Events & Workshops
Events & Workshops
On this page:
Seasonal virtual workshop series
Virtual Campfire Connections (English & français)
Other pro-d opportunities from the outdoor learning community
Outdoor learning partners offering professional development
Outdoor Learning Seasonal Virtual Workshop Series
Presented in partnership with the charitable social enterprise, the Outdoor Learning Store, alongside our outdoor learning partners, this popular online series continues with more engaging expert presenters in a wide variety of topics.
- Registration is free and there are always draw prizes for attendees!
- All registrants receive a discount code to access outdoor learning resources when they register
- Workshops are 60 minutes and take place on Tuesdays at 4pm Pacific time / 7pm Eastern time.
- For those who can’t attend live, each session is recorded and posted here.
- Following the workshop, participants will receive a link through which they can access a certificate of attendance.
- If you can’t attend the live workshop you can still request a certificate of attendance after you watch the recording.
- Make sure you’re subscribed to our newsletter so you don’t miss any updates and announcements!
Outdoor Learning through Patterns in Nature
October 3rd 2023 – 4:00 PM PT / 7:00 PM ET (60 min)
With Educators Janice Novakowski & Megan Zeni
Join Janice and Megan to learn about some fantastic resources for educating, engaging, and empowering students around patterns in nature – connecting to math, numeracy and other curricula.
Janice Novakowski is a district teacher consultant in the Richmond School District (BC) where she learns alongside preK-12 educators and students in the areas of mathematics and numeracy. She is also an Adjunct Professor at UBC where she teaches elementary mathematics education courses. Some of Janice’s fondest childhood experiences center on the outdoors, carefully turning over rocks on beaches to find little crabs, log jumping and hiking through moss and fern-filled forests.
Megan Zeni is a mom of 3, an experienced elementary school teacher, and a master gardener. Megan successfully re-imagined the prep position in her public school and turned it into her dream job of spending her days with children in the garden classroom.
Megan is an advocate for taking children outdoors at school in all kinds of weather to learn, play, and grow. Megan is also a PhD candidate at UBC in curriculum & pedagogy.
All registrants will be entered to win some great draw prizes! After registration you will receive a discount code to access the resources shared. Following the workshop you will receive the recording, and a link to access your Certificate of Attendance.
You can access these empowering resources here:
- Messy Maths
- Patterns in Nature Kit: Coming Soon!
REGISTER TO ATTEND
Connecting Children to Nature through Indigenous Teachings
October 17th 2023 – 4:00 PM PT / 7:00 PM ET (60 min)
With Educator and Author Launa Purcell
Join Author Launa as she shares about ‘Heartbeat of the Earth – a Handbook on Connecting Children to Nature through Indigenous Teachings‘.
Launa Purcell is a member of the Xa’xtsa First Nation and a mother of two. Launa works as an Indigenous Educator and teaches Indigenous outdoor camps.
The activities inside instill traditional teachings of respect, honor, resourcefulness, and humility in children. This handbook is intended to inspire parents, caregivers, and educators to provide children with meaningful outdoor experiences interwoven with traditional Indigenous knowledge.
This handbook isn’t a replacement for ensuring that local Indigenous knowledge and perspectives are central to your teaching. Rather, this is a starting point, and an encouragement to learn more, and use these activities as an inspiration to adapt them and adopt new ones in a culturally appropriate and responsive way.
All registrants will be entered to win some great draw prizes! After registration you will receive a discount code to access the resources shared. Following the workshop you will receive the recording, and a link to access your Certificate of Attendance.
You can access Launa’s beautiful resource here:
REGISTER TO ATTEND
L’éducation en plein air: Apprendre et enseigner dehors en tous lieux et en toutes saisons
7 novembre 2023 – 16h00 l’heure du Pacifique / 19h00 heure de l’Atlantique (60 minutes)
Avec Professeur et Auteur Jean-Philippe Ayotte-Beaudet
Joignez-vous pour notre premier atelier francophone à Jean-Philippe alors qu’il partage comment apprendre et enseigner dehors en tous lieux et en toutes saisons.
Comment enseigner dehors, et ce, en tous lieux et en toutes saisons?
