Workshops: What Are They, and Where Can You Do Them?
- Samantha Terry
- 8 minutes ago
- 5 min read
If you’ve ever found yourself daydreaming about picking up a new skill, getting your hands messy (on purpose), or just taking a break from the scroll-scroll-scroll of daily life – you’re in the right place.
Workshops, in the Wild Company world, aren’t about performance or perfection. They’re about curiosity. About showing up, trying something new, and maybe walking away with paint or grass stains on your jeans, and a little more wonder in your soul.
Angela Pollak, Four Corners Algonquin and Wild Company founder, likes to say that we’re all lifelong learners – and honestly? That feels right.
These experiences aren’t about mastering a craft in one afternoon (though sometimes you surprise yourself). They’re about tapping into that part of you that’s eager to learn, explore, and connect – with nature, with your hands, and with other lovely humans doing the same thing.
What are workshops? (Not the kind you build in your garage)
You’ve probably heard the term before, but here’s what we mean when we talk about workshops:
They’re short, guided experiences where you get to learn by doing. Sometimes that means dyeing fabric with wildflowers. Sometimes it means carving a spoon or blending herbs or keeping a nature journal. They’re hands-on, heart-first, and grounded in a slower, more intentional way of being.
In other words: a workshop is a little container of time and space where curiosity leads the way – and making something real is just part of the journey.
Why are workshops so popular?
Participating in workshops gives us a break from thinking we have to be experts all the time.
A workshop invites you to be a beginner. To ask questions. To experiment and not worry about the outcome so much.
And there’s something really comforting about learning alongside others, in a space where you’re encouraged to be curious, not perfect. It’s not about producing a flawless final product – it’s about reconnecting with your own ability to make, observe, listen, and grow.
Making mistakes is part of the process!
More and more, people are craving that kind of learning. Slower, softer, more rooted in the moment. That’s what we’re here for.
Are there workshops for adults, or are workshops for kids?
Both. Always both!
Curiosity doesn’t have an age limit – and neither do our workshops.
Some are designed specifically with kids (and their accompanying grownups) in mind, with room to move, explore, and be a little wild. Others are quieter, more reflective, and perfect for adults looking to stretch a new creative muscle or deepen their connection with the natural world.
At their core, though, all of our workshops are about reawakening that sense of wonder. Whether you’re seven or seventy, we believe learning can still be joyful, playful, and deeply meaningful.
What kind of workshops are there?
More than you'd think! And they change with the seasons, because we like to follow nature’s lead around here.
Sometimes we’re learning to navigate the forest using old-school orienteering skills. Sometimes we’re gathering under the stars to explore the night sky with expert guides who know their way around constellations. Other times, it’s slowing down on a trail walk to observe, sketch, or just be in the moment.
Every workshop is rooted in curiosity and connection - offering a way to learn not just about the natural world, but also about your place in it.
Here’s a little taste of what’s on the Wild Company calendar:
Orienteering Workshop – Learn how to read a map, use a compass, and navigate the forest like a pro. Then test your skills with a trail-based scavenger hunt.
Night Sky Navigation – A gentle evening workshop where you’ll be guided through the constellations and planets above, helping you feel a little smaller (in the best way).
Wild Wanders – Guided hikes with intentional pauses – perfect for nature journalling, sketching, or just tuning into the quiet magic around you.
Forest Crafts & Creative Play – For all ages, these sessions blend art, nature, and imagination into hands-on creations made from gathered materials.
Outdoor Discovery for Families – Kid-friendly explorations that encourage curiosity, teamwork, and a bit of wild-hearted fun for the whole crew.
And because we follow the rhythms of the land, what we offer shifts with the seasons. That means there’s always something new to discover.
Sometimes we go deep into a craft, sometimes we just skim the surface and let it spark something new. But no matter what, the idea is always the same: reconnect with your hands, your curiosity, and the world around you.
Check Wild Company's full program calendar for up-to-date activities!
Should I book a workshop for myself?
100% yes!
Ultimately it’s up to you, but if you’ve been feeling a pull – toward creativity, toward quiet, toward something a little different – this might be your sign!
Some of our workshops are intentionally small, which means they fill up quickly. But we love that, too – it keeps the energy cozy and the experience personal.
Others are much larger by design! Listening to the crowd oooh and ahhh as they’re gazing at shooting stars is part of the experience!
So if you’re curious (even a little bit), take a peek at what’s coming up. Whether you’re craving an afternoon in the woods with a sketchbook or a slow morning making something with your hands, we’d love to have you.
Come get a little wild with us! See our upcoming workshops here → Wild Company Programming.
Get the FULL Four CorNers Experience
Booking a Wild Company workshop is just one piece of the experience—we think of it as the spark. The beginning of a day (or a weekend) that slows you down in the best possible way.
Because here’s the thing: after you’ve spent your morning learning to read a map, identifying constellations, or wandering the trails with a field journal in hand... you don’t have to go far to unwind. Your next stop? A cozy, thoughtfully outfitted safari tent, nestled right here at Four Corners Algonquin.
These aren’t your average tents. They’re the kind of tents that make you sigh with relief when you unzip the flap.
Here’s what you’ll find inside (and around) your home base in the woods:
Real mattresses and extra space to stretch out
Pet-friendly sections so your four-legged sidekick can come too
Muskoka chairs for fire-side star gazing (or coffee sipping)
Indoor solar lighting for late-night reading or journaling
Firewood delivered straight to your doorstep
A fully stocked camp store for anything you forgot (hey, it happens)
WiFi access so you can share your nature selfies or check the weather
Award-winning comfort stations with clean, bright bathrooms and kitchen wash stations
A big sandbox playground where your little ones can roam while you relax. (Psst, we’ve buried hidden treasure in the sandbox. If the kids find it, they can keep it!)
You can reconnect with nature here – without having to totally disconnect from the rest of the world.
And if you're craving something beyond the pines, Four Corners is just minutes from Whitney, Ontario – a friendly little village in the South Algonquin township with everything you need: restaurants, an LCBO, a grocery store, and that rural charm that makes you feel instantly at home.
So book a workshop – then stay a while! Let the full Four Corners experience work its magic. 💚
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