COEO NEWS
Wondering how to support diversity in the outdoors and be a better ally to BIPOC folx within our industry?
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.
Read The Melanin Base Camp Guide to Outdoor Allyship.
Support Miesha Dennis & the Brown Girl Outdoor World Gear and Equipment Library (based in Toronto), either through a monetary donation or equipment donation. Read more about her work and this project here.
Support Colour the Trails and the incredible work being done by Juju Milay to inspire, engage, and uplift people of colour. Donate to this work to help more people access the outdoors.
Support Project Love Run, which is all about womxn’s mental health, community and running. Find out more about them here.
Check out the stories and work shared on social media during #BlackBirdersWeek, #BlackHikersWeek, and #BlackBotanistsWeek.
Read about the movement Bird Names for Birds and sign the petition.
Fall 2020 Conference Update
COEO Awards – Call for Nominations
COEO Awards provide an important opportunity to recognize individual and group efforts, as well as to celebrate the varied expression of outdoor education within our organization and throughout the province of Ontario. Click HERE for more information about the 5 separate categories of COEO Awards and consider nominating a deserving colleague or organization. Due to COVID-19 and the cancellation of our in-person Annual Fall Conference for 2020, award nomination forms will be received on an ongoing basis in advance of our next in-person awards ceremony in September 2021 at Camp Couchiching. Simply fill out a COEO Awards Nomination Form, then email the completed form to: owls@coeo.org (Liz Kirk, COEO Past President). Thank you for your nomination of an outstanding outdoor educator or organization in Ontario!
COEO Webinar – Outdoor Education for Kindergarten in 2020/21
Many educators are now thinking about what returning to schools in September will look like, many considering the us of outdoor spaces for teaching and learning. In this webinar, gain tools and knowledge that explain how outdoor education programs can be both safe and grounded in solid teaching pedagogy. Our immense thanks goes out to the webinar organizer, Deb Diebel, as well as the incredible panel of seasoned outdoor educators that took part in this live, online discussion, including:
Barbara Sheridan – Barbara Sheridan founded and has been lead teacher for Barrie Forest And Natural Learning School for almost a decade and also a current Director at Large with COEO.
Lisa Graham – Lisa is a Kindergarten teacher in Halton District School Board who has presented her outdoor classroom initiative at COEO conferences, and who is also one of the co-authors of, “Into Nature” teaching guide!
Chantal Lariviere – Since 1997, Chantal has taught in the French speaking public school board in Ottawa, the CEPEO.
Julie McLean – In 2016, Julie set up a Forest School program for all students attending École élémentaire et secondaire publique Rivière Rideau, which she is now coordinating.
Kendra Martin – Kendra founded the Little Falls Forest School in 2013 in St. Mary’s Ontario, where she remains a lead teacher providing workshops to fellow educators on how to “take the learning outdoors”.
Missed the webinar? Check out the recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Xq1_GO82WY&t=3s
Outdoor Education Online Resources During COVID-19
Outdoor programs have a duty to care for their participants and must implement effective COVID-19 adaptations. To facilitate this process, the Outdoor Council of Canada has posted a collection of guidelines and supporting documentation HERE. *NOTE* – These documents related to outdoor activities come from a diversity of sources and each program will have to refer to and use the provincial and regional government guidelines that are most relevant to their particular context.
Association of Experiential Education (AEE) has launched a monthly series of open space roundtable forums for experiential educators to come together and chat informally in a shared space of collaboration, support, and connection. All are welcome from any area of practice or interest! No membership is required to participate. AEE webinars are also available FREE online HERE.
#MakeItBetter This toolkit provides tips for parents and teachers on communicating with children about climate change and its health impacts: Communicating with Children About Climate Change
Peel District School Board Field Centres – #peelconnected on Twitter (@peel_fc) and Instagram (@pdsbfieldcentres) and website, Learning Naturally, #learningnaturally. If you have any feedback, questions or suggestions for activities please email PDSBlearningnaturally@gmail.co
Toronto District School Board – Learn from Home
Hardwood Nature School – Blog
Royal Botanical Gardens – RBG at Home
Ontario Nature – Nature Notes (age 10-12) and Nature Guides (all ages)
#stepintonatureathome – on Twitter– Outdoor education ideas posted by Conservation Authorities across Ontario
Learning for a Sustainable Future – Learning Inside Out
NPCA Outdoor Education – At Home
Earth Rangers – Eco Activities
Toronto Zoo – Zoo to You
Exploring by the seat of your pants!
