WHAT WE DO
At Nature’s Kindred, childhood is reclaimed through outdoor exploration, hands-on learning, and meaningful connections. Our forest and nature school is rooted in the belief that children thrive when they are free to move, discover, and build relationships with the natural world.
OUR
MISSION
Our mission is to support and enhance the overall wellbeing of children by providing a safe space that encourages play, curiosity, exploration, freedom of expression, and supported risk-taking. By combining these elements, we aim to uplift children in all aspects of their lives.
We are committed to fostering a love for the outdoors while building confidence and resilience. Through immersive, child-led experiences, we empower children to explore and engage with their environment in meaningful ways, helping them develop a deep connection to nature and valuable life skills.
OUR CORE VALUES
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Childhood Unplugged – We believe in slowing down, embracing play, and letting children experience the joy of unstructured time in nature.
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Connection to the Land – By fostering a deep relationship with the natural world, we cultivate respect, stewardship, and appreciation for our environment.
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Community & Belonging – We create a safe and supportive space where children feel seen, heard, and valued.
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Experiential Learning – We encourage hands-on exploration, inquiry-based learning, and problem-solving to develop lifelong skills and confidence.
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Risk & Resilience – Through outdoor adventures, we help children build resilience, independence, and adaptability, preparing them for life’s challenges.
RHYTHM
OF THE DAY
Each day at Nature’s Kindred is shaped by the children, the weather, the season, and the materials we discover. While no two days are the same, play, exploration, and connection to the land are always central.
We begin each day by gathering to build community and decide where our adventure will take us. This often means heading out to the forest or other natural spaces to play—whether it’s building shelters, creating imaginative worlds, or engaging in movement games. Play flows between guided activities and free exploration, always led by curiosity.
The facilitators and children remain mindful of the changing weather, and if conditions like thunder, lightning, or extreme cold arise, we stay closer to our shelter. There, we may create art, put on a play, or explore with tools as the day unfolds.
As the day draws to a close, we gather once more to reflect, share our experiences, and express gratitude—for the land, for each other, and for the moments of discovery that shaped our time together.
MEET THE TEAM
Toni-Marie Mahar
Founder and Lead Facilitator
Toni decided to create Nature’s Kindred after becoming a mother and experiencing a deep shift in how she saw childhood, connection, and the rhythms of everyday life. Her son was the catalyst—cracking her heart wide open and helping her see that every child is worthy of unconditional love and radical acceptance. She wanted to create a space where children could simply be—fully themselves, fully free, and deeply loved.
As Toni began her own healing journey, she reconnected with nature and discovered just how profoundly it could support and transform. Nature became her place of peace, clarity, and grounding. She felt called to share that healing with others, especially with children, who are naturally attuned to the magic of the wild world around them.
Nature’s Kindred was also born from a longing to be fully present in her own motherhood. Toni knew she didn’t want to miss these
early years with her son or hand them over to a 9–5 schedule. Creating a space where she could homeschool him while offering something meaningful to her community felt like the most natural path forward.
Toni is a certified Forest and Nature School Practitioner, a homeschooling mom, and trained in First Aid and CPR/AED. She brings warmth, intention, and deep care to the work she does with children and families.
When she’s not guiding little ones through the woods, you can catch her crafting, hiking, tinkering on the piano, or curling up with a blanket and a favourite movie (Harry Potter or Lord of the Rings).
Sondra Gatien
Land Steward, Co-Facilitator
and Wellness Coach
Sondra is the heart behind the land that holds Nature’s Kindred. As the landowner, co-facilitator, and a dedicated wellness and life coach, she brings a deep commitment to healing, community, and soulful connection. Her vision is to offer this land as a space where women, children—and anyone called to it—can reconnect with themselves, find peace, and feel the gentle power of nature’s healing.
Her journey into coaching began after the birth of her son and a personal search for support and clarity. That experience lit a fire within her to help other women bridge the gap between mind and body, reconnect with their inner wisdom, and create lives that truly align with their soul’s desires.
In addition to her work with Nature’s Kindred, she offers the land as a sacred space for healing circles, retreats, and gatherings that foster transformation and connection.
When she’s not guiding or holding space for others, you can find her soaking up time with her family, hitting the gym, or hopping on the four-wheeler to explore the back trails she calls home.