Accessible nature experiences for people living with disabilities to promote well-being, environmental stewardship, and social inclusion.

After many meaningful years at Cedar Haven, A Rocha Ontario is stepping into a new chapter. We are excited to announce that are moving to 1440 Westover Road in Millgrove, Ontario (the new A Rocha Ontario Centre) with a one-year lease!

While we get situated at the new site, we have paused onsite booking Operation Wild programming until the spring. At this time, Operation Wild will be hosted off-site (not at the A Rocha Ontario Centre). Our team will be able to lead the program at your site or a public site which will be determined together.

Thank you for your understanding. If you have any questions, please reach out to us at ontario@arocha.ca.

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Program Details

Here’s what you need to know! Take a look at our FAQ for more info.

Program Options

Pick the theme of your choice and we’ll facilitate an immersive nature experience for your group. Book one session or book four sessions at a discounted rate!

Customized For You

We take groups of 5-12 for sessions from 1 to 3 hours in length. Whatever your needs, we will do our best to customize each session for your group’s interests, abilities, and schedule.

Affordable Programming

With the support of various generous donors and grants, we try to keep the cost to participants at a minimum. and if transportation is a barrier, we’ll try to help arrange affordable transportation as available. Reach out to us for more information at ontario@arocha.ca.

It’s about more than making nature accessible

It’s an opportunity to explore the beauty of the world around us. It’s an inclusive space to make new friends and find belonging. And it’s an invitation to reconnect with nature and feel rejuvenated.

Session Themes

We offer two ways to experience nature. Choose the one that best suits your group and we’ll do the rest!

Wellness

Find rest & relaxation through nature observation, arts & crafts, gardening and daily practices that improve mental health.

Nature Study

Experience nature in a hands-on way, building the practical skills and confidence to support a sustainable world.

Meet Marcello

This Operation Wild participant describes the impact nature has on his life.

FAQ

What do participants bring?

Seasonally appropriate clothing and walking shoes
Any water, snacks, or lunch required for your day trip
At least one support worker needs to be in attendance with each group

How involved do support workers need to be?

We require each group to attend with at least one support worker. While we are the nature experts, we ask support workers to be the experts of their group and their individual needs. We encourage support staff to fully participate in sessions.

Do you provide food and refreshments?

We ask that you bring any water, snacks, and lunch your group requires for the day.

What happens if it rains?

Please give us a call the day of your session if you have concerns about the weather. We are happy to offer programs in the rain as long as we can determine it is safe to do so!

How big are the groups?

We require a minimum of 5 participants for a group trip and can accommodate up to 12.

How long is an Operation Wild session?

Our sessions are typically 2 hours in length. We understand that groups have different interests and abilities, and are happy to customize your trip to meet your group’s needs.

Between 2018 – 2021, Operation Wild has led 150 accessible nature experiences for 1475 people living with disabilities. Learn more about this program’s success during that time.

Our team continues to offer the program to support accessible nature experiences for as many people as we can!

Read The Impact Report

Special Thanks to the Hamilton Community Foundation

This project is funded in part by the Edith H. Turner Foundation Fund at Hamilton Community Foundation. Working in partnership with this funder and our other supporters, Operation Wild is committed to providing accessible services to people with barriers or disabilities, building inclusive and engaged communities, and encouraging others to support a healthy and sustainable environment.