the p.i.n.e. project

What the p.i.n.e. project does

The Pine Project is a Toronto-based registered charitable organization (Charity #836645291RR0001), founded in 2008 by Andrew McMartin, that delivers nature-based outdoor education programs for children, youth, adults, and schools across Ontario. Its program portfolio spans four verticals: weekly school-year Outdoor School programs for ages 0-13 (Coyote Pups, Fiery Foxes, Raccoons, Wilderkids, Adventure Out, Oaks and Acorns), summer and March Break day camps, the Red Wolf Overnight Camp backcountry experience at Haliburton Forest (with 1-week, 2-week, Wayfinder canoe expedition, and LIT variants), and adult programs (Soaring Hawks, Wild Deer, Community Bird Wander, Community Nature Nights). The Schools Partnership Program delivers curriculum-aligned outdoor learning to TDSB and partner schools. There is no proprietary technology platform; delivery relies on a 1:6 mentor-to-participant ratio, certified Ontario teachers, and a curated wilderness curriculum refined over 15+ years.

Name

the p.i.n.e. project

Legal name

The Pine Project

Website

https://pineproject.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Pine Project is a Toronto-based registered charity founded in 2008 that delivers year-round, mentor-led outdoor education programs-including school-year Outdoor School, day camps, and Red Wolf backcountry overnight camps at Haliburton Forest-for children, youth, adults, and schools across Ontario.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Outdoor Education Services

NAICS

Sports and Recreation Instruction (61162), Sports and Recreation Instruction (611620)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Hotels, Rooming Houses, Camps & Other Lodging Places (7000)

akta.pro primary industry

Outdoor & Wilderness Education Schools (Field-Based Learning) (THAAAOAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Nature-Based / Forest School Early Learning Programs (EDACADAD), Outdoor/Nature/Forest Preschools (EDACABAJ), Outdoor / Nature-Based Before/After Care Programs (EDACAHAJ), Outdoor Education & Adventure Programs (School-Run) (EDAJAJAJ), Environmental Interpretation & Ranger-Led Education Programs (Visitor Education) (THAAAOAJ)

Keywords

• Outdoor education programs
• Forest school programs
• Nature-based camps
• Wilderness skills training
• Youth outdoor learning

Headquarters

HQ city

Toronto

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices8 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Program Fees: Revenue generated from participant program fees across school year programs, day camps, overnight camps, and adult programs. Fees vary by program type and duration.
2. Donations: Charitable donations from individuals and organizations. Accepts one-time gifts, monthly recurring donations, securities donations, and workplace giving.
3. Foundation & Government Grants: Funding from government agencies and private foundations to support program delivery and accessibility initiatives.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Pine Project delivers nature-based outdoor education programs through a forest school model for children, youth, adults, and schools in Toronto, Haliburton, and surrounding Ontario regions. Core offerings include year-round school-year programs, summer day camps, backcountry overnight camps (Red Wolf), teen leadership training, adult wilderness programs, and tailored school partnerships. All programming uses a mentorship-based, low-ratio (1:6) experiential approach across all seasons.

Product overview

The Pine Project is a Toronto-based charitable organization offering transformative nature connection experiences through a diverse portfolio of outdoor education programs. The core offerings include: (1) Outdoor School programs - year-round weekly nature education for children ages 0-13 including Coyote Pups, Fiery Foxes, Raccoons, Run Wild After School, Adventure Out, Wilderkids, Weekend Wanderers, and Oaks and Acorns; (2) Day Camps - summer day camp, March Break camp, Teen Summer Program, and LIT programs for ages 4-16; (3) Red Wolf Overnight Camps - immersive backcountry experiences at Haliburton Forest including standard overnight camp (ages 7-14), 2-week Woodcrafters/Wildcrafters programs (ages 11-14), Wayfinder (age 15), and LIT (age 16); (4) Teen Programs - LIT apprenticeship and Teen Wilderness Adventure for ages 13-16; (5) Adult Programs - Soaring Hawks, Wild Deer, Community Bird Wander, and Community Nature Nights; (6) Schools Partnership Program - customized outdoor learning for schools. All programs are delivered through a mentorship-based approach with low participant-to-mentor ratios (typically 1:6), emphasizing experiential learning, place-based education, and deep nature connection across all seasons.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Red Wolf Overnight Camp: An immersive backcountry overnight camp experience for ages 7-16 located in Haliburton Forest & Wildlife Reserve. Campers live outdoors, sleep in tents, cook over open fires, and learn wilderness skills.