Juliet Robertson s’adresse aux personnes enseignantes qui souhaitent faire vivre à leurs élèves de 4 à 12 ans des situations d’apprentissage riches et authentiques en plein air. En se basant sur sa grande expérience et sur la recherche, elle accompagne les personnes enseignantes qui souhaitent intégrer l’éducation en plein air à leurs pratiques et celles qui le font déjà et qui voudraient aller encore plus loin.
Les bénéfices de cette approche sont nombreux : des effets positifs sur le bien-être des enfants, des apprentissages plus signifiants et durables, l’amélioration des habiletés sociales, le développement d’une citoyenneté responsable et peut-être même de l’amour envers la nature.
Tous les inscrits seront inscrits pour gagner de superbes prix de tirage! À la suite de l’atelier, vous recevrez un lien vers les ressources partagées, l’enregistrement et accéderez à votre certificat de participation.
REGISTER TO ATTEND
Building Capacity for Outdoor Learning: Introducing a Digital Tool for Success
November 14th 2023 – 4:00 PM PT / 7:00 PM ET (60 min)
With Outdoor Learning Experts Mariana Brussoni & Megan Zeni
Join Mariana and Megan as they share the ‘BE OUT’ digital tool. BE OUT is a new tool for elementary (K-7) school teachers and includes exemplars of outdoor learning from a diversity of teachers organized in a digital format.
The tool is designed with very short (90 second) modules and targets teachers new to teaching outdoors with support in four key areas: understanding risky play in the school context; getting started teaching outdoors; teaching with an emergent curriculum; and assessment of learning.
Dr. Mariana Brussoni is Director of the Human Early Learning Partnership and Professor at the University of British Columbia and BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute. Her research investigates child injury prevention and children’s outdoor risky play with the aim of creating environments where all children can play outside every day.
Megan Zeni is a mom of 3, an experienced elementary school teacher, and a master gardener. Megan successfully re-imagined the prep position in her public school and turned it into her dream job of spending her days with children in the garden classroom. Megan is an advocate for taking children outdoors at school in all kinds of weather to learn, play, and grow. Megan is also a PhD candidate at UBC in curriculum & pedagogy.
All registrants will be entered to win some great draw prizes! After registering you will receive a discount code to access the resources shared, and following the workshop you can access the recording, and a link to access your Certificate of Attendance.
Grow your outdoor educator skills with:
- Dirty Teaching
- Learn more about Outdoor Learning and Play
REGISTER TO ATTEND
Missed one of our past workshops? No problem!
Check out the all recordings here.
Virtual Campfire Connections: Circling up with Educators from Coast to Coast to Coast //
Feu de camp virtuel : Connecter avec des éducateurs d’un bout à l’autre du canada
Le français suit
Next English Campfire: Stay tuned!
(https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87863579336)
Sign up for our newsletter and follow us on social media for all the updates.
& see below for campfires en français!
Pull up a log and come join us to learn, share and connect around all things related to outdoor learning. We would love to chat about all of the AMAZING things going on in and outside of your classrooms. Like most campfire chats, we are hoping to have a very open mic forum around outdoor education topics and format. As the school year continues, we want to facilitate chances to gather and connect you & other incredible educators!
There will be opportunities to play games, share stories, and brainstorm to discuss key topics on your mind. Whether you’re a seasoned outdoor learning educator, or someone taking their first steps outside the classroom, there will be some great takeaways as we build community nationwide. And of course, some prizes from both Take Me Outside and the Outdoor Learning Store!
Come join us for a few minutes or the entire campfire! We can guarantee you will leave the fire inspired. This is a free event, using the same link each time – register below to join or click the link above a few minutes before the fire begins. Please note these informal gatherings are not recorded at this time.
Joignez-vous à la boutique d’apprentissage en plein air et à nos partenaires canadiens d’apprentissage en plein air pour apprendre, partager et vous connecter autour de tout ce qui concerne l’apprentissage en plein air. Nous serions ravis de discuter avec vous de toutes les choses INCROYABLES qui se passent à l’intérieur et/ou à l’extérieur de vos salles de classe. Comme la plupart des discussions autour d’un feu de camp, nous espérons avoir un forum de micro très ouvert autour de sujets et de formats d’éducation en plein air. Nous voulons juste avoir la chance de vous connecter avec d’autres enseignants incroyables au Canada ! Veuillez noter que ces rencontres informelles ne sont PAS enregistrées.
