Location and Space
We gather outdoors on large grassy areas and in our pavilion that serves
as a sheltered outdoor classroom. Around the site you can find chicken
and turkey coops, a young food forest, a large loose parts play space, swings, and quaint outhouses with handwashing stations.
A fully fenced backyard offers an open sloped play area dotted with trees, a sandbox, play structures, a woodland playhouse between
the trees, and lots of room for free play and exploration.
We relocated our vegetabe garden area to create a new wheelchair accessible path in the summer of 2024. We look forward to creating a sensory garden as well as a weather station in the Fall!
Our one acre property is bordered by hay fields and woods that our neighbors have graciously granted us permission to access during scheduled Field and Forest activities.
Hillside Community
Community, Cooperation, and Contribution
Hillside House was built on generosity and a vision for community.
Our leadership team is primarily volunteers who dedicate their time
and skills. to creating a space that nurtures connection,
and supports inquiry based learning through outdoor play.
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Every child and family who comes to Hillside brings with them personal
attributes, interests, and a heritage which can build our community.
Nature shows us how wonderfully interconnected diversity is in the ecosystem with how cooperative relationships cause systems to thrive.
Families can offer time, skills, knowledge, abilities, expertise, or resources etc.
Together, with staff , volunteers, and partners, we create meaningful programs that reflect and nurture community.
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Become a Volunteer
Would you like to join our fantastic team of volunteers?
Maybe you would like to help with groundskeeping, be a designated First Aider, support special needs inclusion, assist with admin tasks,
offer expertise, share your French language skills, or any other regular contribution. We appreciate our volunteers!
If you wish to lead an activity or volunteer, please fill out the registration
package and speak to our program coordinator.
We will be happy to discuss suitability and opportunities.
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Volunteers must be familiar with the handbook and program policies.
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We will provide a letter to accompany your request for a
Vulnerable Sector Screening through the OPP.
Your involvement enriches our learning community and adds value
and meaning to the programs.
Registered volunteers receive discounts on the cost
of most programs for their children.
We are grateful for your time and dedication!
Our Team is growing!
Are you an educator, administrator, therapist, support worker, or other professional that shares our passion for connecting children and nature through play?
If you are excited and inspired to partner with Hillside,
please connect with us to see how we can grow together!
We invite you to contact our program coordinator to share insight, ideas
feedback, networking, and partnership opportunities!
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Looking to join our management or programming team as a paid contract worker? Please send your inquiry and resume to manage.hillsidehouse@gmail.com
We look forward to connecting with you!
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How to get here
Hillside House is 20 minutes from either downtown Pembroke or Petawawa and is easily accessible by car.
From Pembroke and Ottawa: At the intersection of Highway 17 and Paul Martin Drive, take Highway 41 south for 1.4km. Turn right onto Sandy Beach Road. Travel 7.1km. We are the first house on the right after the intersection of Doran road.
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From Petawawa: Take Doran across Highway 17. Continue 8.9km, passing Round Lake Road. Turn right onto Sandy Beach Road. We are on the right at the bottom of the small hill.
Our Contact Info
1444 Sandy Beach Road, Pembroke, ON, Canada
(613)735-4037