Early Years Outdoor Play Conference draws educators from across province

Published by: The Mid North Monitor
Author: Kelly Cunningham
May 25, 2026

Educators participate in simple outdoor games as part of the Early Years Outdoor Play Conference. Learning new strategies, ideas and techniques to improve physical literacy in children. Photo provided by Jessica Lajoie

On May 8 and 9 educators from across the northeast and beyond travelled to Espanola for the 2026 Early Years Outdoor Play Conference, held at the Anishinabe Spiritual Centre. Our Children, Our Future; which operates child care locations across the region as well as providing quality family programming through their EarlyON locations, has partnered with various local sponsors such as Manitoulin-Sudbury District Services Board, to bring this conference to life. 

Jessica Lajoie, the manager of Outdoor Play and Physical Literacy for OCOF LaCloche has been a driving force behind this event and is passionate about bringing outdoor play to children across Canada.  

On Friday, as participants arrived and settled in to their accommodations, there were workshops, networking bingo and a buffet dinner provided. Afterward, dozens of participants gathered in the large hall at the Spiritual Centre to hear Elder Josh Eshkawkogan of Wikwemikong, who opened with a ceremonial prayer and drumming.  

This was followed by Keynote speakers Jessica LaJoie and Natalie Philippe of Public Health Sudbury & Districts. The evening culminated with a fireside social which included s’mores and then a guided star party with Hoi F. Cheu, director of the Doran Planetarium. Participants were treated to a delightful tour of the night skies through the lens of mythology from many cultures across time. 

On Saturday after breakfast and morning yoga sessions, participants were bused from the Anishinabe Spiritual Centre just outside of town to Boogie Mountain and the Black Creek Sno-Shoe Trail where guest presenters held hands-on workshops promoting outdoor learning and play for children between the ages of 0-6. Despite the rainy weather, everyone was prepared to enjoy the outdoors with their rain gear and participants learned to improvise in challenging weather conditions.  

Some of the many workshops included a presentation by local author JL Fizzell entitled ‘From Wonder to Words: Why learning works better WILD.’, Espanola Public Library CEO Laura Luopa with ‘Best Books for Bright Beginnings’. An ‘Introduction to the National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) with Given Cortes, as well as a workshop by Emilie Girouard called ‘Gear up for Adventure: Equipping Adults and Children for safe and Comfortable outdoor Play’. All of these workshops focus on learning out of doors in any weather with children from ages 0 to 6 with an emphasis on improvisation, safety and creativity.  

Executive director France Gauthier in a message to participants, summed up the goals of the organization in creating this conference. 

“Our Children, Our Future/Nos enfants, notre avenir firmly believes in the importance of outdoor play for young children. This belief guided the creation of this conference in it’s first year and continues to guide us today. Outdoor play is essential for children’s creativity, curiosity, and overall learning. Time spent outdoors supports physical wellbeing and encourages a meaningful connection with nature; an especially vital experience in the early years”.  

Anyone wishing to learn more about the conference, or Our Children, Our Future programs and locations is invited to visit ocof.net for more information. 

Manager of Outdoor Play and Physical Literacy Jessica Lajoie RECE/EPEI (back row on right) gets in on the action during a workshop at the Anishinabe Spiritual Centre during the Outdoor Play Conference. Photo provided by Jessica Lajoie

Early Years Outdoor Play Conference participants gathered in the picnic area at Black Creek Sno-Shoe Trail to attend a workshop by Thomas Kozak (far left) called ‘Frozen Games’ showing how simple games can keep children engaged out of doors. Photo by Kelly Cunningham