Il y aura des occasions de jouer à des jeux, de partager des histoires et d’avoir des groupes pour discuter de sujets clés qui vous préoccupent. Que vous soyez un éducateur chevronné en apprentissage en plein air ou quelqu’un qui fait ses premiers pas en dehors de la salle de classe, il y aura d’excellentes idées à emporter alors que nous construisons une communauté à l’échelle nationale. Et bien sûr, des prix Amène-moi dehors (Take Me Outside et de la boutique d’apprentissage en plein air (Outdoor Learning Store)!
Venez au feu de camp et repartez avec des idées plein la tête! Il s’agit d’un événement gratuit utilisant le même lien à chaque fois – inscrivez-vous ci-dessous pour vous joindre ou cliquez sur le lien ci-dessus quelques minutes avant le début du feu.
Prochain feu de camp : Restez à l’écoute ! (https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86135666016)
Inscrivez-vous à notre newsletter et suivez-nous sur les médias sociaux pour toutes les mises à jour.
Other upcoming workshops to support outdoor learning
Please check dates and time zones carefully! Most sessions are intended for educator pro-d; however, grade level will be indicated if applicable.
Take Me Outside is not involved in the delivery or content of the following workshops. Please contact the organizations directly for more information.
- Unbounded Associates: Green Learning for a Just Transition: Insights and Action Pathways (Part 2)
- Wed Sept 27th / 3pm ET
- Centre for Global Education: #DECARBONIZE Fall Launch (Ages 13-18)
- Thurs Sept 28th / 11-12:30pm ET | Free
- Centre for Global Education: National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (Ages 9-12)
- Fri Sept 29th / 9am PT | Free
- Strong Outcomes: Climate Conversations
- Fri Sept 29th – Nov 3rd (6 session on Fridays) / 3-4:30pm ET | $50-350 sliding scale
- Farm to School BC: School Garden Mentorship Program: Winterizing Your Garden and Long-Term Sustainability (Part 1/2: Workshop)
- Tues Oct 3rd / 3:30-4:30pm PT | Free
- SaskOutdoors: Growing up WILD
- Tues Oct 3rd / 7-9pm CST | $80 for SaskOutdoors members; $90 for non-members
- NBEN & Great Minds Think Outside: Teaching With Gardens Professional Learning Workshop / Atelier de perfectionnement professionnel d’enseignement par le jardinage
- Tues Oct 3rd / 1-4pm ADT, in person: Fredericton, NB | Free
- Natural Start Alliance: Do You See What I See? NASA’s Nature-Based Explorations for Young Minds
- Tues Oct 3rd / 12pm PT | Free
- Inside Education: Women in Outdoor Careers (Grades 8-11)
- Wed Oct 4th / 8:45am-3pm MT, in person for Calgary & area schools | Free
- Centre for Global Education: Protecting Park Pals: Wildlife in Winter: Do They Stay or Go? (Ages 8-12)
- Wed Oct 4th / 11am PT | Free
- Texas Children in Nature Network: Once upon a time …. there was Nature!
- Wed Oct 4th / 2 session options: 2pm CT or 7pm CT | Free
- Centre for Global Education: Moving for Mental Health (ages 6-10)
- Tues Oct 10th / 1-1:45pm ET | Free
- Centre for Global Education: Reflecting on Reconciliation Day (ages 15-18)
- Wed Oct 11th / 9:30am PT | Free
- Farm to School BC: School Garden Mentorship Program: Winterizing Your Garden and Long-Term Sustainability (Part 2/2: Discussion)
- Thurs Oct 12th / 3:30-4:30pm PT | Free
- Mass Audubon Education: ABC’s of Teaching Climate Change
- Thurs Oct 12th, 26th, & Nov 9th (3 sessions) / 4-5:30pm ET | $60 for members; $72 for non-members (USD)
- Natural Curiosity: Cultivating Curiosity Through Connection: Nurturing Inquiry & Land-Based Learning for Early Childhood Educators
- Sat Oct 14th / 8:30am-3:30pm ET, in person in Peterborough, ON | Free (paid opportunity for local educators!)
- The Outdoor Learning Store: 4 Seasons of Indigenous Learning (Choose from Season 1 or 2)
- Oct 2023 – June 2024 | Registration open until Oct 15th: $60-120 sliding scale
- The Outdoor Learning Store & Playful Mindset & Metalude: Outdoor Play-Based Learning: A Learning & Unlearning Fall Course
- Oct 16th – Nov 20th (weekly on Mondays x 6) / 4-5:15pm PT | $90-120 sliding scale
- Southeastern Environmental Education Alliance: Jedi 101: Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
in Environmental Education – eeCourse- Oct 16th – Dec 4th (registration closes Oct 11th!) | $75 USD – discounts and sliding scale available
- SaskOutdoors & the Canadian Wildlife Federation: Project WILD
