This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to build something lasting and meaningful - not just buildings, but futures. By contributing to our capital campaign, you become part of a movement to expand access to rich education and sustainable childcare solutions in Grey County, Ontario.

Join us. Let’s build a better world from the ground up - together.

"SMALL feet. BIG change." captures the essence of the impact of nature immersive learning environments: Though their footprints may be small, the impact of a child's experiences and the values they carry forward while learning symbiotically with nature will create lasting transformative change locally and globally.

"SMALL feet. BIG change." captures the essence of the impact of nature immersive learning environments: Though their footprints may be small, the impact of a child's experiences and the values they carry forward while learning symbiotically with nature will create lasting transformative change locally and globally.

Case for support
HAW Capital Campaign

Who We Are
Hundred Acre Wood is a registered charity and nonprofit alternative school rooted in nature-based learning. Since 2019, we have been providing affordable licensed childcare and educational programming for children ages 18 months to 11 years through immersive outdoor experiences. Based in Grey County, Ontario, our programs inspire curiosity, resilience, and stewardship in young learners by connecting them deeply with the natural world.

The Opportunity

Demand for childcare and nature-based education has never been higher in our region. Families are seeking values-driven learning environments that nurture children’s development while respecting their innate connection to nature and desire to learn. Our wait list for childcare is unfortunately over 200 children long. These are families who need childcare to return to work and who may have to make the difficult decision to not return to work 

Our flagship location has outgrown our current space at Kimbercote Farm. We are looking for a new home that will allow us to grow - and we need your help to bring it to life.

The Need

We are raising $600,000 to support construction and site development at our new location, which will enable us to:

  • Continue delivering nature based programming to over 100 local families annually

  • Add 29 new licensed childcare spaces to our existing 42/day, addressing a critical shortage in the region

  • Expand our nature immersion programming for all ages and abilities, ensuring more inclusive, accessible outdoor learning opportunities

  • Build sustainable, low-impact facilities that reflect our commitment to environmental responsibility and long-term viability

Why It Matters

Childcare is an essential service for a healthy and resilient community. Without access to childcare, families - particularly mothers - struggle to participate fully in the workforce. At Hundred Acre Wood, we enable parents to pursue careers, education, and stability while knowing their children are safe, supported, and thriving in a nurturing environment.

We are also proud to be a significant local employer, providing meaningful, rewarding work to a dedicated team - many of whom identify as women - who bring passion, professionalism, and deep care to the children they serve. Your support helps sustain these vital jobs and ensures our staff continue to model strong, nurturing leadership for the next generation.

Children thrive when they have room to explore, play, and learn in the natural world. Through nature immersion, children at Hundred Acre Wood develop vital life skills that will prepare them for a future of possibilities.

  • Social skills through unstructured cooperative play, shared discovery, and facilitated social development

  • Emotional regulation with unlimited swinging, spinning, climbing, sliding, and jumping children receive the proprioceptive input that they need to self-regulate

  • Critical thinking and problem solving experiential learning and real-world scenarios

  • Risk assessment in physically challenging outdoor environments

  • A deep relationship to nature that cultivates lifelong environmental stewardship

  • Strong self-worth built through autonomy, and being deeply known by caring educators

This is not just education - it is whole-child development, rooted in place, purpose, and possibility.

These pictures say it all.
Please help us grow.

These pictures say it all. Please help us grow.

How You Can Help

How You Can Help