BEGIN:VCALENDAR
VERSION:2.0
X-WR-CALNAME:2026outdoorlearningconf
X-WR-CALDESC:Event Calendar
METHOD:PUBLISH
CALSCALE:GREGORIAN
PRODID:-//Sched.com Outdoor Learning Conference 2026//EN
X-WR-TIMEZONE:UTC
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260507T135900Z
DTEND:20260507T180000Z
SUMMARY:Pre-Conference Field Experiences (Optional)
DESCRIPTION:\n
CATEGORIES:FREE OPTIONAL FIELD TRIP
LOCATION:Various Locations - Check Individual Session\, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:c4b07821d7e69ca300a78f6afc218a69
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/c4b07821d7e69ca300a78f6afc218a69
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260507T143000Z
DTEND:20260507T170000Z
SUMMARY:Big Boat - Big Fun! Canadian Rockies Outdoor Learning Centre Voyageur Canoeing Session (Additional Fee)
DESCRIPTION:Registration for this field trip has now closed.\n\nPlease note this field trip will be taking place at the Canadian Rockies Outdoor Learning Centre. There will be transportation provided to and from the Banff Centre. Please note there is a $15 transportation cost associated with this field trip.&nbsp\;\n\nJoin the Canadian Rockies Outdoor Learning Centre teachers for a morning of voyageur canoeing at Two Jack Lake. &nbsp\;We will be learning about water safety\, mandatory equipment\, natural history\, and cultural history of the Bow Valley while having a whole lot of FUN! &nbsp\;Staff are Paddle Canada Big Boat certified and Alberta teachers--come learn how we have incorporated Big Boat canoeing into our outdoor learning programming for students from Grades 2 - Grade 12! &nbsp\;No swimming experience necessary.\n\nTrip Leader Colleen Cell Phone:&nbsp\;403-707-6253
CATEGORIES:OPTIONAL FIELD TRIP * ADDITIONAL COST ASSOCIATED*
LOCATION:Jenny Belzberg Theatre (Bus Loop)\, 107 Tunnel Mountain Dr\, Banff\, AB T1L 1H5\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:e33cea85fc30aea10279b8d7c1a0dccb
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/e33cea85fc30aea10279b8d7c1a0dccb
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260507T143000Z
DTEND:20260507T180000Z
SUMMARY:Grounded Beginnings: A Pre-Conference Hike at Îyâ Mnathka (Additional Fee)
DESCRIPTION:Registration for this field trip has now closed.\n\nThere is a $15 transportation cost associated with this Field Trip. Please note\, this field trip will be meeting at the Jenny Belzberg Theatre. Please see the attached map for how to get there from the Kinnear Centre.\n\nStart your Outdoor Learning Conference on ‘foot’ and enjoy a beautiful hike at Îyâ Mnathka (Mt.Yamnuska)\, which is the gateway to the Rocky Mountains. Alberta Parks Environmental Education Specialists will lead you through experiences to deepen your personal connection to this protected land and provide learning activities you could share with students. Be prepared to be outside for the entire morning as we acknowledge and connect with the land we’re learning on together. This is a short (4 km) and steep (200 m elevation over 1 km) hike with a rewarding view.\n\nTrip Leader Vicki Cell Phone: 403-966-8421\n\n
CATEGORIES:OPTIONAL FIELD TRIP * ADDITIONAL COST ASSOCIATED*
LOCATION:Jenny Belzberg Theatre (Bus Loop)\, 107 Tunnel Mountain Dr\, Banff\, AB T1L 1H5\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:ff424c4792d2848683d2eca22dd70076
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/ff424c4792d2848683d2eca22dd70076
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260507T143000Z
DTEND:20260507T173000Z
SUMMARY:Outdoor Learning 101 - Fire building\, Outdoor Cooking\, Maps and Compasses\, and more! (Additional Fee)
DESCRIPTION:Registration for this field trip has now closed.\n\nPlease note this field trip will be taking place at the Canadian Rockies Outdoor Learning Centre. There will be transportation provided to and from the Banff Centre. There is a $15 transportation cost associated with this field trip.&nbsp\;\n\n\nCome and experience a fun-filled crash course on how to take learning outside. Participants will get to participate in hands-on fire lighting challenges\, cook bannock over the fire\, complete a compass course\, and play a herbivores and carnivores animal game. \n\nAll activities will take place at the Canadian Rockies Outdoor Learning Centre\, a hub for outdoor and experiential education opportunities in the Bow Valley and beyond. Transportation will be provided from the Banff Centre. Please note there is a cost associated with this field trip.&nbsp\;\n\nTrip Leader Braeden Cell Phone:&nbsp\;780-200-6724
CATEGORIES:OPTIONAL FIELD TRIP * ADDITIONAL COST ASSOCIATED*
LOCATION:Jenny Belzberg Theatre (Bus Loop)\, 107 Tunnel Mountain Dr\, Banff\, AB T1L 1H5\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:f2a89ede090b54a75d9bf71f375d8a44
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/f2a89ede090b54a75d9bf71f375d8a44
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260507T150000Z
DTEND:20260507T173000Z
SUMMARY:Adaptive Equipment Showcase: Expanding Access to Outdoor Learning
DESCRIPTION:This field trip is being run by Rocky Mountain Adaptive (RMA)\, a local nonprofit based in the Bow Valley that provides inclusive sport and recreation opportunities for individuals with disabilities. Participants will explore a range of adaptive equipment used to support accessible\, all-season mountain experiences. Through demonstrations and discussion\, educators will learn how equipment such as adaptive mountain bikes\, supportive paddling equipment\, all-terrain hiking chairs\, Alpine and Nordic sit skis\, and other specialty gear can reduce barriers and expand access to outdoor learning. This session is an opportunity to see how adaptive equipment works and gain insight into what is possible when accessibility is prioritized in outdoor education.
CATEGORIES:FREE OPTIONAL FIELD TRIP
LOCATION:Outside Kinnear Centre Front Door\, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:d9af32b807f7ca8d8a460410f7700d0e
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/d9af32b807f7ca8d8a460410f7700d0e
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260507T150000Z
DTEND:20260507T173000Z
SUMMARY:Bridging Nature and Innovation: Engaging with the Land Through Birds\,Technology\, and Art
DESCRIPTION:Connect with the natural world through free apps from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and field sketching. Before the workshop\, please download the Merlin Bird ID app and install the Canada West bird pack along with your local bird packs so you’ll be ready to explore both your community’s birds and those found in Banff. If available\, bring binoculars to share and use during the activity.\n\nThe Merlin Bird ID app introduces students to bird identification throughout the seasons by asking you a few simple questions\, but also by sight and sound. Using billions of eBird observations submitted by community scientists around the world\, Merlin predicts which birds are likely nearby based on your location and the time of year. \n\nDuring this workshop\, students will:\nLearn the four keys to bird identification (size and shape\, color pattern\, behavior\, and habitat).\nUse the app to research and compare local species.\nDraw and label a “focus bird” using field marks.\nParticipate in a guided bird walk to apply their new identification skills outdoors.\nThis hands-on lesson combines technology\, observation\, and art to help students build curiosity and confidence as young naturalists. \n\n
CATEGORIES:FREE OPTIONAL FIELD TRIP
LOCATION:Kinnear Centre - Raven Sign\, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:bfa6ed6f8013a2688bcf6734570cfb20
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/bfa6ed6f8013a2688bcf6734570cfb20
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260507T150000Z
DTEND:20260507T173000Z
SUMMARY:Forest Play
DESCRIPTION:Rediscover your child-like passion for the world and join us for a fun morning of exploring nature and building connections. In this experiential session\, Dave will share some of the core elements of Forest Play – a popular program that has been running in Canmore since 2011. You’ll have the opportunity to:\n\n-Fuel your enthusiasm for nature connection programs\n-Play\, laugh\, share stories\, activities and songs you can use with your groups\n-Experience what it is like to participate in a program based on the Coyote mentoring model\n- Be introduced to the natural learning cycle and essential routines that ground and reconnect us with the natural world\n\nCome prepared for playing outdoors (dress in layers and for the weather - there will be periods of physical activity and moments of less activity) and having some fun adventures in the forest near the Banff Centre!
CATEGORIES:FREE OPTIONAL FIELD TRIP
LOCATION:Kinnear Centre - Cougar Sign\, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:0ff314bca7e2ee5d7073c631e4d710f5
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/0ff314bca7e2ee5d7073c631e4d710f5
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260507T150000Z
DTEND:20260507T173000Z
SUMMARY:LAND AND ART: Created to Create
DESCRIPTION:A land-based creative workshop is an immersive creative experience for folks with an interest in creative self-expression through music and/or film. Educators will spend time turning inspiration from the land into their own creative pathways. George Woodhouse\, Manager of Howl's East Coast programs\, as well as other mentors and Indigenous knowledge keepers will guide you as you explore and hone your craft\, form new friendships\, and weave your creativity with cultural teachings and experiences on the land. Created to Create is designed around a core belief that artists and storytellers play one of the most important roles in a community. With this comes an understanding that the creative spark is sacred\, and that young artists need dedicated spaces to strengthen the light they carry. That light is sacred and needed\, now more than ever.
CATEGORIES:FREE OPTIONAL FIELD TRIP
LOCATION:205\, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:329b69a7e3de728d7c65fd1822391177
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/329b69a7e3de728d7c65fd1822391177
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260507T150000Z
DTEND:20260507T173000Z
SUMMARY:Land as a Storyteller: Banff Townsite Hike
DESCRIPTION:Join guides and partners of The Howl Experience on a moderate nearby hike around the townsite of Banff also known as Mini Hrpa (5-6km return). Learn from expert educators and Stoney Nakoda guides about the stories of the Banff area (Mini Hrpa). Howl specializes in connecting youth to their places and spaces and providing multiple lenses through which to see an iconic place like Banff National Park.\n\nPlease contact Adam Robb or conference@takemeoutside.ca if you have any questions!&nbsp\;\n\nAbout The Howl Experience:\nThe Howl Experience is a land-based education organization offering transformative outdoor programs for high school-aged youth\, rooted in four core teachings: Community Building\, Personal Resilience\, Climate Action\, and Truth and ReconciliAction. Founded by a collective of educators\, community leaders\, and youth\, Howl emerged from a shared belief that education should be experiential\, inclusive\, and grounded in relationship—with land\, culture\, and community.\nHowl supports young people to discover their voices\, build meaningful careers\, and contribute to their communities through experiential learning that respects individuality and culture. Programs are designed in close collaboration with local Elders and Knowledge Keepers\, with a focus on Two-Eyed Seeing\, Wise Practices\, and trauma-informed approaches.\nLed by Indigenous and non-Indigenous leadership\, Howl programs now run in the Banff/Canmore area of Alberta\, the Kluane Lake region in the Yukon\, Robson Valley of BC and throughout Nova Scotia. These programs are open to schools and educators across Canada: www.experiencehowl.com&nbsp\;\n\n
CATEGORIES:FREE OPTIONAL FIELD TRIP
LOCATION:Kinnear Centre - Moose Sign\, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:d29715714bd609dc47ca68128dab4551
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/d29715714bd609dc47ca68128dab4551
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260507T150000Z
DTEND:20260507T173000Z
SUMMARY: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
DESCRIPTION:In this interactive\, land-based learning session\, participants will explore the ecological\, cultural\, and educational value of wetlands and cattails. They will learn to make their own natural cordage bracelet from cattail fibers—a powerful\, hands-on activity that connects students to place\, ancestral knowledge\, and sustainability. They will discover how mindful harvesting fosters conservation and how a simple\, no-cost renewable resource can ignite curiosity\, pride\, and a sense of achievement in learners of all ages. Participants will leave with new skills\, a handmade bracelet\, and practical ways to engage their students in conversations about climate change\, wetlands\, and our shared responsibility to care for the land.
CATEGORIES:FREE OPTIONAL FIELD TRIP
LOCATION:Kinnear Centre - Owl Sign\, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:0d441a4f5f92dec3a3ef5a907c8aae29
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/0d441a4f5f92dec3a3ef5a907c8aae29
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260507T150000Z
DTEND:20260507T173000Z
SUMMARY:Wading into Water Health: A Hands-On Macroinvertebrate Field Experience
DESCRIPTION:This field-based session engages participants in exploring how aquatic macroinvertebrates can be used to assess the health of local waterways. Through guided instruction\, participants will learn safety considerations for taking students to water sites\, methods for collecting and identifying macroinvertebrates\, and strategies for integrating these investigations into outdoor education programs. The session features Macroinvertebrate Mayhem\, an interactive Project WET activity that simulates the relationships between biodiversity\, water quality\, and ecosystem health. The importance of riparian areas in supporting healthy aquatic systems will also be discussed. Each participant will receive a copy of the Project WET Macroinvertebrate Mayhem activity and a macroinvertebrate identification chart to support classroom or field learning.
CATEGORIES:FREE OPTIONAL FIELD TRIP
LOCATION:Kinnear Centre - Otter Sign\, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:066b69c58c31696ee84c6b4d8872c52b
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/066b69c58c31696ee84c6b4d8872c52b
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260507T150000Z
DTEND:20260507T173000Z
SUMMARY:Wellness Forest Bathing Walk
DESCRIPTION:Join a certified Forest Therapy Guide and Educator to experience how Forest Bathing reminds us that wellness does not always require doing more. Sometimes\, it begins with allowing ourselves to slow down\, step outside\, and listen to the quiet wisdom found among trees.\nForest Bathing\, also referred to as “forest therapy”\, is a practice grounded in research that points to numerous physical and mental health benefits. It involves immersing oneself in a natural environment to promote relaxation\, reduce stress\, help support emotional wellness and enhance overall well-being.&nbsp\;You will be guided through a sequence of invitations designed to help your body and mind slow down\, tune into your senses\, and experience the environment in a way that supports you to deepen your connection with the natural world as well as yourself.&nbsp\;Research continues to reveal scientific evidence for what many of us already feel inside. That is\, spending time in nature is good for us.\nPlease take note of the weather forecast and come prepared with appropriate clothing and footwear to be outside for 2.5 hours. With our classic spring weather\,&nbsp\;dressing in layers will be important. We will be walking slowly and taking time in certain spots. Foam sit-upons will be provided.&nbsp\;\n\n
CATEGORIES:FREE OPTIONAL FIELD TRIP
LOCATION:Kinnear Centre - Bear Sign\, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:7c9ba358d37f2275ab36e2218554c04d
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/7c9ba358d37f2275ab36e2218554c04d
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260507T150000Z
DTEND:20260507T173000Z
SUMMARY:Beading is Medicine (Additional Fee)
DESCRIPTION:Registration for this field trip has now closed.&nbsp\;\n\nJoin in conversation with fellow educators and colleagues around the intersections of land-based learning\, art and community\, while you work with your hands to learn the basics of beading. This 2.5-hour introductory workshop will be led by Theresa Westhaver - an Indigenous artist\, educator\, Director of Land-Based Learning/BC Program Manager and co-founder of The Howl Experience.\n\nAll levels of beading experience are welcome! Please note that there is a $15 materials fee (cash preferred). &nbsp\;
CATEGORIES:OPTIONAL FIELD TRIP * ADDITIONAL COST ASSOCIATED*
LOCATION:201 (Indoor Space)\, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:3e1b0fe51e3f91012b3b0d462a6409c0
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/3e1b0fe51e3f91012b3b0d462a6409c0
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260507T150000Z
DTEND:20260507T180000Z
SUMMARY:Mountain Biking with Bikescape! (Additional Fee - Special Conference Rate)
DESCRIPTION:Registration for this field trip has now closed.&nbsp\;\n\nPlease note the cost of this field trip is $145 (regularly $249)\, a special conference rate! Please review the confirmation letter attached and complete the wavier + information form from Bikescape to complete your registration.&nbsp\;\n\nOur most scenic\, off the beaten path experience. An easy introduction to riding a pedal assist mountain ebike on multi use trails and pathways in Banff National Park. This tour is suitable for those looking to knock off all the hidden gems of Banff in just a couple of hours. This is very accessible to first time mountain bikers\, those looking for a fun\, scenic tour of our favourite Banff bike trails\, away from the busy roads while hitting all the local hot spots. You must know how to ride a pedal bike comfortably in order to join this tour.&nbsp\;\n\nIn order to complete registration for this experience you must arrange payment through the attached payment link. Additioanlly\, please review the confirmation letter attached and complete the wavier + information form from Bikescape to complete your registration.&nbsp\;
CATEGORIES:OPTIONAL FIELD TRIP * ADDITIONAL COST ASSOCIATED*
LOCATION:Banff Centre Amphitheatre\, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:eb138d19e20402db45dce7e7ce878409
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/eb138d19e20402db45dce7e7ce878409
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260507T150000Z
DTEND:20260507T190000Z
SUMMARY:Conference Registration
DESCRIPTION:\n
CATEGORIES:PLENARY
LOCATION:Kinnear Centre \, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:4a31a1ea61667467469b8cd1363bae10
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/4a31a1ea61667467469b8cd1363bae10
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260507T163000Z
DTEND:20260507T180000Z
SUMMARY:Grounding in the Rockies - A Nature Immersion Wellness Workshop
DESCRIPTION:Grounding in the Rockies is a transformative outdoor wellness workshop designed to reconnect participants with the natural world through mindful movement\, meditation\, nature-based grounding practices\, and safe guided cold weather exposure. Set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Rockies the program offers individuals a chance to slow down\, regulate their nervous systems\, and experience deep alignment with the land. This field trip integrates yoga\, mindfulness\, break work and intentional contact with cold environments to cultivate resilience\, clarity\, and renewed sense of belonging within nature.
