COEO NEWS
Make Peace with Winter 2026: Transforming Education for Eco-Centric Change
What a weekend of great community building, rich sharing, thoughtful conversation, and lots of joy it was!
Thank you to our amazing keynotes: Jenny Groves from British Columbia and Craig Macdonald of Echo Maker fame.
A deep thank you also to our fabulous presenters, our conference committee, all the attendees, and to our host – the incomparable Camp Kawartha.
We asked a provocative question that drew people in: What role is education called upon to play in this time of accelerating ecological catastrophe and deep disconnection of kinship between humans and the rest of the natural world? It is a question that is urgent, existential, and deeply rooted in education.
So many presenters responded with workshop and paper submissions that went above and beyond, responding to the call with a rallying cry around a simple – yet profound – idea: that education sits at the root of not only who we are – both individually and in community – but also who we may become.
We enjoyed such a wide variety of workshops from students, academics, teachers, camp leaders, conservation authorities, body movement practitioners, and outdoor educators of all stripes! Keep an eye out for upcoming issues of COEO’s Pathways journal that will feature articles based on workshops, learnings, provocations, and calls to action from the MPWW 2026 conference.
We are particularly thankful to the contingent from Lakehead University in Thunder Bay for joining us at MPWW as presenters and attendees! This is a new connection that COEO welcomes – here’s to more collaboration to come.
We deeply value any feedback (as either a presenter, attendee, or both) that you may provide. It truly goes a long way to supporting COEO’s work. Please follow this link to submit the short (2 minutes to fill-out) feedback form: https://tally.so/r/eqLB0o
At this year’s conference, you may have noticed someone new: photographer and videographer extraordinaire Kath Fudurich! She did a fabulous job capturing the sights, sounds, and feeling of the event, in both photo and video form. Click here to access photos and videos from the conference: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1i8vrN7-B3Hrvrc7Xr3KZzM5HMswIDbHu?usp=sharing
Come June, COEO will once again be running two OWLS (Ontario Wilderness Leadership Symposium) canoe trip conferences. The dates are June 4-7 and June 11-14 in Killarney and Algonquin Provincial Parks, respectively. Save the dates! Each trip is limited to 18 participants, and we will be announcing further details and registration soon.
Sincerely, and in radical hope and wonder,
Devin Mutić, Rayanna Santiago, and Lee McArthur COEO MPWW 2026 Conference Co-Chairs & OWLS 2026 Conference Co-Chairs
Introducing the 2025/26 Board of Directors
Every year our fall conference culminates with our Annual General Meeting where we vote in the upcoming Board of Directors. This year, our board is filled with diverse backgrounds and expertise to help steer our organization and serve our membership community.
Meet our 2025/26 Board of Directors
President: Peggy Cheng
Vice-President: Ben Blakey
Past President: Hilary Coburn
Secretary: Kim Squires
Treasurer: Valerie Freemantle
Volunteer Coordinator: Devin Mutic
Membership Secretary: Lee McArthur
Directors at Large:
Angel Suarez Esquivel
Rayanna Santiago
Julie Read
Lilla Scott
You can read their bios at https://www.coeo.org/who-we-are/. We look forward to meeting you at a future COEO event!
Fall Conference Committee Call Out!
Help us create this year’s COEO 2026 Fall Conference! If you’re interested, please fill out the form here.
- Monthly Zoom meetings — Thursdays, 7:00 – 9:00 PM
- Meeting dates: Feb 19, Mar 12, Apr 16, May 14, Jun 11, Jul 9, Aug 13, Sep 17
- Conference: Sept 25–27 at Camp Muskoka
- Proposed Theme: The Importance of Play in Learning for All Ages
- Roles available with small or larger time commitments
- No experience required; all experience welcome
Join us and help bring this year’s conference to life! If you have any questions, please reach out to conference@coeo.org.
OTHER OEE & RELATED NEWS
Queen’s University OEE program update!
The Queen’s Faculty of Education OEE program now has a secure future, thanks to the establishment of “The Outdoor and Environmental Legacy Fund in Memory of Bob Pieh”, the program’s founder. This was made possible with a major gift from a long-time member of COEO and OEE graduate (1978).
