COEO NEWS

Return of COEO’s Webinar Series! Thank You April Nicolle 🌘 ✨

To mark the 50th Anniversary of COEO, we are conducting a survey of our members, friends and supporters. Questions for you include “Where was your first experience learning about COEO or attending a COEO event?” Plus you’ll have the opportunity to request skill development and connect with a mentor for outdoor education. We are looking to you to share your ideas to help attract, engage and retain our Members.

Click here to complete the COEO survey now!

Thanks for sharing your voices COEO!

Congratulations to Our Early Bird Winner Taylor P.!

Complete our survey for your next chance to win a $50 gift card to MEC! Next draw January 31st ✨

You help us know which way to go!

How has COEO added value and connection to your life and your career?

“COEO has shown me that there are career pathways that I can take that will combine my love for nature and education.” Taylor P.

Call for Articles – Pathways: The Ontario Journal of Outdoor Education

Special Theme Issue: The Multiple and Lasting Benefits of School Canoe Trips

Deadline for submissions: Monday January 31, 2022

For questions or to submit, please contact Guest Editor Grant Linney:  glinney1@cogeco.ca

The Theme:

In response to the inexcusable and tragic drowning of 15-year-old Toronto student Jeremiah Perry while on a school canoe trip in August 2017, support for these unique outdoor learning experiences may now be in serious jeopardy. Canoe trips have a long-established place within Ontario secondary school programming. Whether curriculum-based and occurring as part of a health and physical education course or multi-credit integrated outdoor education program, or as an extracurricular activity organized by a school outdoors club, these canoe trips have the ability to impact students’ lives in many significant and meaningful ways. And so, the winter 2022 issue of Pathways will focus on the multiple and lasting benefits of such trips when they are purposefully organized and safely run.

For this special theme issue, we call on teachers specifically – those who plan, organize, facilitate and evaluate these unique learning experiences for students – and ask, what do you feel or know to be the lasting and important benefits of these learning experiences? What valuable lessons do/can students learn from place, physical activity, communal living, immersion in the more than human world, and time spent unfastened from modern communication technologies? What future challenges or barriers might teachers face when organizing these unique outdoor and experiential learning opportunities?

Desired approaches and topics for submissions:

• We are particularly interested in presenting personal narratives from experienced teacher-leaders of school canoe trips. The voices and stories of former student participants, co-leaders, administrators and advocates are also welcomed.
• Academic research which explores the impact of school canoe trips through the approach of significant school experience, transformational learning, meaningful experiences in physical education, transfer of learning, or other method(s).
• Ensuring equity of access to such experiences.
• The benefits of such experiences in terms of one or more of COEO’s four pillars: education for character, environment, wellbeing and curriculum.
• Creative submissions, which effectively communicate ideas related to the special theme, but reside outside the form and structure of what is typically presented in

Other parameters:

• COEO will be seeking theme related artwork to support this issue. Please note that Pathways typically does not make use of photos. Black line art is preferred.
• We hope to present many diverse ideas and experiences, and so are seeking submissions that are succinct and focused – ideally 2-4 pages in length (i.e., 1100 to 2400 words). Authors proposing articles of a greater length (5+ pages in length) should seek prior approval from the Guest Editor for this theme issue.

COEO Awards

Our annual awards provide an important opportunity to recognize both individual and group efforts, celebrating the many and varied expressions of outdoor education within our membership and throughout the province of Ontario. These awards also allow us to recognize members who have gone above and beyond to support the work of COEO; their contributions are invaluable to COEO, who depends upon members stepping forward to carry out the important mandates of our organization.

Our next set of awards will be given out at our 50th Fall Conference in September 2022. We are accepting award nominations throughout the year, and the deadline for submissions is September 1st. Since we did not distribute awards in 2020 or 2021 due to the pandemic we will likely give out 2-3 of each award category, depending on nominations.

For information about each of the COEO awards visit the Recognition page of our website.

Know a deserving outdoor educator or organization? Nominate them using this form: https://forms.gle/7SB8grn6qyXQznun9

COEO 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!

OTHER OEE & RELATED NEWS

Book of the Month

Geocaching for Schools and Communities is the ideal resource for organizing geocaching for learners of any age group. Written by authors who have presented geocaching at five national AAHPERD conferences, this one-stop resource provides everything you need to know about leading and participating in geocaching activities. To learn more click here. 

