MAKE PEACE WITH WINTER 2013
Conference Announcement
Your 2013 COEO Make Peace with Winter Planning Team is hard at work putting the final touches on another amazing weekend packed full of professional development, experiential learning and winter fun. Make Peace with Winter is a retreat-style conference for educators interested in learning how to share the outdoors with their students in the coolest of seasons! Snowshoeing, cross country skiing and winter camping skills; games, crafts, learning activities; snow science, winter ecology and much, much more.
Plan to join us as we learn, share and laugh with kindred spirits from across the province and beyond. We’ll savour delicious food all weekend and enjoy an evening social program filled with fun, dancing and live music. You will leave this professional development experience feeling rejuvenated and with many new ideas and resources in hand. The final ingredient for a perfect winter weekend is you! Our host site is the Ganaraska Forest Centre, which is located along the Oak Ridges Moraine just north of Port Hope, Ontario.
The word is spreading - Make Peace with Winter 2013 is going to be an amazing event! Check this page often as details will be emerging weekly. The full conference program is not yet available, but take a quick look below to get just a taste of what's in store.
Make Peace with Winter Conference Location
Boasting hundreds of kilometers of hiking, mountain biking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, off-road vehicle riding and even horseback riding trails, it is little wonder that the Ganaraska Forest Centre is a year round hub of outdoor recreational activity. Set within 4,452 hectares (11,000 acres) of the majestic Ganaraska Forest, the facility is a showcase of world-class environmental and ecologically friendly design. The education building has 17,000-square feet of barrier-free space with a large dormitory and Great Hall, which includes a beautiful stone fireplace. In addition, there are two other dedicated classroom spaces for break-out sessions, a Learning Gallery, Mudroom, the Oak Ridges Moraine Information Centre and a Resource Room dedicated to the identification, habitat and adaptation of flora and fauna native to the Ganaraska Forest and surrounding areas. For more information about our site, visit: www.ganaraskaforestcentre.ca
Directions
The Ganaraska Forest Centre is located at 10585 Cold Springs Camp Road, Campbellcroft, Ontario. From the East: Exit 401 at Port Hope and travel north on County Road 28 to County Road 9. Travel west on County Road 9 for 16 km. Watch for GFC sign and turn north on Cold Springs Camp Road, and travel for 4 km to the Forest Centre. From the West: Exit 401 and travel north on Hwy 115. Turn east onto Durham Road 9 and travel for 10 km. Watch for GFC sign and turn north on Cold Springs Camp Road, and travel for 4km to the Forest Centre.
Map
Accommodations
Accommodations will be in the Ganaraska Forest Centre’s dormitory. There is a wing for men, and a wing for women. The beds are bunks and you will need to bring your own sleeping bag and pillow. The facility is modern and comfortable and features separate washrooms and shower facilities. Bring ear-plugs just in case, and please inform us of any special accommodation needs with a note attached to your registration form. If you snore, please let us know! We have space reserved for individuals or groups wanting to set-up their own canvas winter tents, but please inform us of you are choosing to do so before arriving on-site (same cost applies).
Meals and Snacks
The Ganaraska Forest Centre’s culinary professionals will be providing delicious and nutritious meals for the conference. Please outline any dietary needs clearly on your registration form. Coffee, tea, juice and water will be provided at all times in the dining hall. Other snacks will be provided at times indicated. BYOWB! – Bring Your Own Water Bottle. ***Please note, alcohol is permitted on the GFC property (BYOB), but no glass beer bottles – cans only please.
Bring your Skis and Snowshoes!
You are welcome to bring your own cross country skis or snowshoes with you to the conference -- in fact it's encouraged. However, don't worry if you don't own any, the Ganaraska Forest Centre has a stockpile of skis or snowshoes to lend out to conference participants free of charge. The Ganaraska Forest Centre staff will also be leading a intro nordic ski lesson and trail tour as one of the conference workshops.
Morning Yoga anyone?
Conference presenter Jocelyn Burkhart has offered to lead some optional yoga sessions each morning. She can offer gentle hatha yoga (1h) as well as Hidden Language Hatha yoga (1-1.5 h) , which includes a guided reflective process while in the postures, and journaling.
Conference Schedule
THURSDAY, January 31, 2013
4:00 – 10:00 p.m. Conference Registration and Orientation (GFC trails open until dark)
8:00 – 8:15 p.m. Official Welcome and Conference Overview
8:15 – 9:00 p.m. Keynote Presentation
9:00 – 11:30 p.m. Late Night Snack and Campfire
FRIDAY, February 1, 2013
8:00 – 8:45 a.m. Breakfast
9:00 – 10:15 a.m. Session A Workshops
10:30 – 11:45 a.m. Session B Workshops
Noon – 1:00 p.m. Lunch and Relaxation Break
1:15 – 2:30 p.m. Session C Workshops
2:45 – 5:00 p.m. The Lärande Loppet
6:00 – 6:45 p.m. Dinner
7:00 – 8:00 p.m. Keynote Presentation
8:30 – 10:30 p.m. Band (Includes President's Wine and Cheese Reception and Late Night Snack)
11:00 – ? Campfire and sing-a-long!
