SaskOutdoors: Growing Outdoor Experiences

Guest post by Heather Jackle, SPRA Practicum Student, Saskatchewan Polytechnic

Have you ever wondered who facilitates outdoor education experiences in Saskatchewan? So have I!  After sitting down with Leah Japp, General Manager of SaskOutdoors, I discovered there are various opportunities for individuals, families, and organizations to access outdoor education experiences in both urban and rural settings right here in the land of the living skies.

Who is SaskOutdoors? Also known as the Saskatchewan Outdoor Environmental Education Association, SaskOutdoors is a part of the Canadian Network for Environmental Education & Communication (EECOM) and a Provincial Recreation Association supported by SPRA with funding from Sask Lotteries. The organization consists of Japp and a Board whose members live throughout the province and share equally in their passion for the outdoors and in providing outdoor and environmental education opportunities to members and non-members of the organization. 

What kind of opportunities do they provide? Some of these outdoor and environmental education opportunities include, but are not limited to:

• For SaskOutdoor Members: access to grant funding for outdoor and environmental education projects like camping, canoeing trips, and community gardens; discounts on registration for SaskOutdoor events, courses, programs like “Growing Up Wild”, and nature retreats, and; making connections with like-minded people who love nature!

• For Non-Members: access to courses and programming, and public communication updates.

All of the opportunities provided by SaskOutdoors is with the goal of increasing outdoor and environmental education and encouraging outdoor experiences in Saskatchewan.

SaskOutdoors’ “Lending Library” is another way the organization is encouraging outdoor experiences for its members. After accumulating a lot of outdoor equipment that lacked frequent exposure to the elements, SaskOutdoors created the Lending Library. This Library ensures that the unused equipment is utilized, and like the people of Saskatchewan, has the opportunity to get outside. More importantly, the Lending Library provides the organizations members the ability to access outdoor equipment they might not personally own, serving as a medium to connect Saskatchewan communities to the province’s natural spaces. 

By becoming a SaskOutdoors member you can request a loan of various outdoor equipment that includes, but is not limited to: tents, stoves, large water jugs, binoculars, carving kits, air horns and more. If that sounds like something you’re interested in, the full equipment list and details about how to access the Lending Library can be found on their website!

After thinking about my meeting with Leah Japp, I was left with some final thoughts. As an organization, SaskOutdoors is truly passionate about outdoor and environmental education.  Their passion and the effort they put out in providing outdoor and environmental education opportunities connects the people of Saskatchewan with nature, allowing for the sustainable growth of meaningful outdoor experiences in our province.

One last note, if you’re interested in becoming a volunteer, SaskOutdoors is currently looking to expand their volunteer opportunities in the roles of representatives at events, and leaders in community activities. Contact Leah Japp with your questions and inquiries at info@saskoutdoors.org.

You can learn more about SaskOutoors at www.saskoutdoors.org.