In the busyness of daily work, delivering programs, answering emails, and processing registrations, it’s easy to lose sight of why we do what we do. Every now and then, we are reminded: this work is about moments that matter. Moments when a child steps into the forest...
Birch Cabin: Teaching Youth How Buildings Can Help Heal the Planet By Jacob Rodenburg At Camp Kawartha, much of our learning begins outside. We know that when children spend time in nature, they form a lifelong sense of care and responsibility for the Earth....
Reconciliation with the Land By Jacob Rodenburg “Thanks,” our children often say with a touch of sarcasm. “Thanks for leaving us this planet.” With overpopulation, wild weather, climate change, pollution, and the accelerating loss of biodiversity, they ask: And now...
When Too Safe Becomes Unsafe By Jacob Rodenburg Recently, I watched a frustrated teacher struggle to fill out a risk assessment form for a field trip to an outdoor education center. It made me wonder: if there are risks to spending time outside, what are the risks to...
How Language Shapes Our Relationship with Nature By: Jacob Rodenburg Words are powerful. They are the building blocks of our thoughts. We use them to make sense of our experiences, connect with each other, and imagine new ways of being in the world. But sometimes, our...
Belonging Beyond the Self: Healing Natural Loneliness The Quiet Belonging We Forgot By Jacob Rodenburg So many teenagers tell us they feel lonely. Their digital lives—filled with followers, likes, and scrolling conversations—give the illusion of connection, but lack...
