On Saturday June 4th, a group of educators got together for “A Day in the Woods”, and it was fantastic to spend time in-person again, connecting outdoors, sharing, and learning. The event was hosted in beautiful Revelstoke, BC, in partnership with the Outdoor Learning Store and CBEEN, and supported by the Columbia Basin Trust. Even the rain even held out for us all day!

Faye O’Neil, Indigenous Education Coordinator for SD 5, welcomes the group in Revelstoke, BC: Territory of the Sinixt, and an area also known over different historical times to the Ktunaxa, Secwepmemc, and Okanagan Sylix people.

We started the day with introductions, welcomes, and delicious snacks from Alison at Blue House Lunchbox. And then of course we went outside! Jade Harvey-Berrill, Outreach and Events Manager for the Outdoor Learning Store, led us through engaging activities that could be adapted for any grade or green space! A sensory connection to nature was the perfect way to get situated in place before heading off on an adventure with Amy Flexman of Flexpeditions.

Using our imaginations and our personal connections to nature we were introduced to forest school ethos and curriculum and discovered many of the tools and resources we may use along the way (spoiler: you don’t actually need much, and “forest school” is a way a thinking and being, not a strict set of rules!).

After a delicious lunch from The Wandering Root, we dove into Open Spaces. This methodology allows groups to determine discussion topics based on what’s important to them, and utilizes the Law of Two Feet: “if at any time you find yourself in any situation where you are neither learning nor contributing – use you two feet and move to some place more to you liking.” There was no shortage in discussion, and there is always so much cross pollination that happens when the amazing passion and knowledge within the group is given the chance to be shared.

Thank you so much to all who attended, and we look forward to gathering again soon.