Important Details

The Council of Outdoor Educators of Ontario is excited to invite you to attend our Annual Fall Conference to be held at Camp Couchiching, from September 19 – 21, 2025.

The 2025 COEO conference organizing committee has been hard at work and plans are well underway for this year’s annual fall conference. This year’s conference theme, “{Re}Generating our Natural Intelligence”, is an opportunity for educators to rethink and reimagine the role of outdoor learning and experiential education at a time when digital technologies, virtual learning environments, simulated instruction and artificial intelligence are transforming educational practices, policies and places.

Natural intelligence is the ability to flexibly adapt and achieve goals in a variety of environments based on our experiences in the natural world. It is these lived experiences, that take place within the complexity of life’s natural systems, which provide an essential literacy and resistance training for our minds (bodies and spirits). By redressing and rekindling natural intelligence, we will be able to prepare students for the real problems of today and ready them with resilience to face the future challenges of tomorrow.

Plan to join us as we learn, share and laugh with kindred spirits from across the province and beyond.  We’ll enjoy great food all weekend and enjoy an evening social program filled with fun, dancing and live music. You will leave this professional development experience feeling rejuvenated and with many new ideas and resources in hand.

Since 1946, Camp Couchiching has hosted tens of thousands of youth on the shores of Lake Couchiching near Orillia, Ontario, Canada. Originally founded as a single gendered camp with an Anglican religious focus, Camp Couchiching has morphed over the years into a co-ed inclusive community which operates throughout the year. Most of Camp Couchiching’s programming operates out of their main camp site near Longford Mills, Ontario which is open from May through October. This 15 acre piece of property has over a km of shoreline, rolling fields and mixed deciduous forests. Camp Cooch is a few kilometres south of the Canadian Shield, and so they enjoy a limestone base and tend to be less “buggy” than its northern neighbours. During the rest of the year, Camp Couchiching supports many varied community initiatives including in-school programming, sustainable gardening, experiential education tutoring, PA day programming and March Break camps too. The camp’s main program is a Summer Overnight Camp and a successful Summer Day Camp and Spring/Fall Outdoor Centre. They currently provide programming to over 7000 people each year. They feel it is important to provide many of their programs at no or low cost and for the other programs, they ensure there is ample subsidy available to ensure that the ability to pay isn’t a barrier to participate.

DIRECTIONS

Camp Couchiching is located at 3990 Longford Mills Road, Longford Mills, Ontario (Ramara) or 3990 Longford Mills Road, Washago (depending on the map/app you are using). Google maps will show a Camp Couchiching located at 27 Peter Street North in Orillia. Please note that this leads to the camp’s winter offices, not the camp property (don’t go there). The camp is 3 kms north of Casino Rama, which has a lot of signage. Please see the detailed directions below.

From Toronto & the south

Take Hwy 401 in Toronto to Hwy 400 north. Follow Hwy 400 north through Barrie, take Hwy 11 north to Orillia. At Orillia take the Hwy 12 south exit (follow the Casino Rama signs to Rama Road). Follow Hwy 12 through Orillia (over a bridge in Atherley). Turn left at the traffic lights just past Atherley onto Rama Road (Simcoe County Road 44), and follow it for about 7 kms. Camp Couchiching will be on your left.

From North Bay & the north

Take Hwy 11 south. Exit onto County Road 169 at Washago. Travel about 1 km and then turn right onto Rama Road (Simcoe County Road 44), and proceed for about 8 kms. Camp Couchiching will be on your right.

From Ottawa & the east

Heading west from Ottawa take Highway 17 through Arnprior to Renfrew. Continue west onto Bancroft. Follow Highway 118, then 503 towards Kinmount. From Kinmount, take 45 west to Rama Road (Simcoe County Road 44). Turn right and follow it for about 7 kms. Camp Couchiching will be on your left.

From Kingston area

Take Highway 401 west to Hwy 115. Take Hwy 115 north, then 35 north to Lindsay. Follow 7 west towards Highway 12. Turn right at Hwy 12, and head north for 50 kms. Turn right at the traffic lights onto Rama Road (Simcoe County Road 44), and follow it for about 7 kms. Camp Couchiching will be on your left.