SATURDAY, February 2, 2013
8:00 – 8:45 a.m. Breakfast
9:00 – 10:15 a.m. Session D Workshops
10:30 – 11:45 a.m. Session E Workshops
12:00 - 12:45 p.m. Lunch, Invitation to COEO's 41st Conference and Safe Journey Home!
The Great Winter Gear and Clothing Swap
Do you have any outdoor clothing, equipment or OE/EE resources that you aren’t using anymore? Well here’s your chance to empty out the garage or basement and make a quick buck in the process! Back for a second year in a row, The Great Winter Gear and Clothing Swap is the place to pass on those unused items and also the place where many special treasures will be discovered. This event is part garage sale, part COEO fundraiser (a small fee is required to enter your item(s) in the swap*). Upon your arrival at the Ganaraska Forest Centre, enter your item(s) in the gear and clothing swap – your will be given a price tag and a member of the conference committee will facilitate all sales throughout the weekend – all you need to do is stop by at the end of the conference to collect your take. The swap will be set up in the Learning Gallery from Friday morning until Saturday at lunchtime. MPWW will provide tags to label items. No haggling at point of sale will be permitted. Committee members will operate the swap throughout the conference at designated times. All purchases will be made by cash only and a cash float will be available to make change. *5%/price minimum charge per item to be included, 10%/price further for all sold items for a total of 5%/item if not sold, 15% of item if it is sold (i.e., If Shane wants to sell a pair of snowshoes for $50. He will pay $2.50 to enter them into the gear swap whether they sell or not. If they do he will pay an additional $5.00 thus receiving $42.50 for his snowshoes. Ruthie wants to sell a book for $1.00. She will pay $.05 to enter the swap and another $.10 if it sells, keeping $.85 for herself).
A Brief History of Make Peace with Winter
The very first Make Peace with Winter gathering took place at the Leslie M. Frost Centre in Dorset, Ontario on the weekend of February 1-3, 1980. The conference was a cooperative effort between the Council of Outdoor Educators of Ontario and the Ontario Teacher's Federation and was billed as an event primarily for teachers (K-13). The conference took place annually for many years afterwards, but then during the mid to late 90's was only offered sporadically, and then eventually vanished from the COEO calendar in 2004. Through determination and hard work this once beloved COEO retreat-style conference has returned. Deb Diebel, COEO Membership Secretary was instrumental in reigniting the Make Peace tradition when she and a group of colleagues from the Bluewater Outdoor Education Centre hosted the 2012 Make Peace with Winter last January on the Bruce Peninsula. Make Peace is back again this January and will be a key part of COEO's 40th anniversary year. This collage is a collection of various Make Peace with Winter advertising and posters that were used throughout the 80's and 90's.
The Trading Blanket
Participate in the Trading Blanket activity - bring items to trade! Each participant brings 1 to 3 items they would like to trade. The items should be something of utilitarian value or beauty. The items should be functional and something you are willing to give up. A blanket is placed in the middle of the room. All participants start by sitting around the blanket, with their trade items sitting on the floor in front of them. Participants may circulate around at first to see what items are up for trade. When the trading begins, one person volunteers to put their item in the middle of the blanket. Anyone wanting the item can move their trade items forward in offering. The owner of the original item examines the goods offered for trade, and decides whether to make a trade or not. If a trade is made, there are usually pleasantries exchanged, and the group moves on to the next person's item. If no trade is made, the owner will remove it from the blanket, thank those who made offerings, and he/she may consider making a trade later in the evening. Get creative! Items we've seen on the trading blanket range from homemade preserves, to traditional tools, unwanted clothing (still in good shape), rides home, works of art, jewelery, nature artifacts, and books. The blanket trading can go on for a long time, so participants are encouraged to limit the items they offer for trade, and come and go as they please. Participants have found these interactions much more meaningful than simply shopping for wanted items. Happy trading!
Presentations
Warm Toes
Zabe MacEachren
What really keeps your feet warm in minus temperatures? This workshop will answer this question and more. Handle the various footwear models and the mukluks in various states of completion. Sort through the hype on socks, insoles and gimmicks that propose to care and even heat your feet for you. Bring a journal to take notes on how to make your own pair of mukluks. Bring boot liners and create a mukluk pattern to fit your own feet. Stories and passages about footwear will spice up this presentation and keep it sizzling hot. Even some “snowshoe” lore will be shared. Despite having frozen her own toes, this presenter is passionate about winter footwear that enables her to keep warm toes in any minus degree weather.
Contemplative Outdoor Education: Creating spaces that honour heart and soul, body and mind
Jocelyn Burkhart
This interactive and experiential workshop will include a review of some research on contemplative and holistic outdoor education, an outdoor experiential activity that involves breath and body awareness techniques, movement, and symbolism, and an indoor circle sharing session that invites contemplative listening and artistic expression. Come with an open heart and mind, and your outdoor clothes!