Please follow our social media accounts, as we will do our best to highlight and share the great work being done by so many of our members during this challenging time. And if you have been creating any content (activities, videos, blog posts, etc.) please let us know—we’d love to highlight your efforts!
Follow us on:
Twitter (@COEOoutdoors https://twitter.com/coeooutdoors)
Instagram (@COEOoutdoors https://www.instagram.com/coeooutdoors/)
Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/coeo.org/)
Pathways Call for Articles
Life Pre and Post Pandemic: Navigating a Greener Future to Reform Culture
Take advantage of this time spent indoors and behind a screen to compose a Pathway’s article or art submission that fits this situation of extraordinary times: Human’s first pandemic in a global world of devices. Let’s learn to move forward and envision the sustainable future we want and unit our ability to communicate and inspire global environmental efforts. Due September 15, 20202. Submissions and questions can be sent to pathways@coeo.org.
Suggested Topics:
- Have you learned to appreciate nature or technology more in this time?
- In what ways have you shifted your practices of being in nature for well-being?
- What links from the history of experiential education (rooted in being prepared for crisis), have you reflected upon?
- How have you maintained a practice of being in nature to heal? What have you found serves as a ‘best remedy’ in handling social confinement?
- How did you bring nature into your limited space, shift your sit spot, learn about solos?
- What new norm are you imagining will come from this pandemic? (will we value and encourage more green space in urban areas?)
- Did you learn a new skill or practice as a means of education or homeschooling yourself or others in your own home?
- In what ways have you been able to encourage others and continue the long-standing practice of service associated with experiential education?
- Have you implemented new creative outlets?
- What personal impact did you experience when your contact with Nature was constrained? Did your connections to environmental justice broaden?
- How did you maintain your fitness in a limited space? Did you substitute good habits by instilling other worthy practices? Did you create new ways to play?
OTHER OEE & RELATED NEWS
Book of the Month:
Teamwork is critical to the success of any group—students, athletes, businesspeople, community members, and others. Team Building Through Physical Challenges: A Complete Tool Kit, Second Edition, takes a proactive approach to building teams as it explains the concepts of team building, shows how to set up teams to facilitate growth, and provides 67 mentally and physically challenging games and activities that will foster team building and the development of numerous social and emotional skills. These activities are an ideal way to start the school year, a sport season, corporate training, an adventure trip, or any endeavor that requires working together.
New and updated materials for this resource include the following:
- Updated content on how to implement the activities
- A new emphasis on social and emotional learning
- A new web resource with video demonstrations, reproducibles, and a sample team-building course outline
For more details click here
Use code B183 to receive 40% off regular price. Offer expires 08/31/2020
Ontario Camps Association (OCA) is lobbying government for funding to sustain summer camps
The Ontario Camps Association (OCA) is lobbying the federal government for a $200 million sustainability fund, and the Ontario government for an additional $30 million, to help camps survive the COVID-19 pandemic. For overnight camps in remote areas, it isn’t viable to operate day programs, meaning some businesses have lost 100 per cent of their revenue. The camp industry annually generates $2 billion for the national economy, with about two million kids attending camps each year, and 70,000 jobs, usually first time jobs for youth. Many camps are charitable organizations or not-for-profits. Read more HERE.
OCA’s vice-president, Mark Diamond said camps also want the federal wage subsidy extended by at least another year to help provide badly needed summer jobs. Both levels of government have been receptive and Diamond said he’s “cautiously optimistic.” “When 2 million kids across Canada go to camp … those kids learn Canadian values. They learn stewardship of the environment. They learn critical emotional intelligence skills. They learn how to deal with insurmountable mental health challenges,” he said. Diamond described it as a loss for the children, the economy, but also for the country – because, in his words, the industry “literally is creating the cultural fabric of our nation.” Read more HERE
Discover an huge repository of resources from the OCA in response to COVID-19 HERE, see a copy of the letter sent to lobby the Federal government HERE and listen HERE to an interview with Mark Diamond.
