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PROFESSIONAL
DEVELOPMENT
Are you curious about Outdoor Education and the philosophy and practice of forest school? Join forest school educators from around Metro Vancouver and beyond for a professional development session.
HANDS-ON PLAY DAY
This workshop is for educators, parents, and children alike! Come and build your skills in a community-minded environment. We'll explore hands-on ways to connect with gardens and forests this spring. Activities will include: salve-making, simple natural dyes, making rope with plants, weaving, and felting
DATE: SUNDAY, APRIL 16TH 2023
TIME: 9:30 - 1:00
LOCATION: LOUTET PARK, NORTH VANCOUVER
COST: Suggested donation of $25/adult. Donations go towards Harmony Gardens projects.
HANDS-ON WEEKEND WORKSHOP
Do you want to join the outdoor learning fun for two days in August? Join us for our Skills Weekend. You'll learn:
Hands-on basics such as: Animal tracking, ropes, tarps, knife work, weaving, and making cordage. As well as plant identification and activities that you can do with plants.
DATE: AUGUST 26 & 27 2023
TIME: 9:30 - 4:30
LOCATION: SEYMOUR HERITAGE PARK, NORTH VANCOUVER
COST: $185
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FOUR DAYS OF WONDER-FULL OUTDOOR LEARNING
Are you curious about the philosophy and practice of forest school? Join forest school educators from around Metro Vancouver and beyond for four days of outdoor learning that will include:
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Forest school philosophy
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Risk assessment, impact assessment, and site selection
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Sharing songs and stories
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Activities to help you bridge between structured learning and play-based learning
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Hands-on basics such as ropes, tarps, knife work, weaving, and making cordage
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Plant identification and activities that you can do with plants
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Animal tracking
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Nature connection practices such as nature journaling and sit spot
And much more. One of the best parts of the week is meeting enthusiastic educators like yourself who are keen to share!
DATE: AUGUST 24 - 27 2023
TIME: 9:30 - 4:30
LOCATION: SEYMOUR HERITAGE PARK, NORTH VANCOUVER
COST: $525
CUSTOM WORKSHOPS
Looking to provide a workshop for you team of educators? Professional development can take place in the forests where we work, at your school, or online. Our workshops can include:
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An exploration of forest school philosophy
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Risk assessment, impact assessment, and site selection
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Sharing stories and storytelling techniques
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Sensory activities to help you bridge between structured and play-based learning
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Hands-on skills such as ropes, tarps, knife work, weaving, and making cordage
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Plant identification
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Animal tracking
ONLINE WORKSHOPS
These 1.5 hour workshops are available to childcare centers, ECEs, teachers, and parents. Contact us to book a date. We are happy to work with groups around the world on the Zoom platform. Cost: $150-$225 *Sliding scale.
Learning with Loose Parts
Cones, clay, leaves: there is so much to play with right outside your door. Discover the delight of playing and learning from loose parts play in nature! Engage with a variety of loose parts in this hands-on workshop and reflect on your play experiences. We’ll also share examples of loose parts creations to inspire your practice.
Loving the Outdoors Through Literature
Consider the role of storytelling in connecting children to themselves, each other, and the land. Learn child-centred storytelling techniques that will help you bring your personal stories and stories from books into the outdoors, and get introduced to a variety of beautiful and funny stories to bring into your outdoor classroom.
Learning in the Forest
What is forest school, and how does it work? In this workshop, you'll learn about the forest school philosophy and the roles of children and adults at forest school. We will also discuss some of the fundamentals of forest school, such as site selection and assessment, impact assessment, risky play, and what to wear.
IN-SCHOOL MENTORSHIP
Our school programs work to make outdoor learning simple for you as a teacher.
We work with you to help determine where you can go. We help you assess the risks and the learning and stewardship possibilities in these spaces. We help you make the connections between curriculum and what your students experience outdoors. We co-teach with you to model outdoor teaching techniques as you develop your own outdoor education skills.
We offer:
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On site professional development, including a site walk and assessment
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Consultation with your school's teaching team to discuss your curriculum needs
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Help communicating with children, staff, and parents
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Eight two-hour sessions with your group during a school term.
Location: Vancouver, North Shore, Burnaby,
Cost: $0-$1500
Thanks to our funders, we can offer limited sliding scale pricing for this program, including very low cost options for inner city schools. Please inquire about sliding scale options.
SPRING INTO OUTDOOR LEARNING
Come out and play with us in the park! This workshop is focused on building the toolkit of ECE and primary educators who would like to bring kids outside in the spring. We'll explore simple, low-cost, hands-on outdoor activities that engage children in play and nature-based learning. We'll also play games that keep everyone warm and active while outdoors.
DATE: TBD
TIME: 9:30 - NOON
LOCATION: PRINCESS PARK
COST: $25 (certificate of hours included)