Gerhard E. Dekker
Regenerative Education Center
Sign up for our Newsletter
Registration for Forest School is Open
What is Forest School?
Forest and Nature School is a research-backed model of education that is deeply rooted in supporting the ways that humans naturally learn best: through emergent, inquiry-based learning, outdoors, on uneven terrain, with the land, in social settings, with mentors/facilitators modeling respect and reciprocal relationship with others and with the land, and lots of opportunity for creativity, adventure, exploration, intrinsically motivated learning, and free play.
Learn More
Research on the Benefits of Forest and Nature School
There has been a lot of research done showing what many of us already know intuitively: being outdoors and learning in a context of free play, intrinsic motivation and respectful relating has amazing benefits to learning, health and holistic well being.
Learn MoreParent Feedback
Forest School Guide and FAQ
Kinanaskomitinin Askiy
We are grateful to this land for holding us here. We remember that this is Treaty 1 Territory, the Ancestral Homeland of the Ininew, Anishnaabe, Dene, Metis & Oceti-Sakowin. We commit to listening to and meaningfully supporting Indigenous people. We are grateful to the Manitoba Government's From the Ground Up grant for supporting this Forest and Nature School program. Thank you also to the Nature Conservancy of Canada & Shared Legacy for supporting meaningful connection with nature. Ekosi
Forest School posters
Monthly Parent and Tot
Nature Program
Nature Program
Our next day is TBA.
This program is free to attend, thanks to a
grant from the Steinbach Credit Union.
This program is free to attend, thanks to a
grant from the Steinbach Credit Union.
Resources and articles
Forest School Video
This program has been made possible thanks to the Manitoba Government's 'From the Ground Up' program. Kinanaskomitinin - Thank you!
news
Thank You Survey Respondents, Spring Forest School Registration Opening Announcement, Thank you to the Land, Indigenous Peoples, Government of Manitoba, Nature Conservancy of Canada and Shared Legacy, Poweshiek Skipperling Release and Controlled Burns on the Prairie.
Art in the Woods with Friends, and a New Adventure in the Works (Friends of the Forest, our upcoming Forest and Nature School!)
Community Connect Meeting, Indigenous Gardening Workshop online with Audrey Logan, 'Seasons on the Prairie' with Laura Reeves at the Tallgrass Prairie Preserve, Homeschooler's Market Table, Drumming with GED-REC, Walks in the Woods with Friends, Anndrea's Book Launch, and Rain Barrel Fundraiser!
Contact Us
Whether you'd like to participate in our programming, have any questions, or would like to explore volunteer opportunities and share your ideas and skills, we would love to hear from you.
About GEDREC
The Gerhard E. Dekker Regenerative Education Center (GED-REC) is a non-profit organization offering nature based programming and holistic learning opportunities for children, and people of all ages, living in South-Eastern Manitoba, Treaty 1 territory, the land of the Métis, Anishnaabe, Nêhiyaw and Očhéthi Šakówiŋ people.
We honour the Forest School pedagogy and multidisciplinary learning through dynamic, nature-based programming, creating inspiring learning environments where people are supported as individuals, as they learn, play and explore the incredible richness of the natural world. We are educators who are passionate about learning, creativity, nature, the vital importance of play, rest, reciprocity, gratitude, and respect.
When we are supported to learn about and engage with the land and nature, we also learn to care for the land. When we are supported to learn about our emotional nature and practie respectful relating, we learn to care for ourselves and others well.
At the core of our values is a deep respect for the natural world and an understanding that we are part of the Earth. Spending time outdoors, learning from Indigenous peoples and teachings, and developing programs which cultivate resilience, wisdom and compassion, and honour and support Indigenous resilience and life on Earth, are integrally important to us.
We honour the Forest School pedagogy and multidisciplinary learning through dynamic, nature-based programming, creating inspiring learning environments where people are supported as individuals, as they learn, play and explore the incredible richness of the natural world. We are educators who are passionate about learning, creativity, nature, the vital importance of play, rest, reciprocity, gratitude, and respect.
When we are supported to learn about and engage with the land and nature, we also learn to care for the land. When we are supported to learn about our emotional nature and practie respectful relating, we learn to care for ourselves and others well.
At the core of our values is a deep respect for the natural world and an understanding that we are part of the Earth. Spending time outdoors, learning from Indigenous peoples and teachings, and developing programs which cultivate resilience, wisdom and compassion, and honour and support Indigenous resilience and life on Earth, are integrally important to us.
Donate
We welcome donations in support of our community programming! Your donations support accessible, nature-focused and meaningful life experiences for kids and adults in our region.
If you would like to become a sponsor of our organization through your business or as an individual donor, please get in touch via gerhardcenter@gmail.com ! We would love to hear from you.
If you would like to become a sponsor of our organization through your business or as an individual donor, please get in touch via gerhardcenter@gmail.com ! We would love to hear from you.
C$ 50
Our Team
Fire Safety Day!
Families on the Farm
Walks in the Woods with Friends
Northern Sun Farm Tour
Our Namesake
Gerhard Dekker
Namesake
Gerhard was the founder of the Northern Sun Farm Ecovillage, an inventor and designer of innovative methods of living in harmony with the Earth, and a supporter and ally of Indigenous peoples of Turtle Island.
