Pro-D Opportunities
On this page:
Virtual Campfire Connections (English & français)
Seasonal virtual workshop series
Other pro-d opportunities from the outdoor learning community
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 Nationwide Campfires: Stay tuned! Currently on summer hiatus
& 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 in Canada!
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 monthly* event, using the same link each time. SIGN UP HERE!
🔸 *We will be taking a break through summer 2022. Stay tuned for more exciting events in the fall! 🔸
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 !
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! INSCRIVEZ-VOUS ICI!
🔸 Actuellement en vacances d’été. Restez à l’écoute pour plus à l’automne! 🔸
2022 Outdoor Learning Virtual Workshop Series
Presented in partnership with the charitable social enterprise Outdoor Learning Store, our popular free online series continues with more engaging expert speakers in a wide variety of topics.
- Registration is free and there will be plenty of draw prizes for attendees!
- Workshops are 60 minutes and will take place on Tuesdays at 4pm Pacific / 7pm Eastern.
- For those who can’t attend live these will each be recorded and posted lower down on this page.
- 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 after you watch the recording.
Classrooms to Communities: The Best Resources for Outdoor Learning!
Tues, Sept 13 – 4pm Pacific / 7pm Eastern
With an Exceptional Panel of Outdoor Learning Partners
Join us to learn from a number of our Outdoor Learning Partner Organizations which have developed some of the best resources in the outdoor learning field.
Representatives from Natural Curiosity, ImaginED, The Networks of Inquiry and Indigenous Education (NOIEE) and Green Teacher will all be on hand to respond to questions from our facilitators, as well as the audience, in this engaging virtual panel presentation.
All registrants will be entered to win the Classrooms to Communities Resource Set, and will also receive a discount code for the non-profit Outdoor Learning Store, and a link to receive a Certificate of Attendance.
REGISTER HERE!
Life Underground: Student Soil Exploration Resources & Activities
Tues, Sept 20 – 4pm Pacific / 7pm Eastern
With Teachers Megan Zeni & Sarah Regan
Join teachers Megan Zeni & Sarah Regan to dig in on how the study of soil can become a playful, engaging and cross-curricular inquiry with curated texts and resources.
Megan & Sarah have been job share partners in their outdoor and garden classroom for the past six years. Together, they re-imagined where and how prep time was delivered in their school to create a full time teaching position that allows them to teach K-5 entirely outdoors, across the curriculum in all weather and seasons. They truly dig soil, and want to share their passion with you!
Upon registration, registrants will receive a discount code by email to access their new Student Soil Exploration Kit, along with the other Outdoor Learning Resources & Equipment offered on the non-profit Outdoor Learning Store.
REGISTER HERE!
Animals Care for Mother Earth: An Indigenous Teaching Resource for Personal Development
Tues, Sept 27 – 4pm Pacific / 7pm Eastern
With Indigenous Author & Artist, Bill Helin
Indigenous author and artist, Bill Helin, will share his new resource, Animals Care for Mother Earth: A Teaching Resource for Personal Development, which consists of six contemporary, interrelated stories and supporting resources for teachers. In the first story, animals cooperate to clean up a polluted pond. In subsequent stories, they care for each other in the aftermath of the pollution problem, demonstrating strength of character and social responsibility. This resource can be accessed as a bundle that includes animal finger puppets and stamps designed by Bill, along with Indigenous Plant Cards.
Bill Helin is of Tsimshian/Norwegian descent and is a member of the Tsimshian Nation. His grandfather Henry William Helin, was Chief of the Gitlan Tribe, and his grandmother Maud Helin, was Chief of the Gitgeese Tribe. Bill spent many hours listening to his grandmother in wonder, as she told him many Legends of the Tsimshian People.
Upon registration, registrants will receive a discount code by email to support them in accessing the Animals Care for Mother Earth Bundle, along with a variety of other Indigenous Learning Resources.
REGISTER HERE!
Nature Connection: Sensory Activities for All Ages
Tues, Oct 4 – 4pm Pacific / 7pm Eastern
With Author & Nature Sommelier, Jacob Rodenburg
Spending time in nature with all senses tuned and primed helps us feel like we belong to the natural world – and in belonging, we come to feel more connected, nourished, and alive. In this workshop, author Jacob Rodenburg will share ideas, activities and inspiration from his most recent resource, The Book of Nature Connection: 70 Sensory Activities for All Ages.
Jacob Rodenburg, nature sommelier, is an award-winning educator, executive director of Camp Kawartha, a summer camp and outdoor education center, and instructor in environmental education at Trent University. He has taught more than 100,000 students and is co-author of The Big Book of Nature Activities.
