Partnering with us gives our delegates the opportunity to make real change in the lives of students, learners and educators in areas such as:
Being a sponsor and/or exhibitor allows organizations to demonstrate their commitment to students and teachers learning outside on a national stage with a nationally recognized conference. It also offers organizations and businesses a chance to interact with more than 350 delegates in the education, health, active living, and environmental and climate change education settings.
Thank you to our conference sponsors for their generous support in making this event possible.
The Outdoor Learning Conference Program Committee invites educators, practitioners, professionals, students and allied organizations immersed in this work to submit workshop proposals relevant to evidence-based best practices, innovative programs, facilitation techniques, management issues, theories/models, research, and other strategies and resources that advance and develop our sector of outdoor learning within the education system.
The three main areas of focus for this Conference will be Indigenous Ways of Knowing, Health and Wellbeing, and Environmental and Climate Change Education.
The Program will be developed by a volunteer committee that will include representatives from the Conference Steering Committee, Take Me Outside’s Teacher Advisory Committee and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee, as well as a number of other key stakeholders. The outdoor learning sector is quite diverse in terms of the work we do and our hope is to have strong program content for everyone.
Who will attend this Conference?
A mix of both rural and urban educators, practitioners, volunteers, students and elected officials, including examples such as:
The #OLC2025 provided and excellent opportunity to learn new skills that appeal to all educators across grade levels - all of whom should be getting outside. The variety of learning opportunities was vast and I took away many applicable lesson ideas that I've already used in my classes, and I can't wait to build my outdoor learning program into students' favourite experiences at school!
The Outdoor Learning Conference was the most enriching experience I've had in my teaching career. Sharing the essentials of learning in nature allows us to provide authentic and essential learning experiences for children. A huge thank you!
Incredible conference. The welcoming prayers by Blackfoot Elder Sylvia Fox, the keynote speakers, the workshop sessions, the people, the land, and the site itself. All came together for three days of learning, reflecting, and connecting. A do-not-miss conference for outdoor educators of any type!
I have been to many conference and the Outdoor Learning Conference absolutely stands out. The conference is extremely well run, the workshops and keynote talks are engaging and edifying and the location, well, it couldn't be more beautifully appropriate for bringing outdoor educators together. I feel very lucky to have attended and thanks to the OLC, I am a better educator.
If you have any questions, please contact conference@takemeoutside.ca
Applications open October 9 – November 23, 2026
We invite educators, practitioners, researchers, Indigenous Knowledge Keepers and others working in outdoor learning to submit workshop proposals for the 2027 Outdoor Learning Conference, taking place May 6-8, 2027 in Banff, Alberta.
What are we looking for?
We are particularly interested in workshops that:
While outdoor learning is the overarching focus of the conference, we particularly welcome proposals connected to one or more of our three focus areas:
We encourage proposals from both experienced and emerging facilitators. You do not need to have presented at a conference before to offer valuable knowledge, experience and ideas.
Workshop format
Workshops are 75 minutes in length and take place primarily outdoors, rain or shine. We encourage presenters to design sessions that make meaningful use of the outdoor environment, rather than simply relocate an indoor presentation outside.
A limited number of indoor/outdoor hybrid sessions may be considered where the format is essential to the learning experience.
Important information for presenters
We receive many thoughtful proposals each year and carefully review every submission. We appreciate the time and effort involved in sharing your expertise and experiences with the outdoor learning community.
Each year, we're inspired by the incredible interest in the National Outdoor Learning Conference. With registration selling out increasingly quickly, (12 minutes last year and an overwhelmed server) we recognize that our previous first-come, first-served approach hasn't always provided an equal opportunity to register, and we've been exploring ways to make the process more accessible and less stressful for everyone.
For our May 2027 conference, we're introducing a registration lottery to help create a fairer opportunity for educators across Canada to attend.
As in previous years, a portion of conference places will be reserved outside the general registration process to support participation by equity-deserving educators, as well as presenters, partners, and others contributing to the conference. The lottery will apply to the remaining places available through general registration.
Our hope is that this new approach will make the conference more accessible while continuing to bring together a diverse community of educators passionate about outdoor learning.
If you have questions, please read through our FAQ here. If you still have any questions after reading those, feel free to email conference@takemeoutside.ca.
Important Considerations:
Registration includes:
Rates:
Refund Policy:
We recognize that many educators will be relying on financial support or funding to enable them to participate. With that in mind, we will offer full refunds until March 1st, 2027.
Answer:
Early Bird: $625. Limited subsidies available – if you are interested in applying for a subsidy, please enter the general registration lottery. If your name is selected, you will then have the opportunity to inform us that you wish to be considered for a subsidy.
Answer: The registration lottery for the 2027 Conference will open Monday, November 9th at noon PT and remain open until Wednesday, November 11th at noon PT. For more details on this process, please see the question below.
For updates and 2027 conference information, sign up to our newsletter.
Answer: For our May 2027 conference, we're introducing a registration lottery to help create a fairer opportunity for educators across Canada to attend.
Rather than a short timeframe when registration has typically opened, educators will have a 48-hour window to submit a lottery entry.
Registration Lottery: November 9th at 12pm Pacific to November 11th at 12 Pacific.