CATEGORIES:FREE OPTIONAL FIELD TRIP
LOCATION:Kinnear Centre - Chickadee Sign\, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:11148e73e20b4e9dfd9a5dd860b50b94
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/11148e73e20b4e9dfd9a5dd860b50b94
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260507T173000Z
DTEND:20260507T190000Z
SUMMARY:Author Signing with Launa Purcell & Leona Prince
DESCRIPTION:Visit Launa Purcell and Leona Prince at the Outdoor Learning School & Store Exhibitor Booth. Come chat with these two incredible authors and have your books signed!&nbsp\;\n\nResources by Leona Prince: https://outdoorlearning.com/2025/03/06/leona-prince/\n\nResources by Launa Purcell: https://outdoorlearning.com/launa-payne-purcell/
CATEGORIES:
LOCATION:Outdoor Learning School & Store Exhibitor Booth\, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:57e6f5de96285e7e9971af05001264f5
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/57e6f5de96285e7e9971af05001264f5
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260507T190000Z
DTEND:20260507T193000Z
SUMMARY:Welcome and Conference Opening
DESCRIPTION:\n
CATEGORIES:PLENARY
LOCATION:Kinnear Centre \, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:830a6915a6ecf8c30e75af29bd0cf15e
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/830a6915a6ecf8c30e75af29bd0cf15e
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260507T193000Z
DTEND:20260507T200000Z
SUMMARY:Slow Networking - Plenary Icebreaker
DESCRIPTION:\n
CATEGORIES:PLENARY
LOCATION:Kinnear Centre \, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:2398f20117777f91ccbd11af9ad98490
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/2398f20117777f91ccbd11af9ad98490
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260507T200000Z
DTEND:20260507T204500Z
SUMMARY:Indigenous Ways of Knowing Keynote
DESCRIPTION:\n
CATEGORIES:PLENARY
LOCATION:Kinnear Centre \, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:5d2b986e04064a7054272757667218a4
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/5d2b986e04064a7054272757667218a4
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260507T204500Z
DTEND:20260507T211500Z
SUMMARY:Break
DESCRIPTION:\n
CATEGORIES:BREAK
LOCATION:Kinnear Centre \, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:b8b403e5de6b6e5b3bb3dd342cddfdb8
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/b8b403e5de6b6e5b3bb3dd342cddfdb8
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260507T211400Z
DTEND:20260507T223000Z
SUMMARY:Workshop Session A
DESCRIPTION:\n
CATEGORIES:CONCURRENT SESSIONS
LOCATION:Kinnear Centre \, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:e1d089c8c999656c6505c47360dca366
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/e1d089c8c999656c6505c47360dca366
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260507T211500Z
DTEND:20260507T223000Z
SUMMARY:Beyond Access: Framing Outdoor Equity Through Daily Practice and Systemic Action
DESCRIPTION:Outdoor learning is not something new. However\, now is the time to turn it into a movement. Too often\, conversations about outdoor equity stop at access rather than addressing the systems that sustain it. This 75-minute interactive session invites educators and leaders to explore how to move beyond one-time outdoor experiences toward daily\, equitable outdoor learning for all students. Using the New Mexico Outdoor Classrooms Framework\, participants will reframe barriers like time\, space\, and funding as opportunities for collaboration and innovation. Through reflection\, design challenges\, and dialogue\, we’ll uncover practical strategies for embedding outdoor learning into school culture and building systems that last.
CATEGORIES:ENVIRONMENTAL & CLIMATE CHANGE EDUCATION
LOCATION:Coyote\, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:d85a9b546a8d071d45d23f474db5cb5a
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/d85a9b546a8d071d45d23f474db5cb5a
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260507T211500Z
DTEND:20260507T223000Z
SUMMARY:Designing a living corner: Where nature and learning thrive
DESCRIPTION:Imagine a schoolyard or campus where nature thrives\, where a once overlooked corner becomes a space that sparks curiosity\, supports local biodiversity\, and inspires outdoor learning every day. Living corners are intentionally designed pockets of nature that transform underused areas into inviting outdoor learning spaces that promote and support biodiversity. In this hands-on workshop\, participants step into the role of designer\, working in teams to sketch and create their own living corner for nature using concepts learned from the conference and ideas shared during the workshop’s guided storytelling activity. This workshop will be organized as a friendly design challenge\, with opportunity for teams to share back designs\, sparking ideas for small-scale restoration at schools and in communities. Participants will leave with practical tools and resources to bring their design to life\, and a design challenge framework they can implement with youth to foster nature connection.
CATEGORIES:ENVIRONMENTAL & CLIMATE CHANGE EDUCATION
LOCATION:Snail\, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:5291253a34b443fdf2e015aa877cd505
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/5291253a34b443fdf2e015aa877cd505
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260507T211500Z
DTEND:20260507T223000Z
SUMMARY:Going Beyond “Nature Connection” – Building a Robust Framework for Your Outdoor Learning Practice
DESCRIPTION:Outdoor learning\, when done well\, is the best form of good teaching. But what is outdoor learning: what are we doing – educationally and pedagogically – when we take our teaching outdoors\, be it the local park or a backcountry canoe trip\, and how do we know if it’s working? In this workshop we will examine the underlying beliefs and unquestioned assumptions behind some of the most common frameworks of outdoor learning. As we acknowledge their benefits\, reveal their limitations\, and question their implications\, we will work together to put theory to our actions: taking your educational values\, experiences\, and goals and weaving them around the fabric of your existing outdoor learning practice to create a robust educational framework unique to you. Coming away from this workshop with a deeper understanding of how pedagogical practice operates and an enhanced awareness of the unspoken assumptions of much outdoor learning\, this is an opportunity to take your practice to the next level.
CATEGORIES:ENVIRONMENTAL & CLIMATE CHANGE EDUCATION
LOCATION:Raven\, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:aa92643fbafd006e37947ec59c83e0d6
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/aa92643fbafd006e37947ec59c83e0d6
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260507T211500Z
DTEND:20260507T223000Z
SUMMARY:Investigating Mathematics Outdoors: Connecting Mathematics to Place\, Community\, and Story
DESCRIPTION:In this interactive session\, we will investigate pedagogical practices that enhance mathematical learning in the outdoors by connecting to place\, community\, and story. Different perspectives on learning mathematics outdoors including land-based pedagogies that center Indigenous knowledge and perspectives will be shared. We will engage in learning experiences that highlight mathematics such as counting collections\, using field guides\, creating land art\, nature journalling\, and creating math stories. Guiding questions for this session will include: How might mathematics be explored outdoors? and How might place inspire mathematical thinking and enhance learning?
CATEGORIES:ENVIRONMENTAL & CLIMATE CHANGE EDUCATION
LOCATION:Raccoon\, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:91af83cce94ac50f2b94a58cb1c95861
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/91af83cce94ac50f2b94a58cb1c95861
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260507T211500Z
DTEND:20260507T223000Z
SUMMARY:Literacy That Connects: Evidence-Based Literacy Instruction in Outdoor Spaces
DESCRIPTION:In this session\, we will explore how outdoor learning can support evidence-based literacy practices grounded in the science of reading. We’ll examine literacy research through an outdoor lens in key areas\, including phonemic awareness\, phonics\, language comprehension\, vocabulary\, and writing. Through hands-on\, place-based activities\, you’ll experience how to utilize outdoor environments to enrich literacy development across these essential components. Discover how outdoor learning not only strengthens foundational literacy skills but also positions reading and writing as tools for exploring the world\, increases equity\, and fosters deeper connections to their local place\, the natural world\, and the Land. Leave this session with practical strategies for the classroom and a deeper understanding of how outdoor learning supports effective literacy instruction.
CATEGORIES:ENVIRONMENTAL & CLIMATE CHANGE EDUCATION
LOCATION:Toad\, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:4c5a383f32cf5205a6e31ba0cb9cc500
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/4c5a383f32cf5205a6e31ba0cb9cc500
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260507T211500Z
DTEND:20260507T223000Z
SUMMARY:Mapping as Story: Place\, Play and Perspective in Outdoor Learning
DESCRIPTION:Mapping is a powerful way for students to slow down\, observe closely and make sense of the places where they learn and play. This workshop introduces educators to mapping as a practical tool for outdoor learning that supports inquiry\, strengthens spatial awareness and helps children build deeper connections with their environment. Participants explore how mapping can be used as a form of nature journaling\, a method for documenting play\, and a process for uncovering patterns and stories in the landscape. Through hands-on experiences\, educators work with different perspectives\, from ground-level to aerial views\, and learn simple techniques that support students in representing space\, movement and change.\n&nbsp\;The session includes opportunities to create collaborative maps and 3D models of outdoor learning spaces\, offering practical ways to link mapping with science\, geography\, literacy\, mathematics and the arts. A meaningful tool for reflection\, assessment and place-based learning.
CATEGORIES:ENVIRONMENTAL & CLIMATE CHANGE EDUCATION
LOCATION:Cougar\, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:852d5c55b752832ff992ca2bcff0243a
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/852d5c55b752832ff992ca2bcff0243a
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260507T211500Z
DTEND:20260507T223000Z
SUMMARY:Scaling Nature: Harnessing Humor\, Hope and Data to Re-Nature our Schools\, Regenerate Soil Health\, Restore Immune Systems and Replenish Joy
DESCRIPTION:This is an outdoor and hands-on experience. In Adam’s sessions\, we play and learn together with all of our senses fully engaged. You can expect to get dirty\, take off your shoes\, feel vulnerable and empowered as we explore how sensory-rich\, nature-based play is vital to all of our physical\, mental\, and immunological health\, learning\, and development. Drawing from insights shaped by world-leading mucosal immunologist (dad)\, and decades of experience designing regenerative play environments\, Adam shares research\, practical strategies\, and inspiring stories to equip attendees with the tools and motivation to create meaningful change in their communities.
CATEGORIES:ENVIRONMENTAL & CLIMATE CHANGE EDUCATION
LOCATION:Great Blue Heron\, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:7192b409c93f38dae60de65520429807
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/7192b409c93f38dae60de65520429807
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260507T211500Z
DTEND:20260507T223000Z
SUMMARY:Spaceship Earth
DESCRIPTION:Without realizing it\, you are currently moving at very high speed through space. Which way are you moving? How does it all work? In this workshop\, we'll look up at the sky but also down at our feet to understand the Earth's motions and realize how we are truly on a small spaceship in the vastness of the Universe. In doing so\, we will discuss how unique and fragile our planet is\, and how we are all in this spaceship together. While outside\, we will also use the sky and the large space to talk about our Moon and the Solar System. Whether you want to do a 5-minute activity on the topic with your students\, or a full lesson on outdoor astronomy education\, we'll have ideas for you!
CATEGORIES:ENVIRONMENTAL & CLIMATE CHANGE EDUCATION
LOCATION:Bear\, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:ddad54882f698ed1dcfcb3391ccdbd6f
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/ddad54882f698ed1dcfcb3391ccdbd6f
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260507T211500Z
DTEND:20260507T223000Z
SUMMARY:STEM from Here: Growing Future Educators in Parks
DESCRIPTION:How can we prepare future educators to teach STEM outdoors while connecting instruction to local environments?\n This workshop showcases a collaboration between a Northwest Indiana teacher education program and Lake County Parks and Recreation that models outdoor\, place-based STEM teaching. Teacher candidates co-design and deliver lessons rooted in local landscapes with park naturalists. Participants will explore two sample lessons: Maple Syrup Monkeys\, where students learn how trees are tapped and syrup is made through biology\, chemistry\, and math\; and I Spy Young Naturalists\, where students identify native species\, map habitats\, and study ecological relationships in the region’s swale landscape at Gibson Woods. The session also shares strategies for building sustainable partnerships using a train-the-trainer model\, including co-planning fieldwork\, managing logistics\, and embedding reflection and equity. Ideal for teacher educators\, pre-service teachers\, and community partners.
CATEGORIES:ENVIRONMENTAL & CLIMATE CHANGE EDUCATION
LOCATION:Squirrel\, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:22ac7a47ca347f65e8de9a0a7b3ae582
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/22ac7a47ca347f65e8de9a0a7b3ae582
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260507T211500Z
DTEND:20260507T223000Z
SUMMARY:Bringing Back the Community Walk
DESCRIPTION:See the world outside of the school doors in an entirely new way\, and see the excited faces of young children light up when they identify a look for item. I see roots!\, I see circles on the wheels of cars!\, I see lines going this way and lines going that way on the sidewalk!. Get ready to SEE!\n \n1 Take a guided walk with the facilitator\, drawing attention to different engagement opportunities that incorporate a multitude of look for items\n\n2 Discuss what was seen on the walk and brainstorm learning possibilities that are student-responsive to the interests of the class.\n\n3 Introduce natural\, unspecified materials that can be gathered and brought back to the classroom for further learning or used in situ\n\nUsing the guiding aspects of the Walking Curriculum\, participants will be able to engage young learners during walks with purpose. Work with the facilitator to be student-responsive\, incorporate unspecified materials (especially from nature!)\, and target learning outcomes.
CATEGORIES:HEALTH & WELLBEING
LOCATION:Kinnear Patio Firepit 1\, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:412ad0161459491ba120bbc4c9fc8394
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/412ad0161459491ba120bbc4c9fc8394
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260507T211500Z
DTEND:20260507T223000Z
SUMMARY:From Anxiety to Action: EcoAnxiety as a Tool for Action
DESCRIPTION:This session helps teachers support students’ emotions towards climate change and provides direction to shift the conversation from despair to hope\, turning anxiety into action. Alberta’s science curriculum requires that climate change be addressed beginning in Grade 6\, but this session will help all teachers to feel more comfortable when the topic comes up in other grades and through other outcomes.
CATEGORIES:HEALTH & WELLBEING
LOCATION:Otter\, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:f8285e95d7c5e77c080d6092a10d25bb
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/f8285e95d7c5e77c080d6092a10d25bb
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260507T211500Z
DTEND:20260507T223000Z
SUMMARY:Outdoor Play\, Naturally
DESCRIPTION:What becomes possible when outdoor play is recognized as an essential part of early childhood?\n\n In outdoor environments\, children move\, create\, imagine\, take risks\, and build relationships using what the land provides. In the early years\, play is how children learn\, and outdoor spaces uniquely support physical health\, emotional regulation\, confidence\, problem solving\, and the development of sound judgment through real experiences in real places.\n\n This hands-on outdoor session invites participants to engage directly with the landscape and notice what it already offers. Through guided exploration and small-group conversation\, we will reflect on how space\, natural materials\, and reasonable challenges support children’s development and wellbeing.\n\n We will also consider the role of the adult in stepping back with intention by observing\, responding\, and learning to trust children’s capabilities.\n\n Together\, we will explore outdoor play as a developmentally appropriate and professional practice rooted in place.\n\n\n
CATEGORIES:HEALTH & WELLBEING
LOCATION:Beaver\, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:b29e3d5ed2f60e72e625e99d95557bdf
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/b29e3d5ed2f60e72e625e99d95557bdf
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260507T211500Z
DTEND:20260507T223000Z
SUMMARY:THE COST OF SILENCE: How Our Childhood Narratives Shape Our Presence as Educators
DESCRIPTION:This immersive workshop invites educators\, youth workers\, and facilitators to explore how early family narratives\, inherited silences\, and childhood emotional patterns quietly shape how we teach\, respond\, and hold space. Through gentle somatic grounding\, reflective writing\, and connection-based activities\, participants uncover how unresolved stories influence empathy\, boundaries\, and classroom presence. Guided by Academy Award–winning composer\, cultural futurist\, and educator TIKA\, this session supports participants in reconnecting with their inner child\, expanding nervous system awareness\, and learning practical practices to cultivate steadier\, more compassionate learning environments.
CATEGORIES:HEALTH & WELLBEING
LOCATION:Kingfisher\, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:7be761aaa3f39c0ed5a9aaf06f42398e
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/7be761aaa3f39c0ed5a9aaf06f42398e
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260507T211500Z
DTEND:20260507T223000Z
SUMMARY:Thinking in Pictures Outdoors: Graphic Facilitation and Visual Learning
DESCRIPTION:Graphic facilitation offers powerful ways for students to observe\, make meaning\, and reflect – inside or outside of classroom walls. This hands-on workshop invites educators to experience how simple graphic facilitation approaches and tools can deepen learning\, support diverse learners\, and make thinking visible across grade levels and subject areas.\n Participants will engage in short outdoor observation activities and explore usage of icons\, symbols\, graphic frames\, and low-stakes sketching to support inquiry\, reflection\, and sense-making.\n Educators will leave with practical graphic facilitation strategies and ready-to-use outdoor learning activities they can adapt for their students.
CATEGORIES:HEALTH & WELLBEING
LOCATION:201 (Indoor Space)\, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:147118c9216513d8ac03240b23eac585
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/147118c9216513d8ac03240b23eac585
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260507T211500Z
DTEND:20260507T223000Z
SUMMARY:When the Land Speaks: Slowing Down to Listen\, Feel and Connect
DESCRIPTION:What does meaningful connection to the land really look like - and how do we know when it’s happening? In this reflective\, participatory session\, we’ll slow down and explore sensory-based\, time-tested practices that nurture health\, wellbeing\, and authentic relationships with the natural world. Drawing from Vicki’s experience as an environmental educator and her current training in Forest and Nature Therapy\, we’ll revisit the fundamentals of connection: presence\, curiosity\, and reciprocity. Together\, we’ll tap into our collective wisdom as educators to explore how heart-centered experiences with the land help students move from curiosity to connection and ultimately to inspired action. Come ready to breathe\, listen\, wander\, and learn from the land and from each other. Leave with simple activities you can use for your own wellness and to support deeper\, heart-centered connections between your learners and the natural world.
