Welcome Trailblazers
Welcome to the Trailblazer program! We are excited to welcome you the Trailblazer program with the Pathway to Stewardship and Kinship. Your participation gives you priority access to many support services to help your group on your journey.
Pathway Landmarks are linked to the Ontario Curriculum for each grade. They include opportunities for outdoor learning and for older grades, encourage community involvement and leadership skills.
This is your dedicated portal providing all the information you’ll need to complete the program successfully. Below you’ll see how to sign up for your support services, information on submitting Landmarks and your personal outdoor activity consultant as well as details on how to submit your simple pre-and post-program surveys.
Meet Your Outdoor Activity Consultant
Taking your group outdoors requires special planning, and we have the perfect people to help you build your skills and confidence. Our four Outdoor Activity Consultants have a wealth of specialized experience from years of working outdoors with children and youth.
Our outdoor consultants can help you with program planning, finding resources, offering guidance and connecting the curriculum with outdoor learning experiences. While they’re not intended to do programming for you, they are delighted to work with you to discover the rewards of being outdoors.
NancyT@pathwayproject.ca
Greetings! I am Nancy Thomson, an Outdoor Activity Consultant with Pathway to Stewardship and Kinship. However, to many students and teachers, I am known as ‘Nature Nancy.’ When the students see me coming, they know they are in for time exploring and learning outside! For the past 6 years, I have been running Think Outside which brings outdoor education programming to schools using local greenspace to connect people to the earth and to each other. With 25 years of Outdoor Education experience in many different settings, I look forward to sharing with teachers, parents and children to grow the important work of the Pathway team.
Hi! I’m Kelly King, a settler living in Nogojiwanong/Peterborough. With a B.A. in Indigenous Studies from Trent University and a Master’s degree in Environmental Studies from York University, my work has focused on Indigenous histories of place, settler responsibilities to land, and community arts practices. I’m currently the Outreach and Education Coordinator with the TRACKS Youth Program, which connects youth to traditional ecological knowledge and positive ways of engaging with the land and with each other. I’m passionate about localizing environmental perspectives and supporting people in building their relationship to the territories they call home.
Kelly@pathwayproject.ca
Kim@pathwayproject.ca
Hi, my name is Nancy Doherty. As an Early Childhood Educator and a grandma, children are my passion. I have always loved the outdoors and growing up with a dad who was a Conservation Officer, our house was always full of orphaned critters. Those early experiences helped me view the natural world with respect and awe. With our wonderful seasons in the Kawarthas, I make sure to get outside every day – it makes me happy! I look forward to collaborating with the Early Learning Community to develop program connections to the Pathway Landmarks.
NancyD@pathwayproject.ca
STEP 6: Discover the three Trailblazer Steps and Benefits
Benefits of Level One:
- priority access to Pathway community supports (P.D. workshops; in-class programs; newsletters, website)
- opportunities to share ideas with other schools/centres
- potential for access to materials funding to support outdoor learning
- eligibility for monthly Landmark draws
- recognition on Pathway website; access to Level 1 icon to use on school website and
correspondence - belonging to a community of educators doing important work to benefit students and the
environment
To complete Level One:
- surveys received from staff and parents
- At least one Landmark report each season
Benefits of Level Two:
- access to Pathway community supports (P.D. workshops; in-class programs; newsletters, website)
- opportunities to share ideas with other schools/centres
- potential access to bussing subsidies to support unique outdoor learning opportunities
- eligibility for monthly Landmark draws for teachers who continue to submit reports
- recognition on the Pathway website
- belonging to a community of educators doing important work to benefit students and the environment
- access to Level 2 icon to use on school website and correspondence
- school receives an Oak tree on completion of Level Two, as permanent recognition of their efforts and commitment
To complete Level Two:
- all staff submit at least one Landmark report during the school year
- staff promote the Pathway with families and encourage them to participate
- staff reach out to other teachers or schools to encourage participation in the Pathway project
Benefits of Level Three:
- access to Pathway community supports (P.D. workshops; in-class programs;
newsletters, website) - opportunities to share ideas with other schools/centres
- eligibility for monthly Landmark draws
- recognition on Pathway website
- access to Level 3 icon to use on school website and correspondence
- belonging to a community of educators doing important work to benefit students and the environment
Completing Your Survey
This survey is for people taking part in Pathway Project.
Before you take this survey you should know:
- You do not have to take this survey – it is your choice.
- The survey should take a few minutes to complete.
- The survey will not ask for your name.
How to Log Your Landmarks
Unsure how to submit Landmarks? Follow this step-by-step tutorial to register and report. Then, check the leaderboards, keep up to date on monthly prize winners and follow the goal tracker for project progress.
Landmarks
Submit a Landmark
Group Leaderboards & Activity Centre
Monthly Prize Draws
Follow the Goal Tracker
Classroom Support Materials
- Curriculum Links
- Resources