Once the registration lottery closes, available general registration places will be allocated through a randomized selection process guided by our commitment to welcoming first-time attendees and ensuring geographic representation from across Canada.
Applicants who are not initially selected will be placed on a waitlist, with additional invitations issued as places become available.
There is no advantage to submitting your lottery entry early within the 48-hour window.
Our hope is that this new approach will provide a fairer opportunity to register while continuing to bring together a diverse community of educators who are passionate about outdoor learning.
For more information about the lottery process, please visit our conference FAQ. If you have additional questions, please contact conference@takemeoutside.ca.
Answer:We do need you to register for the lottery within the 48 hour window and if accepted pay within 72 hours. If you pay yourself and for some reason you do not receive funding we will offer you a refund until March 1, 2027 and after that by discretion and with a replacement registration from the waitlist.
Answer: We have some spaces set aside for presenters, but if your attendance is not reliant on your being accepted to present, then yes, please enter the general registration lottery.
Answer: A team is a maximum of 4 people from one organization. You can apply as a team or as an individual, not both. If you apply as a team you will be assigned places as a full team. Please do not apply as both an Individual and a team. We will be monitoring that and will remove duplicate applications from our pool before we run our lottery.
Answer: For teams, we can send you a team invoice. You will need to complete a confirmation of acceptance of the spots offered to you within the 72-hour window, but the invoice can be paid within 30 days.
Answer: Those selected will be invited to complete their registration on Monday, Nov 16, and registration and payment (for individuals) or registration and confirmation of invoice receipt (for teams) must be completed within 72 hours (this window closes on Thursday Nov 19th at 12pm Pacific).
For any places not claimed by this time, invitations will be issued to those randomly selected from the waitlist starting Friday Nov 20th.
Please ensure you check your Spam and Promotions folders on this day to ensure you receive the registration link.
Answer: If you are not selected in the first lottery draw on November 16th, you will automatically be placed on the waitlist.
Entries that were selected will have 72 hours to register and pay, after which time invitations for their unclaimed spot will be issued to those randomly selected from the waitlist starting Friday, Nov 20th.
Answer: We will offer full refunds on conference registrations until March 1st, 2027. If you need to request a refund, please email us at conference@takemeoutside.ca
Answer: The conference is at the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity in Banff National Park, Alberta.
The closest airport to the Banff Conference Centre is Calgary – approximately 1hr 40 minute drive between the two.
Conference delegates receive a 15% discount on the Banff Airporter’s daily shuttle service between the Calgary Airport and the Banff Centre (Discount off of regular price $82.90 (one way) or $165.80 (return) for adults).
Please visit our Accommodation & Travel web page for more information.
Answer:
The best value and accessibility is to stay on site at the Banff Centre. You can reserve your room here with a discounted rate offered to conference delegates. Rooms available:
Please visit our Accommodation & Travel web page for more information.
Answer: Yes! The Outdoor Council of Canada, one of Take Me Outside’s partners, has provided an excellent letter that outlines the benefits this conference will offer and rationalization for why you should attend. You can download the letter here.
Answer:
Meals included with conference ticket:
Answer: No, Banff has a great public transport bus system and you can walk between the Banff Centre and downtown Banff in 15-25 minutes.
Answer: Registration for conference workshops and field trips will be available for viewing and registration in March, 2027.
Answer: You can check out our Program tab for a high-level overview of what to expect each day of the 2027 Outdoor Learning Conference. A detailed schedule will be available early 2027; please check back for a complete list of speakers, workshops, and events.
Answer: We aren’t officially facilitating any child care services during the 2026 conference; however, we fully endorse the Banff-based operator Child Care Connection, who you may coordinate with directly if needed.
Answer: If you have any questions or information that seems to be missing, please email us at conference@takemeoutside.ca – we’ll be able to help you!
On-site accommodations at the Banff Centre are available for all conference delegates, speakers, and exhibitors at discounted rates (plus applicable fees and taxes):
2026 Pricing
There are still rooms available at the Banff Centre, please call the reservation number below.
Phone: 403.762.6308
Toll-Free: 1.800.884.7574
If you are checking out Saturday there will be a designated, secure space for luggage and storage to be kept until your departure.
Banff Lodging Co. offers a variety of accommodation options located in Downtown Banff. Conference attendees can receive 15% off their stay when they book through the Banff Lodging Co website with the code enjoyblc.
The easiest way to get to Banff—no rental car needed!
We’re excited to partner with Banff Airporter, our preferred travel partner, to make your journey from Calgary International Airport to Banff as smooth as possible.
Special Deal Just for You:
Enjoy 15% off Banff Airporter's comfy, reliable shuttle service which runs 11 times daily, so you can land and relax on your own schedule.
Promo Code: TakeMeOutside2026
Valid for travel dates: May 4-11, 2026
To book your shuttle:
Shuttles can fill up fast, so book at least a month in advance to guarantee availability.
Please note that these buses are not wheelchair accessible. There are 4-5 steps to go up to get on the buses. They will happily transport a wheelchair or other walking aid in cargo if you are able to negotiate the steps. They recommend traveling with a support person if you need help with steps or will need to be carried onto the bus as drivers may not be able to do so. Please reach out to conference@takemeoutside.ca if you need support with travel arrangements and we will do all we can to assist you.
