Please note that access to schools may be limited during the pandemic
We have daily requests from people locally and around the world who want to visit our community. As a result we have to limit the number of visitors in order to maintain the natural flow of learning and avoid becoming a zoo. We also don’t want people to visit during odd times, like when we are swimming. To meet the needs of the learning community we only host a few visitors each fall and spring and we have specific requirements for visitors.
1) We ask that you watch:
- “Found in the Forest” documentary http://www.foundintheforest.com/
- Environmental Education High School Video “Learning Through Experience” https://vimeo.com/198938514
- Craig Cerhit’s TEDx Talk https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=zMOQiBkFZeo
- Podcasts http://www.foundintheforest.com/podcast/
These videos and podcast answer many of the basic questions people have and allows visitor to participate with purposeful questions that are beyond, “How do you do Math and write in the rain?.” They develop the mindfulness needed to have a deeper understanding of what we are striving toward. Questions that evolve can then be directed toward the correct individuals.
2) We need a lot of lead time to book visitors so that we get the timing right and we aren’t putting a lot of visits together in a tight time frame.
3 ) Visitors must commit two days for the visit: one to participate and one to reciprocate. Early on, our community(our students especially) became frustrated when observers came without active engagement. It felt a bit like we were a zoo and were answering the same basic questions and doing the same performance over and over again. Participation and learning through experience are features needed to shift learning cultures. We hope visitors will begin to understand the interconnected pedagogical practices and participate within our principles and values, especially as it weaves with place consciousness. We also want them to share an activity or lessons with us so we can learn also.
4) Researchers and authors who visit must commit to sharing their writing before publication, adjust writing to ensure confidentiality when asked to do so, and correct information that we deem needing to be more accurate.
I know we require a lot, but we find that many people have their questions answered through watching the videos and don’t need to visit then. Others are inspired and want to visit and go deeper. It’s those people who we are excited to host.
If you would like to request a visit with us please email environmentalschool(at)sd42.ca