Inspire Nature Forest Camp

We had an amazing week in the forest at Etienne Brule Park near the Humber River.  The environment was such a contrast from the wide open space of the previous week on the shore of Lake Ontario.  We thought that we might continue with land art inspired by Andy Goldsworthy, but we were taken on a new adventure once we discovered the teaming life beneath the logs of the forest.  Although the learning took a different tack, it still progressed naturally from the initial engagement of discovering the forest, to exploring the environment, through investigating forest homes and sharing our discoveries with our families!

Please post a comment to tell us what you notice and what you wonder about our Forest Camp.

Inspire Nature at Humber Bay: Investigation

The learning at our Inspire Nature day camp flowed naturally.  We began with an engaging environment which we gave everyone ample time to explore.  After they explored the materials and the environment they naturally began to investigate by asking questions and experimenting with possible solutions. Being in nature allowed them to experience what worked and what didn't.  Giving them enough time allowed them the space to continue to innovate new solutions.  Who says girls are not natural engineers?!

Inspire Nature at Humber Bay: Exploration

The next phase in learning is exploration.  This is where the learner has time to explore the materials and the environment.  By introducing the children to Andy Goldsworthy's art we invite them to explore the possibilities of creating art with the natural materials we find along the shore of the lake.

If given enough time, human beings will naturally start to do something with the materials around them. Towards the end of this film, when big questions start to emerge, we see the beginning of the next phase of learning which is called investigation which will be the subject of our next movie.

Inspire Nature at Humber Bay

Inspire Nature at Humber Bay

This week Sara and I and a small group of campers launched Inspire Nature's Day Camp at Humber Bay Park.  The intent was to give everyone the opportunity to learn naturally.  This happens best when children (and adults) are first met with an experience that engages their interest.  Next, the learner needs time to explore the context and the environment.  If given the right opportunity and enough time, human beings naturally begin to investigate and apply what they have found engaging and have had time to explore.  In order for the learning to be complete, we as social animals need the opportunity to communicate, so please watch our movies with your children and feel free to post your comments to share what you notice and what you wonder about their learning!

Please follow the link below to the iMovie that we made that documents this learning process during our first day at Humber Bay.  Keep watching this space to see how the children's experience grows naturally through the week following the same process (engagement, exploration, investigation and communication):