Share your stories with Get Kids Paddling – Interactive Map Project
Want to help get more kids paddling? Click HERE to complete a short survey and your testimonial will become part of an online Interactive Map. The goal of this project, initiated by Get Kids Paddling, is to connect people, places and stories from different parts of our province, in order to capture the ways in which paddling has influenced so many our lives. By showcasing these stories publicly on an Interactive Google Map, the hope is to highlight the value of these types of experiences and promote the future of paddling in Ontario. Survey participation is open to all ages, lived experiences and ability level and should take 10-20 minutes to complete.
COVID-19 Research Study – Impact on Outdoor Recreation
Around March 17, 2020, most provinces and territories in Canada implemented stay-at-home,
physical distancing strategies in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This immediately
impacted the way Canadians were able to engage in recreation and leisure activities.
In an attempt to gain insight into Canadians’ outdoor recreation practices before, during and after
the start of COVID-19, researchers from the Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies at
Brock University, Dr. Tim O’Connell and Dr. Garrett Hutson, and ALIVE Outdoors, Dr. Ryan Howard, collaborated to collect data and hope that the results of this study will illuminate the impacts of COVID-19 on Canadian outdoor recreationists and provide information to land managers, politicians, and recreationists that is helpful in making decisions as we move through this pandemic. Read the Initial Research Report HERE and see the infographic below for key findings from Phase 1 of the research study. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Dr. Tim O’Connell, Principal Investigator at: tim.oconnell@brocku.ca More information is available at www.aliveoutdoors.com/research
COVID-Inspired Outdoor Adventure
When COVID-19 cancelled their summer jobs as camp counsellors, six Toronto friends decided they would use their outdoor wilderness skills and experience for a good cause. The recent high school graduates — who all met at Camp Ahmek in Algonquin Park — decided to embark on a 60-day, 2,000-kilometre canoe trip through Ontario. The group has already surpassed their goal of raising $60,000 in funds for Food Banks Canada and Indigenous communities affected by COVID-19. Check out the CBC News story and video HERE and listen to an interview HERE from August 4th to find out about the trip.
Follow along the journey @Canoe4Covid and #Canoe4Covid. Donations can be made HERE on the Canoe4Covid website.
LSF Call to Action for Outdoor Education
COVID-19 presents an opportunity for Canadian schools to embed learning outdoors as part of our culture of education, both for the short-term benefits of better infection control and the long-term benefits of outdoor learning for our children’s physical and mental health and academic success.
Please review the Call to Action for Outdoor Learning that Pamela Schwartzberg, President and CEO of
Learning for a Sustainable Future, recently sent to Ministers and Deputy Ministers of Education, teachers’ federations and school boards across Canada.
You are invited to take this letter, modify it to include your specific organization’s offerings, and send it to Ministers and Deputy Ministers of Education, teachers’ federations and school boards in your networks. Learning for a Sustainable Future (LSF) would appreciate their leadership on the call to be acknowledged in the letter, in some way! From experience, we know that it is more impactful if decision-makers get 25 emails with the same message, rather than one email with multiple signatories. Please share this call to action widely!
Support for Conservation Authorities – Letter to Premier Ford
Recently, the provincial government asked for public input on the role of Conservation Authorities (CAs). Over 100 organizations signed a letter voicing support for the role of CAs in land-use planning, permitting, monitoring, stewardship and education, standing together to resist the trend towards environmental deregulation in Ontario. These organizations included nature and environmental groups, agricultural groups, land trusts, and recreation organizations as well as businesses, engineers, and the private sector. The letter of support for the Ontario’s 36 Conservation Authorities asking the government to retain their current mandate can be found HERE
Click to see the Response from the Minister of Environment, Conservation and Parks. “We want to continue to hear from all stakeholders interested in the stewardship of our lands before we move forward with further changes to the legislation and regulations.” Have something to say? Share your opinion about the role of Conservation Authorities in Ontario with Minister Yurek.
Catalogue of Programs, Personnel, Sites and Services in Outdoor Education in Ontario – Updated by Chris Shibley, M.Ed.
