Support Prince George’s 1st Forest & Nature Childcare Centre

Mousewood Childcare is organizing this fundraiser.

Donation protected

Goal: $10,000 by January 1st, 2025.

$20,000 by January 31, 2025.

$25,000 by February 28, 2025.

To open phase one of our first centre!

Then $55,000 by July 1st, 2025 to complete renovations.

Programs in our first location:

Opening 2025 ONLY with help from donations.
Upstairs: Multi Age Childcare #1 (ages 1-5 years)
Downstairs: Multi Age Childcare #2 (ages 1-5 years);
September: Multi Age Childcare #3 (School Age Childcare everyday; and during schooldays: a 4 hour Preschool 3x/week, and a 4 hour Program for Homeschoolers 2x/week)
Extended childcare hours.
Weekend Parent and Child family classes.

Our First Location:

5 acres in the Vanway Haldi area of Prince George, BC.

We are seeking monetary donations to cover critical start-up costs including insurance, lease, permits, 1000 ft orange plastic snow fencing, renovations, equipment.

See below for more information about exactly where your money is going.

If you would like to donate items, please see the list at the bottom. Thank you

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Mousewood webpage

Mousewood Facebook Page

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Do you remember your childhood adventures in nature?

The tickly feeling of a ladybug crawling on your hands, or the sticky sap of the tree you just climbed? Picking and eating wild blueberries in a field, or the excitement of building a fort in the woods? The crunch of snow beneath your feet as you explored a secret trail with your friends, and jumping over babbling little streams of ice cold spring run-off?

Those moments weren’t just fun—they were foundational. They taught us resilience, teamwork, and a deep connection to the world around us.

Today’s children, however, are spending more time indoors than ever before, with screens often replacing the freedom of outdoor play.

At Mousewood Forest and Nature Early Learning and Family Society, we are bringing those life-shaping experiences to Prince George’s children.

Imagine a place where children from toddlers to preteens can explore, create and learn surrounded by the beauty of nature—a place where they can grow in character, holistically, all while connecting deeply with the world around them.

What Are Forest and Nature Programs?

Forest and nature childcare and preschools began in Sweden and Scandinavia as a way to integrate a healthy lifestyle, connection to the land, and outdoor learning into early years education. The movement has now taken Canada by storm, with programs popping up across the country that blend play, exploration and education in natural settings.

Now it’s Prince George’s time to shine. Our city is surrounded by stunning forests, wildlife, and natural beauty making it the perfect place for a forest and nature child care centre. Year round, many PG residents take regular advantage of the plentiful outdoor activities in our area.

Mousewood Forest and Nature Early Learning Centre will be the first of its kind in Prince George, offering programs designed to foster children’s physical and mental health, cognitive and creative skills, social skills, and self regulation—all while teaching them to be stewards of our natural environment, and to honour the traditions of the Lheidli T'enneh First Nation.

A Dream for Prince George Families

Since 2019, I’ve dreamed of creating Mousewood as a gift to Prince George families now and in the future— a place where children can thrive, families can connect, and our community can come together to celebrate the joy of our children learning in our own backyard.

We’ve found our first location:

Five acres in the Vanway Haldi area. Our landlord is awesome and believes in this endeavor, too. We are ready to begin renovations.

Due to the BC government’s funding for new childcare spaces being on hold until some time in 2025, we need your help to get started.

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What Your Support Will Do

Your donations will help us meet the following GOALS:

January–February 2025: Renovate the upstairs and half of basement. Prepare the outdoor areas for safety and put up snow fencing, secure all permits, licences and insurance.

March 1st 2025: Open the licensed upstairs and half of downstairs for 2 Multi Age Childcare Programs for 16 children. Welcome children and families.

Ages:
6 toddler spaces
10 3-5 year old spaces.

July 2025: Reach $55,000 in donations.

August: Complete all renovations and fencing done to be ready for new school year.

