July 4, 2025
Did you know CPAWS Manitoba has a dedicated education team?
All year long, they’re out in the community, visiting schools, leading nature walks, delivering hands-on programming, and helping kids discover the wonder of the natural world. Whether it’s through games, crafts, stories, or field trips, our educators are creating moments of awe, curiosity, and connection that can last a lifetime.
Why Outdoor Education Matters
Spending time in nature isn’t just fun. It’s good for us.
Research shows that outdoor learning supports physical and mental health, builds stronger communities, and fosters environmental stewardship. When children learn to appreciate nature at a young age, they’re more likely to protect it in the future.
Our Outdoor Education Program was originally designed to adapt to pandemic restrictions. It allowed programming to be led by CPAWS staff, teachers, or parents. Since then, it has evolved into a flexible, year-round program that reaches thousands of students across Manitoba, including throughout the busy summer months.
This spring alone, our team delivered 106 programs in just 8 weeks, reaching over 2,200 children across Manitoba.
Summer Means Expansion
In summer, our education team grows to meet the demand from daycares, camps, and community organizations looking to add meaningful, nature-focused fun to their programming.
From baby animals to bugs, from mindfulness in the forest to Manitoba’s wild predators and prey, we have something for every age group. Here’s a glimpse at the types of summer programming we offer:
Preschool Programs (Ages 2–5)
Little Kits – A heartwarming workshop about Manitoba’s baby animals. Children will learn through stories, songs, and hands-on activities that teach empathy and curiosity.
Little Wigglers – A playful, sensory introduction to insects. Children take part in crafts, scavenger hunts, and songs that help them build a positive connection to bugs and nature.
School-Age Programs (Ages 6–12)
Animals of Manitoba – An energetic session exploring local species, predator-prey dynamics, and the amazing adaptations that help animals survive.
Nature Mindfulness – A calming and creative program that explores the interconnectivity of ecosystems. Using breathing techniques and crafting to help kids connect to the natural world and themselves.
Beyond the Classroom
This summer, Education team member Elyce has also been leading activity tables with our Outreach team. These interactive stations give kids and families a chance to engage with nature through crafts, trivia, and discovery-based learning at places like the Assiniboine Park Zoo. The Education team will also deliver weekly programming for the Zoo’s summer day camp program.
Meet the Team
Behind every workshop is a passionate educator who brings energy, knowledge, and kindness to their work. Our summer education team is a group of aspiring teachers, nature lovers, and lifelong learners who are helping to shape the next generation of environmental stewards.
Let’s get to know them a little better:
Carly (she/her), Environmental Education Manager
Carly is the inspiring leader of our Outdoor Education Program. She is a certified teacher and a nature enthusiast who has shared the wonders of the wild with thousands of Manitobans.
Q: What is your favourite CPAWS summer program?
I love all our programs, but I would have to say Little Kits. It’s our new preschool program this year, focusing on baby animals. It is so much fun watching little people run around like wild animals and get into the songs we sing with them! This program was created by my wonderful assistant Kate, who has excelled on our team over the last two years. It makes me proud to see my team innovating and coming up with new workshops.
Q: What is your favourite thing to do in the summer?
When I am not tending my garden (or my friend’s and co-workers’ gardens), the water calls to me! No matter how cold it is, I have to jump into any body of water I am close to. I love floating and paddling on Manitoba’s incredible waters.
Q: What are your plans for the fall?
This fall, I am excited to launch our Student Voices Campaign, getting students involved in conservation efforts. Through this initiative, I hope to engage young people in the democratic process and foster a sense of citizenship as they form and voice opinions on environmental issues affecting Manitoba communities. I will also be busy providing professional development to teachers and community groups, advocating for the importance of connecting with the natural world and gearing up for the upcoming school year.
Kate (she/her), Environmental Education Ambassador
Kate is an aspiring educator who grew up on a farm, where she developed a deep appreciation for learning from the land. Her passion for teaching and nature shines through every program she delivers.
Q: What is your favourite CPAWS summer program?
My favourite summer program is our newly designed Nature Mindfulness program! It’s creation was such a collaborative experience between members of our staff and the result is a fun and diverse way to experience the outdoors. I love how students engage with it and lean into their senses to explore the space. I love the facilitation role in this program. It’s very hands on, and I get to experience the calm alongside the kids.
Q: What is your favourite thing to do in the summer?
My favourite thing to do in summer is birdwatching! I love exploring the diversity of birds within the various ecosystems we have here in Manitoba. Compiling my findings through painting also helps tickle the creative part of my brain.
Q: What are your plans for the fall?
This fall I am entering my fifth year of university and beginning my education certification!
Jes (she/her), Environmental Education Ambassador
Jes is a future teacher with a major in Biology and a passion for building community through learning. She believes nature education helps young people grow into thoughtful and connected citizens.
Q: What is your favourite CPAWS summer program?
All of our programs are super fun and engaging, but I think my favourite would have to be Little Kits! I love seeing the kids learning about baby animals. The program brings together two of the most curious and gentle parts of our world, children and animals in nature! They get so excited talking about their experiences with animals and it brings me so much joy.
Q: What is your favourite thing to do in the summer?
My absolute favourite thing to do in summer is go on walks and listen to music. I love being outside and writing songs, especially when the weather is a little cool. It gives me a chance to slow down, clear my mind, and enjoy nature.
Q: What are your plans for the fall?
This fall, I will be entering my fourth year of university and continuing my Education degree!
Abby (she/her), Environmental Education and Outreach Ambassador
Abby brings a unique perspective to the team with her background in Environmental Studies and Indigenous Studies. She believes that connecting people to nature is a path to healing, learning, and thriving.
Q: What is your favourite CPAWS summer program?
Our Nature Mindfulness program is definitely my favourite! I love that we have the ability to introduce children to nature as a tool to help them grow as humans. Allowing kids to experience their emotions in nature is inspiring and we as Environmental Educators are lucky to facilitate this experience.
Q: What is your favourite thing to do in the summer?
My favourite thing to do in summer is taking any opportunity to enjoy nature! I appreciate any chance to spend time outside in our lovely Manitoban summer weather. I have also recently become very excited about learning how to identify wildflowers and trees so I can teach these skills in our CPAWS programs!
Q: What are your plans for the fall?
This fall I will begin my fourth year of Environmental Studies at the University of Manitoba. I am excited to reach this point in my degree as I will be taking courses specific to my goal of being an Environmental Educator! Some of these courses include Indigenous Perspectives on Land-Based Education and Understanding Contemporary Environmentalism.
Elyce (she/they), Environment Education and Outreach Ambassador
Elyce is a Rhetoric and Communications student at the University of Winnipeg and has been a vital part of the CPAWS team since 2024. This summer, she’s helping connect more people with nature through a hybrid outreach and education role.
Q: What is your favourite CPAWS summer program?
My favourite summer program is little wigglers, because I love to see how excited the kids get about bugs!
Q: What is your favourite thing to do in the summer?
My favourite thing to do in the summer is go for walks/hikes, nature journaling, and spending time at the lake with my family.
Q: What are your plans for the fall?
I plan on finishing my degree and looking for a full time job in environmental education or communications.
Looking Ahead
We’re proud of the incredible impact our education team makes every summer and all year round. Their work helps children across Manitoba build a lifelong bond with the land, water, and wildlife that make this province so special.
Let’s keep connecting kids to nature, one song, game, scavenger hunt, and forest friend at a time.