12 May 2025
Author: Kelly Cunningham
May 8, 2025
Our Children Our Future (OCOF) hosted their Early Years Outdoor Play Conference over two days beginning Friday April 25 and ending the 26. This event for professionals specializing in childhood education attracted more than 100 people from across the North Shore and beyond. Registered guests participated in more than a dozen different workshops, featuring hands-on activities across various locations in Espanola. Boogie Mountain, Black Creek Sno-Shoe Trail and the Anishinabe Spiritual Centre played host to bus loads of participants eager to learn and hone their educational skills in an outdoor setting.
Despite the inclement weather Saturday, April 26, everyone was well dressed for the occasion in rain gear and ready to learn and explore techniques incorporating outdoor play. At Black Creek, speaker Sarah Earley led a group of 20 educators in `Exploring Nature-based Art with Young Children'. Inspired in part by artist Nick Neddos' book, `The Organic Artist for Kids' there were all sorts of creative and unique ideas to utilize natural materials. Stations were set up with components ready, pigments were made with berries, charcoal, or soil; and brushes were made using sticks, feathers, and leaves. Attendees experienced the kind of handson learning that can foster a deep connection with the environment for children in their care, and expanded their ability to provide nature-based programming in their own workplace.
Other events over the weekend included Exploring Literacy through Nature with Laura Luopa, CEO of the Espanola Public Library, which coordinates the TD Summer Reading Club StoryWalk. Introduction to the National Archery in Schools program with certified instructor Given Cortes. Noojmowin Teg Health Centre and the Espanola Recreation Department are collaborating to offer this after school program to all students in grades 4 to 12. Nicole McMurray presented her workshop
on Simple Developmental Programming for Children in Nature, having run the weekly Black Creek Sno-Shoe Trail Nature walk for OCOF, she has experience in the simple yet profound ways children connect with and interact in outdoor settings.
Keynote speaker and OCOF employee Jessica LaJoie who has run the weekly outdoor playgroup at Boogie Mountain for several years, stresses the importance of getting children outside to play.
“Children need to play outdoors and research shows that it is more important than ever to teach them how to engage in nature to build life-long skills that will benefit their health, development and well-being. As educators we play a crucial role in supporting their outdoor education,” says LaJoie. “Through the offering of workshops, the Early Years Outdoor Play Conference will inspire educators from all sectors to begin or expand their journey in outdoor education” she continues.
With the resounding success of this year's conference, plans are already underway for next year.
“We are grateful to our many sponsors, we're excited for next year's conference,” says LaJoie.
With the generous sponsorship of local businesses and organizations, such as Tanner's YIG, Farquhar's Dairy, Trailside Sports, Manitoulin-Sudbury District Services Board and the support and generosity of the Anishinabe Spiritual Centre, Our Children Our Future is paving the way for the next generation to learn a love of and appreciation for the great outdoors.