Benefits

  • Exercise 
  • Stress Relief
  • Relationships
  • Cleaner Air decreases blood pressure
  • Technology impact decreases
  • Grounding decreases inflammation
  • Psychological health increases
  • Short term memory increases
  • Concentration increases
  • Mental energy restored
  • Immune system increases
  • Vitamin D increases
  • Spirituality increases
  • Circadian rhythm regulates
  • Sleep quality increases
  • Eye health increases - less environment influensed myopia
  • Creativity increases
  • Resilience increases
  • Chance of longer higher quality of life increases
  • Play increases - just for the fun of it!

What It Can Offer

  • something to keep you out of trouble
  • a breathing space, away from family or peer pressures
  • a place that offers risk and challenge
  • a place that inspires you to do things
  • a place where you can do what you want, where you can relax and feel free
  • a comfortable place, without adults, where won’t be told to go away
  • a place to have a good time with your friends
​

Resources

Conservation Officers - Shaunavon
Moose Jaw & Area Trails
Back 40 Training
Garrick Schmidt: Land-based Living
Colin Frey: Renewed  By Nature
WILD Outside (15-18yrs) 
Learning for a Sustainable Future
Gardening USask
True Nature Writing: Joyce Belcher
Green Teacher
Alberta Council for Environmental Education: Home Resources
Risk Benefit Assessment for Outdoor Play: Canadian Toolkit
Outdoor Play Canada Resources
​Nature GamesChildren & Nature Network Resources​
Nature Playlists
National US Guidelines: Nature Play & Learning Places
​Nature Games
10 Outdoor Education Activities for Teenagers

Grant Opportunities


Taking It Global Grants
Sask Alliance for Youth & Community Well-Being Grant
EcoFriendly Sask Grants - No Deadline
Nature Canada: Young Leader Grant - Feb 28
Community Futures Southwest Grants - July 14
​Tree Canada Partners In Planting - June 15
​Whole Kids Foundation Garden Grants - Nov 15
​TD Friends of The Environment Fund - July 15​
Mosaic School Makeover Challenge - March 30
Accessibility Funding - Sep 21 
Climate Action Fund - Sept 21
#RisingYouth Community Service Grants - Open
Kimberly Foundation: FOCUS! Changing Climate Change
Tree Canada: Plant With Us
Municipal Capacities Funding Sources
EcoFriendly SK: Natural Areas Clean-Up Grants 2018

Articles

Hiking Groups in Sask
Business Insider: 11 Scientific Reasons To Get Outside
​The Many Benefits of Being in Nature 
National Geographic: This is Your Brain on Nature
ParticipACTION Postition Statement: Active Outdoor Play
ParticipACTION Report Card 2015: Keeping Kids Indoors
How To Build A Fire: 79 Tips
Fungus As Tinder
Outdoor Life: Fire Starting

Destination Resources

Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park: Center Block

Cypress Hills Visitor Center (Center Block)

Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park: Elkwater

Elkwater Cypress Hills Visitor Center
Hidden Valley Ski Resort

Mission Ridge Winter Park

Mission Ridge Winter Park - Fort Qu'Appelle, SK

Mission Ridge Winter Park

Castle Mountain Resort - Pincher Creek, AB

Equipment Rentals

University of Calgary or Lethbridge??