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Welcome to the Etobicoke Outdoor Education Centre

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About Us

  • Operated by the Toronto District School Board
  • Providing 1,2, and 3 night visits to students across the TDSB
  • 6 full time outdoor educators and 2 university student interns. 100+ years of experience in outdoor education!

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Where Are We Located?

Address: 16500 Peel Regional Road (Highway) 50

Palgrave, L7E 3E7

Located In: Albion Hills Conservation Area.

Located on traditional Indigenous lands (Treaty 19). The EOEC recognizes the enduring and thriving presence of all Indigenous peoples.

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What is Outdoor Education?

Outdoor Education is Experiential Learning

in nature. It is “a process through which a learner constructs knowledge, skill, and value from direct experience” Association for Experiential Education (1991)

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Benefits of OE and Exposure to Nature

  • “Spending time in nature is linked to both cognitive benefits and improvements in mood, mental health and emotional well-being.”
  • Weir, K. (2020). Nurtured by Nature. Monitor on Psychology.

  • “…participants report(ed) significantly greater happiness and energy levels, as well as decreased anxiety”.
  • Capaldi, C et al. (2015). Flourishing in Nature. International Journal of Wellbeing.

  • “...regular and positive interactions with nature can foster a respect and ethic of care for the environment.”
  • Phenice, L., & Griffore, R. (2003). Young children and the natural world. Contemporary Issues in Early Childhood.

  • “Whether the outcome is increased academic achievement/performance, or enhanced cognitive function to improve focus and attentiveness during lessons, nature exposure seems to play a positive role.”
  • Gilliland, J et al (2018). Children and Nature: A Systematic Review. The Lawson Foundation

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Our Centre

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The Building

Wetland

Classroom

Forest

Classroom

Offices

Mudroom

Instruction Room

Common Room

East Dorm

West Dorm

Front Door

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The Dorm Areas

Each of our two dorm wings has eight student rooms and one teacher room

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The Dorm Areas

Each student room has four beds, a closet, and a set of drawers

Students bring their own bedding (e.g. sleeping bag) and pillow.

We have some to borrow if you do not have access

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Bathrooms

There is one large bathroom in each dorm consisting of four toilet stalls, four private showers, and six individual sinks

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The Common Room

The common room is a shared space for students to enjoy some free time before or after programs. Feel free to relax on the couch, play a game of chess (or other board games provided), or explore the interactive demonstrations we have.

Common room space with 180 degree views of our site.

Pay a visit to our turtle, Houdini or our river system aquarium

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The Common Room

Curl up with your favourite book or borrow one of ours

The common room is also used as a place to gather for group instruction

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Meals at the EOEC

The Toronto and Region Conservation Authority TRCA provides our centre with breakfast, lunch and dinner.

With adequate notice, the kitchen can provide meals to suit many special requests to honour religious, medical and health requirements.

Please ensure that you fill in the medical and food information form accurately so that we may be able to best accommodate your child’s needs.

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The Dining Hall

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What To Bring

You will need to pack:

Toiletries: soap, shampoo, toothbrush and toothpaste, a face cloth, and a towel

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What To Bring

You will need to pack:

Bedding: a pillow with a pillow case, sheets and a blanket or a sleeping bag

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What To Bring

You will need to pack:

Prescription Medication

In the original bottle, with your child’s name and the dosing instructions on it

Requires written permission indicating dosing instructions and for what purpose, or a phone call home

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What To Bring

You will need to pack:

Litterless lunch Indoor Shoes

Students will eat their own lunch shortly after arriving. All other meals are provided.

Indoor shoes must be worn in the dining hall for health and safety. Sandals with socks okay. Not to be worn outside.

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Packing lists/guide can be found on our website

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Spring/Fall Gear

Rubber Boots

Rain Coats and Pants

We have lots of rain and snow gear to lend if necessary

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Winter Gear

winter jacket

snow pants

winter boots

Waterproof mittens/gloves

hat/toque

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What Not To Bring

As a TDSB school, we are device free. Please do not bring the following items:

-Cell phones

-Laptops

-Tablets

-Smart Watches

Digital cameras and small amounts of money are okay

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A Day in the Life of an EOEC Student

1:00 - Afternoon Program

4:00 - Rec. time

5:00 - Dinner

5:45 - Rec. time

6:30 - Evening Program

8:00 - Snack

8:30 - Rec. time

Evening routines decided by visiting teachers.

Here is what a typical day looks like as a student at the Etobicoke Outdoor Education Centre.

6:45 - Wake up

7:30 - Breakfast

8:15 - Rec. time

9:00 - Morning Program

11:30 - Lunch

12:15 - Rec. time

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What About The Curriculum?

All of our programs have been carefully designed to ensure that we are covering the curriculum that your child is learning in the classroom

Prior to each trip, your child’s teacher is given the opportunity to discuss their program choices with an EOEC staff member to design the program around what they are already doing in the classroom or plan to do in the near future.

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Programs may include:

Archery & Lacrosse

Art in the wild

Biodiversity Hike

Compass Orienteering

Cross Country Skiing

GPS

Learning Skills Development & Teambuilding

Maple Syrup

Fat Tire Biking

Nature Journaling

Nature Photography

Score Orienteering

Sharing the Dish

Stream Study

Wilderness Survival Skills

Trappers & Traders

What’s the Cost?

Instincts for Survival

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Evening Programs:

Campfire

Sunset/Night Hike

Recreational Games

First Nations, Metis and Inuit Games

Find Frank

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Learning to ride and hitting the trails during our Fat Tire Biking program

Suitable for all, from non-rider to experienced

Rest stop overlooking the park after a great workout

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Exploring local wildlife during the Biodiversity Hike program

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Studying the local ecosystems during our Nature journaling program

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Building a fire and cooking during the Survival and Wilderness Skills program

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Challenging ourselves during our Learning Skills program on the low ropes course

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Bullseye! During our Archery and Lacrosse programs

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Learning Skills program with team building challenges

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Searching the trails during the

Trappers and Traders program

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Navigating during the GPS program

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Want More Information?

We want students to feel as welcome and comfortable as possible. If you are concerned about anything regarding a stay, please do not hesitate to reach out.

Please visit our https://schoolweb.tdsb.on.ca/eoec

Or call us at: 416-394-2148