COEO NEWS
Annual Fall Conference — The Power of Connection
A big thank you to all who made the 47th Annual COEO Conference, “The Power of Connection” such a great success!
There are so many people to thank:
First of all, thank you to all who attended. COEO continues to be a supportive and vibrant community due in large part to the energy and enthusiasm of its members. One of COEO’s aims is to provide access to high quality professional learning opportunities that speak directly to the current needs of its members, and so the organization hopes that everyone found value in this year’s fall conference.
Thanks also go out to all our conference presenters who volunteered to share their knowledge, experience and expertise with other members. Without their preparation and effort, this conference would really not have been possible.
A big thanks to our keynote presenter Brian Lisson for giving us a chance to connect with one another through play and inspire us to do the same with those we work with.
Meegwetch and another big thank you to Peter and Lois for sharing their teachings and helping us explore how to best approach, explore, and respect indigenous perspectives, practice, and relationships.
A big thank you to those who provided entertainment at the conference: Hannah Naiman for calling our square dance, as well as the amazing DJ LISA rockin’ the late night beach party! Big thanks also to Kyle Clarke for facilitating the live auction and Claire Kemp for taking on the organization of both the live & silent auction.
Congratulations again to our annual awards recipients. Photos from the award ceremony should be showing up on COEO’s Facebook page shortly—make sure to like ‘em!
Also, a big, big thanks to Jen and the Camp Cooch staff for doing a wonderful job as hosts. You are always such a pleasure to work with and we look forward to returning in 2021!
And finally, thanks to the 2019 Conference Organizing Committee: Minka Chambers, Claire Kemp, Natalie Kemp, Liz Kirk, Karen O’Krafka, Aaron Parcher, and Barbara Sheridan.
Planning for this January’s Make Peace with Winter will start happening shortly (it’s taking place January 17-19 at the Bark Lake Leadership and Conference Centre). If you’d like to be part of this conference organizing committee, then please forward a note of interest to conference@coeo.org
COEO’s Board of Directors for 2019-2020
Read more about the new board members at https://www.coeo.org/who-we-are/
COEO’s Advocacy Campaign
The Ontario government recently launched a public consultation about how to ensure the health benefits of nature are fully realized for all Ontarians. This is part of the Made-in-Ontario Environment Plan commitment to provide people with more opportunities to enjoy provincial parks and support the worldwide Healthy Parks Healthy People movement.
“Spending time in nature and green spaces has a positive impact on our health and wellbeing,” said Jeff Yurek, Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks. “We’re fortunate in Ontario to have many beautiful parks and green spaces across the province, but we want to find more ways for people to use them as part of a healthy lifestyle.That’s why we want to hear from you about how we can improve Ontario Parks programs, policies and partnerships to connect more people with the health benefits of nature.”
The province is looking for valuable insights from the public, health care providers, researchers, educators, environmental organizations and the tourism industry about their experiences with nature and health. Feedback will help develop more effective programs, policies, and partnerships to improve Ontarians’ awareness of and access to the health benefits of provincial parks and green spaces.
QUICK FACTS
- Healthy Parks Healthy People is a worldwide movement to promote the positive health benefits that nature can provide.
- Ontario Parks has supported this movement since 2015, offering signature events including a Healthy Parks Healthy People day where there is no-charge for day-use visitation at all provincial parks, the 30×30 Challenge in August, and First Day Hikes on the first of January.
- Canadians spend 90 per cent of each day indoors and 69 per cent of their waking time sitting.
- Only nine per cent of Canadian kids aged 5 to 17 get the 60 minutes of heart-pumping activity they need each day.
- Spending time in nature can lower the risk of heart attack by 50 per cent, reduce the risk of mental health challenges and help combat chronic disease.
- The Healthy Parks Healthy People consultation will be open for comment until November 25, 2019. Participate now by following this link: Consultation: Healthy Parks Healthy People
COEO’s Advocacy page has been updated to share the details of our recent advocacy efforts. Be sure to check it out here.
