Professional Development Workshops

About our workshops

Regular outdoor learning enhances kids physical and mental health, increases their resiliency and nurtures their social and problem-solving skills. Yet in many childcare and education settings, it is still treated like an afterthought.

Designed to be highly interactive and engaging, participants of our workshops will experience the value that outdoor play and learning can bring to all forms of teaching and caregiving models. Even better, these workshops will provide you with easy-to-implement approaches regardless of your access to nature or greenspace. These play and inquiry-based activities can work in any season or space.

Areas of focus

	Nature Connection & Land-Based Learning	Supporting Outdoor Learning in All Seasons
	Activating Outdoor Learning in All Spaces	Risk Management & Risky Play

Workshops for groups

Most of our workshops are designed for groups—perfect for schools, childcare teams, and other organizations looking to learn together. No group? No problem! Scroll down for our new individual signup options.

Core Workshops

In-depth workshops designed to provide practical insights into a key area of outdoor play and learning. Choose from one of the following:

Nature Connection Principles & Practices: Explore the fundamentals to fostering a deeper connection with nature. Participants will explore essential principles and practices to enhance their relationship with the natural world and develop strategies for incorporating these into their daily routines through experiential, nature-based approaches to outdoor play and learning.
Indigenous Land Connections: Explore land-based learning with an emphasis on inquiry-based approaches that honour Indigenous Ways of Knowing. Guided by Indigenous Seasonal Teachings, participants learn strategies to support learners in connecting to the land in all seasons and spaces. As the seasons shift, our activities can too as we draw inspiration from the changing landscape and connect with the many ways that nature can heal and nourish our minds and bodies.
Activating Outdoor Learning in All Spaces: Unleash creativity and discover new possibilities for play and learning with our workshop on understanding and activating any outdoor space. Participants will discover the transformative power of Loose Parts, learn cost-effective design strategies to make the most of your existing outdoor spaces, and gain practical insights into creating dynamic and engaging outdoor learning environments that welcome in nature (even in the heart of the city).
Supporting Outdoor Learning in All Seasons: Equip yourself with the knowledge and tools to embrace outdoor learning in any weather. This workshop focuses on the importance of year-round outdoor education, providing participants with practical strategies to adapt activities and create inclusive and engaging outdoor experiences in all seasons.

Each workshop has been carefully crafted to empower participants with the knowledge and skills needed to excel in a key area of outdoor learning and nature connection. Plus, benefit from an associated post-workshop resource package tailored to the content, providing ongoing support for your educational journey.

	Location	Duration	Cost
	Indigenous Land Connections is run exclusively at Evergreen Brick Works. All other Core Workshops can be delivered in-person at your location or held at Evergreen Brick Works in Toronto, Ontario.	3.00 hours* *Indigenous Land Connections is 3.50 hours	Starting at $4,000+HST for up to 25 participants. Rates increase with additional participants. Transportation fees apply for workshops held outside Evergreen Brick Works.

Custom Workshops

Looking for a more personalized learning experience? Our Custom Workshops are tailored sessions that blend content from our key areas of focus to meet your team wherever you are on your outdoor learning journey. Learn new ideas, connect with peers, reflect on existing challenges, and leave with activities and approaches that can be implemented right away.

Whether it is the first step or the next step on your outdoor learning journey, we cater the workshop to your team’s needs through a 1-hour consultation to understand learning goals and objectives.

Post-workshop, get a custom resource package designed to help put new ideas into action. Personalized learning, direct impact.

	Location	Duration	Cost
	Custom Workshops can be delivered in-person at your location or held at Evergreen Brick Works in Toronto, Ontario.	3.00 hours (Half day) or 6.00 hours (Full day).	Starting at $5,600+HST for Half-day, and $8,000+HST for Full-day for up to 25 participants. Rates increase with additional participants. Transportation fees apply for workshops held outside Evergreen Brick Works.

Nature Play and Learning Lab

Looking for a practical, applied introduction to nature-connected play and learning? Evergreen’s Nature Play & Learning Lab is a dynamic 2-hour session that immerses participants in the fundamentals of outdoor learning and nature connection. Sharpen your ability to notice seasonal changes and discover tools and approaches that deepen connections between land and learning.

Experience a guided hike and a sampling of adaptable, seasonally inspired activities that can bring nature-connected play and learning to all ages and spaces.

We encourage multiple visits throughout the year to experience different seasons, creating opportunities for ongoing mentorship with Evergreen and deepened connection with the land and each other. Inquire about discounts when booking multiple sessions within the same year.

	Location	Duration	Cost
	Nature Play and Learning Labs are run exclusively at Evergreen Brick Works in Toronto, Ontario.	2.00 hours	$95 +HST per person. Minimum booking fee for 10 participants.

Virtual Workshops

Interested in a workshop but can’t meet in person? No problem.

Any of our core or custom workshops can be adapted for a shorter, virtual session.

Please note, Indigenous Land Connections and our Nature Play and Learning Lab cannot be done virtually.

	Location	Duration	Cost
	Virtual	2.00 hours	Starting at $2,800+HST for Core Workshops, and $4,000+HST for Custom Workshops for up to 50 participants. Rates increase with additional participants.

Workshops for individuals

Nature Play and Learning Lab

Looking to lead outdoor play and learning for the children in your life? Join us on select dates at Evergreen Brick Works to experience nature connection in action and strengthen your ability to facilitate experiences that (re)connect children with nature!

Sharpen your ability to notice seasonal changes and discover tools and approaches that deepen connections between the land and learning.

Experience a guided hike and a sampling of adaptable, seasonally inspired activities that can bring nature-connected play and learning to all ages and spaces.

Open to any adults who care for or work with children and youth.

Dates for 2025:

Saturday, April 12, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Tuesday, April 22, 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm *EARTH DAY EDITION*
Saturday, June 14, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Saturday, August 16, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Saturday, October 18, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Saturday, Dec 13, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

	Location	Duration	Cost
	Nature Play and Learning Labs are run exclusively at Evergreen Brick Works in Toronto, Ontario.	2.00 hours	$30 +HST per person.

“

Our teachers came away from the workshop excited and inspired about their new found knowledge and are eager to start implementing many of the ideas into their curriculum. It was the most fun workshop we have had to date and I would say also the most inspiring to make important changes for the sake of our students.

”

Principal

Children’s Garden School