Photo courtesy of Cheryl’s Child Care Blog

The following MNACC meeting will be on May 16^th (OnDesign).  This meeting will be hosted by Paulette Monita (MELCC) and will be a presentation based on what she all experienced at the World Forum’s Nature Action Collaborative  “OnDesign for Children” forum that she attended in California last summer. In attendance at this forum were 130 delegates from 16 countries of the world.  This will be a great opportunity to learn from others and to compare what we learn with our own experiences.  If planning on coming  we would appreciate a RSVP to Ron Blatz at  rblatz@discoverycc.com.  This meeting will also be held at Discovery Centre – 367 Hampton Street – Winnipeg, Canada

Child holding dragonfly

If you would like to learn more about the TWO weeks outdoors Challenge join M.N.A.C.C. (Manitoba Nature Action Collaborative for Children) on  April 17, 2013 (7:00 pm) at Discovery Children’s Centre. If Two weeks sounds too scary- don’t worry you can start small and keep growing! RSVP to rblatz@discoverycc.com if you are planning on attending.

T.W.O. was initiated by Doris Storey of Winnipeg in 2011.  The idea was quickly picked up by about 4 other centre in the Winnipeg Region that same year.

Last year after the T.W.O. challenge spread to other parts of our country.  We heard from 17 programs from Sault St. Marie, Ontario to Vancouver Island, B.C. that they too had risen to the challenge and ventured outside for extended periods of time

Some programs have started with a two day version of the challenge and others have extended their time to 3 weeks.  We are open to whatever you think you can do, just join in the fun and adventure.  Some spent a half day outside (like our Infant Program), some came in for nap and others slept outside.  It was wonderful to see the variety and the adaptations you made to accommodate your individual uniqueness’s.

To make it easier for first timers we have planned a meeting on April 17, 2013 (7:00 pm) at Discovery Children’s Centre to share the successes and pitfalls that have been experienced by those who have already done this.  We are planning to have representatives from Infant, Preschool, and School-age programs, administrators, and we are presently looking for some Nursery School and Kindergarten teachers that participated that would be willing to sit on the panel for that evening.  Give me a call if you can help out with this.  I have yet to talk to an ECE or teacher who has been disappointed that they took on the challenge.  I’ve heard nothing but excitement, adventure, and a desire to continue on with these special events from the folk who have taken the brave step in accepting the challenge.

So, please help spread the word and invite your colleagues to this informative evening of short presentations followed by long discussion times with all attendees.  RSVP to rblatz@discoverycc.com if you are planning on attending.

*Editor’s Note

What I remember most about last years meeting about the TWO weeks outdoor challenge is ECE’s sharing how they had prepared many activities and supplies in preparation for two weeks, but in the end hardly used any of them. Instead the children structured their own learning. I also remember feeling excited to hear ECE’s talk about how amazing it was to not have a bunch of transitions in their day. If the children wanted to spend two hours making a fort (read:den for our european friends) then they could instead of being interupted by the clean-up song (don’t get me started on the clean-up song…) when they were just getting rolling.

Also- Manitoba Nature Summit would love it if you’d share your TWO Challenge photos and stories with us. Track us down on FB (Manitoba NatureSummit) or email mnaccnaturesummit@gmail.com.

Are you looking for a group of like minded educators to trudge around in the snow with? Have you been missing quality campfire time at Camp Manitou? Did you have the best time ever at the Nature Summit and can’t wait until next time? Are you still kicking yourself because you fell asleep and missed the night hike?  (maybe that’s just me)Well here’s your chance to get a dose of Summit goodness….

Join us at Camp Manitou
Tuesday, March 12 from 6:30 to 9:00
bring your snowshoes, skis or just wear warm boots
AGM, night hike, hot chocolate (&bannock?!?) around the fire
$5 per person- includes cost of venue and a lifetime MNS membership

We will be starting with our Annual General Meeting and finishing off with frolicking in the snow. Use the Manitoba NatureSummit Facebook page as a ride board if you need a lift…

See you soon!

We’ll be informing you about the location and a precise time as soon as we’ve got the details worked out.

Our plan- so far is to keep the meeting concise so we can follow up with some fun outdoor activities, because folks, that is how we roll…

Just thought i’d update you on the plans for MNACC this year. In case you don’t know MNACC is the Manitoba Nature Action Collaborative for Children. It is a Winnipeg based networking group inspired by the likes of the World Forum Foundation’s- Nature Action Collaborative for Children and the Children and Nature Network. If you’d like to learn more about nature education, nature playgrounds, land based learning, landscape architecture, risky or big body play- then you should come to one of these gatherings!

February 2013 – Ruth Lindsey-Armstrong is working on a hands on / first hand outdoor adventure for us.  Some of you will remember a similar evening that was planned a few years ago.  Here is your chance to discover for yourself what fun winter can be for adults and children alike.

·         April 2013 – Just back from an international “Design Conference” sponsored by the World Forum Foundation, we have asked Paulette Monita to take this meeting and share the many interesting things she learned while in California this past June.

·         June 2013 – we are hoping to bring back an idea that never took flight last time we planned it.  The idea is to have 4-8 walking tours in different parts of the city.  Each tour would take ECE staff on a hike highlighting some of the great natural environments that others have discovered in the community, and which in many cases have been under-utilized by us as ECE’s.  We might just end the evening by gathering at the Forks around a camp fire to share our experiences.  If you would be interested in leading one of these hikes, please let us know.  rblatz@discoverycc.com

Hope to see you there!

