Projects That Keep the Green Wheel Turning!
The Foundation is constantly working on one or more projects, whether they are visible or behind the scenes. The wheel of ideas never stops turning!
Boucher Forest Activities Committee (CAF)
Created in November 2022 by the Foundation team and Geneviève Lessard, Professor of Educational Sciences at the Université du Québec en Outaouais, this committee aims to develop an annual program of activities in Boucher Forest Park and strengthen its future role as a forest school.
Why? Surveys conducted among local residents a few years ago revealed a demand for educational and recreational activities in Boucher Forest. The pilot days we organized last year in the Park with elementary and secondary school classes confirmed this interest. We are now moving to the next phase: structuring and strengthening this initial concept to offer high-quality programming that has been tested and approved by professionals.
How Will We Achieve This? The Foundation created the CAF and established a working group made up of volunteer teachers from the Centre de services scolaire des Portages-de-l’Outaouais. They develop pilot activities on various themes that are tested in the forest with their students. Afterwards, they share their observations and feedback with us. This information will help us prepare a report this fall. The report, along with recommendations from our partners, will help us create a portfolio of activities.
These activities will be documented and adapted for different audiences, initially ranging from preschool to secondary school students, so that they can become part of our future four-season programming.
Ultimately, we would like to offer day camps and a “Forest School.” The day camps would consist of themed days offered five days a week, led by specialist instructors to enhance the forest experience.
A “Forest School” could offer evening and weekend activities on a variety of topics, much like a sports or social club.
This fall, we will finally provide classes participating in the pilot project with backpacks equipped with everything needed for an educational outing in the forest. This brilliant idea comes from the EX3 program of the Réseau des Unités régionales de loisir et de sport du Québec, of which our partner Loisir Sport Outaouais is a member!
Shelter Improvements
Now that the pedestrian shelter has been built and this important milestone has been tested by our visitors, we are gathering feedback and suggestions to maximize its use while ensuring it remains safe and secure.
One of our goals is to make it a welcoming place for all visitors who wish to take a break and enjoy the beauty of the surroundings. We would also like to acquire the necessary equipment to offer full-day outdoor classes that teachers from the Outaouais region could reserve to provide their students with a memorable learning experience.