Upon registration, registrants will receive a discount code by email to support them in accessing The Book of Nature Connection, The Big Book of Nature Activities, and a variety of other excellent Outdoor Learning Resources for Educators.
REGISTER HERE!
Teaching Green in the Elementary Years
Tues, Nov 15 – 4pm Pacific / 7pm Eastern
With Educators from Green Teacher
Join educators from Green Teacher to discover kid-tested practical ideas to help young people develop a strong connection with the natural world, and support their understanding of the social and global aspects of our environment. They will offer a snapshot of stories that cover a wide spectrum of environmental topics and present a large diversity of practical projects and learning strategies.
Green Teacher is a registered charity serving a global network. They are dedicated to helping educators, both inside and outside of schools, enhance environmental literacy among young learners.
Upon registration, registrants will receive a discount code by email to support them in accessing educators resources, including resources from Green Teacher such as Teaching Green (Elementary Years, Middle Years and High School Years) as well as Teaching Kids About Climate Change, Teaching Teens About Climate Change and Teaching About Invasive Species.
REGISTER HERE!
Accessibility in Outdoor Learning
Tues, Nov 29 – 4pm Pacific / 7pm Eastern
With Accessibility and Inclusion Consultant, Karen Lai
Join Karen Lai for an honest and open discussion on accessibility in the outdoors with a focus on people with disabilities and what real inclusivity looks like.
Karen is an experienced outdoor adventurer, consultant and facilitator who has been helping people with disabilities find their place for over twenty years. Karen demonstrates openness and curiosity in her work, creating an environment that encourages questions and conversations based on her own life experience with cerebral palsy.
Karen holds a Master of Arts in Human Kinetics and her thesis focused on social inclusion. Karen will guide educators on a journey into understanding what belonging and value means for different students.
Upon registration, registrants will receive a discount code by email to support them in accessing a variety of resources to support developing programming that is more inclusive.
REGISTER HERE!
Missed one of our webinars? Check out the recordings here:
Spring 2022 workshop recordings:
- Indigenous Resources for Educators and Learners with Jenna Jasek (from June 9th, 2022)
- Activating School Communities to Reduce Food Waste with EcoSchools Canada and Food Cycle Science (from May 26th, 2022)
- Walking Forward: Indigenous Perspectives in Learning from Place with Gillian Judson (imaginED) and Heidi Wood (NOIIE) (from May 12th, 2022)
- The School Garden Curriculum: Discovering Science, Ecology, and Whole-Systems Thinking with author Kaci Rae Christopher (from Apr 28th, 2022)
- Looking Closely: Supporting K-7 Emergent Inquiry Outdoors with Megan Zeni from Room to Play (from Apr 21st, 2022)
- Mapmaking with Children: Sense of Place Education for the Elementary Years with David Sobel from Antioch University New England (from Apr 14th, 2022)
Winter 2022 workshop recordings:
- Water Education Resources: Flowing from Lakes and Rivers to the Sea… with Water Rangers, Project WET, and Ocean Wise (from Mar 10th, 2022)
- Not Extinct: Keeping the Sinixt Way with Sinixt Storytellers and Knowledge-Keepers Marilyn James and Taress Alexis (from Feb 24th, 2022)
- Connecting the Dots: Key Strategies that Transform Learning for Environmental Education, Citizenship and Sustainability with Learning for a Sustainable Future (from Feb 10th, 2022)
- Singing in Solidarity: Exploring Environmental Inquiry and Justice Through the Arts with Natural Curiosity (from Jan 27th, 2022)
- Resources to Teach and Learn for a Sustainable Future with Green Teacher, GreenLearning Canada and Learning for a Sustainable Future (from Jan 20th, 2022)
Fall 2021 workshop recordings:
- Get Outside: Learning Outdoors in Winter with Pamela Gibson of Learning for a Sustainable Future (from Dec 2nd, 2021)
- Game of Groans: Winter is Coming! with Dave Quinn (from Nov 18th, 2021)
- Place-Based Education: Finding the Good in the Pandemic with David Sobel from Antioch University New England (from Nov 4th, 2021)
- Outdoor Learning in the Early Years with Christina Pickles from Get Outside & Play! (from Oct 14th, 2021)
- Indigenous Resources & Perspectives for Outdoor Learning with Faye O’Neil, Indigenous Advisor to Canada’s Outdoor Learning Store (from Sept 23rd, 2021)
- Outdoor Learning Tips, Tricks, Tools & Resources with Jade Harvey-Berrill and Farheen Kadwa of the Take Me Outside & Outdoor Learning Team and a panel of Outdoor Learning Experts (from Sept 16th, 2021)
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.
