The Bentway invites curious and creative urban explorers ages 8-14 ( grades 3–8) to learn about their city through play, creativity, and outdoor discovery!
This fall, Bentway After School invites youth ages 8-14 (grades 3-8) to experience Toronto through outdoor recreation, creative projects, neighbourhood adventures, and hands-on play. From roller skating or ice skating on The Bentway’s iconic figure-eight trail to imagining future public spaces, Toronto becomes both the playground and the classroom as participants uncover the stories, connections, and possibilities hidden in the places they move through every day
Part adventure club, part creative studio, Bentway After School encourages participants to ask big questions: Who builds our cities? Why do neighbourhoods look the way they do? How can we make our communities more welcoming, sustainable, and fun?
Through exploratory walks, recreation, storytelling, arts-based activities, and collaborative design challenges, young urbanists will investigate the history and future of the Gardiner Expressway, while developing skills in observation, critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity.
Along the way, they’ll collect badges in a custom City Passport, build confidence working independently and collaboratively, and ultimately co-create a public project that shares their vision for Toronto’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.
supporters
Bentway After School was developed in collaboration with youth education leaders Maximum City.
This program is generously supported by
