NATURAL MAKERSPACE SUMMER CAMPS By Michelle Thibault, Natural Makerspace Program Specialist
In April 2019, the Brilliant Labs team launched the Natural Makerspace program that allows educators and students to connect with the outside world. Natural creative spaces have no walls and encourage the use of natural materials and phenomena to manipulate, explore, discover and create. At the heart of our new pedagogical and social reality, often virtual, it is more than ever time to make a place for nature. The connection to nature is essential to the physical and mental health of all of us. Richard Louv has well exposed the dangers related to what he calls "nature deficit disorder" in his book "Last Child in the Woods". In addition, we know the benefits of time spent outdoors on students' adaptability, resilience and concentration. From March to June 2020, most children were exposed to screens much more than usual due to confinement and the work-at-home of many parents. It was at this time that the Brilliant Labs team in Northwestern NB took on the challenge of piloting a summer program for children aged 5 to 14 years fully outdoors. The primary objective of these outdoor summer camps was to 60
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respond to the need for socialization and interaction among children in the safest possible environment, nature. Outside, physical distancing was greatly facilitated. The parents' testimonials are unanimous: "The Natural Maker camp has done my child the most good! It has brought some normalcy back into his life", Chantal Couturier, Didier's mother, 10 years old. For eight weeks, about 120 youngsters participated, free of charge, in camps in the Greater Edmundston, St-Joseph and Upper Madawaska regions and close to a hundred others had the chance to attend outdoor workshops in the Grand Falls, Drummond, Plaster Rock and Perth Andover areas. By participating in a week-long camp, the children spent at least 28 hours outdoors, rain or shine, and developed new interests and passions that they brought home with them. "For me, this camp was a success from start to finish for both my 12-year-old and 9-year-old son. Learning while having fun and appreciating what is around us is part of our values. After each day of camp, a very interesting explanation from them with their eyes shining... A camp out of the ordinary to allow our youngsters to live an entirely outdoor experience with enriching workshops", Jinny Pelletier, mother of Anthony, 9 and Olivier 12 years old. Each week, experts from the community generously volunteered their time to pass on their knowledge and passions. Mrs. Amélie, biologist at the Société d'aménagement de la rivière Madawaska, took pleasure in introducing the children to the waterways each week. By catching and analyzing the insects found there, they were able to conclude if
the water was polluted or healthy. They even built beaver dams during the week under the theme "Engineers of Nature". The day spent with the children of the Maliseet First Nation also made a big impression on the young people. Ms. Dyan Richard's drum songs still resonate in the hearts of many children. The teaching of Wolastoqey vocabulary and Mr. Ian Smith's "Great Thinkers Meet Outside" games captivated young and old alike. Grinding buckwheat, sewing, knitting, making shelters or carpets out of plastic bags, recognizing edible plants, participating in a geocache and reading a compass, designing and using knots, making music with nature, creating a playground with recycled materials.... And much more. Outside, the possibilities are endless, much to the delight of children. "I liked digging for the oven and building a girls' house in the forest. I liked treasure hunting and when I remotely controlled the drone... and I actually liked everything. I would like to go back. Everyone was nice. I hope we will see each other again", Louna Haddad Lolot, 7 years old. Étienne Bélanger, Brilliant Labs camp facilitator for the past 3 years, says he loved to build, construct and invent with the elements found in nature with the youth. Although workshops were on the schedule, there are often nice surprises in the natural world. The discovery of clay was a highlight for Étienne. The children built a small kiln and Étienne even perfected his art by building a conventional clay kiln with his father at home in the following weeks. The beauty of building in nature is really that the kids develop a range of skills, including creativity and innovation
