When children and youth share what they love about being on the land they often speak about feeling a sense of belonging, and feeling like they can authentically be themselves.
We know that you, parents and guardians, are also actively ensuring that each program you consider is committed to holding a safe space for your child.
From our registration form to our day-to-day interactions, you’ll notice that Out to Play staff are committed to creating a safe and welcoming environment for your family, care providers, children and youth.
Black, Indigenous and People of Colour are welcome at Out to Play.
We know people of colour are under-represented in outdoor adventure settings so we actively seek to partner and host organizations like Black in Nature at Out to Play. Our staff team participates in Anti-Oppression and Anti-Black Racism training. We know we need a more diverse staff team and we’re working on this. If you know racialized youth or young adults who may be a fit for the Out to Play staff team, please encourage them to be in touch.
We’re aware that appropriation of Indigenous peoples, language and art shows up in outdoor education and summer camp programs across Canada. At Out to Play you’ll see Land Acknowledgments written at entrances, spoken during story, and shared anytime we’re discussing the history of the land. Our commitment to decolonization means we take time to understand the history of colonization and share those stories through Indigenous-authored storybooks, and through discussion with children. Through our partnership with the Child and Nature Alliance of Canada and Indigenous organizations such as Inuuqatigiit, Out to Play welcomes visits with elders and knowledge keepers. And – new in 2024 – we’re nurturing young Indigenous artists by commissioning art for Out to Play!
2SLGBTQ+ children, youth and families are welcome at Out to Play.
Our staff will use your child’s chosen pronouns. They’ll be thoughtful about how genders are represented in oral storytelling and they’ll choose books that are representative of diverse gender expressions and relationships. Out to Play only has all-gender bathrooms, and we ensure all children’s privacy when they’re changing. You’ll never hear an Out to Play staff separating groups into boys and girls. And we don’t need to know your child’s sex or gender identity to offer these safer options; we do this for all children.
We know families are created in countless ways. We’ll try to learn who the trusted adults are in your child’s family, as well as their chosen pronouns and the names they go by.
Children who are adopted, or in care, are welcome at Out to Play.
We know the experience of adoption and being in care (foster care or group care) is complex, and filled with both joy and grief. The core educator team at Out to Play are trained by Michelle Hogeterp, from the Ottawa Centre for Trauma and Attachment Therapy in the attachment-focused, trauma-informed approach to supporting children called PACE (Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity and Empathy). This training has coached our team to slow down and meet children where they are at, and offers educators strategies for navigating dysregulation and anxiety while building relationship.
Out to Play staff share and read stories about children that live with uncles, aunties, and grandparents to acknowledge the many ways children are living in our communities. They’ll use language like “your parents and trusted adults” or “your grown-ups, “rather than “your mom and dad” when they refer to children’s families, and they’ll help children navigate conversations about adoption or about being in care, when that emerges.
Children who need 1:1 are welcome at Out to Play
Out to Play has limited 1:1 spaces where a single staff person is committed to the well-being and experience of one child. These spaces are reserved for children who need to move and experience the benefits of being outdoors, but need additional support to stay safe. As this is a program that has an hourly fee, our admin team will also discuss funding possibilities with you.
Our staff are chosen carefully for the 1:1 role. They’re well-trained and experienced support staff. They’re also great listeners and clear communicators. They’ll co-create unique days with your child, while staying close to the group. They’ll work closely with you on your goals and share stories from each day. This program has served as respite for many families, and supported children struggling with mental health, and children with diagnoses including FASD, ODD, RAD and ASD.
Out to Play has a registered social worker on the team. Rae Griffin-Carlson from Through the Sumac offers outdoor therapy through the Forest and Nature School approach. Through this partnership we can offer to children and youth (8+ years) both therapeutic sessions and an outdoor school experience, or support a transition from therapeutic sessions to joining the school.
We’re committed to always learning
The team at Out to Play welcomes your feedback. We know we make mistakes. Please let us know. We’ll reflect on your feedback. We want to keep growing and learning.
Do you have questions about how we might support your child’s unique needs?
To learn more or to inquire about subsidized spaces email us at info@outtoplay.ca