The twelve-month program will resume in May 2027. While retaining many of its long-standing features, the program is now described as “an experiential, nature-based and community-based program … that seeks foundational transformation in relationships between people and planet for the wellbeing of all.” Further donations to this fund will enable Queen’s to hire a tenure track faculty member in OEE. According to Faculty of Education Dean Amy Burns, this “would ensure that incredible mix of teaching excellence, practical experience and research that makes a program truly outstanding.” For more information, contact Kelly McElrea in the Queen’s Office of Advancement: kmcelrea@queensu.ca 613-533-6000 Ext. 79965
Charles “Chuck” Hopkins honoured with the Order of Canada
Hopkins is an internationally recognized leader in placing sustainability as a core principle of education. In 1999, Hopkins assumed the inaugural role of United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Chair at York, leading efforts to integrate sustainable practices into both the curricula and operations of York University.
He has brought those same efforts worldwide through collaborations with UNESCO, the United Nations University, higher education institutions and ministries of education.
To read the full article, visit https://www.yorku.ca/edu/2026/01/09/charles-hopkins-honoured-with-the-order-of-canada/
New OUTSIDEPLAY Tool for Elementary School Teachers!
OUTSIDEPLAY is excited to announce the launch of a new free educational tool made by teachers for teachers who want to take their classrooms outdoors! Find it at: https://teacher.outsideplay.org
This tool is the newest addition to our OUTSIDEPLAY.org suite, joining existing parent and early childhood educator tools. It is the result of years of practical hands-on experience and the PhD thesis work of Megan Zeni, a teacher who teaches exclusively outdoors. She worked with teachers across BC and Canada to develop the material. The development of the Teacher.OutsidePlay.org tool was funded by the BC Children’s Hospital Foundation.
The 16 modules cover topics that teachers most want to know about, ranging from the basics of outdoor play and learning in schools to practical tips on getting started. We’ll continue to build out the tool with additional resources. We’re planning a speaker weries to dive deeper into the concepts introduced in each module.
For any questions or more information, reach out to our team at outsideplay@bcchr.ca. Also, please follow us on Instagram @playoutsideubc for regular updates and give our posts a thumbs up!
Outdoor Learning School and Store, April Events
To view the full list of programs: https://outdoorlearning.com/event/?mc_cid=2ca091c165&mc_eid=8fd84d546b
OEE P.D. OPPORTUNITIES
Outdoor Leader Training Program (Free 1-Day Training Workshop), Sierra Club Canada
Sierra Club Canada is hosting a free, 1-day Outdoor Leader Training program in Toronto on Saturday, May 9th, 2026.
Knowing Nature in Winter, Chris Outdoors
Nature in Winter is a free, family- and school-friendly mini-series designed to help people not only identify birds, trees, and animals, but also begin learning how to read and interpret the stories being told by the natural world all around us.
Over the course of a week, participants receive three short videos and simple worksheets that introduce:
Bird Language
Birds don’t just make pretty sounds. They have an elaborate language and communicate information about changing weather, predators on the landscape, and movement in their environment.
Wildlife Tracking
As animals move across the landscape, their tracks leave behind a detailed account of where they’ve been and what they were doing. Through the art and science of tracking, participants learn how to read these signs and gain insight into the often hidden lives of wildlife.
Trees
How to identify common trees in winter and how trees act as seasonal markers, revealing patterns about weather, habitat, and place.
The series is practical and accessible, while also inviting a deeper way of paying attention to nature. Rather than memorizing names alone, participants begin developing observation skills that help them notice relationships, patterns, and change over time.
Learn more and sign up here:
https://www.chrisoutdoors.ca/natureinwinter
Tall Ship Sailing, Outdoor Education & Recreation
Outdoor Learning Webinars, hosted by LSF
Some of the newest webinar offerings include:
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
For an up to date list of upcoming webinars, continue to check LSF’s R4R outdoor learning page
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
Climate Action Photovoice, CAMH
Missinaibi River Canoe Trip – Earn 3 High School Credits, Headwaters Wilderness Program
Headwaters is running an open enrollment 3-credit high school canoe trip course this summer and we are looking for educators who are interested in sharing this opportunity with students in their school, school board, or First Nation community. Any student across Canada entering grade 11 or 12 in September 2026 is eligible to join. The trip merges academic and land-based learning in a novel way, and is part of a research project by a University of Toronto professor in regard to the educational methods and outcomes. All three of the credits included in the trip are grade 11 or 12 university/college prep level courses, making them applicable toward post-secondary applications.
More info can be found at this link: https://www.headwaterswildernessprogram.ca/missinaibi-canoe-trip-high-school-credit-course
Anyone with questions is encouraged to reach out to: info@headwaterswildernessprogram.ca
UPCOMING CONFERENCES
Outdoor Learning Conference, May 7-9 in Banff, Alberta
International Outdoor Education Research Conference, June 22-26 in Oslo, Norway
NAAEE Annual Conference, October 6-9 in Portland, Oregon, USA
AEE International Conference, November 12-14 in Estes Park, Colorado, USA
AORE Outdoor Professionl Conference, November 17-20, Orlando, Florida, USA
JOB POSTINGS
School Administrator, Cedar Grove School
Cedar Grove School is an emerging, Waldorf-inspired, land-based school located on an organic farm in Prince Edward County. As we complete our first year of operation (currently serving approximately 12 students), we are seeking a School Administrator to support the school’s next phase of development.
To apply, please visit: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hUgYQCqv3EVhrZniVWU2NaPGoOIw7D4V/view
Multiple positions, Elite Camps
Elite Camps is now hiring for the spring, summer, and fall seasons at our Outdoor Education Centre. We are currently seeking candidates for the following roles:
– Waterfront Director: $819.40 per week
– Athletic Therapist: $869.40 per week
– Lifeguards: Summer wages vary based on age, qualifications, and experience.
All positions include room and board.
What sets Elite Camps apart is our commitment to leadership development. Every staff member is assigned a mentor to support personal growth throughout the summer. Using our “Game Plan” tool, you will identify areas for improvement and create a roadmap for success. Whatever your goals may be, we are here to help you achieve them.
To apply, please visit: https://hoopdreams.elitecamps.com/staff/ (https://hoopdreams.elitecamps.com/staff/)
Forest School Facilitator, Nature’s Calling Environmental Education
Canoe Trip Leader, Project Canoe
Canoe Trip Leaders are responsible for planning, packing, and leading backcountry wilderness canoe trips in Algonquin Park with Project Canoe’s youth. Each canoe trip is composed of 2-3 Canoe Trip Leaders and 4-6 youth participants. Canoe Trip Leaders co-lead canoe trips and are responsible for pre- and post-trip prep/cleanup, engaging and supporting youth while on the trip, and making appropriate safety and leadership decisions. At all points of the trip, the Canoe Trip Leaders must maintain a youth focused approach and keep the emotional and physical safety of the youth as their primary concern.
https://canoe.org/employmentinfo
Interpretive Guides (seasonal or casual available), Grand River Conservation Authority
https://www.grandriver.ca/who-we-are/job-opportunities
Forest School Supply Teacher, Cambridge Farm and Forest School
Program Facilitator (Part-Time), Trails Youth Initiative
Reporting to the Program Director, Facilitators work with youth aged 11-17 in an overnight setting. Facilitators provide 24-hour supervision to participants in addition to teaching principles of healthy living and seasonal outdoor activities such as canoeing, swimming, camping skills, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. During the summer, Facilitators are also responsible for leading camping trips at Trails Lakeside site in Stouffville (Years 1 and 2) and/or off-site canoe trips (Years 3, 4, 5) in Ontario’s backcountry (e.g. Algonquin Park, Temagami). https://trails.ca/about/work-at-trails/
Ontario Urban Wild Casual Instructor, Outward Bound Canada
Ontario Urban Wild Casual Instructor, Outward Bound Canada
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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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