Hudson Forest Play

Why Choose Forest Play?

Our mission is to enhance well-being by spending time outside where children play, explore and learn every day!

We began with a simple Vision: To empower children by connecting them with nature. 

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Hudson Forest Play gratefully acknowledges and celebrates the rich diversity of the environment that serves as the inspiration for our mission.

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As visitors on this land and a second-generation immigrant with roots in China, India, and England, I am committed to deepening my understanding of the local Indigenous communities and reframing my responsibilities to the land and its people. I approach this land with respect for its history and the people who have lived here, both past and present. Hudson Forest Play gratefully acknowledges and celebrates the rich diversity of the environment that inspires our mission. We express our sincere gratitude and utmost respect for the unceded territory of the Anishinabe, Kanein'keháka (Mohawk), Kanesatake, Wendake, and Haudenosaunee nations. Their stewardship of the land allows us to engage with it today.

We also recognize and honor those who have inhabited this land before us, those who share it with us now, and those who will come in the future. We are here to listen to and respect their stories, their experiences and their knowledge. Together we create a safe space to join in relationship of trust and reconciliation. With deep appreciation and respect, we find ourselves here, ready to connect through time, space, stories, and shared experiences.

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Hudson Forest Play is a non-profit, community-rooted organization in Hudson, Quebec, dedicated to nurturing children's well-being through nature-based learning and outdoor play. Serving children aged 2 to 12, our programs place exploration, curiosity, and environmental connection at the heart of a child’s experience. We believe that nature is a powerful teacher and that learning through play builds confidence, resilience, and a lifelong love of the outdoors. Through strong community partnerships, inclusive values, and a commitment to environmental stewardship, we aim to build a sustainable program that not only supports the holistic development of each child but also responsibly stewards the land and resources we share. At Hudson Forest Play, our mission is grounded in a collaborative ethic that empowers children, families, and the wider community to thrive together.

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Research has shown that spending time outdoors can have enormous health benefits on children's mental health, wellness, and academic performance. Children are often calmer and better able to focus when learning in nature, and teachers have reported better behaviour with fewer disciplinary issues. Forest and nature bathing are a common practice in many parts of Asia, and concrete evidence proves the positive impact nature has on calming our brain, stress and overall wellbeing. 

How Forest Schools Boost Children's Immune Systems Oct.31 BBC​

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All children, ages 2-12 years old, regardless of race, religion, gender, language, physical ability, social behaviours or socioeconomic status, who love to play outdoors are welcome to join. Please click on 'Register Today' to join us!  

Our passionate, qualified and caring forest play teachers understand the power of play and child-centred learning and believe in children as capable learners who can contribute to a more sustainable world. They creatively design engagements around the interests of children and their natural curiosity becomes the driving force for inquiry, play, and learning in a safe, open, and thriving environment.​​

Scroll down to find out more.​!