Forest Schools:  Enhancing your Outdoor Environment with Forest School Practices

In this session, experienced forest school practitioners will share learning from their pilot Forest School Sessions at Emmanuel Brighton Childcare in Waterloo. These early childhood educators will share their experiences with children using ropes and real tools, making discoveries and exploring our natural world of plants, trees and animals, working together to build forts, and shelters from the rain. In this experiential workshop you will learn what it is like to come together as a community to gather around the fire pit, telling stories, sharing experiences and cooking together. This is a place where everyone feels like a contributing member of the community.

We will explore the history of Forest School, the life-long and healing benefits of this learning environment and engage in some hands on activities that may happen in a forest school session. Even if you don’t have access to a forest or park, you will discover how you can implement some Forest School Practices into your program.

Eva May (RECE, AECEOC), Lindsey Hartung (RECE), and Kelly Birch-Baker (RECE, AECEOC) are all educators at Emmanuel Brighton Childcare in Waterloo.  After designing, constructing, implementing and observing children in natural settings, their passion for connecting children to nature grew.  The three educators have worked together to implement a pilot Forest School Program at their early learning centre. They are excited to share their experiences and learning with other educators.

Participant Fee: $50.00 (plus HST)
Location: Swan Lake Centre
A light breakfast will be provided. Please bring a reusable mug and carpool if possible. 

Please register on our Eventbrite page: 

https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/forest-schools-enhancing-your-outdoor-environment-with-forest-school-practices-registration-15825216649