Dawson Trail Dispatch, written by Norm Gregoire and Kara Peters Parkinson, August 2025
Page 16 https://issuu.com/dispatch222/docs/dawson_trail_dispatch_august_2025
I grew up outdoors. I learned patience while watching frogs, sitting still for what seemed like hours at a time, waiting for insect prey to amble by. I learned respect when I stumbled across a white-tailed deer fawn and gave them the space they needed until their mother came back. I learned what joy was while sitting high up in an aspen tree when a boreal owl flew in to join me. These are not just fond memories but key moments in my life that helped me grow into the person I am today. I realize how lucky I was to grow up in a rural setting, but many youth do not get this opportunity. Luckily there are now programs available to ensure all youth can learn from the frogs, just like I did.
The Shared Legacy Partnership was thrilled to support the Gerhard E. Dekker Regenerative Education Center (GEDREC) this spring to offer a Forest and Nature School! The Nature Conservancy of Canada hosted this incredible initiative at the Weston Family Tall Grass Prairie Interpretive Centre. Once a week, for ten weeks, learners returned to the tall-grass prairie and witnessed the changes from spring to summer on the preserve. There were also noticeable changes in the learners from the first to last week as all attendees found their groove in the outdoors.
So, what exactly is forest school? Forest and Nature School is a research-backed model of education that is rooted in supporting the ways that human beings naturally learn best: outdoors, on uneven terrain, with the land, in social settings, with mentors/facilitators modelling respect and reciprocal relationships with others and with the land, with lots of opportunity for creative thought, exploration, inquiry, learning, and free play.
Forest and Nature School always occurs on the land and with the land, with learners returning repeatedly to the same natural area, developing a nuanced and deep relationship with the inhabitants and constituents of that place. Being outdoors is deeply beneficial to our well-being. It can help children (and people of all ages!) regulate their nervous systems and improve learning outcomes.
Each day at Forest and Nature School is co-created by learners, facilitators, and what is happening on the land. So, a day when the snow is sticky is going to lend itself to sculptures and forts, whereas a day when the pollen is blowing may elicit conversations about pollination. Kids may wonder, where is that coming from? And a whole lesson can emerge from this, or a series of lessons and explorations that unfold over time. Learners may be energetic or restful on a given day, and facilitators are constantly assessing the energy to see what would be best to do at a given time—active games, bushcraft/woodworking, art, restful nature journaling, sit spots, etc.
Forest and Nature School teaches learners how to care for themselves, others, and the land well. Learners are encouraged to take responsibility for their actions, to follow their creative inspirations, and to play in ways that challenge, inspire, and lead to joy and meaningful personal growth.
GEDREC Forest and Nature School is now accepting registration for the next session beginning in September at the Weston Family Tall Grass Prairie Interpretive Centre near Stuartburn and Tetrault Park in La Broquerie. Both home school and public school learners are encouraged to join! For more information, please visit www.gerhardcenter.org.
Adventures with Nature Norm
Learning in the tall-grass prairie is for all ages! Please join me and facilitators from GEDREC Forest and Nature School on August 30th as we enjoy a day of learning on the prairie. For more information, please contact me at info@sharedlegacymb.ca. I hope to see you there!
Photo credit: Mike Dembek