2022 Manitoba Nature Summit

We will begin our workshop by discussing how we, as children may have connected to nature either by immersing ourselves in the sensory aspect of it, collecting treasures, foraging, mapping or land marking our special places. Next, we will have the participants choose a bag, a jar, a notebook, or use their phone and take a walk through the forest to understand and share their experience of what brought them wonderment and joy. We will then gather around a table where hands-on examples will be provided from our learning journey at our childcare centre. Included will be playdough mixed with a variety of natural sensory items, recipes, pestle and mortar examples, treasure box ideas, mini treehouses, clay, silk dyeing from harvested foliage, handmade looms.
Participants will be able to create their own item with the materials provided to take back to their classrooms or childcare centres.

This workshop will provide educators with information, skills and tools on how to create outdoor learning opportunities for students anywhere on the planet, but most practically in their own home ranges or urban or rural ecosystems. Topics covered include adaptations of plants and animals to the changing seasons, especially the transition from Summer to Fall to Winter.
Opportunities to engage students in ways that make meaningful contributions to the conservation of biological diversity at local, national and international levels can be empowering, helping them deal with climate and environmental related despair arising from exposure to media reports on the real challenges facing our planet.
Participants will explore the grounds where the Summit is held and learn about ways in which students of different ages can learn about and appreciate wild species through art and science. They will be provided with information in advance of the workshop about a Manitoba-specific smartphone app called Go Wild Manitoba and its more generic parent app called iNaturalist. These apps facilitate learning and the identification of species through immediate feedback and longer-term validation by taxonomic experts, enabling students and naturalists to participate in Citizen Science in a non-intimidating manner. A demonstration of how to use these apps will support their use that day and beyond the Summit. Participants who are able will need to download them before hand, whereas those that cannot will be able to observe them in use.
https://www.inaturalist.org/ or Go Wild Manitoba app https://residents.gov.mb.ca/apps/go_wild.html

“It is more important than ever that we offer children daily outdoor play to support healthy, meaningful sensory
experiences” – Angela J. Hanscom

Children benefit from rich sensory experiences and nature has so much to offer! Sensory experiences stimulate all the senses and in turn activates brain growth, supports language and encourages movement. In this workshop, we will explore the benefits of messy play, how to offer outdoor sensory rich experiences, and ways to overcome barriers. Participants will also have an opportunity to explore and learn through messy play!

This workshop moves art activities outdoors. Commonly used carpentry tools are introduced to children using process art ideas. Hammers, nails, drills and power drills and drivers saws. Creating our own brushes and mark makers from natural materials. Power drill art. Mallet printing from flowers and leaves. How to make natural ink and dyes. 
This workshop will discuss the risk benefits of tool use. How to build confidence in tool use from toddlers up.

Working with Tools is a type of Risky Play which was a central part of Forest & Nature Schools. In this workshop, you'll get tips, strategies and methods for how to work with hand powered tools and young children outdoors.
During this interactive workshop you'll get to try hands-on skills that will help you in the process of creating tool work experiences for young children that are safe, educational and fun!

The workshop will consist of outdoor games and activities that you can lead with groups of all ages.
These games and activities will be a combination of Canadian Wildlife Federation adapted Project WILD, games with a variety of different props and tools and will include team building, conservation and nature. Some will be active, some reflective and others full of curriculum topics which can be utilized in an educational setting.