Outdoor Play Canada is among 8 recipients of the Lawson Foundation's Outdoor Play Strategy 2.0 funding pool. As part of this project pool, we aim to galvanize the outdoor play movement across Canada and power it to new levels. We have the following 5 strategic priorities: Establish and operate OPC Provide leadership and strategic direction for...
The Child Nature Alliance of Canada is among 8 recipients of the Lawson Foundation’s Outdoor Play Strategy 2.0 funding pool. Through Forest School Canada, they have launched a multi-year Community Consultation Project. From 2021 to 2024, they will consult with forest and nature school practitioners across Canada to: Articulate as a community what a quality Forest/Nature...
The Lawson Foundation’s Outdoor Play Strategy is an integral part of their strategic direction and guides their efforts in exploring how outdoor play supports the healthy development of Canadian children and youth. They initially invested $2.7 million in 14 core projects, which grew to $4.5 million in related grants. Through a third-party evaluation, the Lawson...
On July 13, 2020, the Lawson Foundation released a statement on the importance of outdoor play as a public health strategy to support the reopening of early learning and child care (ELCC) centres, and for children's development and learning. The statement was prepared with input from public health and ELCC sector advisors, and includes guiding principles...
The Government of Canada has put together the Risk mitigation tool for outdoor recreation spaces and activities operating during the COVID-19 pandemic to assist those responsible for parks and outdoor recreational places and programming (e.g. federal/provincial/territorial and local/municipal authorities, Indigenous leadership, sports and recreation organizations and coaches and leaders) in considering risks associated with operating their...
The Government of Canada has put together the Risk mitigation tool for child and youth settings operating during the COVID-19 pandemic to assist school boards and operators of child and youth settings and programs (e.g. early learning and daycare centres, schools, summer camps) in considering risks associated with operating their services, as well as example...
The Global Recess Alliance Statement on Recess is a living document produced by the Global Recess Alliance that outlines the importance of preserving recess when children return to school as COVID-19 related restrictions begin to lift. The Statement provides a summary of evidence on the importance of recess for children's learning and well-being, and provides...
These "how to" guides are intended to help municipalities and organizations improve play in their communities. They are based on the experiences of The City of Calgary who, since 2016, facilitated the creation, signing, and ongoing appraisal of the Calgary Play Charter as well as the development and implementation of a Mobile Adventure Playground....
The Council of Chief Medical Officers of Health (CCMOH) Statement supports and endorses the Position Statement on Active Outdoor Play. Click here to read the CCMOH Statement....
The Lawson Foundation is pleased to release Advancing Outdoor Play and Early Childhood Education: A Discussion Paper which is a synthesis of a multi-sector symposium convened in October 2018. The discussion paper shares the major themes of the Symposium and proposes concrete actions to advance outdoor play and early childhood education. Links to resources related to the discussion...
