Bentway After School

This winter, young urbanists hit the ice and explore their city in a whole new way! This winter cohort of Bentway After School combines ice skating on our iconic figure-eight Skate Trail with creative activities that explore urban design, city building, and placemaking. 

Bentway After School is a youth program for participants ages 8-14 (grades 3–8).

Across 10 weeks, young urbanists will spend their time ice skating and enjoying outdoor recreation, alongside a suite of The Bentway’s signature hands-on urban explorations, storytelling, and arts and design challenges. Students will build skating skills, get active outdoors, and experience how public spaces shape the way we live, move, and play in Toronto. 

The program will go beyond being “hands-on” — it will also be “minds-on.” During each session, young urbanists will ask questions, gather information, compare and collaborate, draw conclusions, and develop a point of view on city building and placemaking.    

Interactive experiences including urban explorations, outdoor recreation, and hands-on arts and design challenges encourage participants to not only explore The Bentway, but critically examine the Gardiner Expressway’s history, current state, and potential future. Guided by principles of Indigenous placekeeping, ecology, storytelling, adaptation, and youth agency, the program empowers youth to ask critical questions and imagine what cities can become when everyone gets a say in how they’re built.

What you need to know:   

• This program is for youth ages 8-14 (grades 3-8).    
• All materials will be provided.    
• We have two 5-week session options: January 5 to February 2, or February 9 to March 9. Register for one or both sessions 
• School pick-up from Jean Lumb Public School and Bishop Macdonell Catholic School is available upon request.  
• This program features ice skating at The Bentway’s iconic, figure-8 skate trail through late February! Skate rentals and equipment are included.  
• The Program meets at The Bentway Studio (55 Fort York Blvd) and is held across The Bentway sites, including indoor and outdoor activities and walking tours. Please ensure your student is dressed for the elements and is wearing appropriate footwear.  
• Accessible and all-gender washrooms are available on-site.  
• The Bentway Studio is a peanut/nut-sensitive facility. For the safety of all our participants and staff, please do not send any snack items which may contain peanuts, nuts and all other nut products.  
• A Participant Intake Packet will be sent following online registration. 

Program Schedule

Tuesdays from 4:00pm-5:30pm 

• 3:30pm-4:00pm: Drop-off window 
• School pick-up from Jean Lumb Public School and Bishop Macdonell Catholic School is available upon request. 
• 4:00pm-5:30pm: Guided Activities 
• 5:30pm-6pm: Pick-up and Free time  

Cohort Dates

Fees

$175 (5-week program fee) 
Eventbrite fees will apply separately of program fees. 

Payment and Cancellation Policy

• Cancellation requests made at least three (3) weeks in advance are eligible for a refund.  
• Cancellation requests made less than three (3) weeks in advance are eligible for a partial refund of 50% of program fees.  
• Cancellation requests less than 10 days prior to the start date, or after the start date are not eligible for a refund. 
• Please note that a cancellation fee will be applied to all refunds granted, and any approved refunds will not include Eventbrite fees. The additional administration fee for refunds will be: $25 for 5-week programs.

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