COEO NEWS
COEO Response to Recent Events
As we are confronted with the tragedy, horror and discomfort of recent events, we are simultaneously called once again to raise our collective awareness and recognize the injustices that continue to be faced each day by folks in Indigenous, Muslim, Black, Asian, and all marginalized communities. It is especially important to recognize how acts of racism and hatred create barriers to these communities in their ability to access and recreate in the outdoors safely.
While this may be a time to mourn, let this also be a call to action to denounce racism and hate in our everyday lives. This is not a “dark chapter” in Canada’s history – this is our reality, and there is much work to be done by all of us. Starting with educating ourselves. Then, taking action. Each of us.
Can we do something positive within our own families and communities? Can we use the awareness that has surfaced from these tragic events to create the much-needed time and space to empathetically listen to others’ stories? Can we use our privileged voices to call people in, call people out, and speak up in support of those who have too often been silenced and not heard?
Yes, we can. We can do something on our own, but we can also make a larger impact together. We can continue to do what we do well as outdoor educators. We can model what it looks like to show respect for oneself, others, and the environment around us. We can cultivate a connection with the land, water, and sky. We can build bridges between individuals and communities, and do our part to create spaces where all people can feel safe.
Let us make sure that the awareness created by these recent events is channeled into action. If we each take one action today and another action tomorrow, slowly but surely we will move towards true inclusion, diversity, and equity in the outdoors.
COEO Community Webinar Series
Thanks so much to all webinar presenters and participants. It was great to stay connected with the COEO community each month from February to June by hosting live monthly webinars on a diverse range of topics.
Did you enjoy the webinars? Would you like to see more webinars in the future? On any specific topics?
Let us know! info@coeo.org
CLICK HERE to connect to COEO’s YouTube channel and view a recording of our FREE webinars – Engaging Students in Nature-Based Programming Online (recorded December 2020) and Taking Your Kindergarten Students Outside (recorded July 2020). We will be posting more content soon.
A note on membership: Being a COEO member means that you are part of a strong and active community dedicated to promoting and celebrating the value of outdoor and experiential education. As a member of COEO, you add your much-needed support and voice to the work being done by the organization, including webinars, advocacy and resources developed specifically for outdoor educators like the quarterly Pathways journal, Outdoor Learning Tips and this monthly e-newsletter. Thanks to everyone who has continued to support the organization through the pandemic!
Outdoor Learning Tips Document – Now available in French!
CLICK HERE to check out the French translation of our popular Outdoor Learning Tips document – Conseils pour faciliter l’apprentissage en plein air. Many thanks to Jennifer Bernier from Ecole La Fontaine, in Kleinburg, ON, for translating the English version and to Danielle Barrett (current COEO Board member) for editing. Feel free to download and share this version of the document with any French speaking colleagues!
Diversity & Allyship in Outdoor Education
Wondering how to support diversity in the outdoors and be a better ally to BIPOC folx within our industry? Here are some great resources to get you started and some incredible organizations already doing the work to increase diversity in outdoor activities.
Watch this video Black & Safe in Outdoor Spaces, a conversation between Demiesha Dennis and Jacqueline Scott. They discuss what it means to be Black outdoors, both within the city and out on Canada’s trails, how safety considerations impact the way Black communities navigate these spaces, and the historic roots of these issues.
Support Demiesha Dennis, founder of Brown Girl Outdoor World, in her efforts to create a Gear and Equipment Library (based in Toronto), either through a monetary donation or equipment donation. Check out her Instagram and read more about her work on her website.
Read about the movement Bird Names for Birds and sign the petition.
Read The Melanin Base Camp Guide to Outdoor Allyship.
Check out this great webinar Black Outdoors: The Connections Between Race and Outdoor Space put on by the Toronto Public Library, featuring Jacqueline L. Scott in conversation with Demiesha Dennis.
Support the work of Colour the Trails by becoming a member. Find out more about the organization and their work advocating for inclusive representation in outdoor spaces on their website, colourthetrails.com
Support Project Love Run, which is all about women’s mental health, community and running. Find out more about them here.
OTHER OEE & RELATED NEWS
Book of the Month
Outdoor Leadership, Second Edition, is the definitive text for developing student leadership in outdoor and adventure settings throughout the world. Crafted by an author team internationally recognized for their research, teaching, and experience in outdoor and adventure leadership, this new edition provides students with the foundational knowledge they need to develop as competent professionals in the field.
This unique approach to outdoor and adventure leadership will help students meet current professional standards in the field as they prepare for careers in education and recreation. The students move step by step through the materials and assignments, gaining and demonstrating leadership competencies, which they will document through a portfolio of their course experiences. The development of these portfolios is a highly practical and valuable takeaway for students looking to get a leg up as they ready themselves for their career.
