Outdoor Learning Conference 2026 has ended

Outdoor Learning Conference 2026

Welcome to the 2026 Outdoor Learning Conference

arrow_back View All Dates

7:59am MDT

Pre-Conference Field Experiences (Optional) Various Locations - Check Individual Session

8:30am MDT

Big Boat - Big Fun! Canadian Rockies Outdoor Learning Centre Voyageur Canoeing Session (Additional Fee) Jenny Belzberg Theatre (Bus Loop)Colleen Lee • Pete Prescesky Outdoor Learning 101 - Fire building, Outdoor Cooking, Maps and Compasses, and more! (Additional Fee) Jenny Belzberg Theatre (Bus Loop)Braeden Kelly Grounded Beginnings: A Pre-Conference Hike at Îyâ Mnathka (Additional Fee) Jenny Belzberg Theatre (Bus Loop)Vicki Perkins • Andrea Barnes

9:00am MDT

Adaptive Equipment Showcase: Expanding Access to Outdoor Learning Outside Kinnear Centre Front DoorRocky Mountain Adaptive Bridging Nature and Innovation: Engaging with the Land Through Birds,Technology, and Art Kinnear Centre - Raven SignSarah Wagner Forest Play Kinnear Centre - Cougar SignDave Verhulst LAND AND ART: Created to Create 205George Woodhouse Land as a Storyteller: Banff Townsite Hike Kinnear Centre - Moose SignAdam Robb • Daryl Kootenay • Adam Mertens • Warren Lake • Mark Westman Making Nature Awareness Bracelets and cordage from Cattails - If trees are the lungs of the planet, then wetlands are its kidneys- Building student awareness of wetlands Kinnear Centre - Owl SignPerry Kulmatyski Wading into Water Health: A Hands-On Macroinvertebrate Field Experience Kinnear Centre - Otter SignMaxine Koskie • Billie Jo Reid Wellness Forest Bathing Walk Kinnear Centre - Bear SignChris Jenik Beading is Medicine (Additional Fee) 201 (Indoor Space)Theresa Westhaver Mountain Biking with Bikescape! (Additional Fee - Special Conference Rate) Banff Centre AmphitheatreCoach Clare Conference Registration Kinnear Centre

10:30am MDT

Grounding in the Rockies - A Nature Immersion Wellness Workshop Kinnear Centre - Chickadee SignChristine Lynes

11:30am MDT

Author Signing with Launa Purcell & Leona Prince Outdoor Learning School & Store Exhibitor BoothLauna Purcell • Leona Prince

1:00pm MDT

Welcome and Conference Opening Kinnear CentreAnn Fox

1:30pm MDT

Slow Networking - Plenary Icebreaker Kinnear Centre

2:00pm MDT

Indigenous Ways of Knowing Keynote Kinnear CentreLeona Prince

2:45pm MDT

Break Kinnear Centre

3:14pm MDT

Workshop Session A Kinnear Centre

3:15pm MDT

Beyond Access: Framing Outdoor Equity Through Daily Practice and Systemic Action CoyoteAllison Martin Designing a living corner: Where nature and learning thrive SnailSamantha Casey Going Beyond “Nature Connection” – Building a Robust Framework for Your Outdoor Learning Practice RavenAnissah Rajpatee • Devin Mutić Investigating Mathematics Outdoors: Connecting Mathematics to Place, Community, and Story RaccoonJanice Novakowski Literacy That Connects: Evidence-Based Literacy Instruction in Outdoor Spaces ToadDr. Rachel Tidd Mapping as Story: Place, Play and Perspective in Outdoor Learning CougarDaniel Burton Scaling Nature: Harnessing Humor, Hope and Data to Re-Nature our Schools, Regenerate Soil Health, Restore Immune Systems and Replenish Joy Great Blue HeronAdam Bienenstock Spaceship Earth BearJulie Bolduc-Duval STEM from Here: Growing Future Educators in Parks SquirrelDanielle Marie Starks • Kara Mackey Bringing Back the Community Walk Kinnear Patio Firepit 1Janice Hagan From Anxiety to Action: EcoAnxiety as a Tool for Action OtterAmy Thompson Outdoor Play, Naturally BeaverRochellie Lywin THE COST OF SILENCE: How Our Childhood Narratives Shape Our Presence as Educators KingfisherTIKA Thinking in Pictures Outdoors: Graphic Facilitation and Visual Learning 201 (Indoor Space)Marie Bartlett When the Land Speaks: Slowing Down to Listen, Feel and Connect OwlVicki Perkins Indigenous Mindfulness in the Classroom DeerSherelle Anderson • Launa Purcell La Petite Robe Rouge : écouter, comprendre, agir pour le changement : Découvrez comment le récit, le dialogue et les activités créatives peuvent inspirer la compassion et encourager l’action en faveur de la justice ChickadeeJulie Gagnon • Julie Pellissier-Lush Land Based Education Guide ButterflyNaomi Marchand Math Lives Here: Exploring Shape, Space, and Story on the Land TurtleJeff Cappo • Amanda Brace Traditional Games in the Classroom EagleLamarr Oksasikewiyin Ways of the Bison: learning from tatâga through a two-eyed seeing perspective BeeHeidi Widmer • Tracey Stevens

4:30pm MDT

Author Signing with Lauren MacLean & Megan Zeni Outdoor Learning School & Store Exhibitor BoothLauren Maclean Afternoon Social and Exhibitor Fair Kinnear Centre

5:29pm MDT

Dinner at Vistas (Included with Registration) - Please sign up for your preferred dinner sitting Vistas Dining Room

5:30pm MDT

Dinner at Vistas (Included with Registration) - Group 1 Vistas Dining Room

5:50pm MDT

Dinner at Vistas (Included with Registration) - Group 2 Vistas Dining Room

6:10pm MDT

Dinner at Vistas (Included with Registration) - Group 3 Vistas Dining Room

6:20pm MDT

Dinner at Vistas (Included with Registration) - Group 4 Vistas Dining Room

7:30pm MDT

TEDStyle Talks Kinnear CentreAbhay Sachal • Patricia Wilson • Mac Walsh • Grant Linney • Joe Pierre

8:29pm MDT

Thursday Night Social Events Kinnear Centre

8:30pm MDT

60 min Gentle Movement & Mindfulness Session 205Heidi Davis • Ann Fox Fireside Smores Chickadee Indigenous Storytelling Kinnear Patio Firepit 1Launa Purcell • Sherelle Anderson Mingle at MacLab MacLab Bistro

9:00pm MDT

Outdoor Learning Movie Night (Including free popcorn!) 201 (Indoor Space)Isobel Phoebus • Ching Yu