Are you looking to strengthen your own connection to nature?
Do you run your own program for children or are looking to start one?
We can help!
We have over 20 years experience guiding, training and working with adults. From training programs to workshops, key-note addresses, corporate leadership events and one on one mentoring, we help adults deepen their own connection to nature, self and others so they can help others on their own journey of connection.
Contact us to discuss how we can build a program specific for you and your staff!
[email protected]
Do you run your own program for children or are looking to start one?
We can help!
We have over 20 years experience guiding, training and working with adults. From training programs to workshops, key-note addresses, corporate leadership events and one on one mentoring, we help adults deepen their own connection to nature, self and others so they can help others on their own journey of connection.
Contact us to discuss how we can build a program specific for you and your staff!
[email protected]
"The Forest Play workshop that Dave organized for our group of nearly 40 educators was phenomenal. Communication before the event was timely and thorough, and Dave made us feel very confident about how the day would go before it even began. He asked what participants were wanting from the session beforehand, and organized his workshop to meet these needs. The day ran so smoothly, thanks to his expertise, comfort with the material, and organization. Dave modelled best practises by incorporating Coyote's Guide to Mentoring strategies throughout the day, and had every educator involved in each activity. He incorporated a variety of activities that could be used across a wide age range (pre-K to grade 12), and had educators leaving feeling confident about using these strategies with their students right away. He even provided a few additional activity suggestions for us via email, which was an added bonus. This day was filled with fun, hands-on learning, as well as many "Aha!" moments! Thank you again for a fantastic day!
- Natasha Burgess, Marysville Elementary School, 2016
"Absolutely fabulous! Dave is a maverick in his means & methodology for magical outdoor education!"
- Earth Matters Conference Participant, 2015
- Earth Matters Conference Participant, 2015
"I felt this was the most inspiring part of the whole conference for me. Not only did we get to go outside and have go at some activities we could try with students, we also discussed the theory behind it all. It was a very positive experience that shows that you can teach whole sessions, including theory, outside."
- Earth Matters conference participant, 2015
- Earth Matters conference participant, 2015
Training Programs:
Introduction to Nature Connection Mentoring
Join us for a full day workshop that explores the importance of nature connection mentoring and experience first hand what it is like to participate in a program based on the Natural Learning Cycle. Focusing on play, story telling and nature crafts, this workshop will inspire and give you practical tools to help you to get both children and adults to learn - without knowing it.
Drawing from our experiences using this model as the foundation for Canmore’s Forest Play programs, this workshop will give you:
- a chance to rediscover a child-like passion for the natural world
- an opportunity to experience what it is like to participate in a program based on the Coyote mentoring program
- an introduction to the natural learning cycle and essential routines that ground and reconnect us with the natural world
- an understanding of how stories can be used to create powerful learning experiences.
Find your childlike passion for the world and join us for a fun day of exploring nature and this amazing educational model
Look for dates coming in 2023!
Stories of Connection:
Humans are the “story telling animal.” Since the beginning, stories have helped shape us - we use them to weave our feelings, experiences, thoughts and ideas into threads of meaning. Stories are one of our most powerful tools for motivating and inspiring learning and activities that will drive children (and adults) towards a deep connection with nature.
Drawing from our experiences at Forest Play and interpretive guiding this workshop will explore:
• How stories can be used to create powerful learning experiences.
• Where you can find stories
• How to rediscover a child-like passion for the natural world
• Essential routines that ground and reconnect us with the natural world
Join us for a fun day that will leave you filled with the magic of stories born from your own experiences
Becoming a Nature Connection Mentor
This 5 day experiential course is based on the staff training modules for Forest Play staff. We'll cover:
-Foundations of Nature Connection Mentoring
-Managing Hazards and Risks in an outdoor Play-Based program
-Storytelling as inspiration, magic and medicine
-Integrating Core-Routines of Nature Connection into your programs and daily practice
-Wilderness skills and projects you can do with those you work with (of any age)
-Leading with presence
Dates (2023)- Forest Play Workshop
October 21 - Calgary
https://getoutsideandplay.ca/oct21forestplay/Rediscover your childlike passion for the world and join us for a fun day of exploring nature and building connections. Grounded in the rhythms of the natural world, Forest Play is a successful outdoor program running in Canmore for 12 years. In this experiential session, Dave will share some of the core elements of the program that help children connect to nature, self, and others. In this workshop, you will:
- rediscover a child-like passion for the natural world
- experience what it is like to participate in a program based on the Coyote mentoring model
- be introduced to the natural learning cycle and essential routines that ground and reconnect us with the natural world
- understanding of how stories can be used to create powerful learning experiences.
Custom Professional Development for teachers, camp leaders and others
Contact us to set up a program for your staff that promises to be inspirational, educational and fun!
