The Council of Outdoor Educators of Ontario is excited to invite you to attend COEO’s Annual Fall Conference to be held at Camp Couchiching, September 22 – 24, 2023. This is on the traditional territory of the Anishinabee, Haudenosaunee, Huron Wendat and Mississauga peoples. It is part of the Williams 1923 treaty and in Longford Mills, Ontario.
Each of us are outdoor educators because we know how impactful connections made on and with the land can be. This conference is about expanding our toolboxes and perspectives on what barriers may exist in our spaces for folks to make those connections. We have a stellar line up of presenters lined up who work with folks across socio-economic statuses, races, genders, ages, abilities and cultures. A list can be found here.
Conference registration includes meals, accommodation, two keynote presentations, a weekend of workshops, evening games, music, and dancing (schedule here). Friday night entertainment include square dancing as well as some lawn and board games for those looking for a less musical kind of fun. The theme for this year’s Saturday dance party is “Dancing Under The Stars”. Prepare to dance Saturday night away with DJ Lisa dressed in whatever costume you associate with a night under the stars.
New this year, we will also be building a resource list for the conference and hosting conference wide workshop to help you consolidate all the ideas you may have encountered during the weekend. The conference will also host COEO’s Annual General Meeting on Sunday morning.
We are also hosting a PRE-CONFERENCE workshop led by Bonnie Anderson. Bonnie will be offering Leave No Trace facilitator certification on the afternoon of Friday September 22 before the conference. This workshop will certify you to lead Leave No Trace training with your class. The cost for the workshop and certification is $75. Spaces are limited so if you’re interested, sign up soon! Fill out this form to get started on registration.
AND, if that wasn’t enough, we are also going to be helping people make friends (because that can be hard as an adult, right?). We are going to be creating a “Find a Friend” wall where folks who feel comfortable talking to new people can put their photo and a few things that they like talking about on the wall. If you’ve got a skill that that you’re willing to share – that works too! Folks who want to talk to someone can see who may be open to having a new person join them for a meal or a walk between sessions to learn something new. People who volunteer to be on the friend wall can do so for the whole conference, or just a specific time window. If you would like to be one of the friends on the wall, please fill out this form. You can also sign up at registration.
To register for the conference, learn about our bursary program, and student group rates, please click here. To reach out to our accessibility coordinator Harley to discuss how we can support you at the conference, please email presenter_liaison@coeo.org and keep reading for more information. Please also invite folks who have never been to a COEO before to join you this fall.
Accessibility at the Fall Conference – Meet Harley!
Hi, I’m Harley, the Accessibility Coordinator for this year’s COEO conference. I’m hoping to connect with participants ahead of the conference who have access needs, as well as presenters (so if that’s you, please check out the “For Presenters” section below) so we can work together to figure out how we can best support your conference experience. As a lifelong wheelchair user, I understand that where accessibility is concerned, you are the expert on you. I’m here to help facilitate what you feel you need.
If you feel you could benefit from a chat with me, please send an email to presenter_liaison@coeo.org, and we can get to work on figuring out what COEO can do for you.
Here’s a bit of information specific to presenters and participants. Please take a minute to read over the section(s) that apply to you:
For Participants:
-Do you have any accessibility considerations you’d like to share with us? These can include (but are not limited to) building accessibility, requirements for dining, sleeping, and restroom areas, access needs for traversing the campsite (where/if required), assistance with camp activities, or anything else that might be relevant for you. Please tell us how we can help you.
For Presenters:
-Do you have accessibility needs (of any kind) that you would like us to be aware of, or that we can help you accommodate, for your presentation?
-Can you think of any elements in your presentation/workshop that could present barriers for those with access needs (mobility, visual, auditory, sensory, etc.)? We’ll use this information to help you reduce barriers if/where possible and to help participants with access needs choose the most suitable presentations/workshops for them (Note: if your presentation/workshop is to be held outside, we will work with participants as needed to determine what is suitable for their needs).
***REGISTER TODAY!***
CONFERENCE LOCATION
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 & Southern Ontario
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 Kingston and Eastern Ontario
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.
From North Bay and Northern Ontario
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
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.
ACCOMMODATIONS
Accommodations will be in shared camp cabins at Camp Couchiching. Facilities include flush toilets and hot showers. Please bring a sleeping bag, pillow, towel and flashlight. Tent camping is available on the Camp Couchiching property (same cost applies). Please inform us of any special accommodation needs on your registration form.
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 auction is 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 Couchiching 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 five major awards. A nomination form can be downloaded from the bottom of the page.
CONFERENCE BURSARIES
Each year the COEO Board of Directors sets aside funds for individuals who require financial assistance in order to attend our annual fall conference. Those wishing to apply for this must submit a letter to Natalie Kemp, COEO Past President at natalie.b.kemp@gmail.com with the requested amount and a rationale by September 10, 2023. Bursary applicants will be informed by September 12, 2023 as to whether or not they have received funding.
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 – please contact conference@coeo.org if you require a ride or are willing to offer a ride to someone else. Please email with your name, email, where you’re coming from (area/town) and how many spaces you have or will need in a car.
SILENT AND LIVE AUCTION
Now 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 conference@coeo.org if you have any potential items you wish to donate. All proceeds from the auction will go towards COEO Conference Bursary Fund.
EXHIBITORS
Individuals and companies that would like to market programs, services or products at the 2023 COEO 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 conference@coeo.org to reserve your spot and avoid missing out on this great communication-promotional opportunity.
PRECONFERENCE WORKSHOP – LEAVE NO TRACE TRAINER COURSE
We are excited to be offering the Leave No Trace Trainer Course before the conference this year! Facilitated by Bonnie Anderson, this training will take place on Friday September 22, 2023 at Camp Couchiching before the main conference.
Become a certified Leave No Trace facilitator so you can lead awareness workshops with your students while on trip. This program is for secondary teachers (and those who create programming for them) who will be taking students out trips as part of an SHSM or Integrated OE programs. This will be an INTENSE DAY PROGRAM – you will need to be on time to attend all parts and complete some work BEFORE coming to be certified in this program. If you are unclear as to the criteria and commitment of this training, please contact banderson@scdsb.on.ca for further information.
The cost for this program is $75. Participants will be responsible for bringing their own food. If there is interest, organizers can support connecting participants looking for carpooling with other participants. If you are interested, please fill out this form to start the registration process: https://forms.gle/Q2uTSLXxrfsANhzM8
HEY STUDENTS!!!
Are you planning to attend the upcoming conference as part of group of five or more? We have a special student group discount available. Contact conference@coeo.org for more details.
REGISTER NOW!
Regular and Organizational Members $275 (Early Bird Rate) $295
Student and Retiree Members $235 (Early Bird Rate) $275
Saturday-only Special Day Rate $95
Registration must be made online.
*Membership: Registrants for the 2023 COEO Annual Fall Conference must hold a current COEO membership. Membership fees may be paid with registration.
Also, please note that the special early bird pricing is only valid until August 15, 2023 – to qualify, you must register online on or before this deadline!
The Saturday day-only rate includes all workshops and programming taking place during the day, as well as lunch.
CONFERENCE POSTER
Want your own copy of this year’s poster to hang up at your school or outdoor centre? Download a copy by clicking here.