If you don’t drive you have a few options. One is posting on the Facebook event page on the Manitoba NatureSummit facebook page what time you need a ride and how to get a hold of you and wait for someone to get in touch with you. This is what happened at the last Nature Summit and a number of people were successful at catching rides. We even have some existing friendships that happened as a result of this sharing!

If you are a serious bike rider you could also post on the event page and arrange to ride out with a group of people.

If that doesn’t suit you Winnipeg Public Transit has a trip planner that will help you to get as far down Portage as you can. The last stops on Portage are 20441, 20247,20405, and 20246. The cross streets are Buchanan, St.Charles, and Stewart. You’ll need to plug your home address into the trip planner and it will advise you the best route to take. If you arrange to arrive around 8:00 (so you will have time to register before the keynote) then you could either cab it the rest of the way (it will likely be less than $12 so if you shared a cab it would be even cheaper.) or if you know what time you will arrive you can ask on the FB page for someone to come pick you up from the Camp Manitou. My google map tells me that it is a 45 minute walk from the last bus stop to Camp Manitou- so you probably won’t want to do that.

IF you are having troubles please message us on FB or email us at mnaccnaturesummit@gmail.com and we’ll be happy to assist you!

Enjoying the Scott Tones show

When packing your gear, keep in mind that the accommodations at Camp Manitou are sparse (bunks) and dorms are shared with other Summit participants.
The following list details the essential items to bring with you. You can use this as a checklist for packing:

• Sleeping bag and pillow.
• A warm coat – essential to ward off chilly nights or a windy day. Also bring a heavy sweater or a fleece jacket.
• Rain gear – a raincoat and rain pants, and if possible rain boots and a hat.
• Shirts and jeans or other comfortable clothes for outdoor activities.
• Pyjamas
• Hiking boots or running shoes – essential for outdoor activities. The trails may be wet and slippery, so bring shoes/boots that can be worn for outdoors only. Bring several pairs of socks in case yours get wet.
• Indoor shoes – for alternative activities you may want to bring indoor shoes.
• Toiletries – towel, facecloth, biodegradable shampoo/soap, toothbrush, toothpaste. Since shower space is limited, participants will be encouraged to wait to shower until they return home, however this is a choice and will not be enforced.
• Flashlight – make sure you have fresh batteries!
• Hat – essential for hot days and perhaps to keep your head dry.
• Gloves and neck warmer – we all know that September weather can be tenuous. Be prepared and pack some warm stuff.
• Sunscreen and mosquito repellent – last year the mosquitoes reared their ugly heads in September. Don’t forget this or you’ll be slapping!
• Your camera – feel free to take pictures all weekend!
• Yoga Mat or a towel
• Lawn Chair
• Sweets/Soda Pop/Snacks- there isn’t a canteen at the Camp Manitou so although your meals will be provided there won’t be any other snacks or treats on site unless you pack it with you!
• Spending money. In case you’d like to buy a Nature Summit shirt, or something from one of the presenters or resource fair tables.

Accommodations are bunk style. Depending on your registration request you will either bunk with your chosen roommates or you will be assigned to a room. We will do our best to ensure that all choices are honored. As a reminder, please be a gracious roommate. Loud or boisterous activity will not be permitted (unless everyone agrees).

A Resource Fair is planned for Friday, September 14th from 8:00 – 11:00 am in the John Bock Centre located at Camp Manitou. Summit registrants will be touring the Resource Fair as they begin their Nature Summit journey! Resource Fair participants are invited to show their wares or share information about a nature-based organization. You are also welcome to share a display about your development of a nature playground or your nature-based curriculum. The audience will mostly be made up of Early Childhood Educators, teachers and outdoor enthusiasts! So if you are doing work that engages children with nature you should be networking at the Nature Summit.

For more information on the Manitoba Nature Summit Resource Fair or to register for the Summit, please contact Barbro Dick, at barbro@plannersplus.ca or go to the registration page at www.naturesummitmb.ca

2.) To re-discover wonder.

3.) Because when else can you attend a conference and not wear dress pants?

4.) You want a world that values play and children who appreciate nature.

5.) There will be cool swag.

6.) Because Severn Suzuki is the hippest environmentalist you are likely to meet this year.

7.) The folks at Diversity Foods make delicious, sustainable eats.

8.) You missed out on summer camp as a child.

9.) So you can be inspired to be a better educator.

10.) You realize that Marc Battle and Kim Hanna’s singing workshop can only be improved by the addition of a campfire.

11.) You’d like to get 24 hours of Professional Development for the low, low price of $250 including meals and accomodations.

12.) You’ve always wanted to learn about animal behaviour from someone called Dr.Hoo.

13.) You’ve tried gardening with children but all you got was a patch of weeds and angry neighbours

14.) What the heck is geocaching anyway?

15.) You’d like to take children outside more but their parents will complain about them getting dirty and you are worried that someone will get hurt.

16.) You think the idea of Nature Kindergartens is cool but you wonder where they use the bathroom.

17.) You’d like to learn how to address a variety of learning areas in your outdoor classroom.

18.) You like to jump in puddles

19.) You missed the last Nature Summit and you still regret it.
and last but not least…

20.) To see Kristi’s pajamas