COEO NEWS
Join Us for COEO’s Annual Fall Conference, “The Strength of Play: Living, Learning and Leading with Nature”! Early Bird Registration closes this Friday, August 7th!
Gather at Camp Muskoka (Sept 25–27, 2026) for a weekend of workshops exploring how play with nature fosters curiosity, risk-taking, and rich learning for all ages. We are grateful to gather on the traditional lands of the Anishinaabe. This area is also home to the Wahta Mohawks, the Moose Deer Point First Nation, and the Métis community in the Moon River area.
Keynote Speakers:
- Elder Christopher Stock: Indigenous educator and Wahta Mohawk member with 30+ years of experience sharing Indigenous culture, history, and pathways to meaningful reconciliation.
- Dr. Beverlie Dietze: Researcher, author, and creator of Play Outdoors Magazine, specializing in outdoor play pedagogy, staff development, and program quality.
⏳ Early bird registration closes this Friday, August 7, 2026.
Joignez-vous à nous pour le congrès d’automne 2026 du COEO – S’epannouir par de jeu: Vivre, apprendre et guider au cœur de la nature
Rassemblez-vous au Camp Muskoka (du 25 au 27 septembre 2026) pour un week-end d’ateliers explorant comment le jeu avec la nature favorise la curiosité, la prise de risques et un apprentissage enrichissant pour tous les âges. Nous sommes reconnaissants de nous rassembler sur les terres traditionnelles des Anishinaabe. Ce territoire accueille également les Mohawks de Wahta, la Première Nation de Moose Deer Point et la communauté métisse de la région de la rivière Moon.
Conférenciers d’honneur:
- Aîné Christopher Stock: Éducateur autochtone et membre des Mohawks de Wahta ayant plus de 30 ans d’expérience dans le partage de la culture, de l’histoire et des parcours vers une réconciliation significative.
- Dr. Beverlie Dietze: Chercheuse, auteure et créatrice du magazine Play Outdoors, spécialisée dans la pédagogie du jeu en plein air, le développement du personnel et la qualité des programmes.
⏳ La période d’inscription hâtive se termine le 7 août 2026.
👉 Inscrivez-vous dès maintenant et consultez tous les détails
Volunteer Opportunity: Social Media Support
COEO is looking for a volunteer to help support our social media presence. This role could involve creating and scheduling posts, highlighting member stories and events, sharing outdoor learning resources, and helping us engage with our community online.
If you have an interest in outdoor education, communications, or social media and would like to contribute a few hours each month, we’d love to hear from you. This is a great opportunity to support outdoor and environmental education across Ontario while gaining experience and expanding your professional network.
Interested? Please contact us at info@coeo.org for more information.
Nominations are Open for COEO’s Annual Awards
COEO’s annual awards are presented at our Annual Fall Conference and offer an important opportunity to celebrate some of the amazing work happening within the field of outdoor education and learning. There are awards for COEO members and non-members (individuals and organizations), and we are keen to receive nominations so we can acknowledge and celebrate this important work! Nominations are accepted through an online form available on COEO’s website until August 10th. Please share with those who may be interested and check out https://www.coeo.org/recognition/ for more details!
Nominations are Open for COEO’s Board of Directors
COEO’s annual elections are coming up! Are you interested in running for our volunteer Board of Directors? Nominations are due August 23 to be included in the list of candidates that will be sent out to the membership before the election at our Annual General Meeting. Nominations are also accepted on the floor during our Annual General Meeting (Sunday, September 27, 2025 at Camp Muskoka). Click here for the nomination form and for more information.
OTHER OEE & RELATED NEWS
Request for Testimonials for Queen’s OEE Program
With the revival of the much-loved OEE program at the Queen’s Faculty of Education (starting once again in May 2027), we are looking for testimonials from folks who had Bob Pieh as their professor in the early years of this program. Please contact Rebecca Carnevale: rebecca.carnevale@queensu.ca
Camp Kawartha is seeking an Outdoor Education Intern
Are you passionate about outdoor education and environmental stewardship? Are you interested in building your teaching skills in nature and outdoor education? Would you like to work for an award-winning outdoor and environment centre? Are you available to work from early September until December 2026 with the possibility of extending the contract? With over 60 curriculum-linked programs on offer and plans to become a nationally recognized environmental leadership centre, Camp Kawartha is seeking a dynamic and enthusiastic educator to join our talented team. We need educators who are creative, dedicated, and are keen to learn. This is a great first step towards becoming a professional outdoor educator.
If you answered yes… then this could be just what you are looking for!
Contract/Salaried Position:
40 hrs per week at a weekly salary $800 with the opportunity to earn more by working weekends or evenings. Accommodation will be provided at no cost.
Application Process: Send resume and cover letter to: Neil Fortin, Head of Outdoor Education: neil@campkawartha.ca , and Jacob Rodenburg, Executive Director: jacob@campkawartha.ca as soon as possible.
More information is available here: https://campkawartha.ca/about/employment-opportunities/
Project Canoe is seeking an Interim Executive Director
Project Canoe is seeking an experienced leader to join as Interim Executive Director to cover a parental leave. The Interim Executive Director will provide strong and passionate management and leadership for its mission of helping youth facing barriers create experiences rooted in the outdoors. Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Interim ED of Project Canoe is responsible for driving Project Canoe’s strategic priorities, ensuring financial sustainability, and overseeing daily operations. In 2027, Project Canoe will be celebrating its 50th anniversary and the Interim Executive Director will play a key role in planning and delivering the 50th Anniversary Reunion Celebration in September 2027 and the 50th Year Marketing Strategy. Additionally, Project Canoe began a 3-year growth plan in 2026. The Interim ED will be responsible to work towards achieving the programming goals and fund development targets.
More information is available here: https://canoe.org/currentopportunities
ADDITIONAL OEE P.D. OPPORTUNITIES
Check out more information here: https://outdoorlearning.com/events/category/workshops/
Registration is open for the 4 Seasons of Indigenous Learning, offered by the Outdoor Learning School & Store! You can access more information here: https://outdoorlearning.com/4-seasons/ Make sure to use the code, 4SEASONS25%, for 25% off your registration!
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Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/coeo.org
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