Organizations that provide physical activity programs for individuals with disabilities are often required to do evaluations to secure funding, show impact to board members and stakeholders, and understand their ability to grow. However, programs are difficult to evaluate due to their complexity and competing organizational priorities. There are also very few resources to support evaluation...
Early bird registration is now open for the upcoming 4 Seasons of Indigenous Learning, hosted by the Outdoor Learning Store! This initiative encourages and empowers educators to deepen their understanding of Indigenous knowledge and perspectives while strengthening connections with the local land. The Outdoor Learning Store team have confirmed an incredible line-up of Indigenous presenters and learning...
The Canadian Centre for Outdoor Play Collaborative (CHEO Research Institute, Algonquin College, Andrew Fleck Children’s Services, Outdoor Play Canada) is seeking outdoor early childhood education (ECE) leaders to join the newly formed National Panel on Licensing of Outdoor Early Childhood Education (“The National Panel”). This National Panel will advance efforts towards changing ECE licensing regulations across...
Thank you to Dr. Louise de Lannoy, in-coming Executive Director of Outdoor Play Canada, for providing this post. When Outdoor Play Canada started the process of developing the 2021 Outdoor Play in Canada: State of the Sector Report, they envisioned the report consisting of three components: 1) a review of where the outdoor play sector has...
Thank you to Thomas Morgenthaler, PhD student in Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy at University College Cork and Queen Margaret University, for providing this post. If you were to visit your local playground and ask several children what they like about it, you would likely hear a common response repeated over and over again: "It's so...
Outdoor Play Canada is proud to support the Outdoor Learning Store's (free!) Spring Outdoor Learning Virtual Workshops! There is something for every educator at these 60min virtual workshops featuring a diversity of presenters and topics. In addition to ideas & inspiration, you’ll walk away with a certificate of attendance, discounts on outdoor learning resources & entry...
Thank you to Dr. Louise de Lannoy, Research Manager at Outdoor Play Canada, for providing this guest post. The 2015 Position Statement on Active Outdoor Play highlighted the unequivocal benefits of outdoor play for children’s physical, mental, emotional, social and environmental health, well-being and development. The Position Statement invigorated the outdoor play sector, bringing together many...
The Outdoor Learning Store is working in partnership with Reconciliation Education, the First Nations University of Canada, the Orange Shirt Society, the Moose Hide Campaign, and many Outdoor Learning Partners (including Outdoor Play Canada!) to offer a new Indigenous Learning opportunity. The Every Child Matters - 4 Seasons of Reconciliation learning initiative seeks to better acknowledge...
Thank you to Dr. Michelle EE Bauer, Post-Doctoral Fellow, Department of Pediatrics, University of British Columbia, for providing this post. Most children enjoy playing outdoors with their friends and other peers. Children typically play with other peers they feel comfortable and safe around and those who bring the most excitement and joy to them during their...
Thank you for Dr. Richard Larouche, Assistant Professor of Public Health at the University of Lethbridge, and Dr. Ransi Nayakarathna, MSc student in Health Sciences at the University of Lethbridge, for providing this post. As discussed in the Position Statement on Active Outdoor Play (Tremblay et al., 2015), children who spend more time outside are more...
