Registration opens December 1 at 7 PM
Facilitated by: Nadine Reeves, RECE (she/her), Tandy Morton (she/her), Nicole Van Beers (she/her)
This Community of Practice for Outdoor Play invites professionals who work with children in outdoor environments to come together and collaboratively reflect on leading and supporting outdoor play and learning in various early learning and childcare programs. January’s gathering will include a campfire night for participants!
Participants will share experiences, ideas, and resources, offer one another support and mentorship, listen, and ask thoughtful questions. Topics may include seasonal and land-based pedagogy, communication with families and professionals, inspiring a team, and much more.
Conversations emerging from this group will be ongoing.
The success of a Community of Practice relies on shared reflection and the open exchange of ideas, experiences, and knowledge between members. Please come prepared to engage in meaningful conversation.
Pedagogical Focuses: Belonging - Engagement - Expression - Well-being - Leadership - Networking
Standards of Practice: Standard I: Caring and Responsive Relationships, Standard II: Curriculum and Pedagogy, Standard III: Safety, Health and Well-Being in the Learning Environment, Standard IV: Professionalism and Leadership, Standard V: Professional Boundaries, Dual Relationships and Conflicts of Interest, Standard VI: Confidentiality, Release of Information and Duty to Report
Nadine Reeves, RECE (she/her) is the Program Manager at Childreach overseeing playgroups, parent education, and family support. Nadine has been a part of the Administration Team at Childreach since 2003 dabbling in everything from communications and fundraising to board governance. In 2015, she helped kickstart the WILD CHILD playgroups and day camp, and she fell immediately in love with all things outdoor play and learning. She firmly believes that to get children outside, you need to get parents outside to love and see the value of the outdoors themselves. Using her skills in communications and marketing, she has used social media to reduce the barriers to getting children outside to play. When Nadine is not working, she is happiest spending time in nature (of course!) and knitting woolly sweaters.
Tandy Morton (she/her) has worked in outdoor education and risky or adventurous play environments since 2004, including acting as a facilitator for Childreach's Wild Child Outdoor Playgroup since 2017. In that time, she supported children as young as infants as well as parents and grandparents in their journey to spend more time outside with greater confidence. As a teacher Tandy is passionate about bringing regular outdoor play to the school environment. Tandy truly believes that everyone can enjoy time outside in nature and is passionate about helping individuals take the next step in their outdoor living adventures.
Nicole Van Beers (she/her) was hired by Childreach as a full time WILD CHILD Program Lead in spring of 2025. Nicole is a wilderness fanatic who shares our common goals and values, encouraging everyone of all ages to spend their time immersed in the outdoors. Nicole spent the last 10 years living in Nova Scotia studying Marine Biology and working as a forest school educator. She is ecstatic to be a part of the WILD CHILD team to share her joy for nature in a new environment with a new community. As a mother to her own WILD CHILD and a member of this team, she has truly embraced the WILD lifestyle and beams with excitement for new opportunities to share in these adventures together.
Tuesday, January 20, 2026
6:30 - 8:00 PM
Bryson Centre
531 Windermere Rd.,
London, ON, N5X 2T1
FREE
Registration closes on Monday, January 19 at 12:00 PM
* Ticket types are based on the county you WORK in.
Register for other upcoming Outdoor Play Communities of Practice:
Tuesday, March 24, 2026