In 2016, the Peterborough-Kawartha-Haliburton region in Ontario, Canada was recognized by the United Nations as a “Regional Centre of Expertise in Sustainability Education”, one of only 150 communities worldwide to be awarded this prestigious designation. Locally, leading specialists in the environmental, health and educational fields were becoming alarmed by the increasing draw of technology and how it was impacting daily lives. Children were becoming more disconnected from the natural world than ever before.
They designed a simple framework of age-linked experiences to address a wide range of global issues through a local focus and widespread community support. It encourages educators and families to integrate these basic life-long teachings to build resilient, engaged and empowered young adults. The movement began to guide youth back to the great outdoors to reduce stress, anxiety, depression and improve social and leadership skills and to help physical and mental wellbeing through connection to the environment and their community. The results exceeded expectations. This documentary is a call-to-action for parents, educators and youth to embrace nature as a way to heal, reconnect and grow an appreciation for the earth, our communities and all living things.
Buy The Wild Path Home Book, written by Camp Kawartha’s Executive Director, Jacob Rodenburg
Film Credits
Featuring
Cathy Dueck | Pathway Coordinator Jacob Rodenburg | Executive Director of Camp Kawartha Maureen McDonald | Retired Family Physician Heather Snowball | Elementary TeacherNancy Thomson “Nature Nancy” | Pathway Outdoor Activity Consultant James Brake | Superintendent of Education, KPR District School Board Matt Levac | Métis Botanical Knowledge Keeper Anne Corkery | Teacher and Lecturer at Trent University Kim Dobson | Pathway Outdoor Activity Consultant Amanda and Austin Andrews | Pathway Family Erin, Elliot and Charlie Greeno | Pathway Family Nancy Doherty | Pathway Outdoor Activity Consultant Kate Jarrett | Retired Children’s Librarian Glen Caradus | Paddling Puppeteer Dave Smith | MPP Peterborough-Kawartha
Special Thanks To
Camp Kawartha, Otonabee Conservation, Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board, Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington Catholic District School Board, Kaawaate East City Public School, Highland Heights Public School, St. Anne Catholic Elementary School, Queen Elizabeth Public School, Curve Lake First Nation, members of the Pathway Leadership Roundtable, Trent University, GreenUp, Glen Caradus, Kate Jarrett, Paul Elliott and to the many people and organizations that contributed to The Pathway to Stewardship and Kinship project over eight years.