Get fully licensed:

Upstairs:
8 Toddler childcare spots

Half Downstairs:
10 Preschool age childcare spots

Half Downstairs (3 programs at separate times):
8 School Age childcare spots (before and after school, NID, school breaks)
8 spots: Preschool: 4 hours, 3days/week. (when SD57 schools are in session)
8 spots: Homeschoolers forest and nature program: 4 hours, 2 days/week. (when SD57 schools are in session)

September 2025

Acquire 3 vans.

Use the vans to transport

School children to/from Beaverly and Vanway schools.
All children living in the Bowl and College Heights.

ASAP: Apply for the BC government New Spaces Minor Capital Funding as soon as they are open for applications. To license the downstairs space will take considerably more renovations, including a bathroom and kitchen, as well as all equipment and materials. If the government funding is delayed or is no longer available, we will need to continue on to another fundraising goal and take out a start-up loan from Community Futures, which is not ideal. Also, start-up loan payments are not a covered expense for the Minor Capital Funding.

When eligible in 4 years: Apply for BC gov Major Capital Funding and create the second location, which will be a permanent hub to support children and families in a variety of ways, including innovative forest and nature childcare and preschool programs where children will explore what nature offers, learn about the world around them, develop collaboration skills, and to grow in character; a Mousewood community garden that the children tend to for the childcare families; an adjacent farm with gentle, therapy animals to connect particularly with children who have special needs, and to teach all children responsibility and how to care for animals; a collaboration with the Lheidli T’enneh to share their culture throughout our programs in a variety of ways, including a spiritual connection to the land; and finally wrap around services for families.

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Why All This Matters

For children in Prince George—especially those with ADHD, autism, or other special needs—our forest and nature program will literally be life-changing.

Forest and nature programs are proven to enhance emotional well-being, brain development, social skills, physical skills, and even language. They also combat the sedentary indoor lifestyle induced health issues that are becoming so common in today’s world. They provide children with the space and freedom to exercise, collaborate, and simply be.

How You Can Help

Our start-up fundraising goal is $25,000.

This will cover the initial costs to open Mousewood, including renovations, licensing fees, and safety equipment.

Every dollar you contribute brings us closer to giving the children of Prince George the gift of nature and lifelong learning.

Whether it’s $5, $50, or $500, your generosity will make a lasting impact.

What exactly is your money going towards?

Start up costs:

Permits, licences, insurance, and lease.
Renovations to make the house safe and licensable.
Equipment and materials such as those listed below.

You’ll become part of Our Story

All Contributors will be acknowledged with heartfelt gratitude.

Founding Supporters will be celebrated on our website and on a permanent plaque displayed at the school.

Together, We Can Make This Dream a Reality.

Let’s give our children the childhood they deserve—one filled with adventure, discovery, and connection. Join us in creating something extraordinary.

Become a celebrated Founding Supporter:

Bronze Sponsor: $1000 - $2,500
Silver Sponsor: $2,501 - $4,500
Gold Sponsor: $4,501 - $7,000
Platinum Sponsor: $7,001 - $10,000

As a Founding Supporter, you will receive:

Public recognition in our opening press release.
Your name on our permanent Founding Supporters’ plaque.
Permanent Acknowledgment on our website.
Written Acknowledgement in our Parent Handbook.

Click “Donate Now” to contribute, or share our campaign with your friends and family to spread the word.

Thank you for your generosity and belief in this vision!

Warmly,

Heidi Reeves

Director, ECE

Mousewood Forest and Nature Early Learning and Family Society

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What exactly is your money going towards?

Start up costs:

Permits, licences, insurance, and lease.
Renovations to make the house safe and licensable.
Equipment and materials such as those listed below.

If you would like to donate items, we need:

16 cubbies
2 Couches
Children's tables and chairs
Orange snow fencing (about 1000 feet)
Office equipment
Kitchen sink (For Basement)
Counters- Kitchen and bathroom (For Basement)
Drywall (For Basement)
Drop ceiling (For Basement)
Bathroom Sink (For Basement)
Toilet (For Basement)

For Play Outside:

Children's climbers for outside
Mud kitchens and supplies
Outdoor water tables
Lumber cut offs. 2x4s etc. For playing
pvc pipe and gutters for playing
Children's winter activity equipment: sleds, snow shoes, cross country skis, etc
Children's gardening supplies and shovels