Regenerative Education

Gerhard E. Dekker Regenerative Education Center
Nature Based Programming in Rural Southeastern Manitoba

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We are grateful to this land for holding us here. We remember we are on Treaty 1 and Treaty 3 Territory, the Ancestral Land of the Ininew, Anishinaabe, Dene and Očhéthi Šakówiŋ, and National Homeland of the Red River Metis. We are committed to listening to, learning from, and meaningfully supporting Indigenous people in our programming, policies, and actions. 

Families & Tots Nature Play Days
Monthly outdoor play, nature based activities, crafts & snack in Grunthal park

Free to attend

For Children Ages 3 to 6 and their caregivers

With many thanks to the Seine Rat River Watershed District and the Steinbach Community Foundation for generous funding and in-kind support making this program possible

Forest & Nature School, and many of our other programs, including ABC Come Breathe With Me, Intergenerational Forest School, and our Spring 2026 Families and Tots Nature Play Days, have been made possible thanks to the generous support of the Government of Manitoba's From the Ground UP! grant funding - Healthy, Safe, Connected Children and Youth Stream

GEDREC is hiring a Francophone educator who deeply understands the value of unstructured outdoor play, with experience facilitating, administering and planning outdoor community programs. Click above to learn more.

Nous embauchons! We are hiring!
Registration for Forest School 2026-2027 is open! 

Coyotes is fully enrolled, but you can still register to be added to the wait-list.

Skipperlings has several spots remaining!
What is Forest School?

What is Forest School?

Forest and Nature School always takes place outdoors, in the same natural area, allowing kids to build a deep relationship with that place and its inhabitants. It is child-led and emergent, and features lots of time for unstructured free play, which has been shown to have great outcomes for learning and holistic well being.

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What's the philosophy behind it?

What's the philosophy behind it?

There is a growing body of research 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.

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Volunteer with Us!
Have a wonderful time outdoors being creative and playful with the kids and connect with nature at our Forest & Nature School!

 “The staff have been amazing and our child looks forward to forest school all week.” 


Forest School parent

 I love Forest School because... there is always a new craft or books to read every morning when we arrive. I have learned how to use wood carving tools and made a mallet, a page book holder, a tent peg, a doll, wood cookies and whittled a Fire stick. playing games in nature and exploring all the different areas of land has been so much FUN! 

Isabella W., Age 8
Forest School Student

 Forest School has been such an amazing addition to our homeschooling journey. I was thrilled to hear that they were creating this program because it is exactly what we needed to add into our daughter's routine. The experiences and knowledge she has gained from attending has been so nourishing for her growth. I've watched her become more confident navigating social situations, learn how to use tools in an incredibly safe and encouraging way. Her creativity has absolutely blossomed and her love for nature has flourished! I am so grateful for the patience, guidance and care that Deanna and Kara have shown the children. 

Nina W.
Forest School parent

 ”I only have positive feed back! Thank you so much for offering this experience. {.....} hasn’t had any behavioural issues at school since attending forest school once a week. I’m so grateful.” 


Forest School parent

 “An amazing opportunity close to home, Jane learned all about our rare ecosystem, The Tall Grass Prairie!” 

Alice G.
Forest School parent
  
 
 

 
 

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.


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