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Outdoor & Experiential Education

The Outdoor and Experiential Education Program is designed to prepare passionate and skilled educators who can enrich the lives of their students through the development of a deep appreciation for the Earth. The program’s aim is to introduce teacher candidates to a wide variety of ways environmental and experiential programs can be offered in various school and community-based settings.

  • Teacher candidates in life jackets.

    A class photo of OEE teacher candidates.

  • Teacher candidates playing guitar.

    Using the arts in an informal setting to build community.

  • Teacher candidates in front of a chalk board in a non-traditional classroom.

    Field trip to a local outdoor education centre.

  • Teacher candidates with backpacks.

    Field trip to the Seed Sanctuary.

  • Teacher candidates on snowshoes pulling a sled.

    Experiencing winter during the school year.

  • Teacher candidates standing with their arms around each other on a log.

    With only 25 in the program each year, teacher candidates form close friendships.

Overview

  • The first OEE program started with the founding of the professional school in 1968.
  • OEE developed the first ropes course in Ontario.
  • Approximately 25 students are selected to the program annually.
  • For both primary/junior and intermediate/senior teacher candidates.
  • Meant to integrate conventional teacher education with preparation of leading dynamic school and/or community-based outdoor, nature-oriented activities.
  • Provides the opportunity to take courses that explore both experiential education theory and hands-on methodologies as they apply to a variety of environmental contexts/ all teaching subjects.
  • Program begins one week prior to regular classes for orientation and field camp.
  • Emphasizes the development of leadership skills required to implement innovative outdoor and experiential programs through examining the skills required to propose, administer, evaluate and teach such programs.
  • Elective courses are predetermined and an alternative practicum is required.
  • Develop critical thinking skills pertaining to contemporary environmental and educational issues.

Courses

The OEE program track requires an extra 1.0 credit for Primary-Junior candidates and an extra .5 credit for Intermediate-Senior candidates. This is slightly above the weight of other education students due to the field camp component. The field camp initiates the community building within each year of OEE teacher candidates.

This initial sense of community is enlarged through classes, additional events and workshops held throughout the rest of the year.In addition to the required curriculum courses of the regular program, all OEE teacher candidates participate in three related environmental and outdoor-focused courses that are unlike other outdoor programs which offer OEE as a single course.

Practica

In the fall term, OEE teacher candidates complete the regular in-school practicum required to qualify for teacher certification in Ontario.

In the winter term, OEE teacher candidates are required to complete an alternative practicum that is in a non-traditional outdoor based setting. Two of four teaching practica cater towards Outdoor/Environmental or Experiential education settings. With guidance and support, OEE candidates are expected to initiate, design and develop individualized OEE practica.

One practicum opportunity allows teacher candidates to engage in an established school program in Ontario that utilizes an outdoor/environmental or alternative school setting. Typically these mean a practicum at an outdoor centre, an integrated program or a special youth program like a credited program for youth at risk. The second practicum can be a new outdoor centre or a program of learning designed by teacher candidates to explore a particular interest, such as visiting boat building programs.

Admission Requirements

Selection of Concurrent Education teacher candidates is based on the application made in December of year 4 (supplemental documents).

Selection of Consecutive Education teacher candidates is based on the application requirements in the 2013-14 Teacher Education Application Service (TEAS) Instruction Booklet as well as the supplemental documents submitted to the Education Registrar’s office.

See How to Apply.

For information regarding admission, please contact the Education Registrar's Office.

The OEE Student Community

The OEE program is looking for teacher candidates who can bring to the program unique perspectives and a range of experiences. This allows each year of students to form a community that can interact and learn from each other as they discuss and participate in a broad range of activities.

The program is designed to have teacher candidates’ share their past experiences in the field with each other, then during the year explore and learn about other OEE approaches and the theories and ideas that lead to their development, which they can then incorporate or explore during their OEE practica.

The OEE program is looking for applicants that are dedicated and open minded to exploring their past, sharing ideas about activities and ideas they experience as a class and then engaging in personal reflection time to determine what path through the OEE profession they can envision in their future.Discussed topics and field trips change every year based on student interest/organization, but have included:

  • First Aid/Wilderness First Responder (WFR)
  • Knitting Clubs
  • Swift Water Rescue
  • Outdoor Council of Canada (OCC) - Leadership
  • Aquatic Rescue
  • Ontario Recreation Canoeing Association (ORCA) certifications
  • Interpretive Display Cases
  • Paleo Workshops
  • Mukluk Making

Career Opportunities

The Education Registrar will inform the Registrar of the Ontario College of Teachers when a teacher candidate has successfully completed the program. Graduating teacher candidates who plan to teach in Ontario must formally register to become members of the College and be awarded the Certificate of Qualification and Registration as a teacher.

Given the different curriculum taught in each province, teacher candidates interested in teaching in other provinces need to ensure they have the requisite background to teach in that province.

Graduates are engaged in a variety of careers ranging from full-time classroom teaching to work in other service, education or environmental areas. Some examples of employment opportunities include:

  • Classroom teaching (public or private school setting).
  • Teaching Abroad.
  • Implementation and integration of innovative education programs.
  • Administrators or directors of camps and independent outdoor programs (e.g., Outward Bound, private eco-tourism lodges).
  • Private OEE programs.
  • Large firms that want environmental oriented sales people or green-oriented marketing people.