Planting Cardinal Direction Perennial Gardens in the Outdoor Classroom

Planting for the Future of Drummond Central School's Outdoor Education Program (2019)

Planting for the future of Drummond Central School's Outdoor Education Program in 2019 became a truly nature-connected community event. Students, parents, teachers, administrators, The Table Community Food Centre's Community Garden, Good Food in Schools, and After-School Program coordinators worked alongside Algonquin College Early Childhood Education students, the Upper Canada District School Board, and some of Lanark County's most knowledgeable gardeners and permaculturalists. Together, they demonstrated the power of community collaboration by transforming the school's outdoor classroom into a more diverse and vibrant learning environment.

The project focused on planting edible and medicinal perennial flowers, shrubs, and trees within four Cardinal Direction Gardens, creating meaningful outdoor learning spaces in the north, south, east, and west corners of the playground. Participants generously shared their creativity and enthusiasm as each garden took shape. The day began with words of gratitude from Murielle Lapointe, who offered an Anishinaabe perspective and welcomed the entire school community into the shared experience.

The playground's much-loved annual garden, lovingly maintained by children and parent volunteer Donna Mae, was expanded with four perennial gardens featuring medicinal and edible plants, shrubs, and trees. Together, these additions enhanced the biodiversity of the playground while creating opportunities for year-round outdoor learning. This marked Phase One of a three-phase vision that would later include a natural pathway and an outdoor classroom structure.

Following the community planting day, Drummond Central School welcomed families back for a Parent and Child Outdoor Learning Workshop, inviting them to explore the newly designed spaces through hands-on outdoor activities.

It was an honour to be part of this meaningful initiative that encourages children, educators, and families to bring learning outdoors. The Drummond Central School community continues to demonstrate an inspiring commitment to outdoor education, recognizing that nature-rich environments help children flourish academically, socially, emotionally, and physically.

I am deeply grateful to have contributed to a project that provides children and adults with opportunities to connect with one another through nature while fostering curiosity, exploration, environmental stewardship, and the simple joy of learning together.

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