Our partnerships make our work unique, and we can accomplish more together! By leveraging our shared interests and passions for nature connection, we create a powerful foundation for fostering environmental awareness and sustainable practices among diverse communities. Through this common bond, we inspire and engage individuals to become active stewards of the environment, driving positive change for the planet.
Local Partners
For the past decade, our most significant partnership has been with the City of Kitchener (particularly Josh Shea, Manager of Natural Areas Management) who has supported many ideas and dreams of ours. Without this partnership, we would not be where we are, or have had the opportunity to work with so many children and families. It has continually worked to break down barriers and make our programs accessible and equitable spaces. Words cannot express our thanks for this ongoing partnership and willingness to create exciting and engaging nature-connected experiences for people in this municipality.
Since 2014, we have been blessed to work in partnership with many people and organizations. In our earliest program, Camp Ki-Wa-Y offered us space to experiment and run our first program for free. A big thank you to them!
Since 2014, we have been blessed to work in partnership with many people and organizations. In our earliest program, Camp Ki-Wa-Y offered us space to experiment and run our first program for free. A big thank you to them!
|
|
House of Friendship has partnered with us to identify families and children in their community centre programs who would benefit from our Tales and Trails and Leadership and Land programs.
Indigenous Partners
Since 2017, we have sought to learn from local Indigenous educators, Knowledge Keepers and Elders in our programs. This brings a sacred connection to the land that engages our mind, body, hearts, and spirits. Working together in a Two-Eyed Seeing way, we seek to bring strengths from various perspectives into the relating we do with children and youth on the land.
Jan Sherman, Anishinaabe Knowledge Keeper from Guelph, has partnered with us since 2017, offering teachings, songs, wisdom, and being our "Resident Knowledge Keeper." Chi miigwetch!
Jan Sherman, Anishinaabe Knowledge Keeper from Guelph, has partnered with us since 2017, offering teachings, songs, wisdom, and being our "Resident Knowledge Keeper." Chi miigwetch!
|
Crow Shield Lodge offers Indigenous educators and Knowledge Keepers who walk alongside our groups, offering teachings and time. Family and Children's Services FNIM Services has referred local Indigenous families and children to our programs.
National Partners
We have partnered with Child and Nature Alliance of Canada to run two practitioners courses in Kitchener (2019, 2023) and an Outdoor Play First Aid course (2017).
Schools and School Boards
Working with teachers allows us to support whole classrooms, schools, and communities. By mentoring teachers and bringing them out to local parks and natural areas, children from a variety of settings can experience the powerful benefits of outdoor learning. It only takes one session of time in a local natural space for kids to proclaim, "that's OUR forest!"
We have worked with the following schools and school boards:
Are you interested in working with us in your school or classroom? Contact us for more information or check out our school programs.
- Waterloo Region District School Board
- Waterloo Catholic District School Board
- Victory Public School, Upper Grand District School Board, Guelph, ON
- St. Mary's Catholic School, Listowel, ON
- Upper Canada College, Toronto, ON
- North Ward Public School, Paris, ON
Are you interested in working with us in your school or classroom? Contact us for more information or check out our school programs.
Children's Camps
We have worked with various camps, providing curricular support, leading programs, designing experiences for various grades or age groups. Some examples are:
- Fraser Lake Camp, Bancroft, ON
- facilitated partnerships with local First Nations Elder and Knowledge Keepers
- Willowgrove, Stouffville, ON
- wrote Peace Curriculum for day camp program, ages 5-12
- Silver Lake Mennonite Camp, Sauble Beach, ON
- wrote curriculum for outdoor ed program tied to the Catholic curriculum for grades 3, 6, and 9
- Five Oaks Retreat Centre, Paris, ON
- created a year-long outdoor learning program for North Ward Public School K-3 students
- offered PD workshops for staff about outdoor learning
- created a year-long outdoor learning program for North Ward Public School K-3 students
So many amazing people have worked in our programs over the years. Bethany Leis has been my biggest cheerleader and has helped in countless ways over the years. People who have joined the team at various times: Shauna Leis, Josh Shea, Danielle Bettke, David Alton, Maeyken Jones, Giselle Carter, Jen Beattie, Jan Sherman, Danika Smith-Morrison, Sarah Penner, Lindsay Theriault, Jafra Yanes, Heather Figueiredo, Rebecca Towers, Jessica Rivers, Vashti Latchman, Dylan Siebert, Zoe Suderman, Grace Fast, Becca Steiner, Clarence Cachagee, Ben Willsteed, Kelly Welch, Angie Coture, Avery Proulx, Natalie Nunn, and Yara Janzen. Loads of thanks to all of you!