Join new host Chris Carlton as he speaks with outdoor education enthusiasts and Queen’s alumni Erik Vreeken and Paul Gifford about the benefits and opportunities of taking teaching and learning outdoors!  

Erik Vreeken (Ed’92) currently teaches grade 6 for the LDSB and bring 29 years of teaching experience. 

Paul Gifford (Ed’94) is a consultant and facilitator with Teach Outside, an in-service program for elementary teachers in the Upper Grand District School Board and co-designed the Evergreen brickworks education program in Toronto.

Thanks to Trevor Strong (PhD'21) for our new theme song!  

Listen now:

Download a transcript of Episode 22 (PDF 225.6 KB)

More resources about outdoor education from our experts

Want to learn more? Dr. Zabe MacEachren, Associate Professor of Outdoor Education, recommends these three readings on moving our learning outdoors.

  1. Last Child in the Woods, Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder by Richard Louv is one of the best-known books that connects wellness with the culture children are growing up in today.
  2. The Big Book of Nature Activities by Drew Monkman and Jacob Rodenburg is an excellent resource for parents and teachers on year-round outdoor learning.
  3. Out of School and Into Nature, The Anna Comstock Story by Suzanne Slade is an illustrated children’s book on one of the earliest nature educators in America.