Associations
Canadian Association of Nordic Ski Instructors
The Canadian Association of Nordic Ski Instructors (CANSI) is a not-for-profit organization that promotes and advances the sports of cross country skiing and telemark in Canada. It is the national association for the training and certification of cross country and telemark ski instructors in Canada.
Council of Outdoor Educators of Ontario
The Council of Outdoor Educators of Ontario (COEO) is a non-profit, volunteer- based organization that promotes safe, high-quality outdoor education experiences for people of all ages. It also acts as a professional organization for outdoor educators in the province of Ontario.
Hike Ontario
Hike Ontario has developed standards and training programs for trip leaders that are used by community colleges, universities, local hiking clubs, and outdoor training organizations for course delivery.
Lifesaving Society
The Lifesaving Society provides programs, products, and services developed to prevent the occurrence of drowning and water-related injury.
Ontario Recreational Canoe and Kayak Association
The Ontario Recreational Canoeing and Kayaking Association promotes accessibility of paddling experiences for everyone.
Outdoor Council of Canada
The Outdoor Council of Canada (OCC) is a nationally incorporated, non-profit, member-owned organization. The OCC was founded to encourage, promote, and facilitate safety-oriented outdoor education and recreational programs as well as leadership opportunities that are accessible to every Canadian.
Paddle Canada
Paddle Canada sets national standards for instruction and certification for recreational paddle sports including canoe, kayak, and paddle board. Paddle Canada certifications are nationally accredited and internationally recognized.
Red Cross
The Red Cross offers a wide range of courses related to essential first aid and CPR.
Wilderness Medical Associates
Wilderness Medical Associates International (WMAI) is dedicated to the development of remote and practical medicine around the world. They are medical and rescue professionals, researchers, experienced educators, and advocates for health care in wilderness contexts.
Books
Risk Management in Outdoor and Adventure Programs: Scenarios of Accidents, Incidents, and Misadventures
Author: Aram Attarian
Written by Aram Attarian, experienced professor and outdoor adventure professional, Risk Management in Outdoor and Adventure Programs presents a systematic model to determine why an incident occurred and what can be done to prevent this incident from happening again. Over 50 real scenarios represent the various situations that can occur in outdoor adventure programs
Deep Waters: The Lake Timiskaming Canoeing Tragedy
Author: James Raffan
James Raffan provides a deconstruction of the circumstances that brought around the accident in 1978. Raffan slowly unravels the sequence of events that led to the tragedy and, looking back more than two decades later shows us what can be learned from the experience.
Other Resources
Indigenous Land-Based Learning
Indigenous Land-Based Learning (pdf) includes the journey of four writers whose perspectives of Indigenous land based learning grew through a process of self-reflection, an interview with an Indigenous advisor (knowledge holder), and exploration and summary of relevant resources and tips for educators.
Take Me Outside
Take Me Outside is a non-profit organization operating across Canada. The goal of the organization is to encourage children and youth to spend more time outside through various projects and initiatives. Site resources include ready-to-go activities, a database to search for additional resources, and an annual Take Me Outside Learning Challenge.
Suzuki Superhero Challenge and Other Learning Resources
The David Suzuki Foundation website includes free educational guides to support educators to take their students outside and the Suzuki Superhero Challenge. This challenge helps students learn about environmental issues and make a “superhero” difference. It includes fun, free outdoor activities with step by step instructions.
Into Nature: A Guide to Teaching In Nearby Nature
The Back to Nature Network consists of a coalition of organizations and agencies working to connect children and families with nature, envisioning a world where all children have access to nature within walking distance of their homes, and regular opportunities to spend meaningful time in it. This guide supports teachers in using nature as a regular component of teaching. The Into Nature: A Guide to Teaching In Nearby Nature (pdf) includes why and how to use nature as both a teaching environment and a teaching tool; and learning experiences for direct use in teaching outside with nature.
Learning Naturally: Connecting your (Virtual) Classroom to the Outdoors (Peel District School Board)
Learning Naturally: Connecting your (Virtual) Classroom to the Outdoors (webinar recording) is a free webinar for educators to learn about how to connect a virtual classroom to the outdoors.
Gould Lake Outdoor Centre
The Gould Lake Outdoor Centre is a year-round facility where individuals can experience outdoor and experiential education in a positive learning environment facilitated by skilled, knowledgeable, and personable leadership. This site includes resources for teachers to engage students in outdoor education activities that can be done in school or at home.
Earth School (TED- Ed)
Earth School includes links to 30 free Quests for students to celebrate, explore and connect with nature and care for the earth.
Learning for a Sustainable Future
Learning for a Sustainable Future is a non-profit Canadian organization that was created to integrate sustainability education into Canada’s education system. This site includes a collection of activities to support learning through outdoor activities.
Toronto Zoo
The Zoo to You Virtual Experiences resource from the Toronto Zoo includes fun activities, lesson plans and worksheets to support students understanding and making connections to wildlife and wild spaces.
