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Ohontsià:ke Ientsítewawe’ Nature School Programs
"Forest/Nature School is an educational ethos and practice that centres the Land and child-at-play. Children and educators build a relationship with the land through regular and repeated access to the same outdoor space over an extended period of time. Educators support learning through a pedagogical framework that is rooted in place and place, directed and inspired by the child (emergent curriculum), and driven by a process of inquiry."
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Child & Nature Alliance of Canada
Summer School 2024
For our launch in Summer 2024 we are offering 2 sessions.
July 1 - July 26, 2024
Monday - Friday
32 Children (2 Groups of 16)
August 5-30, 2024
Monday - Friday
32 Children (2 Groups of 16)
Winter Breaks 2024/2025
Winter Break Camp wil run during school Winter breaks.
Check back for more information and registration information.
Spring Breaks
2025
Spring Break Camps will run during both the US and Canada Spring Breaks.
Check back for registration information.
Our Ohontsià:ke Ientsítewawe’ Nature School Experience
Our Ohontsià:ke Ientsítewawe' Nature School experience allows children to be fully enveloped by the land and experience all it has to offer.
We want children to know they belong in our program and are valued. We do this through the cultivation of authentic, caring relationships and connections. This allows children to form relationships with each other and the land so they know they are part of our group, community and the natural world.
Our land-based programming helps develop and nurture a child's well-being through physical and mental health and wellness activities. Such activities support their growing sense of self, self-care and self-regulation skills.
Our emergent curriculum is the core of our pedagogical framework. This allows children to be fully engaged and have the freedom of expression. Children will become active, creative, involved, and focused. This meaningful exploration is all fueled by their natural curiosity and exuberance. We teach children that they have the right to be heard and listened to within our program through various forms.
Benefits
There are many benefits of Ohontsià:ke Ientsítewawe’ Nature School.
Healthy & Safe Risk-taking
Children will develop their risk-management skills, by learning when to push further and knowing when to stop based on their knowledge and skills level.
Resilience
There's no such thing as bad weather, there are only the the wrong clothes.
With a range of natural elements, problem solving & risk taking opportunities, children's will need to persevere. Through trial and error children will be building their resilience.
Problem solving
As we provide children with a range of opportunities and guidance, children will have ample moments to build their skills. Children will be den building, identifying plants, collecting materials, and much more!
Cognitive Function
Spending times outdoors in nature can support and improve children's ability to learn.
We provide children with real-life, hands on experiences and allow children's practical skills to develop naturally.
This makes Ohontsià:ke Ientsítewawe’ Nature School a place children will treasure and remember.
Creativity
Our outdoor "classroom" spaces allow children's minds to:
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Be more curious.
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Find new ideas.
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Their thinking to be more flexible and open.
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Recharge their attention.
Mental Health
For many children, the outdoors provides a much more relaxed, calm and soothing environment.
Being outdoors also helps prevent and reduce anxiety and depression. (Daylight helps stimulate the production of dopamine, which works as a natural anti-depressant.)