Learning On and From the Land
DDSB’s Outdoor Environmental Education (OEE) department operates four facilities for students from Grades 2 to 12 to visit on day trips: Duffins Creek, Durham Forest, Nonquon, and Pheasant Pen. The outdoor education centres hosted many DDSB students and educators for a variety of focused visits during 2023:
Total Number of Students: 8,346
High School Students: 877
Elementary Students: 6,165
Indigenous Education/Students in English: Understanding Contemporary First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Voices: 1,304
Total number of school visits: 389
The centres provide rich and diverse learning environments for students of all abilities, needs, and interests. The OEE team continues to work hard to improve and expand the programs available at our facilities. Some popular options include orienteering, stream/pond study and outdoor skills. Expert instructors help students to safely capture, identify and release aquatic specimens from the ponds, rivers and creeks. Intermediate and senior students love learning to use flint and steel to start fires over which they cook their lunch and roast marshmallows. Senior groups often participate in hikes and wilderness cookouts. The centres also offer opportunities for DDSB staff to enjoy weekly Wellness Walks!
For eight weeks this summer, students experienced fun, learning, and adventure at Durham Forest Summer Day Camp. The camp featured outdoor and experiential learning activities designed to inspire, educate, and reconnect children to the world around them. Daily programs included orienteering, art, outdoor games, learning about local wildlife, as well as free time to discover the nature around them, read a book, or build a shelter.
Strategic Priorities
