COEO NEWS
MPWW registration ends soon – REGISTER TODAY!
Your 2019 COEO Make Peace with Winter Organizing Committee is hard at work planning for 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 will be the Bark Lake Leadership and Conference Centre—a place of significant meaning and long standing connection to the Council of Outdoor Educators of Ontario.
Check out the amazing line-up of workshops and pre-conference professional development opportunities. Information about this year’s special keynote presenters, the ultimate winter gear swap, and action packed loppet have now been posted.
Download a copy of the OFFICIAL MPWW PROGRAM HERE.
REGISTER TODAY!!!
Dynamic Horizons: A Research and Conceptual Summary of Outdoor Education
| Date | Event | Location |
| January 18-20, 2019 | Make Peace With Winter | Bark Lake, Haliburton, ON |
| January 25, 2019 | Environmental Education Student Conference | UOIT Faculty of Ed building, Oshawa, ON |
| February 1-2, 2019 | Canadian Student Outdoor Ed Conference | Queens University, Kingston, ON |
| January 26, 2019 | Mittens in the Snow, SCDSB Outdoor Ed Conference | Tiffin Centre for Conservation, Barrie, ON |
| May 16, 2019 | EcoLinks, OSEE Conference | High Park, Toronto, ON |
OTHER OEE & RELATED NEWS
Horwood Conference Registration Closes Soon!
The Canadian Student Outdoor Education Conference (aka The Horwood Conference) is an event organized by and for Canadian students studying outdoor and environmental education, health and physical education, outdoor recreation, adventure leadership, experience-based learning and/or related fields. It is hosted at Queen’s University each year and held over a weekend in February. Graduate, Undergraduate, B.Ed and College students from across Canada will meet at the Horwood Conference to present oral or poster contributions on various research topics related to outdoor education, as well as share games and learning activities, lead workshops, attend special invited lectures, and also meet with representatives from participating institutions that offer Bachelor of Education and graduate degrees with a focus on outdoor education. Students can choose to simply register as a conference participant or complete the presentation proposal form and attend as a conference presenter.
The Conference Organizing Committee will be accepting participant registrations up until January 21st. Make sure your forms are received by then!
Conference Registration Form and Participant Information
DATE:
February 1-2, 2019
LOCATION:
School of Kinesiology and Health Studies Building, 28 Division Street
Queen’s University
KEYNOTE PRESENTERS:
Dr. Paul Stonehouse, Green Mountain College
Dr. Lisa Glithero, University of Ottawa
Canadian Conservation Corps
The Canadian Conservation Corps is a new national program for 18 to 30 year olds where they will gain skills to engage their peers in meaningful conservation in their own communities. The program has three parts:
- 2-week Wilderness Expedition
- 3-Month Service Learning placement with a conservation expert and;
- Time in their home community to connect their peers with conservation.
For more information, go to: http://cwf-fcf.org/en/
National Climate Change Survey
Researchers, Dr. Ellen Field and Associate Professor Paul Berger, from Lakehead University, in collaboration with Learning for a Sustainable Future and with support from SSHRC, are undertaking a national survey to gain an understanding of current levels of knowledge and perceptions of climate change and to assess the education system’s role in addressing climate change education.
This survey is targeting the general public, parents of K-12 students, students ages 12 -18, teachers, administrators, teacher educators, and other interested educators across the country.
Responses are sought from diverse perspectives; whether you feel strongly or are indifferent about climate change and the role of education, your opinions are important!
National and Provincial/Territorial results will be shared with Ministries of Education, Teacher Federations, Faculties of Education, and other education stakeholder groups across Canada.
Please contribute here: www.bit.ly/lsfclimatesurvey
Survey details:
- survey will take approximately 15-20 minutes
- survey is available in both English and French
- this research study has been reviewed and approved by the Lakehead University Research Ethics Board
- all survey responses are anonymous
- respondents can enter to win 1 of 5 HP Sprocket smartphone photo printers!
If you have any questions about the survey please contact Dr. Ellen Field, Principal Investigator (efield@lakeheadu.ca) or Pamela Schwartzberg, President and CEO of LSF (pam@LSF-LST.ca)
Citizen Science Research Study!