Want to get involved in advocating for OEE in Ontario? Please contact your local MPP and request that they write a letter of support. https://www.ola.org/en/get-involved/contact-mpp
Please read and share the Op-Ed article published on July 15th, 2019, in the Toronto Star entitled The Value of Outdoor Education. Maybe you are able to write a similar article about your OEE experience and submit it to a local media outlet?
Please follow our social media accounts and keep an eye on local media as we continue our advocacy efforts to ensure that outdoor education remains top of mind as we prepare to transition from summer into a new school year.
Follow us on:
Twitter (@COEOoutdoors https://twitter.com/coeooutdoors)
Instagram (@COEOoutdoors https://www.instagram.com/coeooutdoors/)
Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/coeo.org/)
Dynamic Horizons: A Research and Conceptual Summary of Outdoor Education
OTHER OEE & RELATED NEWS
Book of the Month:
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In Nancy Clark’s Sports Nutrition Guidebook, you’ll get real-world advice from an internationally respected and trusted sports nutritionist. You’ll find the latest research and information on what to eat before, during, and after exercise; sport drinks and energy foods; popular trends like keto and gluten-free diets; when and how much carbohydrate to eat; meal patterns that fit your training schedule; sustainability; and digestive issues. You’ll learn practical tips regarding vegan, diabetic, gluten-free, low-FODMAP, and bariatric diets. You’ll also find help for athletes with anorexia and binge-eating disorders. You’ll learn how to resolve confusion about what to on a daily basis so you can make healthy and informed dietary decisions for yourself and your busy family.
For more details click here
Use code B086 to receive 40% off regular price. Be sure to sign up to receive our e-newsletter to stay informed, click here to sign up! Offer expires 10/31/2019
Canadian Youth on Climate Change
Longtime COEO member and climate activist Grant Linney has now produced a stirring video which features Canadian teens speaking out forcefully and passionately about our immediate need to massively confront climate change. Please feel free to “like” and to share widely. With a federal election rapidly approaching, this will hopefully be a “front and center” issue. Please be sure to do your part.
P.S. Check out the supporting website, loveyourmother.ca … still in development.
OEE P.D. OPPORTUNITIES
Take Me Outside News
Student Video Contest now on:
We’re super pleased to be presenting our Student Video Contest for the 7th year running in partnership with Mountain Equipment Co-op and the Banff Mountain Film and Book Festival. The theme is Canada’s Backyard – Show us why we have one of the best backyards in the world and how you like spending time in it, wherever you live! Individual students can enter or it can be a group/class project. The Grand Prize is a 3 day trip to Banff National Park where the winning short film will be screened during the opening weekend of the Film Festival to a sold out audience. There are some great prizes from MEC as well – all aimed at getting students outside! A huge thanks to MEC and the Banff Centre for their support in this project.
http://takemeoutside.ca/contes
New initiative: Take Me Outside for Learning Challenge Teachers, principals and educators have been telling us that they are ready to up the ante on outdoor time during the school year, but want resource support and a shared community to help stay the course. We have designed the TMO for Learning Challenge to be simple and fun with tangible tools to help them commit to taking their students outside for one session a week throughout the school year. This program will launch officially in August 2019. We’ll send more details then.
http://takemeoutside.ca/take-m
Hold the Date: TMO Day 2019 is on Wed October 23rd
Take Me Outside Day is our signature event and we are so excited to be heading into our 9th year. On this day last year more than 200,000 students from across Canada spent (at least) an hour outside during the school day to help raise awareness about the importance of outdoor learning and play.
http://takemeoutside.ca/tmo-da
New Take Me Outside T-Shirts now available at MEC (& on our website)
We’re pleased to show off our newest t-shirt designs which are available at select MEC stores across Canada (thanks to MEC for being our super awesome retail partner!) and on-line at our shop. Our apparel committee worked super hard through the winter to refresh the look of our signature shirts and we think they look fab! Look for them in your city and heed the message for a spring (and summer) outside!
We’re always happy to hear from you so please get in touch if you have questions or things to share. Wishing you all the best for the last leg of the school year / spring season!
