Workshops, Courses & Train the Trainer

For:
    • Adults working with any age group outside
      • Whether you work 1-on-1, as a group, with children, adults, seniors, seeking a way to enrich an established program.Participants can expect workshops indoors and outside (rain or shine).
    • Groups of professionals in the field
    • Train the Trainer 
      • For those wanting to teach people these skills
    • People who work with youth with Autism
Coaching & Consulting available, Click Here to Contact Jamie Black.

Highly Recommended Resources for Outdoor Education

  1. Download this FREE Hazard Assessment & Risk Management Guide
    • It might look daunting, but feel free to make use of it in any way you wish.
    • Training avialable to truly transform your undersatnding and awareness of Hazards, and mitigate risks by creating a “Common Sense,” understanding HOW to prevent injury through role-play & practice.
  2. Coyote’s Guide to Nature Connection PDF I HIGHLY recommend this!  ONLY $25 USD.
Booking Information:
  • Minimum of 4 weeks-notice for booking required.
  • Minimum 5 participants required per workshop.
  • One-on-One Coaching Available
  • Costs differ depending on group sizes, workshop and location
  • All workshops integrate COVID protocol
  • See notes for availability online, in-person or both.

2-4 hr Workshops

Basics & Beginnings of Outdoor Play
  • Are you feeling nervous about taking your group outside?
  • Maybe you have never tried taking a group outside and you want to, especially now. Let’s talk about what to wear, what to consider, how to solve problems and begin to trust yourself in the process.

Time: 2 hours

Location: 

  • available across BC live.
  • adapted version available virtually around the world.

Group size: 5 +

TOOLS: Fully arrive, let go of other responsibilities, fully participate.

Get your team on the same page with this Hazard Assessment

Guided Instruction and downloadable PDF

  • Get your whole team on the same page for managing risky play.
  • For people who are starting or have started your program, and are looking for a clear and straight-forward way to get all of your information put into one place.
  • Takes 3-4 hours to complete, watch the videos online, then take your Hazard Assessment document out onto the land and immerse yourself in the awareness of place.

Time: 3-4 hrs

Location:

  • online and on the land you work on

Group size: all

TOOLS: Download the Hazard Assessment PDF, you’ll need a clipboard and pencil, internet and printer.

Confidence through Experience – General Hazard Assessment for your program – Place-Conscious Practice 
  • Are you looking for an opportunity to grow and thrive with other beginner outdoor educators?
  • Meet your peers globally in a group conversation every week. Contact us for details.
  • Different topics include: current trends, making choices based on weather, animals, humans, sharps, group sizes, varying abilities physically, mentally and emotionally, best practices, gear check, wilderness first aid scenarios, personal practice, building resilience, facilitation styles, group dynamic management.

Time: 2 hour zoom call/week

Location: 

  • Virtually around the world.

Group size: 5 +

TOOLS: Fully arrive, let go of other responsibilities, fully participate, bring your stories and curiosity.

 

Land-based Hazard Assessment Training 
  • Meet in-person (or Zoom me in) on the land that you facilitate your experience on, go through scenario specific role-play. Discuss what works, what doesn’t work and what any additional potential hazard could be and how you can mitigate that hazard. Then after it has sunk in, the group will schedule 3 additional group zoom calls to help everyone finish their place-specific hazard assessments, collaborate and troubleshoot together
  • Download this Hazard Assessment & Risk Management Resource

Time: 4 hours + 3 x 1 hour group Zoom calls to finish up the document.

Location: 

  • available across BC.
  • adapted version available virtually around the world.

Minimum group size: 5

TOOLS: Fully arrive, let go of other responsibilities, play games in nature, role-play your scenarios, create a plan, receive a pdf and word format of a helpful Risk Assessment document.

 

COVID adapted Coyote-style Field Games (NEW)

(Click HERE to buy directly from 8Shields.org. An affordable PDF version of  Coyote’s Guide – very useful for lesson planning. Highly Recommended)

  • 4 hours of learn-by-doing, fun with a purpose, practice social distancing activities, the key phrases used to instruct what to do and how to do it when it comes to things like tagging from a distance, etc.
  • Optional on-going weekly community zoom calls to troubleshoot and problem solve.
  • Optional one-on-one mentoring

Time: 4 hours + 3 x 1 hour group Zoom calls

Location:

  • Available across BC
  • Adapted version available virtually around the world

Minimum group size: 5

For:

  • Adults
  • Train the Trainer – for those wanting to teach people these skills

TOOLS: Fully arrive, let go of other responsibilities, play games in nature, role-play your scenarios, create a plan, receive a pdf and word format of a helpful Risk Assessment document.