SITE MAP

ACCOMMODATIONS

Accommodations will be in shared camp cabins at Camp Couchiching. Camp facilities include flush toilets and hot showers. Please bring a sleeping bag, pillow, towel and flashlight. Tent camping is available on the Camp Cooch property (same cost applies). Please inform us of any special accommodation needs when you completing your conference registration.

WHAT TO BRING

Things you’ll need at the conference:

-Sleeping Bag
-Towel
-Swimsuit
-Clothing to be comfortable in Rain or Shine, Cold or Warm
-Toiletries & personal items 
-Journal/pen
-Water bottle
-Coffee/Tea Thermos or Mug
-Costume!

Optional items:

-Ear plugs
-Alcohol (no glass beer bottles please – cans only)
-Musical Instruments
-Daypack
-Slippers
-Business cards
-Snacks (nut free please!)

Extra cash: The COEO silent and live auctions are always filled with amazing items, so don’t forget to bring some extra cash or perhaps even your cheque book! Additionally, the President’s Raffle will be taking place again this year, and you may want to purchase tickets to win a terrific prize!

MEALS AND SNACKS

The Camp Cooch Kitchen will be providing delicious and nutritious meals for the conference. Please outline any dietary needs clearly on your registration form. Coffee, tea, juice and water will be provided at all times in the dining hall. Other snacks will be provided at times indicated. BYOWB! – Bring Your Own Water Bottle. ***Please note, alcohol is permitted on Camp Couchiching property (BYOB), but no glass beer bottles – cans only please.

AWARD NOMINATIONS AND PRESENTATION

Our annual conference is also the time for us to recognize and celebrate the efforts and achievements of COEO members and other outdoor educators throughout the province.  Join us after dinner on Saturday evening as we acknowledge the recipients of this year’s annual COEO awards.  Please consider nominating a deserving colleague or organization — visit https://www.coeo.org/recognition/ and read about our six major awards.  A nomination form can be downloaded from the bottom of the page.

CARPOOLING

As always, the COEO Conference Committee encourages carpooling when possible and will help facilitate this by organizing a list of drivers with available space in September – when registering for the conference, please indicate if you require a ride or are willing to offer a ride to someone else.

SILENT AND LIVE AUCTION

An annual conference tradition, we are again having a Silent and Live Auction and we will need your help. We are looking for a variety of items to be donated by you or your affiliated organization. We hope to have about 30 items in the silent auction, and 5 for the live auction. We are open to welcoming whatever you have to offer. Past auctions have included donations of: gift certificates, books, organization-related clothing, camping gear, gift baskets, artwork, handmade crafts, etc. Please contact co********@**eo.org if you have any potential items you wish to donate. All proceeds from the auction will go towards COEO Conference Bursary Fund.

ENTERTAINMENT

As an exciting new addition to the Annual Fall Conference, we are thrilled to welcome Adam from Big Dumb Face Trivia to host a fun and interactive Trivia Contest on Friday evening. Everyone is encouraged to participate! Don’t miss this chance to test your nature knowledge and earn the respect of your peers, while also having the chance to win some amazing prizes! Saturday night’s festivities will begin with our traditional square dance, hosted by COEO’s #1 square dance caller/facilitator, Mr. Walt Sepic. Following this, prepare to dance the night away, as DJ Lisa will have the dance floor rockin’ and groovin’! This year’s dance theme is: “In and on the Water/Nautical Attire.” So, please feel welcome to come dressed-up as your favourite seafaring character/personality, water-based object, story, experience, or pick one of the many more-than-human organisms that call water home. *With this, the conference organizers would like to remind everyone to be thoughtful aware of stereotypes when selecting a fun costume for Saturday night. Finally, don’t forget to bring your instruments and singing voice! All are welcome to gather around the campfire each night to share some laughs, stories and songs!

EXHIBITORS

Individuals and companies that would like to market programs, services or products at the COEO Annual Fall Conference will be able to do so at the Exhibitor Showcase.  Organizational members of COEO may reserve exhibit space at no extra cost. Exhibit space is limited; contact co********@**eo.org to reserve your spot and avoid missing out on this great communication-promotional opportunity.