For more information, click here.
Use code B538 to receive 40% off regular price. Offer expires 7/31/2021
Introducing the Kaymayquinn Youth Paddling Fund – Paddle Canada
Applications are now open for youth, up to the age of 18, to apply for a small grant to help pay for their fees to participate in a Paddle Canada course. Alternatively, a group representing youth could apply for a small grant to help hire a Paddle Canada instructor to deliver a course to their group.
Requirements for application:
- Open to those up to the age 18, as of December 31, 2021
- Applicants will be asked to submit a short essay (up to 500 words) on why they paddle.
- Applicants will be asked to provide the name of the Paddle Canada course they wish to take, and name the instructor (please note, the course must be offered before the end of 2021)
- Applicant must list the amount of the course tuition.
To find out more, CLICK THE LINK HERE
Memoire website for the Bronte Creek Project (BCP)
We are very excited to share with you the Bronte Creek Project Memoire Website. BCP Founder, John McKillop, has been hard at work reflecting and writing on everything from BCP’s guiding principles, to the curriculum, to the different decades of BCP and Trailhead. This digital memoire is a time capsule of sorts, designed to be a template for when someone may wish to resurrect the amazing program, or do something similar. We also hope that those who were involved in the program will find in this memoire a refresher of the experiences and values that were a part of their learning while at BCP/Trailhead.
We hope you can pass this along to any other Creekers you know, and even to organizations that you think may benefit from this documentation. Share your testimonials, stories and photos of BCP/TH in the ‘Mailing List’ section at the bottom of the website. Check it out: https://www.
Survey Request for Outdoor Activity Leaders
Bringing a group outside is a beautiful role filled with important responsibilities. Properly preparing group leaders requires good and accessible training options. To do this, a working group preparing for the Canadian Outdoor Summit in 2022 is developing a proposal for a framework on competencies and training for Led Outdoor Activities. To create something that will work for the sector and honor the quality training already in existence, they have prepared a survey to better understand the scope and distribution of training providers in Canada.
If you have worked and/or volunteered for an organization bringing people outside, your participation in this survey is important and meaningful.
CLICK HERE to complete the survey!
Unpacking Intolerance: Equity & Diversity Training for Educators
Unpacking Intolerance is a new FREE professional development program for teachers being piloted by Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center for Holocaust Studies (FSWC) in July and August 2021. The goals and objectives of this program are to: 1. recognize antisemitism alongside other forms of hate and intolerance 2. support educators in linking the knowledge of historical and contemporary issues of antisemitism and hate to pedagogy 3. offer a framework for the practical application of these topics in a classroom setting 4. provide tangible tools to support teachers in their classrooms
Contact Friends of the Simon Weisenthal Center for Holocaust Studies to register for their 2-day training sessions. LEARN MORE HERE
TDSB Launches New Outdoor Learning Website
We are excited to launch a new outdoor learning website for staff and families in the TDSB. This portal brings together information, ideas and resources to help support and encourage learning in the outdoors. While many educators regularly integrated the outdoors into their daily learning, the pandemic has encouraged all staff to look beyond the walls of their classroom and find innovative and creative ways to learn outside.
This portal provides valuable and current information for educators, including research, resources and best practices, to help them get started or explore new ideas. Staff are also encouraged to share their outdoor learning in action with #TDSBoutdoors on social media to inspire other educators interested in trying new learning opportunities outside.
The Family Resources area of the site provides tips for preparing for the weather, resources for why and how to get started as well as a comprehensive list of activities for families to enjoy together in the city. The website will continue to be updated with new information and resources and will continue to serve as a hub of ideas and innovation that educators use not only in the coming months, but for years ahead. Check out the website HERE.
CANOPA – Canadian Outdoor Professionals Association
CANOPA is (Canadian Outdoor Professionals Association) a national nonprofit organization started in 2021. Stemming from the need for a unified voice for outdoor professionals, CANOPA’s main goals are to EDUCATE outdoor professionals on their rights and responsibilities, to AMPLIFY and include marginalized voices and reduce barriers for folks with diverse backgrounds, to ADVOCATE for a more sustainable industry, and to SUPPORT the community of outdoor professionals through events like OWLS and more! To get involved and stay informed about future opportunities with CANOPA, sign up for a membership and/or follow on Instagram (@canopa_org) or Facebook (@canopa.org). Contact us at canadian.outdoor.instructors@
Get Kids Paddling – Why Paddle? Visual
Together with Erica Bota from ThinkLink Graphics, Get Kids Paddling has produced a stunning visual to capture a 2 hour discussion where 7 people spoke openly about their paddling experiences, primarily on canoe trips. Opening the link will show you the illustration displaying how Erica captured the conversation. GKP-Why-Paddle-Visual.pdf
OEE P.D. OPPORTUNITIES
Adventureworks! Associates Inc.
Ropes Course Training and Certification Courses offered by Adventureworks Associates Inc.
Outdoor Learning Webinars, hosted by LSF:
- A series of webinars designed specifically for and by secondary teachers
- Tips for getting outside even in cold winter months!
- Connecting primary and middle school math curriculum to the outdoors
Check out the recorded webinar sessions for each grade group:
- Kindergarten/Early Years: Webinar recording | Webinar slides
- Grades K-6: Webinar recording | Webinar slides
- Grades 4-10: Webinar recording | Webinar slides
Webinars from Natural Curiosity:
Recordings for all past Natural Curiosity webinars series are available through a “pay-what-you-can” model on the University of Toronto Press website! CLICK HERE to access these webinars.
NAAEE 2020 Annual Conference and Research Symposium – Inspiring Change
The focus of the 2020 NAAEE Conference and Research Symposium was positive change. Virtual workshops explored the ways in which environmental education informs and inspires, and how it builds human capacity, influences attitudes, and galvanizes actions to create healthier communities and a healthier environment for all.
Recordings of almost all sessions are available for on-demand viewing.
We don’t want cost to be a barrier, especially in these unprecedented times when many in our field have been hard hit by the Coronavirus pandemic. Access to recordings is available at reduced rates.
More information can be found on the event website: https://naaee.org/conference
UPCOMING CONFERENCES
Canadian Outdoor Summit
September 29 – October 2, 2021, Virtual events across Canada Our Plan for Fall 2021 – Canadian Outdoor Summit
This inaugural event is about bringing people together to celebrate contributions and tackle some key structural challenges affecting all outdoor programs from coast to coast to coast. This national gathering is aimed at celebrating our contribution to Canadian society and solving key challenges faced by outdoor programs. This project is a collective effort of the outdoor sector, therefore your perspective and contribution offers tremendous value. More information can be found on the event website: http://canadianoutdoorsummit.com/ and social media channels. Please follow and share: Instagram, Facebook, Canadian Outdoor Summit Promotional Video
Association for Experiential Education (AEE)
November 11 – 14th, 2021, Virtual
AEE’s 49th Annual International Conference will convene attendees to promote, definine, develop, and apply theories and practices of Experiential Education. Our Conference is intentionally designed to create a collaborative environment where you can grow your career, discover valuable new strategies to integrate into your work, and develop lasting personal and professional relationships.
Join hundreds of Experiential Educators from around the world for four days of engaging workshops, meaningful networking, and informative presentations…all from the safety and comfort of your own home!
Find out all the details and how to register HERE
JOB POSTINGS
Senior Teacher, Norval Outdoor School, UCC
This is a full time permanent OE position with full faculty compensation, a great job for an experienced outdoor educator. UCC is accepting applications until July 19th.
2020-2021 v Senior Teacher-Norval Posting
Multiple Positions, Adventureworks! Associates, Inc.
Hiring now! Challenge Course Installers and Program Facilitators. To see complete job postings, CLICK HERE
Multiple Positions, Outward Bound Canada
OLE Instructor and OLE Support, Pine River Institute
Pine River Institute is an innovative co-ed residential treatment program for teens struggling with addictive behaviours. We are a family-centered program comprised of 4 phases: Wilderness (Outdoor Leadership Experience), Residential, Transition, and Aftercare. Every student, upon entering the program, spends 8 or more weeks in Huntsville before moving to the residence. Day-to-day activities in wilderness include canoeing, hiking, snowshoeing, group initiatives, group and individual therapy, and journaling. Youths live and work in nature in groups of up to eight, with three staff.
Our campus is situated on 200 acres of spectacular Niagara Escarpment land near Shelburne, Ontario. The program here includes outdoor education, individual, group, and family therapy, expressive arts, athletics, and life skills, as well as the more traditional academic offerings.
To view current postings, click HERE
ONTARIO CAMPS ASSOCIATION – JOB BOARD
The OCA Job Board is always an excellent place to find job postings in the field of outdoor education. Check out their website, as many full-time positions at outdoor centres and camps are now being advertised.
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ABOUT THIS ELECTRONIC NEWSLETTER
For consistency, the COEO electronic newsletter is now published on the first of each month. Anyone having an item of interest to outdoor & experiential educators and desiring publication in this newsletter needs to submit it to newsletter@coeo.org at least two days before the publication date.
The newsletter is generally organized according to the following headings: COEO News, Other OEE & Related News, P.D. Opportunities, Opportunities for Students, Resources, Job Postings. If your organization wishes to post information (e.g., notice of upcoming events, etc), it needs to be an organizational member of COEO.
If you would like to be removed from COEO’s eNewsletter mailing list, please send an email to newsletter@coeo.org and ask to be unsubscribed.