News
The End of the Canadian Outdoor Summit
Over the past few months, members of the steering committee for the Canadian Outdoor Summit have met several times to discuss the project. It is with sadness, but also a great deal of pride in the work accomplished, that we inform you of the definitive end of the Canadian Outdoor Summit project. This closing will be done in such a way that the assets and advances created by the project can continue to serve the outdoor community.
14 Major Accomplishments to Celebrate This Holiday Season
As we come full circle on our activities over the past year, the Summit team would like to thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your generosity. Whether you participated in one or every one of our conversations, you helped create a more cohesive, proactive, and resilient community. We have gone further and accomplished more than we ever imagined! Here is a list of our 14 major accomplishments to celebrate this holiday season!
Leave No Trace wants your input – join the conversation!
As part of the Canadian Outdoor Summit, Leave No Trace Canada will be hosting a discussion with the outdoor community. The intention of this workshop is to open up a roundtable, constructive discussion to acquire input on the future of Leave No Trace Canada. A preparatory document will be sent to all participants in advance of the workshop. Please sign up here to contribute to this essential discussion.
Our Plan for Fall 2021
September will see an important transition in the Summit project. Key Summit objectives will go from being owned by workgroups to being owned and discussed by the national community (you). This fall, true co-creation begins!
Generations Will Be Impacted by Our Actions
It is easy to forget how much of an impact we have as a community on Canadian society. It is also easy to forget the potential we have, and how untapped that potential is. The Summit will bring profound transformations which will have lasting effects on generations to come. Here are a few examples of why.
Why is going outdoors considered risky?
How often have you pitched an outdoor activity to somebody and their first question was about safety? How often did this happen minutes before they jumped in a car and drove away on icy roads? Outdoor activities are still considered risky by many because we haven’t created an agreement within our community.
Where we’re heading
Over the past months, our team has worked very consciously to adapt the format of this historical and epic collective effort. After consultation and thoughtful conversations, the Steering Committee has decided to add value to the Summit by extending the project until fall 2022. Here is the plan.
What we’ve accomplished until now
Over the last year and a half, we have come together in many contexts to tackle our common challenges come rain or shine. What we’ve collectively accomplished to this point is nothing short of historic.
Advanced Camp Overview
We came together on February 26 to leverage our knowledge to support the reopening of outdoor programs as soon as possible. Over fifty people answered our call and worked with peers to find solutions and compare practices. As some of you could not make it, we’ve prepared this condensed overview of the very fruitful conversations.
The Power of Co-creation
How often do you find yourself on a trail with a difficult problem and find that the answers are within your group? How often is that answer better than the one you thought of originally?
That is the power of co-creation. Not only does it create pride within the group, but it also often leads to better solutions.
Preparing a Meaningful Summit
Our team is working very consciously to ensure a dynamic, fun, and productive Summit. The format for the fall gathering is uncertain; the Summit isn’t. Whatever the context, the Summit will be epic and historic.
Sunaira’s Story
This is the story of Sunaira Tejpar, an incredibly passionate young woman from Calgary whose life is devoted to helping others. This story demonstrates the potential effects that the upcoming Canadian Outdoor Summit will have on her life, and on the lives of many across the country.
Together we can help improve mental health for Canadians
Mental illness affects one in five Canadians, and these numbers have gone up since the start of the pandemic. A recent poll by the Mental Health Commission of Canada determined that stress levels doubled in many Canadians over the last year. Combined with reduced daylight and restrictive measures to stop the virus in some provinces, many Canadians are looking for solutions.
The Plan for 2021
It is with a more cohesive than ever community that we will begin 2021. This new year will mark the beginning of our climb towards the Canadian Outdoor Summit at the end of September. This will be the opportunity to shape a promising future for Led Outdoor Activities in this changed world.
The Cost of Working in Silos
This crisis has demonstrated that the biggest wins come when we work together. It displayed how divided we are compared to other sectors and how this impacted our resilience and influence in crucial times. We have the power to change this reality.
A Big Win in Yukon!
Thanks to a new program in Yukon, a few associations applied for a grant and got 2,3M dollars to face the disproportionate impacts of the pandemic on the tourism industry in Yukon and to help the industry thrive in 2021 and beyond.
Advanced Camp Overview
We came together, on Friday the 13th, to take our luck into our own hands and to discuss how to overcome the challenges we are facing with COVID. As some of you could not make it, we’ve prepared this condensed overview of the very fruitful conversations we held.
Rethinking camping
It seems like everyone went camping this summer. That’s great! On the other hand, many transformations are happening which are impacting how enjoyable and sustainable outdoor activities are in Canada. We need your input!
Workgroup Updates
After a short break to let the storm pass, the Summit workgroups are back on track! On November 2, representatives from Training, Education, Consensus, Structures, and Accessibility workgroups came together to assess progress and plan future actions. Here’s an update on their amazing work.
The LOA sector’s policy problem
When the pandemic struck, Canada shut down. Then, some sectors deemed as essential by government officials were allowed to reopen. For the outdoor community, this took a really long time, if it even happened. Why does the Outdoor community have such a hard time being represented in policy?
Next Advanced Camp
The Summit will host a virtual gathering. The theme is to regroup and discuss how we can overcome the challenges we are facing with COVID. Be there!
Outdoor insurance
Problems regarding outdoor insurance were brought up during a Basecamp Conversation last spring. Our joined forces made a huge difference and are now transforming how outdoor insurance happens in Canada!
Teaching outside
As teaching outside is gaining in popularity across the country, we want to be there to share best practices and support teachers in going outdoors.
We came together
In one of the most stressful times of our history, we came together and found support within the community with the Summit Basecamp Conversations. Here is a snapshot of what happens and what we can do when we come together.
Register now for the second Advanced Camp!
We are glad to invite you to our second Advanced Camp! Register now!
A national survey for your clients
Tourism Vancouver, and a few other partners, have created a survey to understand what potential clients will be comfortable doing this year amid COVID.
COVID-19 Principles and Practices for Led Outdoor Activity
This short practical document offers guidance for activities and conditions found in the Canadian Led Outdoor Activity (LOA) sector.
Summit gathering postponed + Avanced Camps
Our whole world has changed. Our challenges too.
Join us on Slack
To coordinate our efforts and maintain our momentum all week long, we created a slack workspace. Join us!
Third Basecamp Conversation + Thoughtexchange
This Thursday April 30th from 1pm to 3pm (EST), join us for our third Basecamp Conversation and share your ideas on Thoughtexchange!
Second Basecamp Conversation
After the amazing success of the first event, we will host our second Basecamp Conversation of the Canadian Outdoor Summit on Friday, April 24th 2020 at 1pm (EST)!
First Basecamp Conversation
We will host our first Basecamp Conversation of the Canadian Outdoor Summit on Friday, April 17th 2020 at 1pm (EST)!
Launching Basecamp Conversations
In the midst of the COVID-19 crisis, the Canadian Outdoor Summit leadership team has decided to host Basecamp Conversations.
Get your Early Bird tickets!
Until March 31st, you can buy Early Bird tickets at a lower price! Don’t wait!
Support of the Canadian Parks Council
It is with great enthusiasm that we announce the support of the Canadian Parks Council, which brings together all national, provincial and territorial parks, to the process of the Canadian Outdoor Summit.
