Bentway After School

The Bentway invites young urbanists to explore and learn about their city with lots of fun, creativity, and outdoor discovery along the way! The program empowers participants to understand and influence concepts in urban design, city building, and placemaking through neighbourhood investigations, storytelling, and recreation.

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

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. 

Participants will earn badges in a custom “City Passport,” as they complete unique activities each week, while building new skills and expressing their vision for our city’s future.

What you need to know:   

• This program is for youth ages 8-14 (grades 3-8).   
• All materials will be provided.   
• We have three 5-week session options, September 8 to October 6, October 13 to November 10, November 17 to December 15 . Join us for one or more sessions!
• Program pick-up from Jean Lumb Public School and Bishop Macdonell Catholic School is available upon request. 
• Each session features either roller or ice skating at The Bentway’s iconic, figure-8 skate trail! Skate rentals and equipment are included. 
• The Programming 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 
• Program 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

Session 1	September 8, 15, 22, 29, October 6
Session 2	October 13, 20, 27, November 3, 10
Session 3	November 17, 24, December 1, 8, 15

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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