CATEGORIES:HEALTH & WELLBEING
LOCATION:Owl\, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:b65205e4e8258d477c8c9e037ec23c7c
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/b65205e4e8258d477c8c9e037ec23c7c
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260507T211500Z
DTEND:20260507T223000Z
SUMMARY:Indigenous Mindfulness in the Classroom
DESCRIPTION:This interactive workshop introduces educators to Indigenous mindfulness that nurtures balance\, presence\, and connection within classroom environments. Drawing from traditional teachings and the cycles of nature\, participants will explore how Indigenous worldviews understand mindfulness as a way of being one rooted in respect\, gratitude\, and relationship to the land\, one another\, and self.\n \n Through stories\, reflection\, and experiential activities\, teachers will learn practical ways to bring Indigenous mindfulness into daily classroom routines. Simple yet meaningful practices such as gratitude circles\, mindful breathing with natural elements\, and moments of quiet observation can help students develop emotional regulation\, empathy\, and a sense of belonging.\n \n The session also emphasizes the importance of land-based awareness and relational teaching\, helping educators create learning spaces that are calm\, inclusive\, and culturally responsive.
CATEGORIES:INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE
LOCATION:Deer\, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:df9d56d19eb20cb98989f507bb338890
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/df9d56d19eb20cb98989f507bb338890
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260507T211500Z
DTEND:20260507T223000Z
SUMMARY: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
DESCRIPTION:Joignez-vous à la conteuse mi’kmaq Julie Pellissier-Lush et à l’éducatrice Julie Gagnon\, coautrices de La Petite Robe Rouge\, pour un atelier interactif et émouvant de 75 minutes inspiré de cet album trilingue (français\, mi’kmaq\, anglais).\nÀ travers le récit\, la poésie et le chant\, les participant·e·s sont invité·e·s à explorer le puissant symbolisme des robes rouges suspendues à travers le Canada\, rappels des femmes\, des filles et des personnes bispirituelles autochtones disparues et assassinées. L’expérience tisse des perspectives mi’kmaq et acadienne\, ouvrant un espace de réflexion\, d’empathie et de dialogue. Les participant·e·s découvriront également comment des élèves de l’École Saint-Augustin sont devenus des agents de changement grâce à un projet collaboratif de courtepointe de robes rouges\, reliant justice sociale et engagement envers l’environnement.\nPlus qu’un atelier\, La Petite Robe Rouge est une invitation à se souvenir\, à agir et à bâtir un monde plus compatissant et plus juste\, une histoire à la fois.\n&nbsp\;\n\n
CATEGORIES:INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE
LOCATION:Chickadee\, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:7c8241771493b06566510096e829a679
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/7c8241771493b06566510096e829a679
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260507T211500Z
DTEND:20260507T223000Z
SUMMARY:Land Based Education Guide
DESCRIPTION:Land Based Education Guide \, the ins and outs of land-based education\, how to safely take your students out on the land. Will provide helpful tips and some take away lesson plans to help get you started as a homeroom teacher.
CATEGORIES:INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE
LOCATION:Butterfly\, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:9750565735cf3a205fb24dfa7681ba76
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/9750565735cf3a205fb24dfa7681ba76
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260507T211500Z
DTEND:20260507T223000Z
SUMMARY:Math Lives Here: Exploring Shape\, Space\, and Story on the Land
DESCRIPTION:This hands-on session invites educators to explore math through the lens of ethical space\, a concept introduced by Cree scholar Willie Ermine\, where Indigenous and Western worldviews meet in mutual respect. Participants will engage in land-based activities that connect Shape and Space outcomes with Indigenous knowledge systems and Treaty education. Together\, we will reflect on how land teaches us\, how math supports truth and reconciliation\, and how to embed Indigenous perspectives authentically without appropriation. Educators will leave with practical strategies\, planning tools\, and a deeper understanding of how to honour both worldviews in their classrooms.
CATEGORIES:INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE
LOCATION:Turtle\, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:16752d2540d6a514e7ad123d427453e2
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/16752d2540d6a514e7ad123d427453e2
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260507T211500Z
DTEND:20260507T223000Z
SUMMARY:Traditional Games in the Classroom
DESCRIPTION:This is a hands on interactive workshop on how to incorporate Indigenous Games in the Classroom. Some concepts like numeracy\, core strength\, balance and eye hand coordination will be covered. It will be a fast paced presentation as there are so much to cover and learn from.
CATEGORIES:INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE
LOCATION:Eagle\, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:1287d7760fdcd87c7706c5eb88b0757e
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/1287d7760fdcd87c7706c5eb88b0757e
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260507T211500Z
DTEND:20260507T223000Z
SUMMARY:Ways of the Bison: learning from tatâga through a two-eyed seeing perspective
DESCRIPTION:The grasslands and slopes of Mînî Rhpa (Banff) were once home to the area’s largest land mammal\, tatâga (Bison). Yet the pressure from the National Park system and Western hunting practices attempted to disconnect the animal as well as the Îyethka Nakoda people from the landscape. As tatâga are reintroduced to Banff National Park\, so too are their lessons of resilience\, respect\, reciprocity and community. \n \n \n Join Tracey Stevens\, proud member of the Îyethka Nakoda Nation\, and Heidi Widmer (Biosphere Institute of the Bow Valley) as they share lessons of tatâga from both an Indigenous and Western science perspective. The pair of presenters look forward to sharing their message: we are stronger together. \n \n \n In this workshop\, Tracey and Heidi will share stories from their experiences teaching children about tatâga\, lead you in an outdoor game\, make a necklace craft and engage you in conversations revolving around the collaborative\, resilient\, connected and generous animal teacher.
CATEGORIES:INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE
LOCATION:Bee\, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:3de3e96d038bbee45a1f75bd29b64583
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/3de3e96d038bbee45a1f75bd29b64583
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260507T223000Z
DTEND:20260508T000000Z
SUMMARY:Author Signing with Lauren MacLean & Megan Zeni
DESCRIPTION:Visit Lauren MacLean and Dr. Megan Zeni at the Outdoor Learning School & Store Exhibitor Booth. Come chat with these two incredible authors and have your books signed!&nbsp\;\n\nResources by&nbsp\;Megan Zeni: https://outdoorlearning.com/product/embracing-risky-play-at-school/\n\nResources by Lauren MacLean: https://outdoorlearning.com/lauren-maclean/
CATEGORIES:
LOCATION:Outdoor Learning School & Store Exhibitor Booth\, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:a7dfd0fea61bd1d51faea0f10cde8c71
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/a7dfd0fea61bd1d51faea0f10cde8c71
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260507T223000Z
DTEND:20260508T000000Z
SUMMARY:Afternoon Social and Exhibitor Fair
DESCRIPTION:\n
CATEGORIES:PLENARY
LOCATION:Kinnear Centre \, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:ca9f495ea455611777d71076b15cb8f1
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/ca9f495ea455611777d71076b15cb8f1
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260507T232900Z
DTEND:20260508T010000Z
SUMMARY:Dinner at Vistas (Included with Registration) - Please sign up for your preferred dinner sitting
DESCRIPTION:\n
CATEGORIES:MEAL
LOCATION:Vistas Dining Room\, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:698e9ff1f5198dd1616a35bd6fb0242d
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/698e9ff1f5198dd1616a35bd6fb0242d
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260507T233000Z
DTEND:20260508T010000Z
SUMMARY:Dinner at Vistas (Included with Registration) - Group 1
DESCRIPTION:\n
CATEGORIES:MEAL
LOCATION:Vistas Dining Room\, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:d40287d29a2b6eae72a6ae1d456d0cff
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/d40287d29a2b6eae72a6ae1d456d0cff
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260507T235000Z
DTEND:20260508T000000Z
SUMMARY:Dinner at Vistas (Included with Registration) - Group 2
DESCRIPTION:\n
CATEGORIES:MEAL
LOCATION:Vistas Dining Room\, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:515a69a5aefe9ecf02a53e3ce2684802
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/515a69a5aefe9ecf02a53e3ce2684802
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260508T001000Z
DTEND:20260508T010000Z
SUMMARY:Dinner at Vistas (Included with Registration) - Group 3
DESCRIPTION:\n
CATEGORIES:MEAL
LOCATION:Vistas Dining Room\, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:74b9e3070ea30b016d2d48956302ae01
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/74b9e3070ea30b016d2d48956302ae01
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260508T002000Z
DTEND:20260508T010000Z
SUMMARY:Dinner at Vistas (Included with Registration) - Group 4
DESCRIPTION:\n
CATEGORIES:MEAL
LOCATION:Vistas Dining Room\, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:b5a271830d2f745c931193a641745a02
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/b5a271830d2f745c931193a641745a02
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260508T013000Z
DTEND:20260508T023000Z
SUMMARY:TEDStyle Talks
DESCRIPTION:\n
CATEGORIES:PLENARY
LOCATION:Kinnear Centre \, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:22f2054ba2b2e14f82ba93d3b4499bcf
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/22f2054ba2b2e14f82ba93d3b4499bcf
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260508T022900Z
DTEND:20260508T040000Z
SUMMARY:Thursday Night Social Events
DESCRIPTION:\n
CATEGORIES:SOCIAL EVENT
LOCATION:Kinnear Centre \, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:8018c5d3d0cb7ac59905384a1863e5f9
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/8018c5d3d0cb7ac59905384a1863e5f9
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260508T023000Z
DTEND:20260508T033000Z
SUMMARY:60 min Gentle Movement & Mindfulness Session
DESCRIPTION:Connect body\, mind and spirit in this gentle all levels yoga and meditation class. We encourage you to bring your own mat or towel if you can.
CATEGORIES:SOCIAL EVENT
LOCATION:205\, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:917798a72255a0bdef92d05254595c2d
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/917798a72255a0bdef92d05254595c2d
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260508T023000Z
DTEND:20260508T040000Z
SUMMARY:Fireside Smores
DESCRIPTION:Join for some joyous chat\, songs and smores (courtesy of GEOEC) around the campfire. This is an all ages event. If you have an instrument or voice to share please bring it to the circle :)
CATEGORIES:SOCIAL EVENT
LOCATION:Chickadee\, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:829d3fd483b4cbb8c848ece49fd529ab
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/829d3fd483b4cbb8c848ece49fd529ab
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260508T023000Z
DTEND:20260508T040000Z
SUMMARY:Indigenous Storytelling
DESCRIPTION:Join for Indigenous stories and a chance to connect with new or old friends.
CATEGORIES:SOCIAL EVENT
LOCATION:Kinnear Patio Firepit 1\, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:3fe88185627ec30d5e8f58a55745fef9
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/3fe88185627ec30d5e8f58a55745fef9
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260508T023000Z
DTEND:20260508T040000Z
SUMMARY:Mingle at MacLab
DESCRIPTION:If you fancy food or beverages and a buzzy atmosphere to chat and connect then McLab Bistro will suit. This is a pay your own way event!\n\n
CATEGORIES:SOCIAL EVENT
LOCATION:MacLab Bistro\, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:bde90589f733a701ec2c6a577cf9b2ae
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/bde90589f733a701ec2c6a577cf9b2ae
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260508T030000Z
DTEND:20260508T040000Z
SUMMARY:Outdoor Learning Movie Night (Including free popcorn!)
DESCRIPTION:Join Director and Producer Ching Yu and Course Designer Isobel Phoebus as she shares two short films on learning and working in the outdoors. The first film\, 'She Measures the Earth' is a poetic documentary featuring four women scientists from Girls On Ice Canada\, a program that brings youth into the mountains to learn science through direct experience. The film explores how science can be a form of intimacy with the natural world\, a way of feeling and measuring the Earth through movement\, art\, and observation. Participants will also receive a Lesson Plan for High School students. The second film follows diverse youth as they connect to the outdoors in different ways - Diudiu and Leo\, both Mandarin-speaking immigrants’ children\, navigate the slopes of the Canadian Rockies as they ski. Celeste\, deeply rooted in her Indigenous horse culture\, showcases the beauty of riding Indian Horse Relay in the Alberta Prairie. Anika\, born into a family of Indian and Austrian climbers\, climbs the rocks in her neighbourhood of Squamish\, BC. Jade and Ryan\, adventurous coldwater surfing girls from Ucluelet\, Vancouver Island\, ride the waves with enthusiasm.
CATEGORIES:SOCIAL EVENT
LOCATION:201 (Indoor Space)\, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:ecdcbf6164e8d246fad70bd5e7d3d43e
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/ecdcbf6164e8d246fad70bd5e7d3d43e
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260508T120000Z
DTEND:20260508T140000Z
SUMMARY:Sacred Buffalo (Tunnel) Mountain Hike *Unguided*
DESCRIPTION:Meet at the lower parking trailhead (easy walk or drive from the Banff centre) for 6am departure. The hike is quite steep but is a smooth and well maintained trail with great views. This is an unguided hike where you accept all responsibility for your own safety. There will be at least one person on the hike who know the area however. You may be comfortable in sneakers with good tread but hiking boots are recommended for ankle support. More information on the trail can be found here.Last year this was a conference favourite connection and community building space.
CATEGORIES:FREE OPTIONAL FIELD TRIP
LOCATION:Tunnel Mountain Trailhead (Lower Parking Area)\, https://maps.app.goo.gl/hj3xn6gvHkQwPr8u5
SEQUENCE:0
UID:5bc0a02cf510ca58f4291e9c4cc4b754
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/5bc0a02cf510ca58f4291e9c4cc4b754
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260508T123000Z
DTEND:20260508T133000Z
SUMMARY:60 min Gentle Movement & Mindfulness Session
DESCRIPTION:Connect body\, mind and spirit in this gentle all levels yoga and meditation class. &nbsp\;We encourage you to bring your own mat or towel if you can.
CATEGORIES:FREE OPTIONAL FIELD TRIP
LOCATION:205\, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:5c035da1e1b1e8ce0c5e0236291e8f45
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/5c035da1e1b1e8ce0c5e0236291e8f45
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260508T133000Z
DTEND:20260508T143000Z
SUMMARY:Breakfast at Vistas (included in registration)
DESCRIPTION:\n
CATEGORIES:MEAL
LOCATION:Vistas Dining Room\, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:7c6cd0d468625e1bb9b7156c3bcde860
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/7c6cd0d468625e1bb9b7156c3bcde860
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260508T140000Z
DTEND:20260508T150000Z
SUMMARY:Author Signing with Rachel Tidd & Jacob Rodenburg
DESCRIPTION:Visit Dr. Rachel Tidd and Jacob Rodenburg at the Outdoor Learning School & Store Exhibitor Booth. Come chat with these two incredible authors and have your books signed!&nbsp\;\n\nResources by Rachel Tidd: https://outdoorlearning.com/product/wild-learning/\n\nResources by Jacob Rodenburg: https://outdoorlearning.com/jacob-rodenburg/
CATEGORIES:
LOCATION:Outdoor Learning School & Store Exhibitor Booth\, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:2bc48b779bc2534b9879049aa0e89aad
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/2bc48b779bc2534b9879049aa0e89aad
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260508T144500Z
DTEND:20260508T150000Z
SUMMARY:Morning Gratitude
DESCRIPTION:\n
CATEGORIES:PLENARY
LOCATION:Kinnear Centre \, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:997af602bf5dabb337920c90b7079544
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/997af602bf5dabb337920c90b7079544
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260508T150000Z
DTEND:20260508T160000Z
SUMMARY:Environmental Learning Keynotes
DESCRIPTION:\n
CATEGORIES:PLENARY
LOCATION:Kinnear Centre \, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:4473fd0cab7b0890ec866c50896edf47
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/4473fd0cab7b0890ec866c50896edf47
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260508T160000Z
DTEND:20260508T170000Z
SUMMARY:Author Signing with Court Rustemeyer & Gillian Judson
DESCRIPTION:Visit Dr. Gillian Judson & Court Rustemeyer at the Outdoor Learning School & Store Exhibitor Booth. Come chat with these two incredible authors and have your books signed!&nbsp\;\n\nResources by Court Rustemeyer: https://outdoorlearning.com/product/mentorship-in-the-wild/\n\nResources by Gillian Judson: https://outdoorlearning.com/resources-by-gillian-judson/
CATEGORIES:
LOCATION:Outdoor Learning School & Store Exhibitor Booth\, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:a33c79973ebeadb9fb1fddc47d72e5fc
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/a33c79973ebeadb9fb1fddc47d72e5fc
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260508T160000Z
DTEND:20260508T170000Z
SUMMARY:Break + Reflection
DESCRIPTION:\n
CATEGORIES:BREAK
LOCATION:Kinnear Centre \, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:762587ebd5beff17a0320ddbae9a0430
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/762587ebd5beff17a0320ddbae9a0430
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260508T165900Z
DTEND:20260508T181500Z
SUMMARY:Workshop Session B
DESCRIPTION:\n
CATEGORIES:CONCURRENT SESSIONS
LOCATION:Kinnear Centre \, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:f462a99c7c2bf5ca36e7465815827af1
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/f462a99c7c2bf5ca36e7465815827af1
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260508T170000Z
DTEND:20260508T181500Z
SUMMARY:Being Grizzly - AKA Resilience and the Art of Torpor
DESCRIPTION:Fierce and fragile. Alluring and elusive. Grizzly bears are poetry\, biology\, political policy\, geography\, ecojustice and Land Acknowledgement. Acting as a far-ranging indicator species\, the great Grizzly gifts insight into the overall health of an entire ecosystem – inclusive of us and all our more-than-human relations. Digging deep into everything we share with Grizzly bears – from habits to habitat\, CPAWS Southern Alberta invites you on a journey of vast curriculum connection\, coexistence and community.
CATEGORIES:ENVIRONMENTAL & CLIMATE CHANGE EDUCATION
LOCATION:Bear\, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:cc05ecb65380dc045c4e1f3a8de78ffc
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/cc05ecb65380dc045c4e1f3a8de78ffc
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260508T170000Z
DTEND:20260508T181500Z
SUMMARY:Bricks\, Branches & Big Ideas: Building a Foundation for Outdoor Learning
DESCRIPTION:This interactive session invites educators to bridge theory with grounded practice in outdoor learning. Drawing on place-based and inquiry frameworks\, we’ll explore how guiding principles\, like time in nature\, core routines\, and knowledge-building\, translate into real strategies for classrooms and school communities. You’ll engage with a spectrum of approaches\, experience what they look like in practice\, and leave with practical tools to move students from awe to action or transport your learning spaces into deeply connected learning places.