- Mon Oct 16th, 23rd, & 30th (3 sessions) / 7-9pm CST | $100 for SaskOutdoors members; $110 for non-members
- SaskOutdoors: Getting Little Feet WET
- Tues Oct 17th / 7-8:30pm CST | $35 for SaskOutdoors members; $45 for non-members
- Texas Children in Nature Network: Promoting Outdoor Time in Schools Through SHACs
- Wed Oct 18th / 10-11:30am CT | Free
- Inside Education: Women in Outdoor Careers (Grades 8-11)
- Thurs Oct 19th / 8:45am-3pm MT, in person for central Alberta schools | Free
- Nature Explore: Addressing Challenging Behaviors
- Thurs Oct 19th / 4-6pm PT | $35
- Columbia Basin Environmental Education Network: Inquiring Voices Gathering for Educators
- Oct 19th-21st / In person: Canal Flats, BC | $100-250 sliding scale + GST
- Classrooms to Communities (C2C): Annual PSA Day: Connecting to Land through Indigenous Learning
- Fri Oct 20th / 9am – 12:30pm PT | $50 – 105
- Centre for Global Education: Extreme Hangout: #Decarbonize Rocky Mountains (Ages 13-19)
- Sat Oct 21st (apply by Sept 21st!) / Hybrid: Virtual, and in person in Canmore, AB| Free
- Natural Curiosity: Aki Kinomaagewinan: Engaging Educators and Youth in Indigenous Land-Based Learning Through Natural Curiosity
- Sat Oct 21st / 9am-3pm ET in person in Toronto, ON | $250 (limited full subsidies available for BIPOC educators & Indigenous youth)
- SaskOutdoors & Project WET Canada: Projet WET Canada En Français
- Le mercredi 25 octobre / 16h à 18h | 30 $/ membre, 40 $/ non-membre
- American Bird Conservancy & NAAEE & PLT: Birds For All
- Thurs Oct 26th / 12pm PT | Free
- Centre for Global Education: Howl-O-Ween: Climate and Wildlife Doesn’t Have to be Scary (Ages 6-10)
- Tues Oct 31st / 1-1:45pm ET | Free
- CPAWS New Brunswick: Get Outside! NB 2023
- June – October 2023 / Various in-person events throughout NB | Free
- Earth Rangers: From Eco-Anxiety to Eco-Action: Educator Strategies to Support Students
- Nov 6th – Dec 8th / Asynchronous | $99-140
- Earth Force: Young Trailblazers: Celebrating Earth Force Youth Past and Present
- Tues Nov 14th / 5pm ET | Free
- Centre for Global Education: Diving Into our Changing Oceans (Ages 6-10)
- Wed Nov 15th / 12-12:45pm ET | Free
- SaskOutdoors & Project WET Canada: Project WET
- Mon Nov 20th & 27th (2 sessions) / 7-9pm CST | $50 for SaskOutdoors members; $60 for non-members
- SaskOutdoors & the Canadian Wildlife Federation: Below ZERO
- Tues Nov 28th & Dec 5th (2 sessions) / 7-9pm CST | $85 for SaskOutdoors members; $95 for non-members
- Centre for Global Education: Live From COP28 – Dubai (Ages 8-12)
- Wed Dec 6th / 11-11:45am ET | Free
- Centre for Global Education: Live From COP28 – Dubai (Ages 13-18)
- Fri Dec 8th / 11-11:50am ET | Free
- The Outdoor Learning Store: Nature Activities For Learners
- Jan 17th – Feb 21st (4 sessions) / 4pm PT | $95 early bird rate until Nov 30th
- The Outdoor Learning Store: Wild Learning Spring Course
- Mar 27th – Apr 17th (4 sessions) / 4pm PT | $95
- The Morpho Institute: Educator Academy in the Amazon
- July 1 – 10, 2024 | $3250 USD + flight costs
- Learning for a Sustainble Future / L’Éducation au service de la Terre: Youth Forums (Gr 5-12) / Forums Jeunesse (5e – 12e année)
- Ongoing through the school year / Virtual & in-person options | Free (+ all participating schools receive a $500 Action Project grant!)
- Bee City Canada: Virtual Learning Sessions (Pre-K – Gr 6)
- Ongoing | Free
- Evergreen: Virtually Outdoors
- Ongoing through the 2023-24 school year | Free for educators in Ontario
- Child & Nature Alliance of Canada: Forest and Nature School Practitioners Course
- Throughout the year: Dates, times, and locations vary / 5 days in-person learning, followed by 11 months online study | $1750
- Exploring By The Seat of Your Pants: Virtual lessons happening every week! (Topics vary; English & French options)
- Ongoing throughout the school year | Free
- #NatureForAll: Storytelling Festival
- Ongoing | Free
- Child & Nature Alliance of Canada: Risky Play Workshop
- Ongoing | $65
- Child & Nature Alliance of Canada: How to Start a Forest/Nature School
- Ongoing | $100
- Forest School Teacher Institute: Introduction to Forest School and Teacher Training courses
- Ongoing / Hours and prices vary depending on course
- UNESCO: Climate Change & Emotions Course (Middle school educators & their learners)
- Ongoing / 20 hours self-paced | Free
- UNESCO: Climate Change in the Classroom (Secondary educators)
- Ongoing / 6 days of modules (asynchronous) | Free
- Eastern Region Association of Forest and Nature Schools: Emergency Response Preparedness for Nature-Based Programs
- Ongoing until Sept 2024 / 8 hours self-paced | $75 for members, $125 for non-members
Outdoor learning partners offering professional development