Use code B637 to receive 40% off regular price.  Offer expires 1/31/2022

CALL FOR PARTICIPANTS : Exploring the Climate Justice Practices of BIPoC educators 

High school teachers: https://bit.ly/3c53fBA 

Community educators: https://bit.ly/3C5JRPv 

All participants will receive a summary of the study’s findings along with a curated list of teaching and learning resources. For more info, please contact Preeti at preeti.nayak@mail.utoronto.ca. 

Please share widely!  Survey closes on January 31, 2022.

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 here.

2021 Climate Change & Education Survey – link still live for your feedback!

Calling all educators, parents, students and members of the general public: LSF needs to hear your voice on the importance of climate change education in Canada!

LSF has launched a nationwide survey to assess Canadians’ perceptions and understanding of climate change and how the education system should respond.  The survey will take about 15-20 minutes to complete and your answers will remain confidential and anonymous. The results will be used to develop recommendations to governments, school districts and educators to help Canadian youth address climate change. The 2021 survey is being conducted with support from Environment and Climate Change Canada, the Canadian Teachers’ Federation. Leger, the largest Canadian owned market research company, is providing data collection and analysis.

 Complete the survey here 

Family Experiences Study

Are you a parent/guardian (18+) with any children under the age of 16?
Tell us about your family’s indoor and outdoor activities during the pandemic!
We are researchers at Trent University, and we need your help to better understand the recreation and play time experiences of parents and their children during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Complete our short (25 minute) anonymous online survey and be entered in a $200 cash prize draw!

To access the survey CLICK HERE

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!

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.

OEE P.D. OPPORTUNITIES

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.

UPCOMING CONFERENCES

Canadian Outdoor Summit

FALL 2021 – Virtual conversations covering 7 objectives will be taking place this fall. Conversations focusing on four of the seven objectives will occur one Monday per month. Conversations focusing on the remaining 3 topics will occur one Wednesday a month.  Your role is to participate in the conversations, springboarding from what the workgroups created for you to develop tangible action plans to be adopted at the Summit in September 2022. Want to join a conversation? Find out more HERE.

Topics

• Create a national framework of competency training for outdoor leaders
• Synthesize accepted practices, structures, and systems related to running an outdoor program in Canada.
• Promote greater access to the outdoors for individuals with differing mobility.
• Design an Anti-racism plan for the national outdoor community
• Develop a consensus statement about the value of Led Outdoor Activity in Canada.
• Support the development of learning outside in K-12 institutions.
• Increase capacity for inclusion for 2SLGBTQ2 in outdoor programs

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

Coalition for Education in the Outdoors Biennial Research Symposium

February 11 – 13th, 2022  Black Mountain, NC, USA (Virtual Option too!)

From February 11-13, 2022 an international research symposium will be held at the YMCA Blue Ridge Assembly Conference Center in Black Mountain, NC, USA (https://blueridgeassembly.org/) The purpose of this gathering is to advance the empirical, conceptual, and theoretical bases of outdoor education. Like the first fourteen CEO Research Symposia, this symposium will bring together a wide array of researchers to explore current and future trends in using the outdoors for educational and therapeutic purposes. In addition to spotlighting current research, the program includes featured presentations on timely issues and ample time for both structured and informal dialogue.

Registration is open for the Fifteenth Biennial Coalition for Education in the Outdoors (CEO) Research Symposium to be held February 11-13, 2022, at the YMCA’s Blue Ridge Assembly Conference Center in Black Mountain, NC, USA just following the Wilderness Education Association’s International Conference on Outdoor Leadership to be held at the same location February 9-11, 2022 (register for the WEA conference at: www.weainfo.org) This year, for the first time, CEO will offer an exciting option. The presentations will be live streamed for those unable to attend in person. Attendees will register for the livestream option ($55). All research presentations must occur onsite. There is also an option to arrive Thursday night, February 10, 2021 to support those traveling from greater distances and those wishing to enjoy the Asheville and Black Mountain, NC area and the YMCA grounds prior to the symposium.

To register, go to 15th Biennial Coalition for Education in the Outdoors (CEO) Research Symposium | 2ndnaturetrec.