Last published by COEO in 1992, check out the newly updated version of the Catalogue of Programs, Personnel, Sites and Services in Outdoor Education HERE
The intent of this document is to provide as complete a listing as possible of programs, personnel, sites and services offered in Outdoor Education in English, Public Secondary School Boards in Ontario in 2018/2019. The purpose of this document is to encourage the sharing of ideas, resources, and information amongst outdoor educators across the province. By making readily available the contact information, and descriptive details about OE courses, centres, ICPs (integrated curriculum programs) and wilderness trips the document shares timely and relevant knowledge about OE. If you are reading this document, you are encouraged to reach out to the people listed in this report (all of whom have consented to have their contact information published). The intent of this report is to create a “community of sharing” amongst outdoor educators across the province, strengthening the field of OE as a whole, while attempting to support fellow OE practitioners.
Please note – This document is not to be used as a mailing source for commercial purposes.
OEE P.D. OPPORTUNITIES
Summer Camp Professionals COVID-19 Slack Group
Travis Allison, founder of the summer camp pros Facebook Group has started a slack group for all camps and outdoor education centers. This group connects folks from different communities, provides tips, tricks and webinars on how to run online programming and is a great place to ask questions, share resources and learn. To sign up for the Slack group, CLICK HERE
Access to Online Webinars
From the Ontario Teacher’s Federation (OTF) HERE
From the Association for Experiential Education (AEE) HERE
UPCOMING CONFERENCES
Youth Climate Action Summit
NEW DATE – October 5-6th, 2020, The Aquatarium at Tall Ships Landing, Brockville, Ontario
Are you a high school educator in Eastern Ontario? Consider registering a team of 4 or 5 students to participate in the first ever Youth Climate Action Summit held in Canada. Spaces are limited – maximum of 20 teams. There is no cost for registration. Teams have to pay their own cost of transportation and accommodation (if needed). Visit the website to find out more details here.
Canadian Outdoor Summit
Postponed to September 29 – October 2, 2021, Gatineau, Quebec
The in person Canadian Outdoor Summit has been postponed to 2021. To keep the momentum going and to face today’s challenges together, COS will hold a special virtual event between September 29th and October 1st 2020. 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
NAAEE Annual Conference and Research Symposium
October 14-17, Tucson, Arizona
Inspiring Change – The focus of the 2020 NAAEE Conference and Research Symposium is positive change. We will explore 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.
More information can be found on the event website: https://naaee.org/conference
EECOM National Conference
Postponed to April 28 – May 1st, 2021, Toronto, Ontario
EECOM’s National Conference in Environmental Education is coming to Toronto – save the date! EECOM’s conferences are Canada’s largest, regular gatherings of environmental learning stakeholders, and provide unparalleled professional development and networking opportunities. This conference is being hosted in Toronto by EcoSchools Canada, the Environmental & Sustainability Education Initiative at OISE, University of Toronto, and the Toronto District School Board’s Sustainability Office.
We are currently inviting proposals for presentations, sessions, workshops and other facilitated learning opportunities at the EECOM 2021 Conference.
For applying for General Sessions: https://ecoschools.ca/eecom/call-for-proposals/
For applying to present at the Research Symposium: https://ecoschools.ca/eecom/research-symposium/
AEE International Conference
Registration is now open! From November 12-14th, 2020, AEE’s 48th Annual International Conference will bring attendees together in a virtual setting who share the goals of promoting, defining, developing, and applying theories and practices of Experiential Education.
Click for more information about the Association for Experiential Education’s International Conference.
JOB POSTINGS
Director of Education, Toronto Botanical Gardens
Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer and working collaboratively within the senior management team, the Director of Education is responsible for the planning, management and evaluation of all educational activities, with the purpose of advancing TBG’s mission of connecting people to plants and inspiring them to live in harmony with nature. These activity areas include Adult Education, Children’s Education and Library Services. The preferred candidate is a champion of educational innovation, with a passion for TBG’s mission and vision.
Alternative School Primary Teacher, Road Less Travelled Academy
A nature-based elementary school seeks an educator with interest in alternative education for a full time teaching position. The applicant must be comfortable working outdoors, as we take our learning outside as much as possible. We do currently have two indoor classrooms, which are yomes (yurt/eco-domes) heated with wood stoves, for the colder months. The school campus is located in a farm setting, and there is ample opportunity for adventuring through farm, forest, and fields with the students. Nature is our classroom!