—
Colin Harris
Executive Director
Take Me Outside
www.takemeoutside.ca
UPCOMING CONFERENCES
AORE-AEE Joint International Conference 2019
November 13-15, Spokane, Washington
The goals of the AORE – AEE 2019 Conference, Learning Expedition: A prescription for better health and wellness, include broadening collaboration within the fields of experiential education and outdoor recreation, creating higher-quality educational opportunities, building professional skills and knowledge, strengthening professionalism within their memberships, broadening networking opportunities, leveraging both communities in advocacy and public policy efforts, and raising awareness of the value and impact of experiential education and outdoor education.
Conference information and registration details can be found here
Coalition for Education in the Outdoors 2020
January 17-19, Bradford Woods, Indiana
JOB POSTINGS
Program Facilitator, Trails Youth Initiatives
Trails is looking for weekend Facilitators for the 2019/2020 school year.
Trails Youth Initiatives is a charitable organization, and ministry-inspected private school, that provides outdoor experiential education to students from the Greater Toronto Area. Our participants commit to four years in the programme and come up to stay at our 143 acre site in Stouffville, ON for 7 weekends throughout the school year and 10-12 days each summer. Each cohort of students contains 20 participants who learn and group together of their time at Trails.
Our mission is to challenge and equip vulnerable youth from Toronto to become contributing members of the community. We are currently looking for facilitators to join our staff teams working 1 weekend a month in a residential camp like setting teaching a variety of outdoor and experiential programming and helping mentor our participants to develop socially, emotionally, and mentally.
Our participants develop skills in communication, leadership, and teamwork, with a focus on well-being, personal growth, and nurturing the self. Over the course of their time at Trails, participants have the opportunity to obtain three secondary school credits, gain volunteer hours, and complete relevant certifications. Below you will find a list of required certifications for all staff:
- Current Standard First Aid/CPR
- Completed Police Check with Vulnerable Sector Screening (valid within 2 years)
- Attendance at staff training (October 5, 2019)
What we offer:
- Wages ranging between $130-$150 per day (Dependent on qualifications and experience)
- Room & Board during weekend program
For more visit the Trails Youth Initiatives website
Program Director, Highlands Nordic
Highlands Nordic is looking for an individual to join our team as Program Director.
This person will be responsible for managing outdoor education programs for school groups (elementary and high school) as well as programs for recreational groups and high school athletes.Elementary and high school programs are curriculum based.
The successful applicant must be enthusiastic, energetic and flexible.They must want to part of a collaborative staff team working in a fast paced environment.Applicants should be familiar with Ontario School Curriculum requirements. Experience with cross country skiing and snowshoeing is an asset.
The position is full time (between 35 – 40 hours per week), beginning March 1, 2020.Some weekend work may be required.
- Oversee safety systems and logs for the facility
- Manage, implement and make suggestions for improvements to programming for elementary and secondary schools
- Manage bookings for school based programs
- Manage facility bookings
- Manage membership file
- Oversee invoicing groups for services and facilities provided
- Provide support in rental area and front desk as required
- Other duties as assigned
Job Type: Full-time
For more visit the Highlands Nordic website
NatureHood Organizer, Nature Canada
NatureHood is a signature program of Nature Canada with a primary aim to connect people of all ages to nearby nature through partner organizations. Nature Canada is committed to engaging youth and families through NatureHood with a goal to increase the connections of diverse communities to nature in Canada.
The NatureHood Organizer is responsible for the planning and management of the program within the context of Nature Canada’s commitment to Engagement Organizing. This includes liaising with partner organizations, managing volunteers, maintaining the national program budget and partner contracts, support for fundraising, and working with Nature Canada staff and partners to communicate the NatureHood program to Canadians.
Based out of the Ottawa office, this Organizer position participates on the Organizing team and reports to the Organizing Director.
Job Description and Duties
- Develop and manage relationships with partner organizations and stakeholders across Canada, including in-person, telephone, and online outreach following Nature Canada’s Engagement Organizing Principles;
- Identifying and recruiting new partnerships to grow the program;
- Track relationships systematically in Nature Canada database (Salesforce);
- Organizing and managing events;
- Developing communications materials and working with Nature Canada; communications staff to raise the profile of the program and local NatureHood events;
- Identifying media opportunities and speaking to the media on behalf of NatureHood;
- Assisting partners in their outreach and fundraising for local events;
- Managing the program budget and contracts with NatureHood partners;
- Fundraising for the national program in collaboration with other Nature Canada staff;
- Ensuring the program meets requirements under the federal Official Languages Act
Click here to view the this job posting.