PRECONFERENCE WORKSHOPS

We are very pleased to be able to offer two preconference workshops prior to the start of this year’s fall conference. These three-hour long intensive workshops will take place Friday afternoon at Camp Couchiching.

Project Wet – Foundations of Water Education and Climate, Water and Resilience, Facilitator Billie Jo Reid

This special combination workshop-training will introduce participants to two of Project WET Canada’s valuable resource guides. The Foundations of Water Education program covers the Principles of Water Literacy and includes topics such as properties of water, watersheds, water systems, groundwater, ecology, water use, and management of water resources. The lessons span from lower elementary school through secondary school level and can be adapted for setting, age level, ability, and time. Participants will receive the educators’ guide for teaching water literacy, which contains 12 lessons that provide a foundation to support water literacy in students. The Climate, Water and Resilience workshop component will help educators teaching at the junior, intermediate and senior levels about climate and climate change using interactive, objective, science-based activities that students will enjoy. Participants will also receive the Climate, Water and Resilience educators’ guide. $20 participation fee, which includes 2 resource manuals. Special grants are available to help individuals cover the cost of this workshop – please inquire when registering. Email co********@**eo.org if you would like to register for this workshop.

Billie Jo Reid is the owner and operator of Pine & Ponder Outdoors. Billie Jo has a deep passion for outdoor education and love helping others connect with nature. She is a certified Nature Journaling Educator and works part-time as the National Coordinator for Program and Delivery for Project WET Canada. Billie Jo also facilitates Project WILD and Below ZERO workshops through the Canadian Wildlife Federation and serves as an instructor and moderator for the Wild Wonder Foundation, helping others explore the power of nature journaling.

Spoon Carving, Facilitator John Wager

Learn how to carve a wooden spoon! Participants will learn about wood selection and woodgrain, hand craving techniques, and will be guided through the process of creating their own wooden spoon. This workshop will cover all safety aspects along with how to properly use a carving knife. $40 participation fee. Please email co********@**eo.org if you would like to register for this workshop.

John Wager is Michi Saagiig Anishinaabe from Curve Lake First Nation. He makes and sells craftwork for a living, and also teaches the skills he has learned along the way in various workshops. He carves lots of spoons, but also makes baskets, knives, bowls, cups, canoe paddles, and even some leatherwork.

CONFERENCE BURSARIES

Each year the COEO Board of Directors set aside money from the COEO Bursary Fund for individuals who may require financial assistance in order to attend our conferences. Those wishing to apply for a conference bursary, can do so here. If you are able and interested, COEO members will also have the option of contributing to the bursary fund while registering for the conference. For more information, check out the Bursary FAQ page on the COEO website.

REGISTER NOW!

Regular and Organizational Members      $295

Retiree and Student Members                   $255

Saturday Day Rate                                      $95

Membership: Registrants for the 2025 COEO Annual Fall Conference must hold a current COEO membership. Not a member? Your membership fee can be paid along with registration.

Hey Students! The COEO Conference Committee is pleased to announce the return of our STUDENT GROUP RATE. If you plan to attend the conference with a group of six or more students, then you will be able to access a special discounted rate. Please contact co********@**eo.org for further details.

COEO’S CONFERENCE REFUND/CANCELLATION POLICY

In the event that you need to cancel your conference registration, please submit a request to co********@**eo.org. If you cancel your registration 30 days or more prior to the start of the conference, a full refund will be given. If you cancel within 30 days of the conference, 50% of the registration fees will be refunded. If a refund is requested on the day of the conference, no refund will given. Memberships are non-refundable. If you are no longer able to attend, your conference ticket can be transferred. Please email to request a transfer. Please note that whoever is attending the conference will need a COEO membership. In the event that the conference is cancelled, attendees will be notified by email and will receive a full refund.

Have you seen the OFFICIAL 2025 ANNUAL FALL CONFERENCE POSTER yet? (see below) Download a copy for your very own, print and display it with pride in your centre, school, camp, store, park, staffroom, office or outhouse.