CATEGORIES:ENVIRONMENTAL & CLIMATE CHANGE EDUCATION
LOCATION:Deer\, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:676e939e8e02178e512c7bfa5aff8c6c
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/676e939e8e02178e512c7bfa5aff8c6c
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260508T170000Z
DTEND:20260508T181500Z
SUMMARY:Connecting to Place through Literacy
DESCRIPTION:Join Frances to learn several classroom proven strategies for weaving the outdoors in to your literacy lessons. She will share exercises to support skill development with descriptive writing\, figurative language and poetry. The exercises shared are modified exercises and lessons from author Lynda Barry (Drawn and Quarterly\, author of What It Is?)\, Adrienne Gear (BC teacher and literacy expert)\, and various BC poets. Each exercise has the added benefit of building grounding skills\, core routines and introducing participants to place based writing.\n \n\n If you're looking for a workshop that will send you home with lessons to do with groups or students next week\, you will appreciate this workshop. If you're looking to experience the exercises yourself and build nature writing skills\, you will also appreciate this workshop. \n \n\n&nbsp\;Each exercise is something that can be adjusted for most age groups. I have used them successfully with Kindergarten students through to adults.
CATEGORIES:ENVIRONMENTAL & CLIMATE CHANGE EDUCATION
LOCATION:Beaver\, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:530fcfd3d72225badf5b311b29af96c5
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/530fcfd3d72225badf5b311b29af96c5
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260508T170000Z
DTEND:20260508T181500Z
SUMMARY:Doing Ecoliteracy by Animating the Language
DESCRIPTION:As science educators\, Bridget and Saba bring their experience of how our use of language reflects our values\, influencing how we (and our students) perceive our relationships with the more than human world. \n Ecoliteracy is not limited to understanding how nutrients cycle and climates change but also understanding our relationality and responsibility\, inviting reverence and reciprocity into our ways of being and doing in the world. \n Together the group will share eco-literate ways to interact with the world and explore the question: How can re-animating our language help to nourish our relationship with the more than human world and foster our sense of belonging?
CATEGORIES:ENVIRONMENTAL & CLIMATE CHANGE EDUCATION
LOCATION:Bee\, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:9ed73c448689a26f393626d7b30a0a8e
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/9ed73c448689a26f393626d7b30a0a8e
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260508T170000Z
DTEND:20260508T181500Z
SUMMARY:How Food Can Connect us to Climate and Place
DESCRIPTION:Do you love food? Well chances are so do your students! Join our EcoCooks Educators to explore how food can be used as an entry point to engage students in climate action as we explore the powerful intersection of food\, climate\, and place. \n \n \n Through hands-on activities designed for grades 4-12\, participants will discover how students can build food appreciation\, foster meaningful connection to land and water\, engage in mindfulness\, and explore the topic of food waste. Hopefully you will leave inspired to engage your learners in climate action in tangible\, delicious\, and relatable ways.
CATEGORIES:ENVIRONMENTAL & CLIMATE CHANGE EDUCATION
LOCATION:Toad\, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:c17e9b7ec05d7119ea93bbe94942b71c
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/c17e9b7ec05d7119ea93bbe94942b71c
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260508T170000Z
DTEND:20260508T181500Z
SUMMARY:Scavenger Hunts\, Compass Courses\, Maps and More: engaging your students with curriculum-connected outdoor exploration
DESCRIPTION:Scavenger hunts are a staple in most outdoor educators' toolboxes. Do you want to learn how to maximise both fun and learning in your scavenger hunts? Do you want to learn tips and tricks to weave in compasses and maps to your scavenger hunts? This is the workshop for you!\n \n \n In this hands-on workshop participants will get a crash course on how to intentionally design and facilitate various scavenger hunts and map/compass courses. Participants will not only get to try several different styles of scavenger hunts\, there will also be a discussion on how to modify them for various curricula and locations.
CATEGORIES:ENVIRONMENTAL & CLIMATE CHANGE EDUCATION
LOCATION:Owl\, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:54f082fda4785518e6b8b657360b78cb
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/54f082fda4785518e6b8b657360b78cb
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260508T170000Z
DTEND:20260508T181500Z
SUMMARY:Stories that Root Us: Picture Books for Environmental Learning
DESCRIPTION:Stories shape how children see and care for the world around them.\n In this workshop\, we’ll explore how picture books can spark meaningful conversations and hands-on learning experiences that connect students to place\, empathy\, and action.\n \n Together\, we’ll:\n Explore a curated selection of picture books that support environmental and climate change education for primary learners.\n Connect stories to simple\, sensory-rich outdoor activities that build understanding and hope — not fear — around caring for the Earth.\n Try arts-based and inquiry-inspired extensions that encourage reflection\, creativity\, and stewardship.\n Discuss how to use stories as catalysts for outdoor discussions on empathy\, systems thinking\, and personal agency.\n \n Participants will leave with fresh ideas\, a list of anchor texts\, and ready-to-use outdoor activities that connect story to soil — helping students move from awareness to action in their own schoolyards.
CATEGORIES:ENVIRONMENTAL & CLIMATE CHANGE EDUCATION
LOCATION:Otter\, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:a14e44ed89b1367c9c6de54d0a055c2a
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/a14e44ed89b1367c9c6de54d0a055c2a
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260508T170000Z
DTEND:20260508T181500Z
SUMMARY:What is Environmental Learning?
DESCRIPTION:In this interactive session\, we will share some of the research outcomes from our PICS-funded project\, Infusing Climate Education into the BC Curriculum\, including revisions to the 2007 Environmental Learning &amp\; Experience Curriculum Guide. We’ll then engage in experiential activities that model inquiry and stimulate discussion about two-eyed seeing\, experiential learning and guided inquiry.\n \n Join the session to:\n \n - explore barriers to climate education among teachers \n - discuss best practices for place and land-based approaches to climate education \n - increase awareness of Indigenous knowledges and worldviews related to environmental learning practices\n A copy of the new BC Framework will be provided.
CATEGORIES:ENVIRONMENTAL & CLIMATE CHANGE EDUCATION
LOCATION:Great Blue Heron\, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:27b569769763a4297148145f60f2c1f4
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/27b569769763a4297148145f60f2c1f4
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260508T170000Z
DTEND:20260508T181500Z
SUMMARY:Building Outdoor Routines That Help ADHD Learners Thrive
DESCRIPTION:Students with ADHD often thrive when learning includes movement\, fresh air\, and space to reset. This session explores how outdoor routines can support working memory\, attention\, emotional regulation\, and a sense of belonging for neurodivergent learners. We will look at common classroom challenges for students with ADHD and why stepping outside can reduce cognitive load and increase readiness to learn. Participants will try a few simple activities that show how time outdoors can help students focus\, calm their bodies\, and stay connected to the work. We will also identify small routines such as movement breaks\, short transitions outside\, or using outdoor space for practice and reflection that teachers can use without adding to their workload. The goal is to leave with practical\, steadying ideas that make learning outside a natural support for students with ADHD.\n\nSession Handout:&nbsp\;​Click Here​​​
CATEGORIES:HEALTH & WELLBEING
LOCATION:Cougar\, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:4d3473dff40167ccbdebc78c1e0735fa
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/4d3473dff40167ccbdebc78c1e0735fa
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260508T170000Z
DTEND:20260508T181500Z
SUMMARY:Connecting and Collaborating with colleagues around Outdoor Learning
DESCRIPTION:Through teacher interviews and research on outdoor experiential learning\, my doctoral work highlighted moves that supported teachers in taking their students outdoors for meaningful learning. One of these impactful domains was the opportunity to collaborate with peers\, as mentors. In this session\, collaborative connections will be set up\, for teachers to share and learn from each other. Successes\, challenges and ways to work through those challenges will be brainstormed in small groups. Creating a collective resource to share out will be a co-created product of the session.
CATEGORIES:HEALTH & WELLBEING
LOCATION:Eagle\, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:1a5f0461a64f5c4dde32e328c347b76f
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/1a5f0461a64f5c4dde32e328c347b76f
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260508T170000Z
DTEND:20260508T181500Z
SUMMARY:Grounding Education within the Health Professions through Connection with Land: Land-Based-Pedagogy towards Wholistic and Interconnected Care.
DESCRIPTION:Participants with spend guided time on the land and as a community of learners\, considering how connection with land might foster authentic health care and service provision. This workshop is appropriate for health care workers\, educators\, and land-based organizational leadership. \n \n \n Through access to land\, water\, air\, space\, and the more-than-human components of the natural environment surrounding this event\, we will focus discussion and learning outcomes around building community\, reflection on self as a member of system\, and human/more-than human interconnectedness - Wholism. \n \n \n As we expose participants to these environmental components on the land\, we will ask them consider links with health/care provision in a number of ways/through multiple perspectives (personal/interpersonal/the more-than-human/community/national/planetary). We will combine interaction with the natural elements alongside talking circles to connect our experiences and perspectives.
CATEGORIES:HEALTH & WELLBEING
LOCATION:Raven\, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:f752e2c71478c3974daa99f2773402ad
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/f752e2c71478c3974daa99f2773402ad
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260508T170000Z
DTEND:20260508T181500Z
SUMMARY:If I had a Hammer: Woodworking with Young Children
DESCRIPTION:Woodworking with young children is a lost art. Many educators cringe at the word and start to visualize cut fingers and flying hammers. Get past your fears and join this workshop to find out how to make it happen. Come discover how woodworking uses math\, problem-solving\, fine motor\, and social skills while fostering creativity\, imagination\, and independence. Create an environment where children can be competent and capable when using real tools. In this workshop\, we will review the importance of woodworking\, understand where to start\, the tools to use\, safety protocols to implement\, and showcase activities that can be done outside with your cohorts.
CATEGORIES:HEALTH & WELLBEING
LOCATION:Kinnear Patio Firepit 2\, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:df420abcd1ca9bb29f4a66ec8ca00f60
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/df420abcd1ca9bb29f4a66ec8ca00f60
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260508T170000Z
DTEND:20260508T181500Z
SUMMARY:Language Arts in Nature: Enhancing Time Outdoors Using Literacy Skills
DESCRIPTION:In this session\, examine how literacy skills foster deeper connections with the natural world. Through first-hand independent and group activities\, we’ll experience how natural spaces can pique interest and increase student engagement in reading\, writing\, conversing\, and presenting. However\, this session will not focus on how to shift language arts from the classroom to the outdoors\; rather\, we will explore how time in nature can be enriched by including reading\, writing\, and structured oral interaction as an element of the experience\, drawing learners’ attention to the benefits of time in nature--including reducing anxiety\, extending focus\, and strengthening social bonds. This session will impart practical strategies for fun and effective literacy instruction as part of outdoor learning.
CATEGORIES:HEALTH & WELLBEING
LOCATION:Butterfly\, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:441125c92eb06dd0aad0e95fb9fc83b9
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/441125c92eb06dd0aad0e95fb9fc83b9
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260508T170000Z
DTEND:20260508T181500Z
SUMMARY:Rooted Renewal: Sustaining the Energy to Teach and Thrive
DESCRIPTION:In this workshop will explore how we can conserve\, sustain\, and renew our personal energy as educators. While we often discuss renewable energy in terms of powering transportation and buildings\, I believe that our passion as educators is an equally important energy source that needs protection from depletion.\n \n Through Forest Bathing techniques and discussions about the barriers that deplete our resources\, we will identify practical solutions to maintain a healthy inner ecosystem. This will enable us to bring our best selves to the work we share with children and youth.
CATEGORIES:HEALTH & WELLBEING
LOCATION:Moose\, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:9aef8255c5e2bf4f9341b85cad51ea69
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/9aef8255c5e2bf4f9341b85cad51ea69
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260508T170000Z
DTEND:20260508T181500Z
SUMMARY:Sensory explorations in the forest
DESCRIPTION:This hands-on\, outdoor workshop invites participants to explore the forest through sight\, smell\, touch\, and sound. We’ll take part in a series of simple\, adaptable sensory activities that help students slow down\, notice details and connect with the natural world.\n Each activity encourages observation\, curiosity and a sense of wonder—skills that are at the heart of meaningful outdoor learning. We’ve played these games and activities with people of all ages\, from young students to adults\, and they never fail to engage learners.\n Come ready to participate and gather practical ideas you can easily bring back to your own outdoor programs or classrooms. These activities are low-prep\, flexible\, and designed to help learners build stronger connections with nature—one sense at a time.
CATEGORIES:HEALTH & WELLBEING
LOCATION:Snail\, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:26ff4a60dd8f6ef6da33b1eeb3c801b9
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/26ff4a60dd8f6ef6da33b1eeb3c801b9
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260508T170000Z
DTEND:20260508T181500Z
SUMMARY:Stories with the Land - Shared with Fire
DESCRIPTION:This session explores the deep connections between identity\, food\, and land. We invite participants to gather on the land to share food\, stories\, and presence. Izzeddin will share traditional Palestinian dishes such as hummus\, حمص and bread\, recipes from his Mother. Jade will share the cakes of her childhood taught to her by her Grandmother. Together we shall eat\, around the small fire. Through cooking\, conversation\, and shared experience\, we hope to create a space where culture\, belonging\, and healing emerge through the stories carried in our foods and in our homelands. Through this shared meal\, we reflect on how food carries memory\, how stories connect us\, and how the land holds space for belonging and care.
CATEGORIES:HEALTH & WELLBEING
LOCATION:Chickadee\, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:10417a19a8a2c8e7507bf303970d6bd3
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/10417a19a8a2c8e7507bf303970d6bd3
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260508T170000Z
DTEND:20260508T181500Z
SUMMARY:Indigenous Ways of Knowing: connecting traditional harvesting teachings to Indigenous Games delivery in your classroom
DESCRIPTION:Participants will receive teachings on the importance of protocol when harvesting from Mother Earth. Protocol can differ from nation to nation\, area to area. When a teacher is wanting to create their own collection of Indigenous games\, harvesting materials/supplies from Mother Earth will be necessary. This session will outline some basic teachings\, then participants will be introduced to and play as many Indigenous games as time permits. Come prepared to be active and have lots of fun with your fellow colleagues!
CATEGORIES:INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE
LOCATION:Raccoon\, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:614b98bedb6d825571df7629af785569
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/614b98bedb6d825571df7629af785569
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260508T170000Z
DTEND:20260508T181500Z
SUMMARY:Learning From the Land: Dene Ways of Knowing
DESCRIPTION:This workshop offers participants a unique opportunity to engage directly with land-based learning through the lens of Dene ways of knowing. Participants will gain hands-on experience in traditional skills such as rabbit snaring\, moose and duck calling\, log cabin building\, fire-starting outdoors\, and other land-based activities that are central to life on the land.\n\nEach activity is guided by cultural teachings\, demonstrating not only the practical skill but also the values and worldviews that underlie them. For example\, while learning rabbit snaring or calling techniques\, participants will also explore observation\, patience\, and respect for animals and the land. Fire-starting and shelter-building exercises teach resourcefulness\, safety\, and survival skills\, while connecting participants to the rhythms of nature and the lessons embedded in every action.
CATEGORIES:INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE
LOCATION:Squirrel\, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:4df7b4fce4813e19fe21bc123b185f05
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/4df7b4fce4813e19fe21bc123b185f05
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260508T170000Z
DTEND:20260508T181500Z
SUMMARY:Par où commencer: trucs et idées pour enseigner à l’extérieur
DESCRIPTION:Envie de sortir de la classe\, mais vous ne savez pas par où commencer? Cet atelier interactif vous donnera les outils pour oser faire vos premiers pas en enseignement en plein air. À travers des discussions\, des jeux et des exemples concrets\, nous explorerons comment intégrer l’éducation à l’extérieur dans les différentes matières scolaires. Vous repartirez également avec des trucs et astuces pour la gestion des comportements\, l’horaire\, l’organisation et le matériel de base à avoir sous la main. Nous ferons aussi un lien avec le jardinage scolaire comme porte d’entrée inspirante vers l’apprentissage par la nature. Venez semer des idées\, partager vos expériences et repartir avec une foule d’outils pratiques!
CATEGORIES:INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE
LOCATION:Turtle\, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:163b427f9fc284766abd0e8d9e0a5b80
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/163b427f9fc284766abd0e8d9e0a5b80
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260508T170000Z
DTEND:20260508T181500Z
SUMMARY:Shared Roots\, Different Branches: Interconnected Histories of Survival and Resistance
DESCRIPTION:How does identity impact our relationship with nature and the land? How can we ensure as educational leaders that we bring our stories together\, we model the kind of solidarity and intersectional leadership needed to transform education.\n Using the First People’s Principles of Learning as a guide\, we will invite leaders to see that Indigenous\, Black and Racialized experiences are distinct yet intertwined. Both were shaped by colonialism\, displacement\, land theft\, enslavement\, and systems designed to dehumanize and erase.\n ‘Prior to colonization\, education was relationship driven and connected to the land.
CATEGORIES:INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE
LOCATION:Coyote\, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:fdfb71ff78cfe84ac58b35380daffa1a
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/fdfb71ff78cfe84ac58b35380daffa1a
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260508T170000Z
DTEND:20260508T181500Z
SUMMARY:The Kapabamayak Achaak Healing Forest\, a sacred outdoor space for learning and healing
DESCRIPTION:Kapabamayak Achaak Healing Forest (KAHF) is a living memorial to Indigenous children lost to or affected by the residential school system as a gathering place for families and communities for learning outdoors. In this place\, land-based learning\, and intergenerational learning programs\, connect people to their histories and cultivate sustainability.\n \n The presenters will provide a brief history of the project and provide examples of land-based practices shared with many visitors to the site such as Indigenous ways-of-knowing and methodologies\, environmental sustainability and wellness on the land. The presenters will discuss the collaboration between a diverse group of people who are First Nations\, Metis\, White\, religious and secular\, all with a common goal. Despite our varied perspectives\, KAHF was created through mutual respect and a shared sense of place.