For more information: 

Registration: 15th Biennial Coalition for Education in the Outdoors (CEO) Research Symposium | 2ndnaturetrec

CEO Website:   http://outdooredcoalition.org/  (including Call for Abstracts)

Blue Ridge Assembly: https://blueridgeassembly.org/

JOB POSTINGS

Wilderness Program Manager, Outward Bound Canada

The Wilderness Program Manager will ensure that the transformational journeys experienced by the students are planned and delivered in a highly organized, responsible manner. This role will manage the northern Ontario expeditions including employees, program site areas, and programs, including course administration, course planning, programming, delivery, logistics, risk oversight, supervision, and evaluation. In addition, the Program Manager provides support to instructors, clients, partners and all other organizational relationships. This position is currently based in Aspdin and is moving to a camp facility in Carnarvon, ON in order to broaden our program quality and student impact. The expeditions are delivered year-round and currently include canoeing,  snowshoeing, and backpacking.

To view the whole posting, including how to apply CLICK HERE

Toronto Project Manager, Park People

n this permanent full-time role, you will join Park People’s programming team to help strengthen community involvement in urban parks across the city of Toronto. You will manage projects as part of an impactful community development program that works with local equity-deserving groups and community leaders to animate activities in local parks. You will do this by managing projects led by and for people living near these spaces, and transforming our public spaces into vibrant hubs that power human connection and community.

To view the posting and to apply CLICK HERE

Teachers, Outdoor Educators, and Counsellors, The Boundless School

We are looking for teachers, outdoor educators or those with counselling experience to join our band of merry maniacs, and help kids have the adventure of their lives.

If you are audacious enough to actually join our team, you will engage teenagers (sometimes laden with baggage) in high school education, OE and mentorship. The gig takes place on a 600-acre piece of wilderness paradise in the Madawaska Valley of Eastern Ontario. It’s a venue that will seduce your soul.

To apply, please complete this application form found at theboundlessschool.com/staff and email this, along with your resume, to steven@theboundlessschool.com

Forest School Teacher, Wild Path Forest School

Wild Path Forest School is a small forest school program located on a beautiful 100-acre organic farm near Neustadt, ON. We are seeking a mentor for our Friday school year program, beginning in January. We are looking for a mentor who is enthusiastic, flexible, and self-motivated and who is willing to commit to ongoing learning.

We are dedicated to fostering deep connection between children and the natural world through play and exploration in forests, fields, and gardens. It is our mission to help children develop confidence, resilience and a sense of wonder, ultimately empowering children to become stewards of the natural environment.

To view the posting and to apply CLICK HERE

Wilderness Program Manager, Pine River Institute

We are currently seeking an experienced Wilderness Program Manager to help us deliver this unique therapeutic wilderness phase of our program in the Algonquin Park and South River area.

Responsibilities of this position include, but are not limited to the following:

• Provides wilderness leadership to a team of staff and students that includes overseeing and coordination of all operational and logistical requirements associated with trips, base camp, equipment and facility management
• Manages all risk in relation to the Wilderness Program in conjunction with Wilderness Clinical Lead and ensures the safety and security of students, staff, and camp
• Participates/observes areas of the program where students are having challenges, trouble shoots with staff, and offers feedback and guidance when needed.
• Leads behavior crisis management in partnership with Clinical Lead by providing support and guidance to the Wilderness field staff, debriefing incidents, and ensuring best practices are followed.
• Supervises a Program Team of 3 comprised of a Program Coordinator and Instructor Support staff
• Develops collaborative working relationships with local organizations, e.g. police, park rangers medical and health resources.
• Ensures appropriate staffing and staff training “ in the woods” by scheduling field staff, arranging coverage for time away from work and proactively works with HR in managing staff changes, recruitment efforts, payroll reporting and performance management
• Oversees and coordinate non clinical training for wilderness staff and support a learning culture of continual growth
• Works closely with Admissions staff to ensure the transition students to and from wilderness program
• Assumes regular on call rotations to address emergencies that may come up in the field
• Other responsibilities as assigned or amended.

To view the full posting 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.

Find us, friend us, like us, tag us or follow us online:

Facebook Page  https://www.facebook.com/coeo.org

Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/coeo.org

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/COEOoutdoors

Twitter  https://twitter.com/COEOoutdoors  @COEOoutdoors

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.