In the final 3 weeks as I made my way through British Columbia towards the Pacific, Take Me Outside Day was born. We wanted a way for schools to celebrate not only the end of my run across Canada, but more importantly, an opportunity to raise awareness for simply getting outside.As I dipped my toe into the Pacific Ocean weeks later, we had approximately 100 schools across Canada who participated in TMO Day. It has grown in the past 6 years, and this past year we had over 1,000 schools across Canada commit to spending an hour outside in late October.
In some ways, the hour spent outside on Take Me Outside Day is simply a gesture – after all, an hour isn’t that long to spend outdoors. But in any relationship, small gestures can go a long way. In the span of one generation, that relationship with the great outdoors has begun to suffer a bit as we spend more time inside, online, eyes buried. Take Me Outside Day is one small gesture that students, teachers and adults are giving to remind Canadians how important it is to be connected to this land. Having a relationship with the great outdoors seems odd to say in writing, but it is fundamental to who we are as Canadians – it’s a vital part of our Canadian identity.
June is National Indigenous History Month, a time to celebrate the histories, cultures, knowledge systems, and contributions of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples across Turtle Island. For countless generations, Indigenous Peoples have learned with and from the land. Indigenous knowledge systems recognize the land as a teacher and emphasize relationships, reciprocity, observation, responsibility, and […]
June is Pride Month, a time to celebrate the diversity, strength, joy, and stories of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities. When we bring stories outdoors, something special happens. Reading beneath a tree, sharing reflections around a circle, wandering through a forest while imagining a character’s journey, or connecting identity to place through art and observation can help learning […]
Every February we honour the legacies, contributions, struggles, and triumphs of Black communities. We’re recognizing both Black History Month and Black Futures Month, acknowledging the past and present while also looking forward to an equitable future that celebrates Black leadership, resilience, and innovation. To help us celebrate Black voices in the outdoors and support anti-racism […]