CATEGORIES:INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE
LOCATION:Porcupine\, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:69d3a1122e18985bf570dd3e3d2bc506
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/69d3a1122e18985bf570dd3e3d2bc506
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260508T170000Z
DTEND:20260508T181500Z
SUMMARY:The Waivers We Are Not Signing: Risk\, Responsibility\, and Decolonizing Our Approaches to Outdoor Learning
DESCRIPTION:Outdoor educators often navigate the tension between what they know fosters meaningful\nlearning and the risk-averse\, liability-focused expectations of their institutions. Policies\, consent\nprocesses\, and cultural perspectives on risk and safety can limit play\, challenge\, and\nexploration\, creating hidden costs for both educators and participants\, including diminished\ncuriosity\, resilience\, and connection. This workshop invites participants to examine “the waiver\nwe are not signing\,” the silent agreements we make each time we avoid uncertainty. Through\ndiscussion\, reflection\, and experiential exercises\, participants will explore the risks of action and\ninaction. Together we will consider how risk management practices can be reimagined to\ninclude diverse cultural perspectives and to support more reciprocal\, relational\, and\ndecolonizing approaches to outdoor learning.
CATEGORIES:INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE
LOCATION:201 (Indoor Space)\, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:1967379fbdabb757fb65c09460995754
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/1967379fbdabb757fb65c09460995754
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260508T170000Z
DTEND:20260508T181500Z
SUMMARY:Traditional Games in the Classroom
DESCRIPTION:This is a hands on interactive workshop on how to incorporate Indigenous Games in the Classroom. Some concepts like numeracy\, core strength\, balance and eye hand coordination will be covered. It will be a fast paced presentation as there are so much to cover and learn from.
CATEGORIES:INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE
LOCATION:Kinnear Patio Firepit 1\, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:64b3c6f046bb7df94af9e87d1df13fc3
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/64b3c6f046bb7df94af9e87d1df13fc3
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260508T181400Z
DTEND:20260508T191500Z
SUMMARY:Lunch at Vistas - Please register for your preferred lunch sitting
DESCRIPTION:\n
CATEGORIES:MEAL
LOCATION:Vistas Dining Room\, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:5130202ade55ccca538c8a7fce491e37
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/5130202ade55ccca538c8a7fce491e37
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260508T181500Z
DTEND:20260508T191500Z
SUMMARY:Lunch at Vistas - Group 1
DESCRIPTION:\n
CATEGORIES:MEAL
LOCATION:Vistas Dining Room\, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:98aa6a067ee94727537ac0d60997c9bc
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/98aa6a067ee94727537ac0d60997c9bc
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260508T183000Z
DTEND:20260508T191500Z
SUMMARY:Lunch at Vistas - Group 2
DESCRIPTION:\n
CATEGORIES:MEAL
LOCATION:Vistas Dining Room\, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:5b2c86ae767f1fabd708c7d3461852c5
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/5b2c86ae767f1fabd708c7d3461852c5
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260508T184500Z
DTEND:20260508T191500Z
SUMMARY:Lunch at Vistas - Group 3
DESCRIPTION:\n
CATEGORIES:MEAL
LOCATION:Vistas Dining Room\, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:0cb5262b2161ec05b0894efd4819c1d0
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/0cb5262b2161ec05b0894efd4819c1d0
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260508T190000Z
DTEND:20260508T200000Z
SUMMARY:Author Signing with Julie Gagnon & Julie Pellissier-Lush
DESCRIPTION:Visit Julie Gagnon & Julie Pellissier-Lush at the Outdoor Learning School & Store Exhibitor Booth. Come chat with these two incredible authors and have your books signed!&nbsp\;\n\nJulie Gagnon & Julie Pellisier-Lush's Book: https://outdoorlearning.com/product/little-red-dress-trilingual-edition/
CATEGORIES:
LOCATION:Outdoor Learning School & Store Exhibitor Booth\, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:6de017301f11d8e570664a2bb6a04a8c
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/6de017301f11d8e570664a2bb6a04a8c
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260508T195900Z
DTEND:20260508T211500Z
SUMMARY:Workshop Session C
DESCRIPTION:\n
CATEGORIES:CONCURRENT SESSIONS
LOCATION:Kinnear Centre \, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:ec34508bb26cc4554e9742269c533b12
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/ec34508bb26cc4554e9742269c533b12
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260508T200000Z
DTEND:20260508T211500Z
SUMMARY:Building Climate and Water Literacy: Project WET Canada Certification Workshop
DESCRIPTION:The Project WET Climate\, Water\, and Resilience and Foundations of Water Education Combination Certification Workshop provide educators with two comprehensive guides to build water and climate literacy. This interactive session features hands-on activities from both guides that explore water\, climate change\, environmental justice\, and human–environment connections. These fun\, dynamic activities are designed to be both educational and engaging. Be prepared to move\, learn\, and have fun while gaining ready-to-use lessons that support curriculum outcomes. Pre-conference work helps participants meet workshop requirements and prepare for certification.
CATEGORIES:ENVIRONMENTAL & CLIMATE CHANGE EDUCATION
LOCATION:Otter\, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:d61d98eff050b9d6d21a64aa59b89119
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/d61d98eff050b9d6d21a64aa59b89119
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260508T200000Z
DTEND:20260508T211500Z
SUMMARY:Caribou and the Classroom - Bringing Wildlife Education to Life!
DESCRIPTION:Join us for an interactive and hands-on workshop that showcases Inside Education’s unique approach to wildlife education! &nbsp\;We will showcase the wildlife education activities that we use in classrooms and forests all across the province that demonstrate topics related to wildlife research\, interspecies interactions\, natural resource management\, climate change\, land use\, stewardship\, and more! Educators can expect to leave this workshop with activities that they can bring into their classrooms Monday morning and feeling empowered to bring hands-on wildlife topics into their teaching practice!
CATEGORIES:ENVIRONMENTAL & CLIMATE CHANGE EDUCATION
LOCATION:Coyote\, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:56ecd533542f6edc6e63f5b152c24470
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/56ecd533542f6edc6e63f5b152c24470
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260508T200000Z
DTEND:20260508T211500Z
SUMMARY:How to fall in love with a tree (and why we should!)
DESCRIPTION:Bring on the tree-hugging! In the past\, “tree-hugger” has been a derogatory term\, but in this workshop\, we embrace(!) and reclaim the power and radical importance of loving trees. The destructive story of earth-as-resource silenced the stories of earth-as-wonder – the earth as spiritual. But with a guided Terra Divina experience\, we will create new stories. Participants will be told about and then follow the four stages of this divine eco-spiritual experience: wander (lectio)\, listen (meditatio)\, respond (oratio) and release (contemplation). In other words\, we will revel in the opportunity to meet\, interact with and gratefully hug trees. We will then share our experiences in a talking circle and explore the revolutionary power of celebrating trees’ wonder with gratitude. The workshop will conclude with a group discussion to share how those in your life – students\, colleagues\, family\, friends – can be guided to experience and celebrate tree-hugging and lovingly embrace the more-than-human world. Here’s to the tree-huggers!
CATEGORIES:ENVIRONMENTAL & CLIMATE CHANGE EDUCATION
LOCATION:Cougar\, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:b46836961e573d1c80a8c1c6f64809a2
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/b46836961e573d1c80a8c1c6f64809a2
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260508T200000Z
DTEND:20260508T211500Z
SUMMARY:Learning by Nature: Transforming School Grounds for Health\, Conservation\, and Education
DESCRIPTION:Powered by BC Parks Foundation’s Learning by Nature program\, students are leading the transformation of their school grounds into vibrant Nature Parks. In this hands-on workshop\, you’ll take part in the collaborative process used to design these spaces: reflecting on your relationship with the land\, selecting environmental features\, and placing them spatially on a site map. Explore how thoughtful land-based design can restore biodiversity\, increase shade\, improve health\, provide opportunities for outdoor learning\, and empower young people as leaders and caretakers of their environment. Come ready to imagine\, create\, and collaboratively work towards a shared vision.
CATEGORIES:ENVIRONMENTAL & CLIMATE CHANGE EDUCATION
LOCATION:Butterfly\, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:5ff6d80139bcb78743d6b1c59a8371c6
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/5ff6d80139bcb78743d6b1c59a8371c6
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260508T200000Z
DTEND:20260508T211500Z
SUMMARY:Rooted in Learning: Connecting Students to Forests with Project Learning Tree Canada
DESCRIPTION:Experience the perfect blend of indoor and outdoor learning in this hands-on workshop introducing Project Learning Tree Canada’s Explore Your Environment: K-8 Activity Guide. Participants will sample engaging\, inquiry-based activities that foster critical thinking\, STEM skills\, and environmental literacy while connecting students to nature. Topics include forests\, wildlife\, water\, energy\, climate change\, and community planning\, with lessons adaptable for all grade levels and learning environments. Educators will explore strategies for differentiation\, inclusive teaching\, and outdoor engagement\, leaving inspired and ready to bring fun\, meaningful\, and ready-to-use activities back to their classrooms. Every participant receives a copy of the guide to implement immediately in their educational setting.
CATEGORIES:ENVIRONMENTAL & CLIMATE CHANGE EDUCATION
LOCATION:201 (Indoor Space)\, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:e7f15eb25e51173a0d351b4ae7487129
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/e7f15eb25e51173a0d351b4ae7487129
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260508T200000Z
DTEND:20260508T211500Z
SUMMARY:Seasonal Storytelling: Building Early Literacy Through Nature-Based Play
DESCRIPTION:Join Wildsight educator Jill Jennings to learn practical ways to connect early literacy with outdoor\, play-based learning by using the seasons as a natural guide. We’ll look at how simple props\, storytelling routines\, and seasonal books can bring nature into your program and support language development in meaningful\, engaging ways. Through hands-on activities and examples from outdoor practice\, participants will learn strategies for creating consistent outdoor learning routines that nurture curiosity\, care\, and connection to place. You’ll leave with adaptable ideas for weaving story\, play\, and seasonal exploration into everyday learning\, along with the confidence to follow children’s interests as they engage with their “wild backyards” throughout the year.
CATEGORIES:ENVIRONMENTAL & CLIMATE CHANGE EDUCATION
LOCATION:Snail\, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:bf85aed0c682f81a0c5786cc44ff6b85
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/bf85aed0c682f81a0c5786cc44ff6b85
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260508T200000Z
DTEND:20260508T211500Z
SUMMARY:See\, Think\, Write Outdoors: Using journaling strategies to reveal curricular connections
DESCRIPTION:During our time together\, we will look at how to extend and expand upon journaling practices and thinking routines to engage students outside. We will highlight how curriculum can be elevated through specific journaling techniques\, and how to then carry this work into assessment practices. Participants will leave with a sampling of activities to use immediately\, sample checklists and rubrics to support this work and opportunities to discuss how journaling can help reveal curriculum.
CATEGORIES:ENVIRONMENTAL & CLIMATE CHANGE EDUCATION
LOCATION:Great Blue Heron\, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:21d1e59bc7f3c33a7df35ce49f6cac9a
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/21d1e59bc7f3c33a7df35ce49f6cac9a
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260508T200000Z
DTEND:20260508T211500Z
SUMMARY:Stepping Outside for Change: Outdoor Learning to Build Environmental Agency
DESCRIPTION:Many students feel today’s environmental issues are too big to solve. As educators\, we can help them see themselves as capable changemakers—but how do we build environmental agency in a realistic\, hopeful way? This interactive workshop introduces the 5Es of Eco-Action\, a research-informed framework developed by Earth Rangers that helps educators design outdoor learning experiences that strengthen connection\, agency\, and optimism. Through hands-on outdoor activities\, participants will explore how the framework supports well-being\, encourages pro-environmental behaviours\, and lays the foundation for meaningful student-led action. Educators will leave with adaptable activities\, practical strategies\, and a clear planning framework to guide eco-action projects. After the session\, a digital package with an overview of the framework\, activity guides\, planning templates\, and examples of student projects will be sent to all participants.
CATEGORIES:ENVIRONMENTAL & CLIMATE CHANGE EDUCATION
LOCATION:Turtle\, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:9a7f5050071c8e5c4fbd5465e62cf89c
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/9a7f5050071c8e5c4fbd5465e62cf89c
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260508T200000Z
DTEND:20260508T211500Z
SUMMARY:Teaching Environmental Histories: Student inquiries on sustainability\, community\, and climate resilience.
DESCRIPTION:Students of all ages are drawn by nature to story-telling and connection to community. Let’s bring these together as an inquiry stance and explore how students can interpret environmental data to build stories of place\; stories that can be used to trace environmental histories\, clarify climate change\, find community boundaries and paths to belonging\, and reveal resilience (or precarity) across human and more-than-human systems around them. We will survey and try some low-tech tools for “place-responsive storywork” including a human timeline of climate history\, community inventories\, narrative fossicking\, living ethnographies\, and others. This work has cross-curricular iterations for primary\, intermediate\, and secondary students\, and is an interesting option for inquiring about the UN Sustainable Development Goals at a local level\, or simply as a way to connect students to community and place.
CATEGORIES:ENVIRONMENTAL & CLIMATE CHANGE EDUCATION
LOCATION:Owl\, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:9870ca106a101f755aa5427927037c95
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/9870ca106a101f755aa5427927037c95
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260508T200000Z
DTEND:20260508T211500Z
SUMMARY:The Craft of Fire: Traditional Techniques for Modern Educators
DESCRIPTION:For more than 100\,000 years\, people have gathered around the hearth\; a glowing centre of warmth\, community\, and survival. Long before matches or lighters\, all of our ancestors relied on skill\, patience\, and a deep relationship with the land to bring fire to life. In this hands-on workshop\, participants will rediscover traditional fire-making methods including bow drill\, flint and steel\, pump drill\, and fire piston. Each person will have the chance to practice these time-honoured techniques\, gaining confidence to teach them to learners of all ages. Together\, we’ll explore fire not only as a practical tool\, but as a symbol of connection\, reminding us of our dependence on healthy forests and living ecosystems. In an age of intensifying wildfires and ecological stress\, understanding fire’s role in both human and environmental health helps us rekindle respect for this elemental force and for the responsibility that comes with tending it well.
CATEGORIES:ENVIRONMENTAL & CLIMATE CHANGE EDUCATION
LOCATION:Chickadee\, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:da9df57a1fe64005d8ca49fa003d6b9d
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/da9df57a1fe64005d8ca49fa003d6b9d
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260508T200000Z
DTEND:20260508T211500Z
SUMMARY:The Science Behind the Stewardship Superpowers Your Students Already Have: Learn simple\, science-backed strategies to help students take meaningful action
DESCRIPTION:Most programs create awareness—but awareness alone doesn’t always move students to act. Today’s youth care deeply about climate change\, yet many feel anxious\, overwhelmed\, and unsure how to make a difference. This session offers a different path. Explore a research-aligned framework that turns climate worry into agency through public commitment\, peer influence\, and nature-based wonder. Grounded in behavioral science\, NGSS\, and conservation biology\, this approach strengthens stewardship and amplifies impact across learning communities. You’ll learn key ingredients that nurture long-term stewardship\, and practical strategies you can use right away. If you want to help youth move from fear to confidence—and from concern to meaningful action—this session is for you. The ripple starts here. Will you be part of it?
CATEGORIES:ENVIRONMENTAL & CLIMATE CHANGE EDUCATION
LOCATION:Bee\, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:d5a450ed4e46cdff21574df49b061021
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/d5a450ed4e46cdff21574df49b061021
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260508T200000Z
DTEND:20260508T211500Z
SUMMARY:Class Dismissed (to the Outdoors!)
DESCRIPTION:Step outside and rediscover the power of play\, connection\, and curiosity in your teaching practice. This hands-on session is packed with experiential games\, teambuilding activities\, and outdoor learning strategies that you can adapt for any grade or subject. Whether it’s gameplay for fun\, team connection\, or a creative way to tie curriculum into movement and outdoor lessons\, you’ll find something that fits your classroom. Come ready to move\, laugh\, and leave with ideas you can use tomorrow — no permission slip required. Every participant will walk away with resources in hand (and heart) — tons to share!
CATEGORIES:HEALTH & WELLBEING
LOCATION:Eagle\, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:13c2bea5baf9b860b3070781801e72fd
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/13c2bea5baf9b860b3070781801e72fd
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260508T200000Z
DTEND:20260508T211500Z
SUMMARY:Discussing Disability Outdoors – A SPROUTable World Café
DESCRIPTION:"This reflective\, hands-on session will use a World Café approach to discuss barriers and facilitators for children with disabilities in outdoor play. The World Café method leverages cafe-style conversations\, by placing equal value on the knowledge/expertise of all members as equitable engagement. The Sending Preschoolers with disabilities Outside Project (SPROUT-able) conducted by the Canadian Centre for Outdoor Play\, uses this method of discussion for educators\, policy makers\, researchers\, administrators\, etc.\, to develop relevant\, actionable plans for accessible outdoor childcare spaces. \n \n \n Through reflective discussions on the social and physical environments of childcare spaces\, participants will leave equipped with a new strategy to intentionally discuss accessible outdoor play and learning for children with disabilities. The World Café offers a practical tool to develop creative ways to improve accessibility in your outdoor play areas and identify key barriers to access."
CATEGORIES:HEALTH & WELLBEING
LOCATION:Kinnear Patio Firepit 1\, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:2a8107d0e93db0f797a70fa705ddcb01
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/2a8107d0e93db0f797a70fa705ddcb01
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260508T200000Z
DTEND:20260508T211500Z
SUMMARY:Embracing The Great Wide Open: Building Teacher Capacity Outdoors
DESCRIPTION:This interactive session explores the journey of Outdoor Experiential Education (OEE) within the Halton District School Board and the board’s commitment to mental health and wellbeing\, as well as environmental leadership. We will highlight our current approach\, which involves collaborating with lead educators from school divisions and OEE facilitators to implement a long-range plan tailored to each school’s unique needs. We’ll also address the challenges of measuring educator and student impact and how our model has adapted to support their journey.\n \n \n Participants will engage in hands-on activities connected to environmental sustainability and various curriculum areas\, using the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a guiding framework.\n \n \n We’ll conclude by discussing strategies for integrating outdoor learning into classrooms\, empowering educators to harness the outdoors as a dynamic learning space.
CATEGORIES:HEALTH & WELLBEING
LOCATION:Raven\, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:b3363695c29214de75b7a077ceb3228b
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/b3363695c29214de75b7a077ceb3228b
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260508T200000Z
DTEND:20260508T211500Z
SUMMARY:Exploring access to nature for wellbeing using photography to engage youth in community action and experiential learning
DESCRIPTION:Youth are valuable members of society with bright ideas that enrich outdoor recreation\, education\, and wellbeing. Photographic methods engage youth in meaningful reflection and conversation\, positioning them as catalysts for change. Join us for a hands-on workshop introducing Photovoice\, an engaging method that invites people to explore and reflect on their environment and experiences through participatory photography and promote empowerment\, wellbeing and social justice. In this session\, you’ll get a fun\, interactive “snapshot” of what it’s like to take part in a photography-based project! At the end of the session\, we will also share our own research within the Outdoor Health Nova Scotia project\, which used photography-based methods to better understand youths’ experiences in nature and how this work is addressing access to nature-based programs in our province. Please bring a camera or cellular device that you can use to take or share photos and join in the discussion!
CATEGORIES:HEALTH & WELLBEING
LOCATION:Raccoon\, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:9e160b8e017dd9ee427bfa0693fbae79
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/9e160b8e017dd9ee427bfa0693fbae79
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260508T200000Z
DTEND:20260508T211500Z
SUMMARY:Taking Math Outdoors
DESCRIPTION:"This experiential workshop invites educators and/or students to step outside traditional classroom walls and into nature to explore how the Mathematics Curriculum (Primary–Grade 6) can be taught\, practiced\, and experienced through outdoor learning. By using loose parts found in nature—sticks\, stones\, leaves\, pinecones\, etc.—participants will engage in hands-on math experiences that meet curriculum outcomes across all strands: number\, patterns and relations\, shape and space\, and statistics and probability.\n \n Through the integration of storytelling\, wellness practices\, and environmental education\, this workshop supports a cross-curricular\, holistic approach to learning. Participants will leave with ready-to-implement activities\, innovative pedagogy strategies\, and a deeper appreciation for the wellness and environmental benefits of outdoor learning."
CATEGORIES:HEALTH & WELLBEING
LOCATION:Squirrel\, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:b4b109bf86f8277164b7bb5ec0dfbf77
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/b4b109bf86f8277164b7bb5ec0dfbf77
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260508T200000Z
DTEND:20260508T211500Z
SUMMARY:The Place Teaches
DESCRIPTION:“The Place Teaches” is an experiential workshop that blends the power of place-based learning with the principles of Compassionate Systems Leadership. With no materials required\, participants will move through a grounding outdoor practice\, a guided systems-noticing walk\, and a simple reflection using natural objects found on site. Through gentle observation and meaningful dialogue\, this session reveals how nature makes complex systems visible—and how compassion\, awareness\, and interdependence emerge naturally when we slow down and pay attention. Perfect for educators\, leaders\, and anyone curious about outdoor learning\, this workshop offers a refreshing\, memorable way to understand systems thinking through the wisdom of place. Come ready to explore\, reflect\, and let the land lead. We will also share a directly translatable elementary-audience version to bring home to use with your students.
CATEGORIES:HEALTH & WELLBEING
LOCATION:Toad\, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:221dc0362dcb0e8dd09acc03d26db1fa
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/221dc0362dcb0e8dd09acc03d26db1fa
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260508T200000Z
DTEND:20260508T211500Z
SUMMARY:Indigenous Mindfulness in the Classroom
DESCRIPTION:This interactive workshop introduces educators to Indigenous mindfulness that nurtures balance\, presence\, and connection within classroom environments. Drawing from traditional teachings and the cycles of nature\, participants will explore how Indigenous worldviews understand mindfulness as a way of being one rooted in respect\, gratitude\, and relationship to the land\, one another\, and self.\n \n Through stories\, reflection\, and experiential activities\, teachers will learn practical ways to bring Indigenous mindfulness into daily classroom routines. Simple yet meaningful practices such as gratitude circles\, mindful breathing with natural elements\, and moments of quiet observation can help students develop emotional regulation\, empathy\, and a sense of belonging.\n \n The session also emphasizes the importance of land-based awareness and relational teaching\, helping educators create learning spaces that are calm\, inclusive\, and culturally responsive.
CATEGORIES:INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE
LOCATION:Deer\, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:4090263093fc5209d4b64ec34e96897b
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/4090263093fc5209d4b64ec34e96897b
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260508T200000Z
DTEND:20260508T211500Z
SUMMARY:Indigenous Ways of Knowing: connecting traditional harvesting teachings to Indigenous Games delivery in your classroom
DESCRIPTION:Participants will receive teachings on the importance of protocol when harvesting from Mother Earth. Protocol can differ from nation to nation\, area to area. When a teacher is wanting to create their own collection of Indigenous games\, harvesting materials/supplies from Mother Earth will be necessary. This session will outline some basic teachings\, then participants will be introduced to and play as many Indigenous games as time permits. Come prepared to be active and have lots of fun with your fellow colleagues!
CATEGORIES:INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE
LOCATION:Beaver\, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:8ba582a11d804e4edf4bd7f0e7b72069
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/8ba582a11d804e4edf4bd7f0e7b72069
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260508T200000Z
DTEND:20260508T211500Z
SUMMARY:Swampy Cree Total Physical Response (TPR) Moswa-moose teachings
DESCRIPTION:Calling all moswa\, calling all moswa! This session is all about the moose. It is hosted by two Swampy Cree women from northern Saskatchewan who are willing to share their Traditional Knowledge\, lands-based and Swampy Cree language teachings about how education is our moose-moswa. You will put your hands together for a Total Physical Response (TPR) teaching that involves singing\, crafting and moose calling.
CATEGORIES:INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE
LOCATION:Moose\, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:17b9cb2163d7d77d1abb4907a932ff88
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/17b9cb2163d7d77d1abb4907a932ff88
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260508T200000Z
DTEND:20260508T211500Z
SUMMARY:The Little Red Dress: Listening\, Understanding\, Acting for Change - Discover how storytelling\, discussion\, and creative activities can inspire compassion and action toward justice. (English)
DESCRIPTION:Join Mi’kmaw storyteller Julie Pellissier-Lush and educator Julie Gagnon\, co-authors of The Little Red Dress\, for a moving 75-minute interactive workshop inspired by this trilingual album (French\, Mi’kmaw\, English).\n \n \n Through story\, poetry\, and song\, participants are invited to explore the powerful symbolism of the red dresses that hang across Canada\, reminders of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women\, Girls\, and Two-Spirit people. The experience blends Mi’kmaw and Acadian perspectives\, opening a space for reflection\, empathy\, and dialogue.\n \n \n Participants will also discover how students from École Saint-Augustin became agents of change through a collaborative red dress quilt project that linked social justice and environmental care.\n \n \n More than a workshop\, The Little Red Dress is an invitation to remember\, to act\, and to build a more compassionate and just world\, one story at a time.
CATEGORIES:INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE
LOCATION:Porcupine\, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:b1c4212ac18a4e07009f2507f33e5fa8
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/b1c4212ac18a4e07009f2507f33e5fa8
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260508T200000Z
DTEND:20260508T211500Z
SUMMARY:The Waivers We Are Not Signing: Risk\, Responsibility\, and Decolonizing Our Approaches to Outdoor Learning
DESCRIPTION:Outdoor educators often navigate the tension between what they know fosters meaningful\nlearning and the risk-averse\, liability-focused expectations of their institutions. Policies\, consent\nprocesses\, and cultural perspectives on risk and safety can limit play\, challenge\, and\nexploration\, creating hidden costs for both educators and participants\, including diminished\ncuriosity\, resilience\, and connection. This workshop invites participants to examine “the waiver\nwe are not signing\,” the silent agreements we make each time we avoid uncertainty. Through\ndiscussion\, reflection\, and experiential exercises\, participants will explore the risks of action and\ninaction. Together we will consider how risk management practices can be reimagined to\ninclude diverse cultural perspectives and to support more reciprocal\, relational\, and\ndecolonizing approaches to outdoor learning.
CATEGORIES:INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE
LOCATION:Bear\, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:8b05bf31937188beb3b1da3b29a1f226
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/8b05bf31937188beb3b1da3b29a1f226
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260508T200000Z
DTEND:20260508T211500Z
SUMMARY:Walking With Story: Integrating Indigenous Literature\, Foraging\, and Outdoor Science Inquiry
DESCRIPTION:"This workshop demonstrates how children’s literature can prepare students for meaningful outdoor science learning. Using A Day With Yayah\, participants will explore how Indigenous perspectives build understanding of local ecosystems and respectful foraging practices. Attendees will then work in groups to locate and identify native plants\, mirroring an inquiry experience students can use in their own communities.\n After sharing observations\, we will shift to A Peek at Beaks to explore structure and function. Participants will design simple “beak tools” to gather model seeds\, highlighting how adaptations support survival. The session models how literacy\, Indigenous knowledge\, and hands-on outdoor investigations can work together to deepen learning. Educators will leave with practical strategies for connecting books\, science\, and land-based experiences in the classroom."
CATEGORIES:INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE
LOCATION:Outside Kinnear Centre Front Door\, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:f7bfea62dbd280866d9deca650a30b62
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/f7bfea62dbd280866d9deca650a30b62
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260508T200000Z
DTEND:20260508T211500Z
SUMMARY:Ways of the Bison: learning from tatâga through a two-eyed seeing perspective
DESCRIPTION:The grasslands and slopes of Mînî Rhpa (Banff) were once home to the area’s largest land mammal\, tatâga (Bison). Yet the pressure from the National Park system and Western hunting practices attempted to disconnect the animal as well as the Îyethka Nakoda people from the landscape. As tatâga are reintroduced to Banff National Park\, so too are their lessons of resilience\, respect\, reciprocity and community. \n \n \n Join Tracey Stevens\, proud member of the Îyethka Nakoda Nation\, and Heidi Widmer (Biosphere Institute of the Bow Valley) as they share lessons of tatâga from both an Indigenous and Western science perspective. The pair of presenters look forward to sharing their message: we are stronger together. \n \n \n In this workshop\, Tracey and Heidi will share stories from their experiences teaching children about tatâga\, lead you in an outdoor game\, make a necklace craft and engage you in conversations revolving around the collaborative\, resilient\, connected and generous animal teacher.
CATEGORIES:INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE
LOCATION:Kingfisher\, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:8c891660643a9e9750e024431abb83fd
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/8c891660643a9e9750e024431abb83fd
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260508T211500Z
DTEND:20260508T212900Z
SUMMARY:Break
DESCRIPTION:\n
CATEGORIES:BREAK
LOCATION:Kinnear Centre \, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:8949c2e8959909544077b06d135b64a8
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/8949c2e8959909544077b06d135b64a8
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260508T212900Z
DTEND:20260508T224500Z
SUMMARY:Workshop Session D
DESCRIPTION:\n
CATEGORIES:CONCURRENT SESSIONS
LOCATION:Kinnear Centre \, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:7f71460e1c4b6c11010d84b477ad1056
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/7f71460e1c4b6c11010d84b477ad1056
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260508T213000Z
DTEND:20260508T224500Z
SUMMARY:Climate Change Learning: Moving from Anxiety to Agency
DESCRIPTION:Join Wildsight Education for a hands-on\, hope-filled workshop that brings climate learning to life outdoors. Explore classroom-tested activities from the FutureMakers and Beyond Recycling programs that help students understand climate indicators\, the greenhouse effect\, and real-world solutions through local\, place-based learning. Discover how sustainable design challenges and storytelling can empower students to move from climate anxiety to agency and action. Participants will gain practical tools to integrate climate and sustainability learning across Science\, Social Studies\, and Applied Design\, Skills\, and Technologies. Leave inspired—with ready-to-use resources and a complimentary two-year subscription to the FutureMakers online teacher program.
CATEGORIES:ENVIRONMENTAL & CLIMATE CHANGE EDUCATION
LOCATION:Snail\, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:67b2f51b37eab6be2199a1d0214f54b2
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/67b2f51b37eab6be2199a1d0214f54b2
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260508T213000Z
DTEND:20260508T224500Z
SUMMARY:Experiencing Outdoor Magic: A First and Essential Step to Addressing Climate Change
DESCRIPTION:Grant will tell (not read) stories from his well-received book\, Outdoor Magic: The Power of Nature Connection in order to illustrate his thesis that spending time outdoors — regularly and repeatedly — is essential to developing the heart connection that will power a desire to fight climate change. His stories will touch on the following themes: loose parts\, serendipity\, up close and personal\, and live-streaming. Participants will also be asked to share their stories as well as being encouraged to comment and ask questions.
CATEGORIES:ENVIRONMENTAL & CLIMATE CHANGE EDUCATION
LOCATION:201 (Indoor Space)\, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:edc9c7b8b3c2d398390b43a18da9b130
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/edc9c7b8b3c2d398390b43a18da9b130
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260508T213000Z
DTEND:20260508T224500Z
SUMMARY:From Pages to the Forest: Connecting Curriculum\, Nature and Curiosity in Upper Elementary
DESCRIPTION:The upper elementary years are full of possibilities—especially when learning moves beyond the classroom walls. Many teachers wonder how to balance an already packed curriculum with environmental education and struggle to give students meaningful opportunities to explore the natural world. In this hands-on session\, we’ll explore high-interest texts that spark curiosity\, support project-based outdoor learning\, and connect directly to curriculum expectations.\n \n \n Together\, we will take stories from the page to the trees\, discovering practical and inspiring ways to connect literature\, nature\, and student engagement while deepening students’ understanding of the beauty and fragility of their environment.
CATEGORIES:ENVIRONMENTAL & CLIMATE CHANGE EDUCATION
LOCATION:Squirrel\, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:1b43c29937897df16090aa270651bb41
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/1b43c29937897df16090aa270651bb41
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260508T213000Z
DTEND:20260508T224500Z
SUMMARY:From Passion to Action : Inspiring Environmental Science Careers through Experiential Learning
DESCRIPTION:Do you want to turn a student’s love for nature into a meaningful career? Join Water First as we shine a light on the lesser known - yet incredibly impactful - environmental science careers\, and the amazing people who do the work everyday. We will explore how we immerse Gr. 4-12 students into environmental science careers by providing dedicated roles and responsibilities during our hands-on water science workshops\; empowering students to learn new skills\, take leadership\, and imagine themselves in the role. We will discuss how involving community experts working in these career roles can deepen connections and help drive students from passion to action. Through participating in our X-Stream Indicators workshop\, you will build your skills in outdoor experiential teaching\, explore careers such as Land Guardian or Environmental Technician\, and practice strategies to spark an interest among students in these career pathways.
CATEGORIES:ENVIRONMENTAL & CLIMATE CHANGE EDUCATION
LOCATION:Bear\, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:2ee61c6f220e12a887ab0627b40dea62
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/2ee61c6f220e12a887ab0627b40dea62
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260508T213000Z
DTEND:20260508T224500Z
SUMMARY:Imaginative Ecological Education: Interweaving the Body\, Emotion and Imagination in Place-Based Learning
DESCRIPTION:Imaginative ecological educators are weavers\; they weave wonder into the everyday experience of learners. With their students\, they engage imagination and emotion to weave relationships between knowledge\, the body\, and the natural world. This interactive session will describe and apply the tools imaginative ecological educators use to weave rich pedagogical relationships for their students. Specifically\, participants will learn how Feeling\, Activeness\, and Place\, the guiding principles of Imaginative Ecological Education\, or IEE\, translate into practice with accessible teaching tools that can increase engagement and learning across the curriculum. Participants will leave with a deeper sense of the role of imagination in learning\, practical resources for teaching\, and an understanding of how thinking about teaching as weaving can enrich their nature-based practices. (Learn where A Walking Curriculum finds its roots!)
CATEGORIES:ENVIRONMENTAL & CLIMATE CHANGE EDUCATION
LOCATION:Owl\, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:8f9c7259e3f01c03bd2e6f4fc95c97e8
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/8f9c7259e3f01c03bd2e6f4fc95c97e8
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260508T213000Z
DTEND:20260508T224500Z
SUMMARY:Mapping Our Place: Exploring Nature Journaling Through Observation and Curiosity
DESCRIPTION:Discover how Nature Journaling can deepen observation\, curiosity\, and connection in your classroom. In this hands-on session\, participants will experience a guided journaling activity that begins with finding a quiet sit spot and creating a map of their surroundings. Using the prompts “I notice\, I wonder\, and it reminds me of\,” educators will combine words\, pictures\, and numbers to record sensory observations and questions. Through reflection and discussion\, we’ll explore how nature journaling supports inquiry\, creativity\, and well-being while fostering belonging and environmental stewardship. Leave inspired\, grounded\, and ready to bring this meaningful practice to your students.
CATEGORIES:ENVIRONMENTAL & CLIMATE CHANGE EDUCATION
LOCATION:Moose\, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:ef8f155456600d45ad10b6d86697074a
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/ef8f155456600d45ad10b6d86697074a
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260508T213000Z
DTEND:20260508T224500Z
SUMMARY:Maptivism: Designing Citizen Science for Climate Change Education
DESCRIPTION:In this hands-on session\, we will get outside and explore the green spaces around the Banff Centre\, while learning how Citizen Science\, Place-Based Learning and data visualization techniques can be used to facilitate adaptable thinking\, learning and inquiry on the real-time patterns and trends of climate change.
CATEGORIES:ENVIRONMENTAL & CLIMATE CHANGE EDUCATION
LOCATION:Kingfisher\, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:4d089882e4a1264b328fd495be6b032a
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/4d089882e4a1264b328fd495be6b032a
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260508T213000Z
DTEND:20260508T214500Z
SUMMARY:OUT of the rut and INTO the Outdoors: Practical Lessons for Real Learning
DESCRIPTION:"Has the thought of taking a boisterous group of Kindergarten students—or a restless bunch of Grade 6s—outside made your palms a little clammy? Do the logistics of planning an outdoor lesson have you reaching for the Advil? Or maybe you’re hesitant to step away from your jam-packed curriculum to venture into the great outdoors?\n \n Join Colleen for a fun\, practical session that will show you just how simple—and rewarding—it can be to use the largest classroom of all: the outdoors. You’ll discover time-tested\, easy-to-implement ideas that can transform even the most ordinary schoolyard into a space for meaningful learning and joyful exploration. Walk away with activities you can use Monday morning to get OUT of your rut and INTO an educational adventure!"
CATEGORIES:ENVIRONMENTAL & CLIMATE CHANGE EDUCATION
LOCATION:Raccoon\, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:8bc050fef12ad1955d46f29880649aef
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/8bc050fef12ad1955d46f29880649aef
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260508T213000Z
DTEND:20260508T224500Z
SUMMARY:Terre: Vaisseau spatial
DESCRIPTION:Sans vous en rendre compte\, vous vous déplacez actuellement à une vitesse vertigineuse dans l'espace. Dans quelle direction vous déplacez-vous? Comment tout ça fonctionne? Dans cet atelier\, nous tournerons nos yeux vers le ciel\, mais aussi sous nos pieds pour comprendre les mouvements de la Terre et réaliser que nous sommes vraiment sur un petit vaisseau spatial dans l’immensité de l’Univers. Nous aborderons ainsi le caractère unique et fragile de notre planète\, et le fait que nous sommes tous ensemble dans ce vaisseau spatial. Nous profiterons aussi du fait que nous sommes à l’extérieur pour parler de notre Lune et faire un modèle à l’échelle de notre Système solaire. Que vous vouliez faire une activité de 5 minutes sur le sujet avec vos élèves\, ou un cours complet\, nous aurons des idées pour vous!
CATEGORIES:ENVIRONMENTAL & CLIMATE CHANGE EDUCATION
LOCATION:Toad\, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:5c4656c87bf5b6fddb1e5e4138d26bf0
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/5c4656c87bf5b6fddb1e5e4138d26bf0
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260508T213000Z
DTEND:20260508T224500Z
SUMMARY:Wildflower Wisdom: Teaching Ecology\, Teamwork\, and Stewardship through Urban Restoration
DESCRIPTION:Transform your schoolyard into a living classroom! This bilingual\, hands-on workshop immerses educators in the process of assessing\, planning\, and restoring habitats through native plant gardening and invasive species management. Participants will explore how outdoor learning spaces can promote biodiversity\, ecological restoration\, and student engagement while prioritizing safety and respect for the land. Using tools like iNaturalist and guided by Indigenous perspectives and the New Pedagogies for Deep Learning framework\, attendees will gain practical strategies to lead authentic\, cross-curricular\, land-based learning projects that have a real impact on our environmental crisis. Through field observation\, collaborative planning\, and resource sharing\, participants will leave ready to guide students in creating outdoor spaces that foster stewardship\, curiosity\, and ecological awareness.
CATEGORIES:ENVIRONMENTAL & CLIMATE CHANGE EDUCATION
LOCATION:Raven\, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:e62eaa9922896d991d0a4dedf293bca9
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/e62eaa9922896d991d0a4dedf293bca9
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260508T213000Z
DTEND:20260508T224500Z
SUMMARY:60 min Gentle Movement & Mindfulness Session
DESCRIPTION:Connect body\, mind and spirit in this gentle all levels yoga and meditation class. &nbsp\;We encourage you to bring your own mat or towel if you can.
CATEGORIES:FREE OPTIONAL FIELD TRIP
LOCATION:205\, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:92c1138f999d04ecb191f6afdbec5abd
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/92c1138f999d04ecb191f6afdbec5abd
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260508T213000Z
DTEND:20260508T224500Z
SUMMARY:A Sense of Wonder: Nature Journaling for Mindfulness and Ecological Connection
DESCRIPTION:Reconnect with your sense of wonder through nature journaling—a mindful practice that nurtures observation\, curiosity\, and ecological literacy. In this immersive outdoor session\, participants will design their own nature journals and discover how journaling can enrich outdoor learning experiences across ages and settings. Grounded in research from environmental education and early childhood development\, this hands-on workshop blends art\, science\, and mindfulness to demonstrate how nature journaling enhances reflection\, creativity\, and well-being. Participants will explore prompts and techniques that encourage learners to slow down\, notice deeply\, and develop emotional resilience through connection with nature. By journaling in all weather and seasons\, educators will gain tools to integrate mindfulness and ecological thinking into their teaching while fostering gratitude and a sense of place.
CATEGORIES:HEALTH & WELLBEING
LOCATION:Porcupine\, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:07caa61ba43a8581084be5561a1a2bcb
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/07caa61ba43a8581084be5561a1a2bcb
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260508T213000Z
DTEND:20260508T224500Z
SUMMARY:Accessible Nature: Practical Tools for Inclusive Outdoor Education
DESCRIPTION:"Outdoor learning offers opportunities for connection\, discovery\, and growth…but not everyone can access nature-based experiences equally. Barriers to participation may not always be considered during the course design process\, and accessibility is far too often left as an afterthought. This workshop invites educators\, leaders\, and facilitators to critically examine accessibility in nature-based education and take an actionable approach towards inclusion.\n Participants will begin by exploring challenges for full inclusion outdoors: From apparent barriers such as uneven terrain to factors such as sensory sensitivities\, cognitive differences and neurodivergence\, cultural and religious considerations\, and financial limitations. Through real-life examples and guided discussion\, participants will learn how to find and address accessibility and inclusion concerns within their own programs\, workshops\, courses and classes."
CATEGORIES:HEALTH & WELLBEING
LOCATION:Turtle\, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:361adcc0bc7399fb3a7b900141dcd66d
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/361adcc0bc7399fb3a7b900141dcd66d
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260508T213000Z
DTEND:20260508T224500Z
SUMMARY:Art in the Garden: Mindfulness\, Joy\, and Connection with the Land
DESCRIPTION:Step into the garden as a living classroom for wellbeing and reflection. This hands-on workshop invites participants to slow down\, breathe deeply\, and engage with nature through mindful journaling\, sketching\, sensory awareness\, and simple creative practices using natural materials. Together\, we’ll explore how tending to the land\, observing pollinators\, noticing textures\, light\, and color\, can nurture presence\, gratitude\, and joy. Participants will leave with practical ideas for incorporating mindful\, art-based reflection into outdoor programs that build connection between people\, place\, and community.
CATEGORIES:HEALTH & WELLBEING
LOCATION:Cougar\, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:d9485b988f7f6d34640c879dea7eae19
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/d9485b988f7f6d34640c879dea7eae19
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260508T213000Z
DTEND:20260508T224500Z
SUMMARY:Queer Ecology and 2SLGBTQI+ Inclusion in Outdoor Education
DESCRIPTION:Nature is queer! There is a multitude of diversity in the natural world\, from fungi with over 23\,000 sex types to 1500+ different animals who engage in same-sex sexual behaviour. Why is queer ecology so important? Queer people have been and continue to be oppressed and discriminated against\, often with an argument that being queer 'isn’t natural'\, which couldn’t be further from the truth. Queer ecology has long been omitted from science because of human bias\, but it’s time to celebrate the full beauty of nature!\n \n \n In this workshop\, we’ll share our curiosity and knowledge\, go on a wander together and explore diversity in sex\, reproduction\, same-sex sexual and social relationships\, and behaviour outside of stereotypical human gender roles and family structures. Julie will provide resources to help support educators in incorporating queer ecology into their teaching practices. We’ll also explore ways to be more inclusive to members of the 2SLGBTQI+ community while leading outdoor learning.
CATEGORIES:HEALTH & WELLBEING
LOCATION:Chickadee\, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:c79bcb88a0751eb97069b755c1ee0bd6
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/c79bcb88a0751eb97069b755c1ee0bd6
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260508T213000Z
DTEND:20260508T224500Z
SUMMARY:Rewilding Everyday Mindfulness: A moving exploration of place\, connection to nature\, and wellbeing
DESCRIPTION:Connection to nature is a term that is used to describe our relationship with the more-than-human world. It is often associated with an awareness of self and a sense of belonging or interconnectedness with the natural world. There is a rich body of literature suggesting that contact with nature is beneficial for health and wellbeing across the life course\, as well as serving as a predictor amongst young people for future pro-environmental behaviours\, that in turn have also been related with enhanced wellbeing. This collective workshop is envisioned as an outdoor interactive session\, with opportunities for discussion and co-learning for facilitating opportunities that promote mindfulness in nature with young people. The session will be interspersed with discussion on theories and principles underlying the benefits of connection to nature\, including examples of interdisciplinary programs I have helped to design and lead in early childhood\, primary school\, and high school settings.
CATEGORIES:HEALTH & WELLBEING
LOCATION:Bee\, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:1edfe4e693c20156475f5a78efa4f9ee
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/1edfe4e693c20156475f5a78efa4f9ee
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260508T213000Z
DTEND:20260508T224500Z
SUMMARY:Supporting Health and Well-being through People\, Places\, and Processes
DESCRIPTION:Outdoor and natural spaces hold numerous meanings and purposes for individuals and cultures. One universal strand is that our health and wellbeing are bound to it however far removed. Whether in a city park or remote forest\, fostering connections to place\, self\, and others is enhanced through authentic experiences. This interactive workshop focuses on supporting educators to facilitate experiential learning in outdoor settings for youth and children to increase self-awareness\, develop self-regulation strategies\, and build social competence. This is while pursuing connections to outdoor places instead of just serving as a scenic backdrop. During the workshop\, activities and discussion will revolve around optimal learning zones\, intentional and progressive ‘games with aims’\, and the use of natural spaces. The workshop is designed to mirror strategies and delivery methods ready to use by educators.
CATEGORIES:HEALTH & WELLBEING
LOCATION:Great Blue Heron\, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:d829b663247399a94fd70493692959a8
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/d829b663247399a94fd70493692959a8
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260508T213000Z
DTEND:20260508T224500Z
SUMMARY:The Sending PReschoolers OUTside Study: How Early Childhood Education Setting Influences Parental Attitudes and Educator Well-Being
DESCRIPTION:This informative and insightful session will introduce the Sending PReschoolers OUTside (SPROUT) Study\, a three-year research initiative\, part of the Canadian Centre for Outdoor Play (CCOP)\, that explores the health and well-being benefits of an outdoor-focused ECE program for children and their care providers in comparison to conventional ECE programs in Ottawa. This session will provide valuable insight into how parental beliefs\, educator satisfaction\, and competencies shape children’s access to outdoor play and learning. Through evidence-informed reflection and discussion\, the session offers a nuanced perspective on educator well-being and its connection to program type and daily practice. Participants will leave with a deeper understanding of the benefits and challenges of outdoor-focused early learning and play through the lens of both families and educators\, while contributing to a broader dialogue that will help shape national research initiatives.
CATEGORIES:HEALTH & WELLBEING
LOCATION:Butterfly\, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:d4ed7567269c4360318ced05068609a8
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/d4ed7567269c4360318ced05068609a8
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260508T213000Z
DTEND:20260508T224500Z
SUMMARY:Wild Wellbeing: Using Conservation Education to Reduce Eco-Anxiety
DESCRIPTION:This workshop explores how empathy and connection to place can transform eco-anxiety into empowered\, hopeful action. Through the lens of a real local conservation project\, participants will consider how hands-on stewardship experiences help students build emotional resilience and environmental understanding. Together\, we’ll explore simple frameworks for creating small-scale conservation action projects that spark curiosity and collaboration across subjects. Educators will leave with ideas for weaving conservation themes into their classrooms\, helping learners become not just informed about sustainability\, but deeply engaged and compassionate change-makers.
CATEGORIES:HEALTH & WELLBEING
LOCATION:Beaver\, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:d54836e4d31f4c944d15cbd355dd021f
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/d54836e4d31f4c944d15cbd355dd021f
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260508T213000Z
DTEND:20260508T224500Z
SUMMARY:Land Based Education Guide
DESCRIPTION:Land Based Education Guide \, the ins and outs of land-based education\, how to safely take your students out on the land. Will provide helpful tips and some take away lesson plans to help get you started as a homeroom teacher.
CATEGORIES:INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE
LOCATION:Coyote\, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:62ac228c87061793f6aed6048dee5156
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/62ac228c87061793f6aed6048dee5156
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260508T213000Z
DTEND:20260508T224500Z
SUMMARY:Learning Through the Land: Traditional Métis Games and Movement Pedagogy
DESCRIPTION:This land-based workshop invites educators to experience traditional Métis games and movement practices as pathways for learning and community building. Facilitated by Grade 8 students\, the session centers on the teachings of the land and the Métis way of knowing through movement and cooperation. Participants will explore how simple\, nature-based activities can nurture physical literacy\, social-emotional growth\, and cultural understanding. By the end of the workshop\, participants will leave not only with a deeper understanding of Métis games and teachings. This workshop embodies the spirit of Métis learning: collaborative\, grounded\, and connected to both culture and place. Through the leadership of Grade 8 students\, educators will be reminded that the outdoors is not a supplement to education…it is the classroom.
CATEGORIES:INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE
LOCATION:Eagle\, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:cd5a07a3d67a37a7f3223cf84049f096
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/cd5a07a3d67a37a7f3223cf84049f096
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260508T213000Z
DTEND:20260508T224500Z
SUMMARY:The KAIROS Blanket Exercise (KBE)
DESCRIPTION:The KAIROS Blanket Exercise (KBE) is an experiential teaching tool that explores the historic and contemporary relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in the land we now know as Canada. The Blanket Exercise is based on using Indigenous methodologies and the goal is to build understanding about our shared history as Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in Canada by walking through pre-contact\, treaty-making\, colonization and resistance. Everyone is actively involved as they step onto blankets that represent the land\, and into the role of First Nations\, Inuit and later Métis peoples. By engaging on an emotional and intellectual level\, the Blanket Exercise effectively educates and increases empathy. (https://kairoscanada.org)
CATEGORIES:INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE
LOCATION:203 (Indoor Space)\, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:af31392aba36e30e11b5a43eb5bf9f64
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/af31392aba36e30e11b5a43eb5bf9f64
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260508T213000Z
DTEND:20260508T224500Z
SUMMARY:Walking With Story: Integrating Indigenous Literature\, Foraging\, and Outdoor Science Inquiry
DESCRIPTION:"This workshop demonstrates how children’s literature can prepare students for meaningful outdoor science learning. Using A Day With Yayah\, participants will explore how Indigenous perspectives build understanding of local ecosystems and respectful foraging practices. Attendees will then work in groups to locate and identify native plants\, mirroring an inquiry experience students can use in their own communities.\n After sharing observations\, we will shift to A Peek at Beaks to explore structure and function. Participants will design simple “beak tools” to gather model seeds\, highlighting how adaptations support survival. The session models how literacy\, Indigenous knowledge\, and hands-on outdoor investigations can work together to deepen learning. Educators will leave with practical strategies for connecting books\, science\, and land-based experiences in the classroom."
CATEGORIES:INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE
LOCATION:Otter\, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:8046a91cfc72cdb69d4f6915a0817313
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/8046a91cfc72cdb69d4f6915a0817313
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260508T213000Z
DTEND:20260508T224500Z
SUMMARY:We Are All Gifted: Culturally Grounded Strategies for Holistic Learning
DESCRIPTION:Recognizing and nurturing the natural gifts of children and youth can transform educational spaces into places of belonging\, growth\, and cultural affirmation. Grounded in Indigenous knowledge systems and holistic approaches to learning\, participants will engage with strategies that honour each learner's unique strength\, whether through storytelling\, land-based activities\, creative expression\, or relational teaching. \n \n Facilitators will share examples from community-based programs and personal practice\, highlighting how culturally responsive methods can support emotional\, spiritual\, physical\, and intellectual development. \n \n Through reflection\, dialogue\, and experiential activities\, educators will leave with tools to foster inclusive environments that celebrate identity\, build relationships\, and empower learners to thrive. Ideal for educators\, program leaders\, and anyone seeking to deepen their understanding of holistic\, strength-based approaches rooted in Indigenous Ways of Knowing.
CATEGORIES:INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE
LOCATION:Deer\, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:f3d275dc9ac4a0f330297066818439da
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/f3d275dc9ac4a0f330297066818439da
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260508T224500Z
DTEND:20260508T234500Z
SUMMARY:Author Signing with Karen Lai & elin kelsey
DESCRIPTION:Visit Karen Lai & elin kelsery at the Outdoor Learning School & Store Exhibitor Booth. Come chat with these two incredible authors and have your books signed!&nbsp\;\n\nKaren Lai: https://books.friesenpress.com/store/title/119734000527583200/Karen-Lai-I-Wonder...-Be-Curious\n\nelin kelsey: https://outdoorlearning.com/product/how-to-be-hopeful/
CATEGORIES:
LOCATION:Outdoor Learning School & Store Exhibitor Booth\, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:11e6abb7201f8f512de8f321e002becf
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/11e6abb7201f8f512de8f321e002becf
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260508T224500Z
DTEND:20260508T233000Z
SUMMARY:Networking and Connection Time
DESCRIPTION:\n
CATEGORIES:PLENARY
LOCATION:Kinnear Centre \, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:74987942144e6f38ce5b78ccb3415ce2
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/74987942144e6f38ce5b78ccb3415ce2
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260509T000000Z
DTEND:20260509T040000Z
SUMMARY:Do Your Own Dinner Downtown!
DESCRIPTION:\n
CATEGORIES:MEAL
LOCATION:Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:89e3777dbd7a3d2a92b682960859ee0b
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/89e3777dbd7a3d2a92b682960859ee0b
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260509T000000Z
DTEND:20260509T040000Z
SUMMARY:Find Friends for Friday Food!
DESCRIPTION:Are you conferencing solo and looking to connect? Meet new friends in the Kinnear Centre at 6pm to walk to Banff downtown and share a meal with new friends. Depending on group size you may have to split up to find space in town but you will find someone to share a table with for sure :)\n\nDon't forget to come back for music and more connections at 8.00pm!\n\n\n
CATEGORIES:MEAL
LOCATION:Kinnear Centre \, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:dbb7a20528f9f2b5751f891b1e54b681
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/dbb7a20528f9f2b5751f891b1e54b681
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260509T020000Z
DTEND:20260509T050000Z
SUMMARY:Musical Concert and Dance Party: The Cost of Silence
DESCRIPTION:\nThe Cost of Silence: A Return\n\n Join TIKA and special local guests for a relaxed evening shaped through music\, atmosphere\, and gentle reflection. This inclusive and accessible few hours will showcase numerous musical and artistic talents\, culminating in a place to dance\, shake and revel in the joy of learning with our closing DJ.\n\n After a full day of conversation and learning\, this space offers a chance to slow down\, connect\, and unwind. Music will move throughout the room\, creating an environment where you’re welcome to engage in whatever way feels right — whether that’s sitting\, dancing\, reflecting\, connecting with others\, or simply enjoying the sound.\n\n There’s no expectation to participate in any particular way. This is a space to land\, take a breath\, and be present. A bar serving all manner of drinks available in the concert space.\n\n8:00 PM – Doors Open (ambient music begins)\n8:30–8:45 PM – Meg Ohsada Dance/Musicial Performance\n8:45–9:00 PM – Transition\n9:00–10:00 PM – TIKA Live in Concert\n10:00–10:15 PM – Transition\n10:15–11:00 PM – DJ Jadie Bee\n\n\n
CATEGORIES:SOCIAL EVENT
LOCATION:Kinnear Centre \, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:ba3a4f866b5f879f6c12cdb32bbc4fac
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/ba3a4f866b5f879f6c12cdb32bbc4fac
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260509T130000Z
DTEND:20260509T151500Z
SUMMARY:Breakfast at Vistas
DESCRIPTION:\n
CATEGORIES:MEAL
LOCATION:Vistas Dining Room\, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:11baf441af234ba8cd1401560b3da0d7
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/11baf441af234ba8cd1401560b3da0d7
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260509T133000Z
DTEND:20260509T143000Z
SUMMARY:60 min Gentle Movement & Mindfulness Session
DESCRIPTION:Connect body\, mind and spirit in this gentle all levels yoga and meditation class. &nbsp\;We encourage you to bring your own mat or towel if you can.
CATEGORIES:FREE OPTIONAL FIELD TRIP
LOCATION:205\, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:153d50888b3c8ffe65d8bf6879cfcdac
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/153d50888b3c8ffe65d8bf6879cfcdac
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260509T143000Z
DTEND:20260509T153000Z
SUMMARY:Author Signing with Karine Cere & Marie-Pascale Brown
DESCRIPTION:Visit Karin Cere & Marie-Pascale Brown at the Outdoor Learning School & Store Exhibitor Booth. Come chat with these two incredible authors and have your books signed!&nbsp\;\n\nKarine Céré: https://outdoorlearning.com/product/the-everyday-school-garden/\n\nMarie-Pascale Brown: https://outdoorlearning.com/product/jardiner-a-lecole/
CATEGORIES:
LOCATION:Outdoor Learning School & Store Exhibitor Booth\, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:4b9aec340019a235113c09e9700fd845
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/4b9aec340019a235113c09e9700fd845
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260509T143000Z
DTEND:20260509T153000Z
SUMMARY:Checkout of Accommodations + Free Time
DESCRIPTION:\n
CATEGORIES:PLENARY
LOCATION:Banff Centre\, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:d4198192209030a3548ee9cd504cd7b0
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/d4198192209030a3548ee9cd504cd7b0
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260509T153000Z
DTEND:20260509T154400Z
SUMMARY:Morning Gratitude
DESCRIPTION:\n
CATEGORIES:PLENARY
LOCATION:Main Plenary Room - Kinnear Centre\, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:7c26663c1844719ecdaca43a20789dfc
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/7c26663c1844719ecdaca43a20789dfc
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260509T154400Z
DTEND:20260509T165900Z
SUMMARY:Collaborative Learning Panels
DESCRIPTION:This year we introduce a new type of session for Saturday morning. Choose between 7 themed interactive collaborative learning panels. &nbsp\;For the first half of the session\, a skilled host will support panelists as they discuss their burning questions for this topic. For the second half of the session you will work within small groups to collaborate on answering questions they pose to you\, or that have come up during your time at the conference. &nbsp\;Any group notes taken will be recorded by our in-conference graphic artist in written and illustrative form as part of our 'next steps' community of practice work. These sessions will be fun\, interactive and a chance to solidify the thoughts\, hopes and plans that have arisen during the conference.
CATEGORIES:COLLABORATIVE LEARNING PANELS
LOCATION:Kinnear Centre \, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:6018657edef877fb0fd290fa70c34c5b
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/6018657edef877fb0fd290fa70c34c5b
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260509T154500Z
DTEND:20260509T170000Z
SUMMARY:DEI in the Outdoors Collaborative Learning Panel
DESCRIPTION:\n
CATEGORIES:COLLABORATIVE LEARNING PANELS
LOCATION:Kinnear Patio Firepit 1\, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:524af583765933b37275170edcaa0cdd
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/524af583765933b37275170edcaa0cdd
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260509T154500Z
DTEND:20260509T170000Z
SUMMARY:Early Years Collaborative Learning Panels
DESCRIPTION:\n
CATEGORIES:COLLABORATIVE LEARNING PANELS
LOCATION:203 (Indoor Space)\, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:12513ec362304281dfeddcf65fe476b0
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/12513ec362304281dfeddcf65fe476b0
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260509T154500Z
DTEND:20260509T170000Z
SUMMARY:Experiential Learning & Mentorship Collaborative Learning Panels
DESCRIPTION:\n
CATEGORIES:COLLABORATIVE LEARNING PANELS
LOCATION:Banff Centre Amphitheatre\, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:00323d627428438bfb6894a75c1d820e
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/00323d627428438bfb6894a75c1d820e
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260509T154500Z
DTEND:20260509T170000Z
SUMMARY:French Collaborative Learning Panels
DESCRIPTION:\n
CATEGORIES:COLLABORATIVE LEARNING PANELS
LOCATION:208\, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:9a59e8ef37a6dcb8b7a5ac42823bf818
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/9a59e8ef37a6dcb8b7a5ac42823bf818
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260509T154500Z
DTEND:20260509T170000Z
SUMMARY:Land-Based Learning Collaborative Learning Panel
DESCRIPTION:\n
CATEGORIES:COLLABORATIVE LEARNING PANELS
LOCATION:Main Plenary Room - Kinnear Centre\, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:71dc70d66e0e38c30c3526c43c159509
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/71dc70d66e0e38c30c3526c43c159509
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260509T154500Z
DTEND:20260509T170000Z
SUMMARY:Literacy\, Math\, Science in the Outdoors Collaborative Learning Panels
DESCRIPTION:\n
CATEGORIES:COLLABORATIVE LEARNING PANELS
LOCATION:201 (Indoor Space)\, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:8b8083baaebcd748a4d97e7d4955b853
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/8b8083baaebcd748a4d97e7d4955b853
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260509T154500Z
DTEND:20260509T170000Z
SUMMARY:Youth Voices Collaborative Learning Panels
DESCRIPTION:\n
CATEGORIES:COLLABORATIVE LEARNING PANELS
LOCATION:205\, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:a0f431735bed89cbdc122e9c83695b3d
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/a0f431735bed89cbdc122e9c83695b3d
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260509T170000Z
DTEND:20260509T181500Z
SUMMARY:Health and Wellbeing Keynotes\, Closing Circle & Prizegiving!
DESCRIPTION:Join Astrid Kendrick and TIKA for our final keynotes on Health and Wellbeing and finish strong as Elder Ann Fox closes the learning circle for us.\n\nJoy as a Practice of Resistance: Emotional Literacy in a Time of Collective Burnout\n\nIn a time marked by urgency\, systemic pressure\, and collective overwhelm\, many of us are navigating not only our own experiences\, but the emotional weight of the communities we serve. Joy\, in this context\, is often deprioritized — seen as secondary to the work\, or disconnected from the realities we face.\n But what if joy is not a distraction from the work — but a necessary part of it?\n\n In this closing keynote\, Academy Award–winning composer and cultural strategist TIKA offers a grounded and embodied exploration of joy as a practice of resistance. Drawing from her work through The Cost of Silence\, she examines how burnout\, emotional suppression\, and vicarious trauma are not just personal challenges\, but systemic conditions — and how reconnecting to joy can become a form of restoration\, clarity\, and sustained engagement.\n\n Blending storytelling\, sound\, and reflection\, this experience invites participants to return to the body as a site of awareness and agency. Rather than offering quick fixes\, it creates space for a deeper\, more honest engagement with what it means to feel\, to rest\, and to remain connected in the midst of ongoing demands.\n Participants will leave with a renewed understanding of emotional literacy\, and a framework for integrating joy not as escape\, but as a steady\, intentional practice that supports both personal wellbeing and collective change.
CATEGORIES:PLENARY
LOCATION:Kinnear Centre \, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:fdeeb590cd5549c28ba36d5f3c433157
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/fdeeb590cd5549c28ba36d5f3c433157
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260509T195900Z
DTEND:20260509T201400Z
SUMMARY:Optional Post Conference Field Experiences
DESCRIPTION:\n
CATEGORIES:FREE OPTIONAL FIELD TRIP
LOCATION:Kinnear Centre \, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:e15bad1b9442f5439cc52ce1703847cc
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/e15bad1b9442f5439cc52ce1703847cc
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260509T200000Z
DTEND:20260509T233000Z
SUMMARY:Being a Good Relative through Forest Bathing
DESCRIPTION:In this land-based workshop\, Natalie\, of mixed ancestry (Acadian with Mi’kmaq heritage and Abenaki\, Algonquin\, and Inuit lineages)\, and Margaret (a settler person of Irish and German ancestry) invite you to explore your relationship with the land and Indigenous peoples. \n\nThis workshop will explore how colonialism is about rupturing relationships and how honouring relationships or “being a good relative” is the repair. You will be invited to connect with the land through a series of invitations within a relational nature therapy framework. Within this framework\, which is about slowing down and being present on the land\, you will be invited to reflect on what it means for you to clarify\, renew and honour personal and systemic relationships that support your life\, including your relationships with Indigenous peoples. \n\nThrough this workshop\, you will gain a better understanding of \n- be a good relative to the land and Indigenous peoples\n- teach outdoors through a relational and embodied practice \n- deepen their ongoing relationship with Mother Earth\n\nPlease wear good walking shoes and ample warm / waterproof clothing for early spring mountain weather\, including extra layers\, hat / mitts and water in a pack. More layers than usual is especially important as we’ll be sitting on the ground and moving slowly. The approach trail includes a slope. \n\nPlease let us know if you have questions or concerns about accessibility. \n\n
CATEGORIES:FREE OPTIONAL FIELD TRIP
LOCATION:Kinnear Centre - Owl Sign\, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:c04c81b7a9accf1eb3c3bab67f322689
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/c04c81b7a9accf1eb3c3bab67f322689
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260509T200000Z
DTEND:20260509T233000Z
SUMMARY:Observation to Insight: A Nature Journaling Approach
DESCRIPTION:This 1.5–2 hour Nature Journaling workshop invites educators to explore journaling as a powerful tool for craft\, data collection\, and reflection. Participants will experience how using words\, pictures\, and numbers can deepen observation\, support inquiry\, and make thinking visible. Through guided outdoor journaling\, simple watercolour techniques\, and reflective writing\, educators will not only gain practical strategies to bring back to their classrooms\, but also carve out time to process their own learning and experiences. This session offers a meaningful opportunity to slow down\, collect your thoughts\, and leave with both inspiration and tangible ideas for practice.\n
CATEGORIES:FREE OPTIONAL FIELD TRIP
LOCATION:Kinnear Centre - Snail Sign\, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:fe6f99f2edcbdd40ffe82e703e5bcc76
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/fe6f99f2edcbdd40ffe82e703e5bcc76
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260509T200000Z
DTEND:20260509T233000Z
SUMMARY:Soapstone Carving
DESCRIPTION:Soapstone carving is a very satisfying craft. &nbsp\;This workshop begins with a meditation to connect to the land. &nbsp\;Your instructor will lead you through the process of soapstone carving\; from setting an intention to choosing your stone\, deciding what to carve\, using the tools effectively\, sanding and bringing out the colours - the great reveal! &nbsp\;You will leave with a very special hand made carving to remind you of your time at this amazing conference in beautiful Banff National Park.\n\n
CATEGORIES:FREE OPTIONAL FIELD TRIP
LOCATION:Banff Centre Amphitheatre\, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:6777ed8d3aa78fdd87179b6cb83a3fb4
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/6777ed8d3aa78fdd87179b6cb83a3fb4
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260509T200000Z
DTEND:20260509T233000Z
SUMMARY:Water\, Community and Connection
DESCRIPTION:\n Bow River Walk\, Water Quality Mystery & Water Governance Role Play\n\nJoin Wildsight for an immersive\, riverside learning experience exploring the connections between water\, ecosystems\, and community. Beginning with a short walk from the Banff Centre to the Bow River\, we will share stories of local water concerns from our own home places.\nAlong the river\, participants will work together to solve a hands-on “water quality mystery” using simple testing tools that can be adapted to any local watershed. The experience continues with an interactive water-sharing role play from Wildsight’s new Watershed Matters program. Participants take on the roles of different water users and navigate changing water availability shaped by climate change\, ecosystem needs\, and community priorities.\nThis active\, story-driven session models place-based approaches that foster systems thinking\, empathy\, and dialogue around equity and governance. We’ll also briefly share insights from Wildsight’s Columbia River Field School (an accredited summer course) and Teach the Columbia program\, highlighting the power of school–community partnerships.\nParticipants will leave with practical\, adaptable activities and inspiration to support watershed education in their own communities.\n\n\n\n\n
CATEGORIES:FREE OPTIONAL FIELD TRIP
LOCATION:Kinnear Centre - Otter Sign\, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:e96add2bdbee825bfb1b4ef630de958e
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/e96add2bdbee825bfb1b4ef630de958e
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260509T200000Z
DTEND:20260509T223000Z
SUMMARY:Wellness Forest Bathing Walk
DESCRIPTION:Join a certified Forest Therapy Guide and Educator to experience how Forest Bathing reminds us that wellness does not always require doing more. Sometimes\, it begins with allowing ourselves to slow down\, step outside\, and listen to the quiet wisdom found among trees.\nForest Bathing\, also referred to as “forest therapy”\, is a practice grounded in research that points to numerous physical and mental health benefits. It involves immersing oneself in a natural environment to promote relaxation\, reduce stress\, help support emotional wellness and enhance overall well-being.&nbsp\;You will be guided through a sequence of invitations designed to help your body and mind slow down\, tune into your senses\, and experience the environment in a way that supports you to deepen your connection with the natural world as well as yourself.&nbsp\;Research continues to reveal scientific evidence for what many of us already feel inside. That is\, spending time in nature is good for us.\nPlease take note of the weather forecast and come prepared with appropriate clothing and footwear to be outside for 2.5 hours. With our classic spring weather\,&nbsp\;dressing in layers will be important. We will be walking slowly and taking time in certain spots. Foam sit-upons will be provided.&nbsp\;\n\n
CATEGORIES:FREE OPTIONAL FIELD TRIP
LOCATION:Kinnear Centre - Bear Sign\, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:82c752386b5e2542075f85973716fe74
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/82c752386b5e2542075f85973716fe74
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260514T232626Z
DTSTART:20260509T203000Z
DTEND:20260509T230000Z
SUMMARY:Grounding in the Rockies - A Nature Immersion Wellness Workshop
DESCRIPTION:Grounding in the Rockies is a transformative outdoor wellness workshop designed to reconnect participants with the natural world through mindful movement\, meditation\, nature-based grounding practices\, and safe guided cold weather exposure. Set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Rockies the program offers individuals a chance to slow down\, regulate their nervous systems\, and experience deep alignment with the land. This field trip integrates yoga\, mindfulness\, break work and intentional contact with cold environments to cultivate resilience\, clarity\, and renewed sense of belonging within nature.
CATEGORIES:FREE OPTIONAL FIELD TRIP
LOCATION:Kinnear Centre - Chickadee Sign\, Banff\, AB\, Canada
SEQUENCE:0
UID:6540664d8fb4e844b39028b878931684
URL:http://2026outdoorlearningconf.sched.com/event/6540664d8fb4e844b39028b878931684
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR