Trillium Lakelands District School Board (TLDSB) has received approval from the Ministry of Education to build a large-scale Kindergarten to Grade 12 Outdoor Education and Indigenous Centre.
This initiative is in alignment with the TLDSB 2022-2027 Strategic Plan goals of supporting meaningful learning and success for all, and creating learning environments and experiences that foster equity, inclusion, and belonging.
“By utilizing the area’s natural environment as an enriching learning space, TLDSB is looking forward to providing a new location for learning opportunities and will be seeking support from local Indigenous Knowledge Keepers and Elders,” stated TLDSB director of education, Wes Hahn.
The 90+ acre property, located centrally within the school board in Minden, Ontario, will be home to a 3,000 square-foot facility, which will provide a day program with hands-on, curriculum-linked learning for students from Kindergarten to Grade 12. The facility is scheduled to open to TLDSB students and staff starting spring 2027.
The program’s goals include:
- Providing meaningful access to local green spaces and natural environments.
- Promoting environmental stewardship.
- Establishing a unique opportunity to link curriculum expectations in all grades.
- Supporting equitable opportunities and inclusion for all students.
- Encouraging mental and physical health benefits that stem from being in nature.
- Developing skills and strategies related to social-emotional learning and stress reduction.
We look forward to engaging students in land-based learning rooted in Indigenous ways of knowing and being, and using the land as a teacher to provide holistic, experiential education. This work is a direct response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action, and aligns with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
“The Outdoor Education and Indigenous Centre in Minden is a meaningful investment in our students and our community,” said Laurie Scott, Member of Provincial Parliament of Ontario representing Haliburton–Kawartha Lakes–Brock. “This new centre will give students the opportunity to connect with nature, learn beyond the classroom, and develop exciting hands-on skills that will benefit them for years to come. This new centre is a strong investment into the future of Minden and those who call it home.”
“On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I am confident that an Outdoor Education and Indigenous Centre will provide significant physical, social, and emotional benefit to students across TLDSB,” stated Chair of the Board, Colleen Wilcox. “This space will offer a unique opportunity to enhance the achievement of curricular expectations for all students.”
Students will have access to a wide range of activities, including:
- Leadership and teambuilding
- Environmental learning (orienteering, mapping, flora/fauna identification, and ecology)
- Physical education (skiing, snowshoeing, and hiking)
- Indigenous learning (teachings from Elders and Knowledge Keepers)
- Unique regional activities (collecting maple sap, studying animal tracks, and exploring the Canadian shield)
TLDSB has a long-standing tradition of promoting and supporting outdoor education. This is the next step to ensuring all TLDSB students have the opportunity to enhance their learning through programming provided at the Centre.
RELATED
Reader dismayed at closure of Yearley Outdoor Education Centre | Letters
School board says it is reviewing outdoor education programming, including Yearley
To me, it seems that a lot of our government organizations have reached the point where nothing can be agreed to or rationalized or discussed and reasoned out. So they just build something new. Maybe it’ll make somebody famous. Fame judged by the amount of money this new ‘pony’ has cost.
We had the Yearly center which closed. The old Frost center was a sort of outdoor rec. nugget. It is now pretty much abandon. Pitman’s Bay is acres of wild land. Sitting vacant. I know all these places have their own skeletons. But are they not worth the discussion or a look into.
Don’t try to tell me that the ‘activities’ and ‘programs’ listed in the media release by the TLDSB are new or revolutionary or were never offered at any facility before. I got a good backgrounding in it all from family, friends and school 60 years ago. It’s not new knowledge; maybe presented a little differently. Now it will just be offered in a place that’s new and going to cost a lot.
Reminiscent of the turmoil of building new hospitals. Not adding to or refurbishing what we have now. They don’t abandon Sunnybrook when they want to add to it’s size and function. There are many facilities that have grown over the years. In their original location, not trucked all over the country-side.
I’m sure the new facility will be great. There is no mention of dollars in the press release, but bet your boots it will cost. I don’t think it will offer anything new. Nature is nature, exercise hasn’t changed much and everybody should have a go at making maple syrup. Especially old style where there’s work involved.
It sounds like another place for children to go outside to play.
I went to the frost centre when I was in grade 6 at riverside. We did winter activities and it was truly amazing. It wasn’t known as the first centre then, and I cannot exactly recall its name but it was a training centre for mnr employees.
I couldn’t agree more Christine. Such a beautiful hub for an outdoor education centre. I have many wonderful memories of my time learning about our resources, skiing and tubing during elementary school trips there.
Our family does an annual camping trip to the area and each year the buildings have become more and more run down because of neglect. We always say if funds were not an issue we would buy the property and open it back up to be the jem it once was.
I wonder if it might have been cheaper to buy/lease the beautiful Frost Centre which has incredible amenities and has been sitting empty for years… What a waste!