The Council of Outdoor Educators of Ontario is very excited to bring Canada's northern adventurer, Adam Shoalts, back to Owen Sound. Adam has just returned from a 4,000 km solo and unsupported trek, by foot and canoe, across northern Canada as part of Canada's 150 celebrations. Adam will bring stories and photos to share with us his most recent adventure, including encounters with local wildlife, and what is like to explore uncharted territory all alone.
Also featured are Farm to Table Hors D'oeuvres, prepared by local former restauranteur, Andrew Vereecke. The menu includes sweet potato fries, grilled vegetable vol aux vent with a balsamic fig reduction, whitefish hors d'oeuvres, cheeses, grilled apple in bannock and glazed with local maple syrup and topped with locally made ice cream.
To round out the evening, there will be music, and a trading blanket activity. The trading blanket involves every participant bringing one item they are willing to present for trade. Everyone goes home with something they didn't expect, and having met some new people. The trading blanket is a wonderful community building experience.
All proceeds will support COEO's Bursary Fund.
"Bridges" Event
Presented by the Council of Outdoor Educators of Ontario, the Owen Sound Field Naturalists, and Caframo
Event Date: Saturday, November 4, 2017
Time: 6 pm – 10 pm
Location: Harrison Park Community Hall (Little Stone Building)
Harrison Park, Owen Sound
Ticket Sales: Reserve your spot by contacting Deborah Diebel at 519-379-0864 or at [email protected] Tickets are available until November 1st, and are $60 each.
The Council of Outdoor Educators of Ontario is a 45 year old non-profit, volunteer-based organization representing professionals in the field of outdoor and environmental education across Ontario. COEO acts as a professional body for outdoor educators, including teachers and teacher candidates, wilderness trip guides, summer camp staff, Conservation Authority and Ontario Parks educators, university professors and students, forest kindergarten practitioners, and more. COEO promotes safe and high quality outdoor and environmental education experiences for people of all ages. COEO publishes a quarterly journal called, Pathways: The Ontario Journal of Outdoor Education. COEO also publishes an electronic newsletter, hosts two annual conferences, and regional workshops, maintains a website, and reaches out to kindred organizations and government agencies. Numerous Bluewater DSB teachers belong to, or have belonged to COEO and sit on the Board of Directors.
In 2016, COEO established a bursary fund. The purpose of the bursary fund is to support student bursaries for COEO's two annual conferences; underwriting a large portion of the cost of COEO's Outdoor Wilderness Leadership Symposium; an annual contribution to the Horwood Outdoor Education Student Conference held at Queen's University; support for First Nations Metis and/or Inuit elders to be present at, and contribute to COEO gatherings; and reaching out to other underserved populations to increase the diversity of COEO's membership. All of these initiatives ultimately support COEO's ultimate goal of getting more people outside and connecting with nature. COEO members receive the highest quality training, and its membership is growing to be more reflective of the diversity within our student population in Ontario.
The name for the event, "Bridges", is to represent the building of bridges in many regards that this Bursary fund will allow for COEO.
COEO's goal is to raise $20,000 to seed their bursary fund. To date, COEO has raised $5,000 through donations, silent auctions, raffles, and the sale of COEO gear (t-shirts, etc).
This summer, Caframo committed to a generous donation of $500 towards this event, and the Owen Sound Field Naturalists have also made in-kind donations of promotions, lodging for Adam, and support for local musician, John Dickson, to play at the event. COEO thanks Caframo and the OSFN for their generous contributions.
source: media release, Council of Outdoor Educators of Ontario
