Table Of Content

E ducation for Wellbeing A Century of Being Prepared by Rob Ridley Those of us lucky enough to work in the children and adults alike, from five-year-old outdoor education field know very well that Beavers to 26-year-old Rovers, to participate in outdoor experiential and environmental programming tailored to their individual education goes beyond the teaching of science needs through membership in small groups. and principles of the physical world. While those outside the field think of these Both these great organizations are trying to connections to the curriculum first and develop the youth of Ontario in four key ways: foremost (and there are indeed some physically, socially, mentally and spiritually. opportunities here), we know that everything we teach can be done so from an The founder of these movements, Robert environmental perspective. Stephenson Smythe Baden-Powell (“that’s Powell as in toll, not Powell as in towel”), No matter the subject — be it math, science, developed them based on previous programs, language, art, health, drama, music, the such as Ernest Thompson Seton’s Woodcraft industrial arts, business, drafting or others — Indians. Seton, a prolific writer and artist, was experiential and environmental connections can raised in the Lindsay and Toronto region, and be made. By its very definition, experiential a huge portion of the natural science and education can provide the perfect conduit for campfire connections in the current programs developing knowledge about such subjects. can be attributed to him. Seton’s “Laws of Woodcraft” were a model for Baden-Powell’s As I have said, we in outdoor experiential and “Scout Promise” and “Scout Law.” environmental education know this already, but do we know what company we keep in the Scout Promise: field? I promise to do my best, To do my duty to God and the Queen In Ontario, we have school boards that run To help other people at all times outdoor education programs, conservation And to carry out the spirit of the Scout Law. authorities, provincial and national parks and many competent private providers as well. But Scout Law: there are more — many more, in fact — that A Scout is helpful and trustworthy are not recognized as the great providers they Kind and cheerful, are of outdoor experiential and environmental Considerate and clean education. Ironically, they are in some cases And wise in the use of all resources. amongst the first outdoor education providers in this province. All Scouting programs are designed to promote these ethics. Men and women of all Take, for instance, the Girl Guides of Canada walks of life and of all cultures are welcome to and Scouts Canada. In Girl Guides young be members. This inclusion goes a long, long women of every creed and colour, of every way to supporting the social development of S Y aspect of life, from urban and rural the youth involved. Tolerance, understanding A W communities, and from young children as and the true meaning of citizenship are key H Sparks to young adults as Pathfinders and components of the programs offered. T A Rangers, learn to be confident and experienced P leaders in our community through experiential Kurt Hahn, founder of Outward Bound and and often outdoor education opportunities. father of many other adventure-based 10 educational opportunities, refers to the Scouts Canada as well, completely co- successes of Seton and Baden-Powell educational for the last decade, allows numerous times. Education for Wellbeing Scouts Canada is celebrating its 100th birthday Who hath smelt wood-smoke at this year, proof that scouting remains twilight? Who hath heard the prevalent today. Not surprisingly, and perhaps birch-log burning? necessarily, scouting has adapted with the Who is quick to read the noises times. There are Rover Crews that meet only of the night? online since their members are all at different Let him follow with the others, universities. There are Venturer Companies for the Young Men’s feet are that have taken on vocational education such turning as emergency medical services or fire fighting. To the camps of proved desire and And there are badge programs that Baden- known delight! Powell never would have thought of, such as computers and space exploration. The social and spiritual learning that occurs around a campfire or under canvas, in my This past summer, I was honoured to be mind, far outweigh any day trip. involved with the management team for program at the Canadian Jamboree north of As an educator, I must admit that seeing the Montreal. Youth — 7,000 of them — from youth demonstrate the development we are every Canadian province and territory, as well looking for is the most rewarding thing of all. as seven other countries, participated in one of To see them giving each other a hand on the the most enjoyable and exhilarating outdoor high ropes, to see them unafraid to sing as education opportunities ever. loud as they can around a fire, to see them not only understanding but living environmental There was no marking of tests and no rubrics . . . awareness at camp, to see them act not only as and yet every single person participating individuals but as a massive group is an walked away from the event with a lifetime of incentive to continue to offer such memories and life skills well beyond the circle programming. of their friends and neighbours who stayed at home this summer. Partway through the week, as I stood outside the program headquarters with another These youth spent over a week outdoors, program team member from the national cooking for themselves, sharing, challenging office, a young Scout came up to us and asked each other, building friendships, learning politely if either of us had lost a $20 bill. He patience and getting more physical activity than had found it close to where we were standing. some youth their own age get all summer long. When neither of us claimed it, he asked what he should do with it. This in itself was Programs were challenging and educational, Scouting at its best, but when we brought him and yet, if you ask any one of the youth to the lost and found and put it in an participating, they would each tell you first envelope with the location it was found and and foremost that they were fun. High ropes, the finder’s name (in case it was not claimed) zip lines into the mountain lake, canoeing, fly it was even more amazing to see that it was fishing, canopy walks, biking and so much put into a pile of other envelopes that had more. The program was active and popular. It found money in them as well. is interesting that towards the end of the Jamboree the activity being sought after the Education in its finest hour . . . and available S most was 1907 Badgeworks — that is, to all. Baden-Powell would be proud. Y A k u traditional Scouting, Scouting from 100 years W y hris G afoguon. dTheriss oisf itnhdee medo av ecmomenptl.iment to the Rob Ridley has been teaching environmental ATH C dit: education for almost 20 years and is currently the P e In his 1897 poem, “The Feet of the Young Field Centres Coordinator for the Peel District cr 11 Art Men,” Rudyard Kipling wrote, School Board. He has been involved at all levels in Scouting for the last 15 years as an adult.