Outdoor Learning Conference 2025: Full Schedule

Welcome to the 2025 Outdoor Learning Conference

3:15pm MDT

Playing Outside the Box: Building Boardgames with Found Objects in Nature FILLING

Thursday May 8, 2025 3:15pm - 4:30pm MDT

Fostering safe, comfortable, and fun experiences in nature is a key part of outdoor education. In this workshop, you'll discover how to teach boardgame-style games using only natural materials found around you—sticks, stones, pinecones, or whatever the Land provides. This hands-on session is designed for outdoor leaders seeking accessible, mellow, sitting-down activities for all ages. Participants will learn easy-to-follow instructions and gather materials to play familiar (and new!) games ranging from ancient classics like Checkers and Mancala and to more modern games and puzzles.

Speakers

Jennifer Ball

Humber Polytechnic

"Jen Ball is a dedicated sustainability educator and researcher based in Toronto, Ontario. As a full-time professor at Humber College, she is the lead faculty of the Sustainability Stream, guiding students into green sector careers. Her work focuses on solutions for the climate crisis... Read More →

Thursday May 8, 2025 3:15pm - 4:30pm MDT
Porcupine

Health and Wellbeing Workshop, Health and Wellbeing

11:00am MDT

Nature Journaling: A Tool for Conservation and Connection LIMITED

Friday May 9, 2025 11:00am - 12:15pm MDT

Porcupine

Come explore the world of nature journaling outdoors! Nature journaling can act as a catalyst for observation, evoking curiosity and a sense of wonder in students of all ages. Nature journaling is interdisciplinary by nature and can be easily incorporated into regular classroom routines. Join Sonya and David as they share their own experiences of nature journaling, and the role it has played in both their personal and professional development. Participants will gain insights into the art of nature journaling, play with
watercolours, and practice five different exercises they can take into their community or into their classroom.

No previous art experience necessary.

Speakers

Sonya Rokosh

Environmental Educator & Teacher, School District 73 (Kamloops-Thompson), British Columbia Conservation Foundation (BCCF)

Sonya Rokosh splits her time working at a local horticultural therapy farm in Kamloops, substitute teaching, and engaging with both youth and educators in the grasslands. She has over 19 years of experience in the world of outdoor education & leadership. She sits on the board of directors... Read More →

David Norwell

David Norwell is an author, illustrator, and philosopher dedicated to his community. He is the author of the bestselling illustrated travelogue - A Complex Coast: A Kayak Journey From Vancouver Island to Alaska. "A Complex Coast" was a finalist for the 2024 BC and Yukon Book Prizes... Read More →

Friday May 9, 2025 11:00am - 12:15pm MDT
Porcupine

Environmental and Climate Change Education Workshop

2:00pm MDT

Let's Meet Kakwa (Porcupine) LIMITED

Friday May 9, 2025 2:00pm - 3:15pm MDT

Porcupine

"The porcupine was the original bead producer for Indigenous people. We use the guard hair in our regalia, we take the quills and color them and produce works of art. This slow moving creature can be useful when a person is in survival mode and are very useful for regalia (roach making), as well as fur for tufting, and quills for art work.
I am usually gifted animals or use what has been taken by traffic. Information about how the porcupine was gifted its quills and what are the best methods of coloring quills will be presented. The workshop will also include how to clean and prepare quills including dying and then 3 styles of quill artwork is shown.
Using quills is like beading; it is a way to learn to be in the present and not thinking of the what if's, or worrying about what happened earlier. It is a mindfulness technique that allows you know what's next. If you aren't in the moment you have the possibility of being poked."

Speakers

Genevieve Prevost

Teacher

"Genevieve Prevost is a nehiyaw-skwew (cree woman) from the Beardy's and Okemasis First Nation in Saskatoon. A medicine carrier, knowledge keeper and teacher. She has been teaching for 18 years in a variety of areas including on reserve, inner-city elementary and Indigenous inner... Read More →

Friday May 9, 2025 2:00pm - 3:15pm MDT
Porcupine

Indigenous Ways of Knowing Workshop

3:15pm MDT

“Scavenger Hunts, Compass Courses, Maps and More: Engaging Your Students with Curriculum-Connected Outdoor Exploration” FULL

Friday May 9, 2025 3:15pm - 4:30pm MDT

Porcupine

"Scavenger hunts are a staple in most outdoor educators' toolboxes. Do you want to learn how to maximise both fun and learning in your scavenger hunts? Do you want to learn tips and tricks to weave in compasses and maps to your scavenger hunts? This is the workshop for you!

In this hands-on workshop participants will get a crash course on how to intentionally design and facilitate various scavenger hunts and map/compass courses. Participants will not only get to try several different styles of scavenger hunts, there will also be a discussion on how to modify them for various curricula and locations."

Speakers

Braeden Kelly

Canadian Rockies Outdoor Learning Centre

Braeden Kelly (BSc, BEd) is an outdoor, environmental, and experiential educator with the Canadian Rockies Outdoor Learning Centre. He works with teachers in the Canadian Rockies Public School division to co-create outdoor experiential learning experiences that connect to the curriculum... Read More →

Friday May 9, 2025 3:15pm - 4:30pm MDT
Porcupine

Environmental and Climate Change Education Workshop

9:45am MDT

“Indigenous ways of BEING” LIMITED

Saturday May 10, 2025 9:45am - 11:00am MDT

Porcupine

Miigwech Wendams” – This workshop designed for all Educators to incorporate Indigenous ways of ‘Being’ in respectful and playful ways that are appropriate to guide educational practices. We will be learning to embody true reciprocity in a variety of ways: How can we change from “What can I take?’ to “What can I give?” During our time together, we will be opening with a ‘movement as prayer’ sequence as a means of demonstrating to students how to express daily gratitude physically, spiritually and emotionally. Everyone will have the opportunity to create a “teaching stick” to use with their students as well as using animal play puppets as a way of connecting with each other and the land.
One of the things I make sure non-Indigenous people understand is we don’t need you to help heal us, we need you to fix yourselves.” (Murray Sinclair)

Speakers

Ann Cummings

Kenjgewin Teg

"Ann Cummings Biography Boozhoo! Ann Cummings n’disnikaas, Wewebjewong (Little Current, Ont) n’doongeba. Originally from T’Karonto (Toronto) I am incredibly grateful to now call Mnidoo Mnising (Manitoulin Island) my home. With a unique career path, I bring my multiple years... Read More →

Sophie Pheasant

Sophie is guided by clanship and identity as a Bode’wadmi Kwe of the Three Fires Confederacy from Wiikwemkoong First Nations on Manitoulin Island. A mother of three children, Sophie is rooted in honouring Anishinaabe ways of being and knowing. Passionate about engagements that will... Read More →

Saturday May 10, 2025 9:45am - 11:00am MDT
Porcupine

Indigenous Ways of Knowing Workshop

Outdoor Learning Conference 2025