RECOGNITION
COEO depends upon members stepping forward to carry out the mandate of the organization. Our annual awards provide an important opportunity to recognize individual and group efforts, as well as to celebrate the many and varied expressions of outdoor education within our organization and the province of Ontario.
There are five awards that may be presented yearly, all of which have their own particular significance:
The President’s Award is presented to an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to the development of COEO and to outdoor education in Ontario. This award identifies an active outdoor educator who has volunteered their time to our organization through their participation on the Board of Directors, editorial support of Pathways, conference organization or other similar contribution.
The Honourary Life Membership Award recognizes the substantial and lasting contributions of long-time and esteemed members of COEO who are a vital part of its traditions and successes. Candidates for this award should meet the following criteria: 10 or more years of distinguished service in the field of outdoor education Held leadership positions within COEO for several years Nominated by three COEO members.
The Dorothy Walter Award for Leadership was created in 1986 to give recognition to an individual who, like Dorothy Walter herself, has shown an outstanding commitment to the development of leadership qualities in Ontario youth and through outdoor education.
The Robin Dennis Award was created in tribute to Robin Dennis, one of the founders of Ontario outdoor education in the 1950s and 1960s. It is presented to an individual, outdoor education program or facility that has made an outstanding contribution to the promotion and development of outdoor education in the province. This award is open to non-members of COEO and the person making the nomination can also be a non-member of COEO.
The Amethyst Award, in memory of Brent Dysart is presented to an emerging professional new to the field of outdoor education. This award recognizes individual potential in those beginning a career. The recipient of the Amethyst Award receives a complimentary one-year membership to COEO and free admittance to the annual fall conference.
COEO members are encouraged to put forward the names of deserving candidates for these awards. Nominations should include the following:
- Name and contact information for nominator
- Name and contact information for nominee
- Award category
- Summary of achievements related to award criteria.
Nominations are to be received by the current COEO Past President (see the inside cover of Pathways for contact information) no later than September 10th of each year.
The President's Award, Honorary Life Membership Award and Dorothy Walter Award for Leadership are all for the recognition of COEO members. The person nominating must also be a member of COEO.
The Robin Dennis Award is also open to non-members of COEO. The person nominating can also be a non-member of COEO.