winter Family Outdoor Experiences (maximum 10 people)
Choose from one of the following COVID-friendly ABCA-conservation-educator-led programs for you and your ‘bubble.’ All programs are 1.5 hours in length. Location and options to book vary for each program.
Option 1: Moonlight Owl Prowl – Explore Morrison Dam or MacNaughton Park at night with ABCA staff as they lead your group in a hike in search of owls. Learn about what makes these amazing creatures so successful at night
Option 2: Family F.U.N Hike – F-Families U-Understanding N- Nature. Explore the natural world as a family through seasonally relevant topics and activities to do along the trail (request a specific focus!)
Program is available Morrison Dam Conservation Area or MacNaughton Park.
Option 3: Winter in the Forest – Learn about our local plants and wildlife and how they survive the winter. Observe and feed birds. Conclude your program with a fire and winter story.
Cost: per family group $70 (up to five people), two families per time slot (maximum 10 people)
If the conditions are good, rent some snowshoes for the program! An extra cost of $5.25/pair.
ABCA requires advanced booking of all programs. When booking your program, we will require the following information:
- Preferred date and time
- Program Option
- Program location
- Names of people in your group
Scout and Guide Badge Requirements
All of our programs have components that will meet one or more of your badge requirements. Speak to us about how we can adjust the program to meet your specific needs.
Choose from one of our many school conservation programs at this link:
Yellow Fish Road™
Looking for something with an environmental action component?
Choose Yellow Fish Road™
Your group will learn about local water systems and contribute to community action by painting storm drains and distributing resources to homeowners about their connection to local rivers.
Locations:
Come to us or we can come to you!
Contact us:
Click this link for our staff contacts page: