Taking students outside is an opportunity to bring learning to life, and outdoor areas can play a key role in expanding the educational space available at your school.

Outdoor education is a methodology and provides a full spectrum, cross curricular experience, and the Essex Region Conservation Authority has collaborated to help create outdoor classrooms and naturalized spaces on school grounds for over 15 years. Our Outdoor Education team offers professional development courses for educators who wish to expand their knowledge of teaching in urban and rural outdoor settings.

Customized to your outdoor learning space, our Outdoor Education Team will provide best practices for teaching across the curriculum – math, science, literacy, DPA and much more in your outdoor setting. Outdoor education has proven physical and mental health benefits, and has been proven to reduce symptoms associated with ADHD. Learn more about our Professional Development for Educators in an Outdoor Classroom. 

In addition, we can also conduct a variety of outdoor education programs connected to the Ontario curriculum’s learning objectives at your school. Contact us to learn more about Outdoor Education at your school.

Contact ERCA’s Education Team at: education@erca.org or 519-738-2029.

Outdoor Education Training

Bioneering a New Normal: The Art of Embracing Your Outdoor Classroom & Schoolyard as a Teaching Space

Book a session: contact ERCA’s Education Team at: education@erca.org or 519-738-2029.

Outdoor areas can play a key role in expanding the educational space available at your school. With decades of experience in teaching children outdoors, our Outdoor Education team offer professional development courses for educators who wish to expand their knowledge of teaching in urban and rural outdoor settings.

• Courses available for K-8 Teachers
• Cross-curricular lesson examples and inspiration
• On-the-Ground training session in your outdoor classroom and/or schoolyard
• Flexible Booking Times – Course times: 60 minutes (flexible)
• A professional development opportunity that comes to you, customized to your space
• Extensions and Activities for: New Canadians, Enrichment Programs & Special Needs
• Conquer Your Fears: How to accommodate for weather, insects, and the unpredictable.

Learning about the world around us starts right outside the school door! Cross-curricular lessons can be as simple as: tapping your own trees to make maple syrup, removing invasive species, schoolyard clean-ups, natural world data collection, and creating an outdoor orchestra or art gallery. Lesson plans, outdoor logistics, resources, and tips for integrating open air learning with the classroom program will be explored. This presentation is for educators who want hands-on outdoor program ideas, and suggestions for making outdoor learning more accessible. Click here for a printable document with this information.

Course Fee: $200 per session plus $0.40/km mileage

Bonus! For inspiration, take the opportunity to see our Outdoor Educators in action – book an outdoor education program for your students on the same date as your teacher training for a discounted rate of $150! Contact us for more information.