In this reflective episode, Lauren shares her experience at the 2025 National Outdoor Learning Conference in Banff — a gathering filled with powerful stories, emotional connections, and inspiring practices in outdoor education.

From sitting in circle with Elders to trying blind contour drawings and engaging in climate action conversations, Lauren takes us inside the sessions that moved her — and the unexpected feedback that left her feeling deeply humbled.

She unpacks her own workshop on Sit Spots and how educators can weave UDL, inquiry, and land-based learning into these simple yet profound routines. You’ll also hear about:

• Why storytelling matters more than scripted land acknowledgements
• How art and nature journaling can unlock new ways of seeing
• What it means to be seen as a mentor — and how to carry that with care
• Insights from climate education, Indigenous panels, and water-based learning
• A final circle of song, gratitude, and quiet reflection in the mountains

Whether you’re new to outdoor learning or looking to deepen your practice, this episode offers heartfelt insight, concrete examples, and an open invitation to keep walking this path together.

Resources & Mentions:

• Sitting With Nature: An Educator’s Guide to Sit Spots
• Foundations of Water Education by Maxine Koskie & Billie Jo Reid
• Sessions with Sonya Rokosh, David Norwell, Dr. Ellen Field, Sylvia Ann Fox, and more
• Shelley Moore's UDL approach: “Must, Can, Could, Try” framework
• The Outdoor Learning Store: [insert URL]
• Learn more at https://teachoutdoors.ca/ or follow @teach.outdoors on Instagram

Want to bring Sit Spots or outdoor learning to your school? Lauren offers custom workshops, team training, and curriculum-aligned resources — reach out anytime.

In this episode of the Teach Outdoors podcast, we explore how outdoor education can foster Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) with two incredible guests. Camille Simone Edwards, a DEI practitioner with over 14 years of experience, and Dan Kriesberg, a veteran environmental educator and co-creator of Diversity Education in Nature, join us to discuss how nature can be a powerful space for building community and inclusivity.

Together, we dive into why DEIN is essential in education today, the biggest challenges educators face in integrating these principles into outdoor learning, and creative activities that help students engage with diversity and belonging in nature. We also explore how fostering a connection with nature supports a sense of place, stewardship, and community.

Tune in for practical strategies, inspiring stories, and actionable steps to make outdoor learning more inclusive for all students.

Connect with Our Guests:
🔹 Camille Simone Edwards – Learn more at Camille Simone Consulting
🔹 Dan Kriesberg – Discover his work at Earth Wisdom

Using Nature Awareness Skills to Build Communities of Belonging

Webinar Description: Join Camille Simone Edwards and Dan Kriesberg, creators of Diversity Education In Nature, for an introduction to using the nature awareness skills of attending wonderfulling. Participants will gain a toolkit of actions they can apply to create communities of belonging through better connections and understanding of each other and the more than human world.
The webinar outline:What is Diversity Education In Nature?What are the nature awareness skills of attending, wonderfulling, and pattern-seeking?How can they help build communities of belonging?What are some activities for our toolkit?How to move forward and take your first next step.
Date/Time: Tuesday, April 8 – 4p-5p EST via Zoom |

Zoom Linkhttps://us02web.zoom.us/j/4867633541 |

Registration Linkhttps://tinyurl.com/52d5wzsb

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In this episode, I’m sharing some BIG news—I’ve joined the Run Wild My Child Creative Team! I’ve followed them for years, drawn so much inspiration from their work, and now I get to be part of this incredible global community helping families get outside with ease. I’ll tell you all about my journey to becoming a team member, what this means for my writing, and why I’m so excited to contribute.

I’m also launching a 4-Part Virtual Course with The Outdoor Learning Store called Teaching in the Outdoor Classroom! If you’ve been looking for ways to take learning outside or want to deepen your outdoor teaching practice, this course is for you. I’ll walk through what each session covers and how it can support you in creating meaningful, engaging outdoor learning experiences.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode:
✔️ How I became a Run Wild My Child Creative Team Member
✔️ Why their Winter 2024 Brave magazine inspired me to apply
✔️ What it means to be part of a worldwide outdoor community
✔️ A sneak peek at my upcoming articles and contributions
✔️ Details on my Teaching in the Outdoor Classroom course and how it can help you

Resources & Links:
✨ Subscribe to Run Wild My Child Magazine: Click Here
✨ Learn more about Teaching in the Outdoor Classroom: Click Here
✨ Check out my books: Click Here

Closing Notes:
If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to leave a review! ⭐ Your support helps more educators and parents find the podcast. And if you’ve read any of my books, a review on Amazon or Google makes a huge difference for indie authors like me.