Gerhard E. Dekker
Regenerative Education Center
Honouring Children's Natural Love of Learning Through Nature and Community Centered Education
Take our Survey
We want to hear from the community as we design and plan a Forest and Nature School in Southeastern MB. Survey is open to potential registrants, educators in the community, and those interested in volunteering, donating or becoming sponsors.
Learn More
Registration Opens Soon
Our first session will begin in spring of 2025. To be notified of registration opening, fill out our survey or sign up for our newsletter by clicking the link below.
Sign up for our Newsletter to learn about upcoming events and get all the latest GEDREC news:
Contact Us
Whether you'd like to participate in our programming, have any questions, or would like to explore volunteer opportunities and share your ideas and skills, we would love to hear from you.
Resources and articles
'Traditional Fire Teachings with Zhaawnong,' 'How Indigenous cultural burning practices could help mitigate future fire risk,' 'The Origin of Fire,' and more...!
Read MoreIn spring of 2023 we invited Audrey Logan to share her incredible knowledge of Indigenous Gardening techniques with us in an online workshop. Here we present a recording of these precious and valuable teachings.
Read Morenews
Art in the Woods with Friends, and a New Adventure in the Works (Friends of the Forest, our upcoming Forest and Nature School!)
Community Connect Meeting, Indigenous Gardening Workshop online with Audrey Logan, 'Seasons on the Prairie' with Laura Reeves at the Tallgrass Prairie Preserve, Homeschooler's Market Table, Drumming with GED-REC, Walks in the Woods with Friends, Anndrea's Book Launch, and Rain Barrel Fundraiser!
Each month we'll walk a new Manitoba trail, play games, sing trail songs, and make friends! This summer's trail walks have been replaced by the series of walks with Laura Reeves; stay tuned for more walks this fall and winter!
About Us
The Gerhard E. Dekker Regenerative Education Center (GED-REC) is a non-profit organization offering nature based programming and holistic learning opportunities for children, and people of all ages, living in South-Eastern Manitoba, Treaty 1 territory, the land of the Métis, Anishnaabe, Nêhiyaw and Očhéthi Šakówiŋ people.
We honour the Forest School pedagogy and multidisciplinary learning through dynamic, nature-based programming, creating inspiring learning environments where people are supported as individuals, as they learn, play and explore the incredible richness of the natural world. We are educators who are passionate about learning, creativity, nature, the vital importance of play, rest, reciprocity, gratitude, and respect.
When we are supported to learn about and engage with the land and nature, we also learn to care for the land. When we are supported to learn about our emotional nature and practie respectful relating, we learn to care for ourselves and others well.
At the core of our values is a deep respect for the natural world and an understanding that we are part of the Earth. Spending time outdoors, learning from Indigenous peoples and teachings, and developing programs which cultivate resilience, wisdom and compassion, and honour and support Indigenous resilience and life on Earth, are integrally important to us.
We honour the Forest School pedagogy and multidisciplinary learning through dynamic, nature-based programming, creating inspiring learning environments where people are supported as individuals, as they learn, play and explore the incredible richness of the natural world. We are educators who are passionate about learning, creativity, nature, the vital importance of play, rest, reciprocity, gratitude, and respect.
When we are supported to learn about and engage with the land and nature, we also learn to care for the land. When we are supported to learn about our emotional nature and practie respectful relating, we learn to care for ourselves and others well.
At the core of our values is a deep respect for the natural world and an understanding that we are part of the Earth. Spending time outdoors, learning from Indigenous peoples and teachings, and developing programs which cultivate resilience, wisdom and compassion, and honour and support Indigenous resilience and life on Earth, are integrally important to us.
Donate
We welcome donations in support of our community programming! Your donations support accessible, nature-focused and meaningful life experiences for kids and adults in our region.
If you would like to become a sponsor of our organization through your business or as an individual donor, please get in touch via gerhardcenter@gmail.com ! We would love to hear from you.
If you would like to become a sponsor of our organization through your business or as an individual donor, please get in touch via gerhardcenter@gmail.com ! We would love to hear from you.
C$ 50
Team
Kathryn Ruth Ayers
Volunteer
Walks in the Woods with Friends
Families on the Farm
Northern Sun Farm Tour
Fire Safety Day!
Our Namesake
Gerhard Dekker
Namesake
Gerhard was the founder of the Northern Sun Farm Ecovillage, an inventor and designer of innovative methods of living in harmony with the Earth, and a supporter and ally of Indigenous peoples of Turtle Island.