Sustainability Education Manager, Ecosource
Ecosource is seeking an experienced, organized, enthusiastic and self-motivated individual to manage our Sustainability Education programs. Our programs work to inspire and support community action to improve our environment with a focus on hands-on learning and youth engagement. The position will involve providing leadership to a team of 4-5 staff, developing high quality programming, managing partner relationships and delivering, monitoring and evaluating sustainability workshops and action projects. In addition, the successful candidate will work in partnership with Ecosource’s leadership team to manage organization-wide program evaluation initiatives, support fundraising activities across all program areas, and contribute to the ongoing refinement and realization of the organization’s strategic vision. Occasional evening and weekend work may be required.
Click here to view the this job posting.
Senior Camp Director, Scouts Canada
Do you want to be a part of the change you want to see in the world? At Scouts Canada our Vision is “Canadian youth making a meaningful contribution to creating a better world.” For more than 100 years, Scouts Canada has brought a world of adventure, outdoor experience, friendship and fun to 17 million Canadian youth and we need passionate people who share our Mission to develop well-rounded youth better prepared for success in the world.
Scouts Canada is seeking a Senior Camp Director to join our Property Operations Team, this position will report into one of our Service Centre’s located in either: Ottawa, GTA, Calgary, or Vancouver.
Do you have extensive experience leading a team in a camp environment? Are you excited by the idea of ensuring all youth have a safe and enjoyable camp experience? Do you pride yourself on your strong interpersonal and relationship building skills? Do you have exceptional organizational and time management skills and thrive working in dynamic and fast paced environment? Do you think you have what it takes to become our Senior Camp Director? If you answered YES, we want to hear from you!
Reporting to the Director, Property Operations and as a key member of the Property Operations Team,you will contribute to providing a safe and positive Scouting experience aligned with the Canadian Path by overseeing Camp Directors and ensuring that camp programming and properties are operated and staffed in accordance with legislation and regulations.
Click here to view the this job posting.
Instructor RECL 4P16 course at Brock University
Title of Course: Advanced Wilderness Program Planning, Winter Semester (January – April, 2020)
Course Description: Analysis and application of the planning and execution of an extended outdoor wilderness trip. Lecture, Tuesday 1:00pm – 4:00pm; plus an extended field experience. Ten day field trip is required, departing immediately after final exams (late April). Compensation: $6,604.53
Duties and responsibilities include scheduled contact time with students and non-classroom time (preparation of lectures, student consultation, marking and grading and course administration, including grade appeals and cases of academic dishonesty). Prepare course outline, identify and order course textbook and/or reading materials (if applicable), prepare & deliver lectures, coordinate logistics (i.e., permits, transportation, etc.) for extended outdoor experience, facilitate extended outdoor experience including overnights in the field, hold weekly office hours and consult with students, mark/grade all assignments, essays, mid-term and final examinations, coordinate teaching assistants and/or marker/graders and/or field experience facilitators (if applicable); proctor final examination (if applicable), and complete administrative duties including submission of grades, course evaluations.
Qualifications: Masters or Ph.D. in Recreation and Leisure Studies (or Ph.D. student/candidate in Recreation and Leisure Studies) or related field, with an emphasis on outdoor leadership or outdoor recreation (or related field), required. Demonstrated success in teaching outdoor leadership or outdoor recreation to undergraduate university students, or equivalent academic teaching experience.
Demonstrated success in developing, implementing, coordinating, and leading extended outdoor fieldwork experiences. Understanding of and ability to apply the Department of Recreation & Leisure Studies’ risk management protocols; Ontario F Class Driver’s License; Wilderness First Responder.
To apply, please follow this link to the online job posting. Please include a cover letter and a current resume. Applications will be accepted until October 11, 2019. For further information, please contact: Dr. Erin Sharpe, Recreation and Leisure Studies Department Chair, Brock University 905-688-5550 x 3989 esharpe@brocku.ca
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.
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.