Episode 119 - The Value of Soft Skills and Deep Land Connection in the Canadian Shield with Chris Gilmour
Forest Educator with Ricardo Sierra | A Podcast for Revolutionary Conversations about Nature-Based EducationShow Notes
Life in the Great White North can be cold and hard at times, but that makes the warmer seasons all the sweeter, from Maple Syrup Season to Sumac Gathering and so much more. The power of nature is reflected in daily life, and living close helps us see the metaphors and parallels that we echo in our own human cultural patterns.
Join Chris Gilmour and I as we explore forest educator training, youth adventure, stories of beaver ponds and much more in this episode. Chris shares powerful lessons that draw from over twenty years as an outdoor professional, leading groups, apprenticeships and foraging programs, with his experience in wilderness survival, bushcraft, nature awareness and earth living skills too.
It was really interesting to hear his perspective on the value of the 'Soft Skills' that are often misunderstood or underutilized in many traditional wilderness programs, and how they are shaping his training and students in powerful, beneficial ways. -------
Connect with Chris: Website: https://www.chrisoutdoors.ca/ Wild Muskoka Botanicals Website: https://wildmuskoka.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chrisoutdoorson/ Wild Muskoka Botanicals Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wildmuskoka/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ChangingWorldProjectChrisOutdoors LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisoutdoors/?trk=public_profile_recommendations&originalSubdomain=ca Email: [email protected] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chrisoutdoorsmentoring TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@chrisoutdoorson?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR0zB5lj6iB9vK8Eg5n4X2Yesa0zvz2pHJC4IhqVpe3Hd_MmBSrEiyRK2qQ_aem_R2l6Dd2Vh8liJszokrSGsA
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The first rule about 'bonding' is like Fight Club:
The paths we take in our journey as educators are incredibly diverse and unique to each of us. We all have different origins, with mentors, teachers, opportunities and our communities all influencing how we do what we do.
An aspect of nature education that I believe is greatly overlooked is the ability and benefit it gives young people to 'Do Hard Things'. This happens when we learn to climb a steep hill, climb a tree, master carving knife safety or learn to think of others in our groups! It happens when we learn to be safe and respectful about campfires. It happens when we begin our studies in wild foods, birds, animal tracks, trees or bushcraft skills. (This list could be very, very substantial!)