Nature Educator (Bilingual position), Earth Path
Earth Path is looking to hire a part-time Nature Educator (aka. Mentor) to join their teaching team in Ottawa this fall. We are seeking sprightly candidates who have experience working with children in a creative, active setting, preferably in the outdoors. As an ideal candidate, you are friendly, adventurous, and professional, interested in developing naturalist and/or wilderness skills, and able to mentor children in activities such as shelter-building, whittling, sensory awareness games, story-telling, and nature crafts. Candidates who are keen to learn some of these skills on the job are welcome to apply.
Forest School Educators, Cambridge Farm & Forest School
We are looking for an enthusiastic, nurturing educator that loves farms and forests just as much as we do. Our Program follows the Forest School philosophy and is play-based, emergent, inquiry-based, child-led and primarily outdoors. We believe passionately in the benefits to everyone, young and old, of being immersed in nature. Applications will be accepted until Wednesday, August 12th, 2020.
Causal Outdoor Education Instructor, Blue Mountain Wild School
We are seeking a multi-talented program coordinator and outdoor educator to join our team and help us build our program beginning on acasual basis starting this summer with our wild day camp and evolving with us into the regular year. The BMWS Outdoor Education Instructor is required to have a strong knowledge of the natural world, be comfortable working outside in all weather conditions and be adaptable to instruct to a wide range of students (From 7 to 13) in an outdoor setting. Valid driver’s license and access to your own vehicle is required in order to travel to our various program locations within the Blue Mountains region.
Please send a cover letter and resume to Jeff Barrett, Coordinator of Blue Mountain Wild School at info@wildschool.ca. If you have any questions feel free to call Jeff at 416-700-3737.
Outdoor Education, Dogwood Forest School
Dogwood Acres Forest School is looking for outdoor educators/facilitators for full-time or part-time contract work throughout our fall, winter and spring terms. We operate entirely outdoors in rain, shine, or snow from 8am to 4pm Monday to Friday, a potential of 25-33 weeks of the school year (excluding holidays).
Education Coordinator, Water First Education and Training Inc
Water First is hiring an Education Coordinator to assist with the development and delivery of our water science education programs in northern First Nations communities and at local community events.
This is an 8 week full-time contract position, with a negotiable start of August 2020. Compensation is $20.00/hour for 37.5 hours/week. This position may lead to additional opportunities with Water First.
Animal Handler/Presenter, Earth Rangers
Through our live shows, online community and national television presence, we communicate a positive, science-based message to millions of children each year about the importance of protecting biodiversity. Our Bring Back the Wild program inspires children to become directly involved in protecting critical habitats across Canada by providing an avenue for action.
We are seeking a fully Bilingual (French/English) Animal Handler/Presenterto be responsible for handling and presenting in our publicprogramming across Canadaand with general animal husbandry. Please note that this is a Full Time position therefore Seasonal applicants will not be considered.
Teacher, The Owl’s Nest Holistic Alternative School
The Owl’s Nest Holistic Alternative School is a Holistic Alternative and Forest School program located in the town of Minto along the Whites Junction Trails and Forests. We are also collaborating with Reroot Organic Farm in their 70 acre organic farm in Harriston and running a forest school in Moorefield.
We are in search of an independent contracted co-teacher or volunteer/intern for our summer camp program at Reroot Farm and Forest School in Moorefield There is potential to continue as a co-teacher in our fall programs as well. We are searching for a teacher that is enthusiastic, creative, and self-motivated. Being committed to ongoing learning is very important.
Our long-term vision is to create a holistic learning environment where children may discover, hone, and freely use the skills they possess innately to pursue their interests; while focusing on providing each student with tools and opportunities to investigate those interests. Together with our students, we wish to co-create a learning environment that reflects their autonomy to learn and to explore their own ideas. Through our school, we hope to inspire a global dialogue about the value of hearing our children’s voices.
To apply: Please send your resume to Carly, 3 professional references, and a letter of interest. Please indicate if you are interested in summer camp only or summer camp and ongoing instructing in our school-year program.
https://theowlsnestschool.weebly.com/
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. Are you a natural team leader and a creative problem-solver? Do you enjoy giving back to the community and inspiring others to do good? Katimavik is looking for open-minded, resourceful individuals to lead youth development projects. This challenging and rewarding position provides leadership for up to 11 youth at a time, guiding them through a six-month experience of volunteerism, learning, discovery, growth, and accountability. The Project Leader will reside in-house with the group.
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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.