- Children & Nature Network: Vitamin N Challenge
- Summer 2022 | Free
- Natural Curiosity: Virtual Summer Institute
- Tues Aug 16th – Wed Aug 17th / 12-3pm ET each day | $200
- CBEEN: Inquiring Voices Gathering for Educators
- Fri Sept 23rd – Sun Sept 25th / In-person: Blue Lake Camp near Canal Flats, BC | $100-250 sliding scale
- Classrooms to Communities (C2C): Annual Provincial Conference: Reconnecting Ourselves with Landscapes, Waterways and Each Other
- Fri Oct 21st – Sat Oct 22nd | ‘Early Bird’ registration open now! $300 (sliding scale available)
- Canadian Parks and Recreation Association: The Path: Your Journey Through Indigenous Canada
- Available until Sat Oct 1st / Asynchronous | $100 + tax
- Child and Nature Alliance of Canada: Risky Play Workshop
- Ongoing | Free
- UNESCO: Climate Change Certification Course (Grades 6-8)
- Ongoing / 20 hours self-paced | Free
- 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 | $1650.00
- Exploring By The Seat of Your Pants: Virtual lessons happening every week! (Topics vary; English & French options)
- Ongoing throughout the school year, with a break during July/Aug | Free
This directory lists organizations & specific events hosted virtually or face-to-face for educators across Canada linked specifically to outdoor learning. Found 14 Resources.
CBEEN Webinars
CBEEN offers a wide variety of webinars to assist educators in expanding their outdoor learning tool kit. Sign-up for one today!
Natural Curiosity Webinars
Natural Curiosity offers a diversity of webinars that aim to promote outdoor learning and empower educators in building classroom community through thoughtful outdoor lessons.
Advancing Early Childhood Education Outdoors NOW!
A growing number of outdoor programs for preschool-aged children have been established in British Columbia following models from Germany, Scandinavia, Switzerland, and the UK. During the COVID-19 pandemic, public health recommendations encourage British Columbians to go outside to reduce transmission risks. COVID-19 combined with the mounting research on the importance of outdoor play for children’s learning, development and health has meant that outdoor early childhood programs are gaining momentum. Under the provincial Community Care and Assisted Living Act, licensed child care requires an indoor facility and Outdoor-based early childhood programs must operate independent of current Child Care Licensing Regulations. Amidst a second wave of COVID-19 and new growth in the outdoor-based early childhood field, now is the time to re-examine this.
Natural Curiosity in the normal a COVID look at the Indigenous Lens Webinar
This webinar will highlight an Indigenous lens on the current crisis in education. Indigenous perspectives, land-based learning and inquiry, sitting in friendship within the Natural Curiosity framework, invite us to embrace the outdoors and our local environment as another teacher. Doug and Maria will share their knowledge and expertise in decolonizing pedagogy as we venture outdoors to protect the health and wellbeing of students and teachers. Through conversation, we will challenge ourselves and our participants to reflect on the perspectives, opportunities and strengths that we bring to our school communities.
Ever Active Schools Professional Learning
Ever Active schools provides high-quality professional learning opportunities for school communities in areas that support comprehensive school health and the diverse needs of school communities
Outdoor Play Canada
Outdoor Play Canada’s events calendar highlight both virtual events and some in person events for educators across Canada.
North American Association for Environmental Education Learning
Webinars, workshops, online courses the NAAEE has it all when it comes to professional development for educators in North America.
Association of Experiential Educators
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 conferences are designed to help you to develop professionally, find employment or employees, learn valuable new strategies and skills to integrate into your work, and develop lasting personal and professional relationships.
Evergreen Professional Development
Evergreen Brick Works professional development opportunities offered virtually as well as in person (gradually) at Evergreen Brick Works in Toronto.
EEPSA Events
A whole bunch of professional development opportunities for educators offered online and in-person. This is updated regularly so make sure to check back often!
Wilderness Awareness School
Offers a diversity of adult & youth programs steeped in deep nature connection. Though they host their programs in Western Washington many are available online as well.
Outdoor Council of Canada Courses
Leadership training for Canadians that prepare you for leading others outdoors.
Classrooms 2 Communities Conference
An annual conference open to all educators focused on place-based education. This years’ conference is offered online.
Green Teacher Webinars
A wide variety of webinars offered to everyone for free, register for one today!
