Gerhard E. Dekker Regenerative Education Center
Nature programming for all ages in Southeastern Manitoba
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We are grateful to this land for holding us here. We remember we are on Treaty 1 and Treaty 3 Territory, the Ancestral Land of the Ininew, Anishinaabe, Dene and Očhéthi Šakówiŋ, and National Homeland of the Red River Metis. We are committed to listening to, learning from, and meaningfully supporting Indigenous people in our programming, policies, and actions.
We'll keep you up-to-date on new and upcoming programs throughout the southeast!
Currently registered families will receive a link to register on June 17th.
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What is Forest School?
Forest and Nature School always takes place outdoors, in the same natural area, allowing kids to build a deep relationship with that place and its inhabitants. It is child led and emergent, and features lots of time for unstructured free play, which has been shown to have great outcomes for learning and holistic well being. This is a research-backed model of education rooted in supporting the ways children naturally thrive, learn and grow. Kids engage in inquiry, exploration, creativity, active movement, and project based learning outdoors, on and with the land all day. Forest School leaders support individuals in exploring their unique interests, share skills such as woodworking, fire building, shelter building, and nature based crafts and games, and model respect and reciprocal relationship with others and with the land.
Learn More
Research on the Benefits of Forest and Nature School
There is a growing body of research showing what many of us already know intuitively: being outdoors and learning in a context of free play, intrinsic motivation and respectful relating has amazing benefits to learning, health and holistic well being.
Learn MoreFeedback from Forest School Parents and Students
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.
Our programs are made possible thanks to the generous support of the Manitoba government's From the Ground Up funding.