Go Fish
Sherri Owen
Go Fish is an active outdoor game that simulates the impact of the commercial fishing industry on fish stocks and various management techniques. Participants will play this game just as students would. Adaptations for mobility will be suggested for students with disabilities. Follow-up classroom work will be discussed and printed lesson plans will be provided.
Planning for Joy
Bob Henderson
Come learn how to plan for Joy Management along with Risk Management. This workshop will first discuss issues of joy management that attempt to curb the overbearing influences of risk management when planning OE programs. This will be followed by some "find the joy" strategies, including a map exercise, trip activities as well as classroom-based activities.
Measuring our Resources
Alice Casselman
This workshop will take place outdoors and participants will learn how to identify mature trees by various characteristics, including bark, height, etc. We will spend some time discussing schoolyard trees and how educators can “plant for change” (climate change that is!)
Fire Making with Children
Kelly McKinney
This workshop focuses on fire safety and how character development is tightly linked to the topic. The “Fire Square” technique will be introduced, as well as the “respect position" and some other highly popular tools used within Forest Schools in the UK.
Traditional Inuit Games
Jacob Rodenburg
This is an interactive workshop that will focus on traditional Inuit games including blanket tossing, kicking games as well as games involving balance, strength and agility! We will also discuss storytelling and try out some traditional fire making techniques.
Everything you always wanted to know about snow (but were afraid to ask)
Kyle Clarke
This is it, the presentation you drove hours to see! Well maybe not, but Kyle will definitely be able to answer any questions you have about snow. Through this interactive workshop, participants will get up close and personal with snow in its various forms. Snow language and classification will be explained, as well as its ecological role during winter months. We will explore a variety of snowy details – from its usefulness as a building material, to why avalanches occur and the various ways to turn it into water for drinking. This workshop will cover many snow-related learning activities, experiments and games that can be done with children during wintertime.
Thank a Farmer
Jessica Roszell
This workshop is focused entirely on becoming resourceful citizens. It will help students to get to know the people who provide the food for their tables. Starting from the basics, participants will begin drafting program plans for food education and then grow from there!
Assessment of Outdoor Education Centres - Doing it Successfully
Christopher Kopar
How do we assess the success of a particular outdoor education centre? Are the assessments we perform in our centres driven by and for external influential forces? In this interactive workshop the following topics will examined: 1) The present way assessments are performed in Ontario’s Outdoor Education Centres, 2) Examine the reasons why we evaluate the way we do, and 3) Creating together, some practical evaluative tools for our own workplaces.
Below Zero
Bonnie Anderson
Ever wondered what keeps frogs from croaking in winter? Put on your long-johns and join this workshop as it invites you to enter a sub-zero winter world of wildlife! Below Zero is a conservation education program in the WILD Education family that promotes an understanding of wildlife under winter conditions. Its 46 indoor and outdoor activities focused on the Canadian winter and how wildlife adapts to snow and ice conditions (So much for us humans to learn!).
Forest Foraging
Lee Earl
This workshop is designed to bring awareness to the different characteristics of conifers that stand out in our forests during the winter months. We will discuss where they grow, how to identify them and also conduct a “blind taste test” to use as many senses as possible to learn about Ontario’s amazing evergreen trees.
Kicksledding
Shane Kramer
Join in the fun as we take part in a traditional Scandinavian activity that is breaking new ground (or snow!) here in North America! Shane Kramer will share with you the basics of this activity: its history, its uses and a model introductory lesson plan. Come learn about this enjoyable winter activity that will give you one more opportunity to share the joy of winter! There is limited space in this session.
Pine Needle Baskets
Deb Diebel
Learn how to construct a pine needle basket with the help of Deb Diebel. She will get you started and then you can continue to work on your basket over the course of the conference. Different examples will be available for you to look at and touch. Each basket will be unique, and beautiful!
And much, much more!
Conference Bursaries
Each year the COEO Board of Directors sets aside funds for two individuals who require financial assistance in order to attend our MPWW conference. Those wishing to apply for this must submit a letter to President, Kyle Clarke at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it with the requested amount and a rationale by January 11, 2013. Bursary applicants will be informed by January 18, 2013 as to whether or not they have received funding.
Hey Students!
Are you planning to attend the upcoming MPWW conference as part of group of six or more? Group discounts are available. Contact Deborah Diebel at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for more details.
Registration is now open!
Regular and Organizational Members $195
Student and Retiree Members $175
Download a copy of the 2013 COEO MPWW Conference Registration Form by clicking here.
Have you seen this year's OFFICIAL 2013 MAKE PEACE WITH WINTER CONFERENCE POSTER yet? (see below) Download a copy for your very own, print and display it with pride in your centre, school, camp, store, park, staffroom, office or outhouse!