This directory lists organizations & specific events hosted virtually or face-to-face for educators across Canada linked specifically to outdoor learning. Found 18 Resources.

Whose Land Pro-D Series
This workshop series will introduce participants to Indigenous topics such as Indigenous naming terminology, history of Indigenous and settler relationships in Canada and the importance of land acknowledgements. Designed to be an easily implementable lunch-and-learn series facilitated by a fellow co-worker volunteer or group of volunteers.

Reconciliation Through Indigenous Education
A free 6-week Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) to help you envision how Indigenous histories, perspectives, worldviews, and approaches to learning can be made part of the work we do in classrooms, organizations, communities, and our everyday experiences in ways that are thoughtful and respectful.

Indigenous Canada course
Indigenous Canada is a free, virtual 12-lesson Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) from the Faculty of Native Studies that explores the different histories and contemporary perspectives of Indigenous peoples living in Canada. Delivered in English with a variety of subtitles available.

LSF: Pro-D Workshops
Based on decades of experience and led by expert facilitators, LSF’s Professional Development workshops help educators transform their practice and link education to action in meaningful and engaging ways.
The FREE 1 hour webinars are packed full of resources, tips and tricks for incorporating more outdoor learning, sustainability education, and more into your classroom practice, no matter your grade, subject, or experience.
If you would like to request a specific pro-d workshop, you can fill out the interest form here.

LST: Perfectionnement professionnel
Basés sur des décennies d’expérience et dirigés par des animateurs experts, les ateliers de perfectionnement professionnel (PP) de LST aident les éducateurs à transformer leur pratique et à relier l’éducation à l’action de manière significative et engageante.
Nos webinaires GRATUITS d’une heure regorgent de ressources, de conseils et d’astuces pour intégrer davantage l’apprentissage en plein air, l’éducation au développement durable et bien d’autres choses encore dans votre pratique de classe, quels que soient votre niveau, votre matière ou votre expérience.

Association of Experiential Education
AEE sponsors a variety of events for experiential educators, practitioners and students from around the world to come together in a supportive community with the goal of promoting, defining, developing, and applying the theories and practices of experiential education. AEE’s YouTube channel has over 65 free webinar recordings, and AEE conference workshop recordings are also available (free for members, $50 for others).

Evergreen pro-d for educators
Kindergarten – Grade 12 teachers and Early Childhood Educators will explore nature-focused and experiential teaching and learning practices. Both virtual and in-person workshops will equip you with inquiry and play-based approaches that are easy to implement in any space right away. Find out how outdoor learning enhances physical and mental health, resiliency and social skills, and how these approaches directly support Ontario curriculum and education policies.

EEPSA Events
The Environmental Educators Professional Specialists Association (EEPSA) is dynamic volunteer organization promoting networking, curriculum support, and leadership in environmental education supported by the BCTF in British Columbia. Many pro-d opportunities are available for educators both online and in-person.

Outdoor Council of Canada & training organizations
The Outdoor Council of Canada’s Field Leader courses are designed to educate outdoor leaders on how to ensure physical and emotional safety for their participants, manage logistics, solve problems, and provide meaningful experiences outside. The site also lists other external types of programs to help you develop as an outdoor practitioner and/or leader.

Green Teacher Webinars
Green Teacher’s webinars are dedicated to helping educators, both inside and outside of schools, enhance environmental literacy among young learners. They are free of charge and all are open for registration to the general public. The webinar recordings will be available for public viewing through our YouTube channel for 30 days after the live session. Beyond 30 days, only Green Teacher subscribers can access them, along with our archive of 120+ webinars.