 

Adult Wilderness Practice

(from 20 years as an outdoor guide, program leader and Forest School Teacher)

  • Weekly adult-only outings in the forest Intended to help adults build their own “Common Sense” through land-based experience, role-play and emergency scenarios (based on Wilderness First Aid training).
  • Pre-registration required; single session booking or multiple booking discount available
  • Click here for more info about Jamie Black MA

Time: 2 hours bi-weekly + 1 x 1 hour group Zoom call bi-weekly

Location:

  • Available across BC
  • Adapted version available virtually around the world

Minimum group size: 5

For: Adults working with anyone outside.

TOOLS: Fully arrive, let go of other responsibilities, role-play your scenarios, create a plan, log successes, group discussions and sharing.

 

Songs of Nature (NEW)
  • Song is one of the most powerful ways of releasing tension, bringing a group to a united level, and inspiring children to engage.
  • If you are interested in learning song, scroll down on this Facebook page. Since COVID started, I decided to record all of the songs that I knew. Forgive the raw footage, I will get to editing the videos, but here it is for now: https://www.facebook.com/jamieblackahummingbird/videos
  • If you are interested in being involved in a singing group, please shoot me a message.
  • More resources coming.

Time: 2 hours bi-weekly + 1 x 1 hour group Zoom call bi-weekly

Location:

  • Available in the Comox Valley in-person
  • Adapted version available virtually around the world

Minimum group size: 5

For: Adults working with anyone outside.

TOOLS: Fully arrive, let go of other responsibilities, connect, vocal warmup,  create a plan, log successes, group discussions and song sharing.

 

 

Sign up for the Wild Craft Play ‘sCool Community in multiple ways:

www.facebook.com/groups/wildcraftplayscool

Join our email list by requesting via email to info@wildcraftplay.com

Sign up to be a part of a community that is in conversation together to discuss the gaps in programming and services available for children in nature, and discover the bridges important to providing outdoor adventure-based experiences for children, youth and families on Vancouver Island. These workshops are facilitated by Jamie Black focus partnerships and collaboration.

MY NAME IS JAMIE BLACK.

I am the founder of Wild Craft Play ‘sCool and I have spent over 17 years as an outdoor guide, mentor, coach and leader. My passion is to regenerate resilience in children, youth and adults by offering highly engaging workshops for those who seek to make a difference in the world. I believe it is our role as adults to positively influence our youth. I hope to inspire environmental stewardship and deep connection to self, others and the earth through creative play in nature. Join me 😊

Day – Long Workshops

 

Guide 2 Outside 1 Day Workshop

When it comes to taking other people outside, many of us have some kind of barrier. Whether it’s the weather, a fear of being injured, a fear of others getting injured, and you taking the blame, or?  There are many things that can be done to mitigate risks. Number one is creating “common sense” through experience. Then, identifying the hazards and having a clear plan about what to do if they come up. This workshops is a tailored experience that requires a free 1 hour consultation to identify the needs of your group, and adapt the workshop to your needs.

Time: 8 hours

Minimum group size: 5

For: Adults working with anyone outside, whether it be 1-on-1, as a group, with children, adults, seniors, seeking a way to enrich an established program.

TOOLS: Fully arrive, let go of other responsibilities, play games in nature, role-play your scenarios, create a plan, receive a pdf and word format of a helpful Risk Assessment document.

 

Risk Management & Group Dynamic Management
  • Land-based in-person training. Identifying key scenarios, role-play, games and discussion workshop
  • Optional on-going weekly community zoom calls to troubleshoot and problem solve.
  • Optional one-on-one mentoring

Time: 8 hours in-person + 3 Group Zoom Calls

Minimum group size: 5

For: Adults working with anyone outside, whether it be 1-on-1, as a group, with children, adults, seniors, seeking a way to enrich an established program.

TOOLS: Fully arrive, let go of other responsibilities, role-play your scenarios, create a plan, receive a pdf and word format of a helpful Risk Assessment document

 

Introductory Game of Wild Craft Play

A unique and engaging approach for children (and for the young at heart) to create an ongoing highly interactive role-play game that suits your curriculum. Learn how to use natural surroundings and off-site locations for on-going learning imaginative play. This workshop is the groundwork to expand into a child-created world filled with Wild-crafting, Hand Crafting, Barter and Trade, Financial, Food and Ecological Literacy, Earth-based Entrepreneurism. This workshop licenses the adult graduate to use this game platform, with opportunity to expand your program. Expansion Package is extra.

For Adults who work with  children ages 8-12 seeking a way to enrich an established program. Adaptable version for youth with anxiety and depression, and supporting youth who are addicted to videogames.

TOOLS: Come, play a game in nature, receive a lesson plan an experience the art of facilitating like a Hummingbird.

 

 

Introductory to Archery and Sword Play

Archery and Sword Play is SO MUCH FUN. Whether you are a class or a group of adults looking for a good quality staff appreciation experience, experiment with your archery and sword play skills.  Sword Plan is so easy anyone can do it, it gets your heart rate going, and it’s nearly impossible to do without laughing.  The swords are foam, so no armor required. As for archery, it is a weapon, but when managed properly really challenges you to focus and challenge yourself.  Inquire about Medieval Tournaments (extra).