Products and services

• Coyote Pups Weekly half-day nature school program for children ages 4-6 held in Toronto parks, fostering curiosity, imagination, and early outdoor skills through exploration, games, and songs.
• Fiery Foxes Weekly half-day outdoor school program for children ages 7-9 focusing on hands-on independence, forest exploration, carving, crafts, and teamwork.
• Raccoons Weekly half-day program for children ages 10-13 emphasizing thoughtful, independent leadership development through nature immersion.
• Run Wild After School High-energy after-school nature program for ages 6-13 featuring fast-paced games, forest wanders, and skill-building activities like fire-building.
• Adventure Out Full-day outdoor school program for ages 8-13 departing Toronto for wilderness settings in Schomberg, offering deeper nature immersion and advanced outdoor skills.
• Wilderkids Full-day outdoor school program for ages 7-13 in Toronto parks, allowing participants to tackle larger projects and form strong peer connections.
• Weekend Wanderers Monthly weekend nature program for children ages 4-13 in Toronto, featuring forest exploration, campfire songs, and sensory games.
• Oaks and Acorns Weekly program for children ages 0-3 and their caregivers integrating nature into family life through wanders, stories, songs, and naturalist knowledge sharing.
• Summer Day Camp One-week nature day camp sessions for ages 4-12 in Toronto parks, offering exploration, scavenger hunts, animal tracking, and survival skill activities.
• March Break Day Camp One-week outdoor adventure camp during March Break for ages 4-13, exploring seasonal nature changes through hands-on activities.
• Teen Summer Program Adventure-based summer day camp for teens ages 12-14 building leadership skills, wilderness knowledge, and mentorship through nature activities.
• Summer Leaders In Training (LIT) Program Two-week leadership development program for teens ages 15-16, combining training with hands-on placement supporting younger campers.
• Red Wolf Overnight Camp Immersive backcountry overnight camp for ages 7-14 at Haliburton Forest, featuring tent living, fire-building, wildlife tracking, and wilderness skills.
• Red Wolf 2-Week Programs (Woodcrafters & Wildcrafters) Extended two-week backcountry overnight camp sessions for ages 11-14 offering advanced wilderness skills, intensive crafting projects, and deeper nature connection.
• Red Wolf Wayfinder Program Three-week advanced overnight camp and canoe trip for teens age 15 focusing on wilderness leadership and extended backcountry expedition.
• Red Wolf Leaders in Training (LIT) Program Month-long leadership immersion program for teens age 16 at Red Wolf overnight camp, developing mentorship and outdoor leadership skills.
• Outdoor School LIT (Leaders in Training) Nine-month training program for teens ages 14-16 combining monthly training sessions with apprenticeship placements in Pine's outdoor school programs.
• Teen Wilderness Adventure Four-weekend overnight wilderness adventure program for teens ages 13-16 in Bancroft, Ontario, teaching navigation, survival skills, and backcountry living.
• Soaring Hawks: Wilderness Adventure Adult wilderness skills program building a toolkit of backcountry knowledge through immersive outdoor experiences and mentorship.
• Wild Deer Adult Wilderness Skills Program

Quantifiable outcome

• 99% of parents reported Pine's programs positively impacted their child's connection to nature, social skills, mental and physical health, and personal growth
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Native Child & Family Services of TorontocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to provide nature programming for Indigenous children and families. Expanding partnership to reach more equity-deserving children and youth.
• Haliburton Forest & Wildlife Reserve Ltd.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost site for Red Wolf Overnight Camp backcountry programming. Camp located on the reserve's property in a backcountry setting.
• Ontario Camps AssociationminorOthersMembership and association with Ontario camps regulatory body.
• Canadian Camping AssociationminorOthersMembership and association with national camping organization.
• Nature CanadaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnvironmental organization partnership for nature connection initiatives.
• BGC EastviewminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Boys & Girls Club Eastview to explore nature together with community programs.
• Eastview CentreminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner organization.
• TDSB (Toronto District School Board) SchoolscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing partnerships with TDSB elementary schools delivering outdoor learning experiences linked to Ontario curriculum. Partnerships span over a decade.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• Earth Rangers: Canadian charity focused on children's nature engagement and conservation education. Overlapping audience of nature-connected families and complementary programming model.

Direct peers

• Camp Tamakwa: Long-established Ontario overnight summer camp with wilderness focus for children and youth. Comparable backcountry overnight experience and target demographic to Pine's Red Wolf camp.
• Earth Tracks Outdoor School: Ontario-based wilderness and nature-connection school offering adult and youth programs in mentorship-based outdoor skills. Comparable curriculum philosophy and instructor lineage (Pine staff have trained with Earth Tracks).
• White Pine Programs: Nature-connection and wilderness mentoring organization based in Maine serving children, teens, and adults. Closest U.S. peer in mentorship philosophy and program design.
• Everwild Outdoor Learning: Toronto-area forest school offering nature-based programs for children and youth with similar mentorship approach. Most directly comparable competitor in the same geographic market.

Broad incumbents

• Outward Bound Canada: National wilderness education charity offering expeditions for youth and adults. Broader scale and outdoor adventure focus, but overlapping audience and pedagogical approach to experiential outdoor learning.
• Nature Canada: National conservation charity already partnering with Pine. Operates broader nature-education and advocacy portfolio that intersects with Pine's mission and audience.

Others

• Boys & Girls Clubs of Canada: National youth services organization where Pine has community programming partnerships (e.g., BGC Eastview). Comparable equity-deserving children segment and charitable funding model, though service mix is broader.

Regional players

• Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA): Regional conservation authority delivering nature education programs for schools and families across the GTA. Operates in the same Toronto geography with overlapping school partnership channel.
• Royal Botanical Gardens (RBG): Ontario-based botanical garden and nature education provider offering children's outdoor programs. Overlapping school partnership channel and family audience within driving distance of Pine's Toronto locations.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/thepineproject
• Instagraminstagram.com/thepineproject
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-p-i-n-e--project

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about the p.i.n.e. project