Across our campuses, the outdoors are an extension of our classroom. Students learn through experience—studying living ecosystems, developing leadership on canoe trips, and exploring sustainability through hands-on projects on our farm that help feed and support our school and local community.
Environmental and Outdoor Education at Lakefield brings together courses and programs at all grade levels. Led by 15 full-time specialists, LCS has one of the most dedicated in-house teams supporting experiential learning in Canadian independent schools. From Outdoor Education and Green Industries to Outdoor Leadership Class, students learn by doing—building skills, taking on new challenges, and engaging deeply with the natural world. Every season offers new opportunities to learn, lead, and connect outdoors.Through partnerships and new research in sustainability and outdoor learning, Lakefield continues to lead innovation in environmental education.
of students take Outdoor Education and Green Industries in Grade 9
4
years on a progressive program from foundational skills to leadership and sustainability
15
full-time LCS faculty specializing in Outdoor Education, Green Industries and regenerative farming
315
acres across two waterfront campuses for daily access to nature
15+
certifications available across wilderness, first aid, and sustainability training
1500
number of student outdoor adventure days on trips each year
Outdoor learning at Lakefield is both a tradition and a responsibility. Our land and lakes are integral to how we teach and learn. They are places where students engage with nature, develop judgment, and discover their capacity to lead with care.
With each season, students take on new challenges and new perspectives. They build teamwork, adaptability, and the confidence that comes from learning in real-world conditions.
Lakefield's Environmental and Outdoor Education program expands in depth and scope at every Grade
From outdoor skills and environmental literacy to sustainable design and leadership, every stage helps students understand their connection to the land and their responsibility within it.
Foundations – Grades 9 & 10
Discovering Confidence in Nature
The journey begins close to home — in our forests, fields, on the water, and at our farm. Outdoor Education introduces hands-on learning that links Healthy Living with Geography. Students build confidence and judgment through navigation, camping, and team expeditions, learning to move safely and respectfully in nature. Green Industries introduces systems thinking and sustainability in action. Students take on projects, from pollinator gardens to biodiversity studies, to see how small changes create real impact.
Exploration – Grade 11
Understanding Systems, Leading by Example
Outdoor Education becomes an integrated, interdisciplinary program combining Healthy Active Living and Physical Geography. Students paddle, climb, and conduct field studies on landforms and climate, strengthening problem-solving and decision-making in real-world conditions. Green Industries deepens understanding of sustainability through hands-on work at Northcote Campus, where students explore regenerative agriculture, renewable energy, and environmental technology — learning how innovation and stewardship go hand in hand.
Leadership – Grade 12
Leading with Skill and Stewardship
Senior students advance through Recreation Leadership and Kinesiology, applying the science of movement and motivation to lead their peers safely in dynamic outdoor environments. They mentor younger students, turning experience into purposeful leadership. Advanced Green Industries courses focus on design thinking and entrepreneurship. Projects such as From Seed to Table connect sustainability, innovation, and community well-being — showing students how to lead with skill and stewardship.
Eight LCS students paddled the Keele and Mackenzie Rivers during the Irving Expedition, building resilience, leadership, and teamwork in Canada's remote Northwest Territories.
LCS students explored Georgian Bay by sea kayak during the GEO Expedition, building resilience, leadership, and outdoor skills on an unforgettable wilderness journey.
LCS students visited Northcote Farm for an immersive learning experience with Indigenous educator Johl Whiteduck, exploring traditional knowledge, food sovereignty, and environmental stewardship.
