How can teachers shape a better future for their students, their schools and communities? The TDSB’s first ‘Climate Camp’ is running in August 2024 for teachers to engage in professional learning to address the realities of teaching in the face of climate change. Offered by the TDSB’s Sustainability Office in partnership with its Urban Indigenous Education Centre (UIEC), this Camp offers K-12 teachers three days of rich collaborative inquiry focused on Climate Change Education surrounded by the beauty of the ferns and forests of Caledon, Ont. A variety of keynotes, workshops, indoor and outdoor activities offer opportunities for experiential and impactful learning, holistic experiences, and curricular planning to prepare for transformative teaching that centres equity, inclusion, justice and reconciliation. The TDSB’s Mono Cliffs Outdoor Education Centre provides a generative setting of natural and purpose-built spaces that encourage reflection, growth, and rejuvenation. Work alongside other teachers to deepen knowledge, nurture resilience, and embrace justice-centred action to shape systems and new futures together.

What to Expect

This Climate Camp offers K-12 teachers in the TDSB a wide range of learning opportunities in an inspiring setting to support their professional learning in Climate Change Education (CCE). Building community guides our learning, initiating and strengthening relationships to support the development of new futures together. Diverse perspectives, innovative approaches and compelling ideas are introduced as teachers interact with CCE experts, Indigenous knowledge-keepers, leaders from EcoSchools and the UIEC, and most importantly, with each other. Learning with and from the natural world begins each day, drawing on the teachings of the Earth to inspire learning. Featured talks offer common provocations, leading to a choice of workshops and learning activities that support learning that leads to agency, reconciliation, climate action and activism. As an integral part of this, teachers are invited to share their expertise via lightning talks and learning circles, and work collaboratively to deepen knowledge and refine their practice in CCE for the coming school year. Meals, breaks and evening social activities provide time for nourishment, self-care, reflection and nurturing relationships. Overall, teachers can expect learning that is reflective, joyful, and energizing, empowering them for leading CCE in the year to come.

Registration

Registration has now closed for the 2024 Climate Camp. It will be offered again in the summer of 2025; check back on this page or subscribe to the EcoSchools newsletter to receive more information on registration when it becomes available.