For Teachers, Program Leaders, Staff Appreciation, Families and young at heart.

TOOLS: All equipment is provided, space and insurance required for play.

 

Begin with Nature Engagement through Adventure Questing, an Intro

This workshop is  a 4-6 hour day experience designed for leaders and parents who want to develop basic skills when taking children and youth into Nature. Develop self-confidence with generating resilience in nature through role play scenarios that get the heart-rate going and inspire challenge and accomplishment. Learn alongside a Master of Adventure incorporating teachings from Jon Young and Coyote’s Guide to Connecting with Nature. Learn by experiencing a hand’s on approach, where you are guided by the leader, then progress into a hands-over-hands approach, where you practice your new skills, then experience a hands-off approach with an evaluation form at the end.

For Teachers, Program Leaders and Parents new to “outside” or “adventure” style learning.

TOOLS: Practice some wilderness first aid scenarios, take home a mini wilderness survival kit, hand out of basic how-to’s.

 

Guided Discovery Learning & The Hummingbird Approach

Learn a specialized facilitation approach coined by Jamie Black called “The Hummingbird Approach.” Guide children in nature using techniques, and historical tools to navigate this new cultural paradigm of technology savvy children. Learn about the art of letting go, practice awareness of your presence, and generate a strong sense of guided discovery facilitation.

For Adventure Educators, Teachers, Program Leaders and Parents who work with ages 8 and up looking to improve leadership skills.

TOOLS: This is more of a “how to” in Facilitation techniques, role-play, scenarios and direct feedback using a Guided Self-Assessment technique designed by Hummingbird.

 

Guided Self-Assessment – Learn how to use tools to Improve Facilitation

Videography is used by professional coaches to help their students improve their form. It is also a great way to learn about how you present yourself  when public speaking.  Through my research, I used videography to capture HOW I was facilitating, so that I could improve my skills. Improve your leadership skills in this experiential learning environment through direct feedback loops, witness and grow.

This workshop includes: videography training, peer to peer feedback and communication and 3 weeks of on-line coaching.

FOR: Adventure Educators , for Teachers, Program Leaders and Parents

TOOLS: Self-recording techniques, Guided Self-Assessment Chart, Direct One-on-One Coaching.

 

Adventure-Intervention for Children & Youth with Autism4https://wildcraftplay.com/contact-us/

Outdoor adventures are one of the best ways to help youth get back to a comfortable state. As a Behavior Interventionist, it is good to expand your horizons and learn the skills it takes to take youth outside.  Of course there are parameters that will determine whether or not your client can handle the activities, but it all starts with one step. This is an experiential learning environment where leaders practice leading children/youth with Autism in more adventurous outdoor activities in a role-play scenario. There is a strong emphasis on allowing children and youth with special needs to connect with nature and follow their own intuition. Learn tricks, tools and resources for activities, locations, trip planning, safety equipment and communication strategies.

FOR Teachers, Program Leaders, Parents, Behavior Interventionists and Social Workers who work with children and youth with Autism.

TOOLS: Discussion-style training, role-play, emergency response practice, one-on-one coaching.

 

Circus Skills & Performing Arts

As a performing artist, the act of mastering a skill, putting on a costume and sharing your talents with others is an adventure in itself, igniting an altered environment in which people engage and explore their edges and learn by doing. Wild Craft Play ‘sCool has partnered with Vesta Education’s Director, Artist and BC Certified Teacher Karina Strong, to TEACH program leaders and parents hands-on experience of the basics of circus skills. Learn by doing, have fun with a purpose and gain experiences to share with your children.

Learn the flow of juggling, poi spinning, staff spinning, OR stilting, HOW TO ACQUIRE supplies and how to integrate circus LEADERSHIP in what you do. Bring us in for one day or, for more information about how you can hire us to offer a 12 week curriculum covering your Science, Math, English, and Core Competencies, visit www.vestaeducation.ca.

Target: Teachers, Program Leaders and Parents who work with people ages 8 and up, who are seeking personal experiences in Circus Skills.

Both Jamie Black and Karina Strong are facilitators for different aspects of this workshop.

Karina Strong is the heart of Vesta. A former Social Worker trained in workshop facilitation and community development, and with a small business management diploma, she is a licensed teacher currently contracted in Sd68. Mother of two, she is an internationally acclaimed performer. Karina took their two children on Spark Circus 2012, teaching circus and performing in the Burmese orphanages, migrant schools, and refugee camps for two months. She founded VestaFire Entertainment in 2010 as a way to share her knowledge with others in order to create joyful community.

TOOLS: Props provided, spin space accessed, coaching and practice time.

 

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