Exploring the Outdoors

Whether in snow or sun, SaskOutdoors has been facilitating outdoor recreation and learning in Saskatchewan for over 50 years. The mission of SaskOutdoors is to connect the people of Saskatchewan to the outdoors and to inspire a sense of curiosity and play within our natural environment.

Each year, SaskOutdoors offers a variety of “Learn To” and “Go Do” events to teach outdoor recreation and to encourage people to be physically active in ways that improve their existing skills. The organization also offers grants for outdoor programs and professional development opportunities.

WINTERFUL ADVENTURES FOR LEARNERS

While you may think of outdoor recreation as a high school ski trip, meaningful outdoor experiences can begin before kindergarten. SaskOutdoors hosted a professional development workshop for those who teach the youngest outdoor enthusiasts in Saskatchewan. This winter, 30 participants from throughout the province gathered in Saskatoon for the Winterful Adventures for Little Learners workshop. Outdoor Educators, Claire Miller and Zoe Arnold of Wildernook Fresh Air Learning, provided guidance and strategies for early childhood educators, daycare workers, and parents who are keen to engage young children in play-based learning in the outdoors...in winter...in Saskatchewan.

“People can be afraid that it won’t go well,” Claire Miller explains about taking children outdoors in winter. While teachers and parents are comfortable with organized indoor activities, many are uncertain how to navigate all the variables inherent in outdoor learning, especially in winter. To address these concerns, Claire and Zoe offered practical advice for establishing predictable routines and behavioural norms for outdoor learning with young children. For example, norms and routines can be built by working together with the children to establish the boundaries of the play area, marking the beginning and ending of the learning session with consistent practices (greet a tree!), and making appropriate use of natural learning materials. As Claire points out, “snow is amazing and makes for the ultimate play material for children! There are so many things that you can do with snow!”

The workshop also provided educators with guidance on how to weigh the risks of playing in a naturalized space with the benefits of playing there (risk-benefit analysis). Unlike an indoor classroom, the natural environment “is always changing so you need to develop a safety checklist that addresses the risks of that site and be willing to adjust your plan accordingly.” The combination of knowing how to complete a risk-benefit analysis and establish norms and routines creates safer and successful winter play and is also the foundation of positive outdoor experiences, regardless of season.

Despite the perceived challenges, Wildernook promotes outdoor winter play as a valuable opportunity for children and educators, “We wanted people to come away from the workshop with confidence! Don’t shy away from winter! In Saskatchewan, we live in a four season place that gives us amazing opportunities for outdoor play. Winter is such a gift!”