The goal of this annual event is to bring together educators to learn, share, connect, and collaborate with one another. These retreats are a great opportunity to network, exchange resources and stories, inspire one another, and have fun through dialogue and activity.

Registration includes all meals, accommodation and learning supplies.

Drawing on her knowledge of research and her decades of work with children in nature, join Ruth as she weaves together advice, real-life examples, and testimonies from educators and families on the healing, nurturing power of nature in the lives of young children with diverse abilities.

Joining us too is Karen Lai, Accessibility and Inclusion Specialist who will share expertise and her lived experience perspective on what it means to truly offer inclusive programming.

Session Dates & Themes:

1. Accessibility and Inclusion in the Outdoors: Monday, October 21 – 7pm Eastern Time / 4pm Pacific Time
2. Welcoming Spaces and Places: Monday, October 28 – 7pm Eastern Time / 4pm Pacific Time
3. Equal Opportunities: Monday, November 4 – 7pm Eastern Time / 4pm Pacific Time
4. Envisioning a More Inclusive Future: Monday November 18 – 7pm Eastern Time / 4pm Pacific Time

Registrants will receive: 

• Access to 4 live 60-minute virtual sessions
• Links to the recordings of all sessions (available for up to 3 months after)
• A Certificate of Completion (4 Learning Hours)
• A 10% discount code to access Outdoor Learning Resources, including the book, Naturally Inclusive: Engaging Children of all Abilities Outdoors.

Your Facilitators: 

Dr. Ruth Wilson works as an educational consultant and curriculum writer with special expertise in the area of early childhood environmental education and other initiatives in connecting young children with nature. Dr. Wilson’s career includes working as a classroom teacher in both regular and special education settings and with Sesame Street in designing nature education programs.

Karen Lai is an Experienced Consultant in Accessibility and Inclusion, particularly focusing on individuals with disabilities. She leads honest and authentic conversations about inclusion by instilling a sense of curiosity, thus shifting the culture of inclusion.

Course Recommended Resource:

Naturally Inclusive: Engaging Children of all Abilities Outdoors by Ruth Wilson, PhD. Upon registration you will receive a 10% discount code towards helping access Outdoor Learning Resources, including this book.

Group / Organization Registration:

We offer 10% off for groups of 10 or more who register together. You can use this discount code at checkout: UTWRQCTY

This course is open to both Métis and willing non-Métis allies who wish to learn to uplift language revitalization. Understanding and honouring Indigenous languages is foundational to connecting with the local Land, and taking steps towards Truth and Reconciliation.

• 6 interactive 90-minute online lessons on Wednesdays at 6pm PT / 7pm MT / 8pm CT / 9pm ET: Oct 23, Oct 30, Nov 6, Nov 20, Nov 27, Dec 4
• All registrants will receive a link to the recordings, a certificate of completion and a $10 coupon to access excellent Indigenous Learning Resources
• $120 Early Bird (until September 30) / $150 Regular and an additional 10% off for groups of 10 or more using this coupon code at checkout: UTWRQCTY  Automatically 50% off for Métis participants – but we also have a FREE registration option for Métis participants if cost is a barrier

Southern Michif is a traditional language of the Métis people. It is also known as Michif, Michif Cree, Heritage Michif, aan Cree, and aañ Crii. Its origins are in the Red River Valley area in Manitoba, Canada and this language is now applicable across the southern parts of Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, Southeast British Columbia, and Southwest Ontario, and the northern parts of North Dakota and Montana.

Participants will have the opportunity to delve into the rich Métis heritage and acquire fundamental Michif language skills. Led by a traditional Michif speaker Marie Schoenthal, this workshop promises an immersive experience that celebrates and preserves our Métis culture. Don’t miss this chance to connect with your roots and embrace the beauty of the Michif language.

If you took this course with us in Spring 2024, this will be an opportunity to build speaking skills through repetition of some prior learning and there will be additional practices and activities too!