Nisbet Research Lab, Department of Psychology, Trent University
Tell us what it’s like to be a citizen scientist!
We’re researchers interested in citizen science activities and would like to hear from you. Click here to learn more and help us by completing a brief survey. Participants who complete this study will be entered in a draw for a $100 gift card (Amazon, MEC, or REI; $CDN or $US depending on region). There will be a draw every six months and participants can only win once.
OEE P.D. OPPORTUNITIES
Green Teacher Webinars: Various topics and dates
Exploring Learning Stories with Lotje Hives and Astrid Steele
Date and time: January 16, 2019; 7:30-8:30pm EST
Webinar facilitators will discuss how observing and documenting learning in, about and for the environment alongside learners, is slowing down the process of learning and offering a space for thoughtful reflection about relationships, stewardship and global citizenship to inform pedagogy.
Using progressive skits to teach food chains with Emily M. Stone
Date and time: February 13, 2019; 7:30-8:30pm EST
Teacher-led progressive skits are a quick and engaging way to make food chains come alive for students aged six to adult. They provide a good mix of teacher control and student creativity, and use repetition and humor to facilitate learning. They can be customized to work with any grade level or even mixed groups by purposefully selecting the level of vocabulary and detail you include. In her presentation, Emily will walk you through the basics.
UPCOMING CONFERENCES
Forest Ontario Conference
Feb 8, 2019, Alliston, Ontario
Join us for our Annual Conference on February 8th in Alliston, ON! This year’s theme is Natural Connections, where we will be exploring our relationship with Ontario’s forests.
Our forests are deeply rooted in our daily lives, our histories and our cultures. Our well-being—past, present and future—is intrinsically intertwined with this vital resource. However, our forests are increasingly impacted by ever-changing factors; societal, economic and environmental. Understanding our connection to our forests, and how our forests define our relationships with one another, is critical to the continued sustainable management of this incredible resource. Join us as we explore these relationships and ensure healthy forests and communities for our future!
Stay tuned for details on registration.
http://www.workcabin.ca/events/forests-ontario-conference/
EECOM Conference 2019
May 10-12, 2019, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
The theme of the EECOM Conference in 2019 is “Action on Climate Change Through Education,” making this the first national environmental education conference with a focus on climate change education. Our aim is to increase action on climate change through education by bringing together educators, students, policy makers, researchers, and community members to discuss and collaborate on this important and timely topic.
Four concurrent session strands will focus on (1) PreK-12 Education, (2) Higher Education, (3) Community Education, (4) and Indigenous Education. Presentations and contributions on a wide range of other environmental education and land-based topics are also welcomed. We are excited to bring a mix of presentation styles and formats, which will support participants of all backgrounds and learning styles. There will be keynote plenaries, panel discussions, hands-on workshops, place-based field trips, pre-conference field trips, leadership seminars, and more.
Plein air- Apprendre à Ciel Ouvert (Open air learning)
les 8,9 et 10 février 2019, Saint-Jean-de-Matha, Québec
For the first time in Quebec, the Outdoors – Learning in the OpenSymposium will bring together presenters, preschoolers and students from different fields to discuss and discuss the various modalities of intervention in a context of full immersion. air in Quebec. Participants will be able to discover many inspiring initiatives and experience concrete experiences that will enable them to take action in their communities. The theme of the conference, interdisciplinarity, will offer participants opportunities to decompartmentalize subjects, focusing on concrete projects where students are active in their learning. Do not miss this unique training and networking event!
JOB POSTINGS
Summer Camp Staff- Camp Kirk
Camp Kirk staff work as a team to ensure the physical and emotional safety of the campers. The staff sets the tone of the camp and sends the message to the children that they are in a supportive environment where they are free to be themselves and take risks. These are no small tasks that the staff achieve each summer, and working at Camp Kirk may be challenging at times. However, we strive to provide our staff with the support and guidance they need to feel confident and empowered to support the needs of our campers. For this reason, there is no doubt that a summer at Camp Kirk can be an extremely rewarding experience.
To see all positions and to apply: click here
Wilderness Camp Coordinator- Pearce Williams Summer Camp
Pearce Williams Summer Camp is looking for a qualified Wilderness Camp Coordinator to lead our wilderness camp program for the months of July and August and help plan and help run our outdoor education program for May and June. The Wilderness Camp Coordinator will work with our Camp Director & Executive Director to provide our wilderness campers with an immersive, experiential and fun wilderness camp experience. Our wilderness camp program consists of 3, week-long sessions and pre-summer training events.
Wilderness Coordinator Job Posting – 2019
Nature Interpreter, Royal Botanical Gardens
This is a part-time casual contract position running until August 30, 2019, with possibility for renewal. While this position may work with students of all ages, the ideal candidate will possess an interest and experience working with Early-Years students (2-5 years old) and their families.
Responsibilities:
- Deliver captivating experiential environmental education programming for children and youth (Early Childhood and Kindergarten to Grade 12) in a variety of outdoor settings;
- Programming delivery includes but is not limited to: school groups, birthday parties, youth groups, on-site special events, off-site special events;
- Collaborate with other members of the Education Team to manage risk, coordinate program delivery, and provide feedback to improve program design and delivery;
- Provide excellent customer service and engage visitors during school programs, public events, and all other interactions with visitors/guests;
- Communicate promptly and clearly with other interpretive staff and administrators both in and out of program;
- Ensure proper upkeep of program materials, and completion of administrative duties as required;
- Arrive and depart according to agreed-upon timelines;
- Provide feedback and suggestions in line with values and mission;
- Other duties as requested
To view the whole posting, click here
Safety and Risk Specialist, Girl Guides of Canada
The Safety & Risk Specialist will be the organizational lead on maintaining, overseeing and evaluating GGC’s safety framework through which programs are delivered to girls. GGC is currently reassessing its approach to member safety. With the support of a Project Manager, the Safety and Risk Specialist must have the ability to redevelop and implement a new safety framework. Click HERE for more information.
Forest School Educator, Natural Pathways Learning Center
Natural Pathways Learning Centre offers Forest and Nature School programs for school and community groups. We are a non-profit organization run by an enthusiastic and committed volunteer board of directors. Our programming follows the Forest School philosophy and is a play-based, outdoor, all-weather program for children ages 3-10. We run preschool, kindergarten and school age programs, as well as morning parent and child drop-in program. We are seeking a creative, enthusiastic, outdoor-oriented educator to join our growing team. Our programs are child-led and follow an emergent curriculum based on the seasons, the children’s interests and the provocations found in nature.
Click here to view the full posting and to apply.
Instructor/Residential Care Worker, Wendigo Lake Expeditions
Instructors/Residential Care Workers for Project DARE & REACH Residential Adventure Therapy Programs provide direct service programming including delivery of the intensive therapeutic and behaviour management program; facilitating adventure activities ranging from games/initiatives, low and high ropes courses and other challenge activities; leading wilderness expeditions; supporting the school program; and facilitating life skills programming including cooking and daily chores routines.
Instructors are paid a variable per diem based on work experience, services provided, and level of responsibility. A typical annual income ranges from $40,000-$50,000 plus benefits including an extended health care plan. Work schedules vary per program, but average 15 days per month. If you are well-qualified, enjoy the challenge of working with youth who have very challenging behaviours, and would like to work as a member of a motivated team of exceptional people within a culture of support and feedback, send a cover letter and resume to: jobs@wendigolake.com
Teachers, Educators, Counsellors, The Boundless School
Our mission is to go to the ends of the earth to help teens achieve academic and social outcomes beyond their wildest dreams. We are quite relentless in insisting people be good to each other. The result is an exquisite learning environment where kids don’t want to leave. In the Fall and Winter, we deliver an adventure-based boarding school for struggling teens.
For more information or to apply, please click here.
Head Adventure Based Learning Specialist, Take a Hike Foundation
The Take a Hike Foundation is seeking a full-time adventure-based learning specialist to join the Take a Hike Program to start in January to June 2019, with a strong likelihood for renewal in September.
Check out the posting 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.
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