Taking students outside to learn is more important than ever, not just for reducing potential transmission but also for their mental, physical and emotional health.

East Kootenay Community Credit Union (EKC) donated $8,000 to Columbia Basin Environmental Education Network (CBEEN) to purchase 16 customizable classroom kits for all elementary schools in Cranbrook, Jaffray, Fernie, Elkford and Sparwood.

The kits supported teachers and students in taking their learning outdoors in meaningful and engaging ways. Nature is all around us and often a short walk from our local schools. Feedback from teachers was that one of the main obstacles to undertaking outdoor learning was having the appropriate outdoor equipment and resources to make this happen in an effective and enjoyable way.

EKC’s donation supported principals and teachers at each school to purchase $500 worth of items from the Outdoor Learning Store in conjunction with CBEEN for various equipment that best suited their schools and students. The schools’ teams also had the opportunity to partake in a series of free, 60- minute outdoor learning workshops earlier in the spring.

In addition, the kits were purchased through a Canadian non-profit Outdoor Learning Store.

Pam Pinch, EKC lead on the donation, worked with principals, CBEEN and Outdoor Learning Store to ensure students had something to look forward to this spring. Branch managers were able to connect their team members with schools for the delivery of the funds, ensuring students could use the fun, new equipment before the end of the 2020-2021 school year.

EKC branch managers and teams were able to get some first-hand views on how students were participating in outdoor education.

EKC was proud to work with CBEEN in this timely initiative.

Lead image: David, Jen (EKC), Pam (EKC) and Pinewood Elementary School students. Photos courtesy EKC

EKC

 

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