Renfrew County Schools Set to Launch Outdoor Classrooms by 2026

Cobden – The Renfrew County District School Board (RCDSB) has announced plans to establish outdoor classrooms at 19 elementary schools by 2026. This initiative aims to create dedicated outdoor learning spaces for students in Junior Kindergarten to Grade 6 across schools situated on RCDSB-owned properties.

In recent discussions with the Renfrew County council and several local municipalities, RCDSB Director of Education Kristen Niemi presented the project, emphasizing that no financial contribution from the municipalities is required. Instead, Niemi requested resolutions of support to qualify for grant funding.

“Because there is no cost to the municipalities, I’m not here to ask for money,” Niemi stated during a presentation to the Whitewater Region council in early September. She explained that the board is looking to access funds from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) through its program, Growing Canada’s Community Canopies (GCCC). Each municipality can access up to $10 million over the grant’s lifetime to support green space development.

The funding model includes a 50/50 match, meaning municipalities would need to provide matching funds for any grant they receive. Niemi highlighted that many eligible grant dollars remain unclaimed due to this requirement. However, the Re-Nature Foundation, a Canadian non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing outdoor learning in schools, has partnered with RCDSB to explore funding opportunities.

“The FCM is willing to entertain school boards accessing the dollars with the support of the municipalities,” Niemi explained. For instance, the township of Whitewater Region could potentially receive $100,000 to support two schools: Beachburg Public School and Cobden District Public School.

If successful in securing grant funding, RCDSB plans to collaborate with Re-Nature to design the outdoor spaces, incorporating input from early childhood educators and other teaching staff. Project management will be the responsibility of the school board, while Re-Nature will provide training for local personnel on maintaining the outdoor classrooms.

“They also have staff who come in and do the training with the educators right in the space with the children,” Niemi noted. The initiative aims to foster a culture of outdoor learning, beginning with the youngest students, and eventually extending to all 19 RCDSB schools located within Renfrew County.

The timeline for the project includes a decision on the grant application expected by mid-winter. Following approval, the design process will commence, with the goal of breaking ground in summer 2025. The outdoor classrooms are anticipated to be operational by the start of the 2026-27 school year.

Councillor Mike Moore inquired about the reception of the proposal at the county council meeting. “Overwhelming support,” responded Mayor Neil Nicholson. When asked how RCDSB planned to fund its 50 percent contribution, Niemi clarified, “Re-Nature is helping us access other grants in addition to the one through FCM,” indicating that the school board expects to secure about 20 percent of the project cost using capital funding for site improvements.

Councillor Mark Bell questioned whether the outdoor classrooms would be located within the school yard boundaries. Niemi confirmed that, due to funding constraints, the project would focus on RCDSB-owned properties. “Re-Nature has already used Google Earth to assess all of our sites and we have such amazing schoolyards; we believe that we can do that at every single one of our schools,” she added.

Councillor Joe Trimm reflected on his connections with the education system, expressing enthusiasm for the initiative. “This is an excellent partnership where we are able to leverage federal dollars to invest in our communities,” Nicholson remarked. He emphasized the importance of these schoolyards as public spaces, stating, “Our kids, our families, our residents use these like parks.”

The 19 schools identified for outdoor classrooms include institutions from various families of schools in the region:

– **Arnprior Family**: AJ Charbonneau PS, McNab PS, Walter Zadow PS
– **Deep River Family**: Mackenzie Community School
– **Madawaska Family**: Killaloe PS, Madawaska Valley District School, Palmer Rapids PS
– **Opeongo Family**: Cobden District PS, Eganville and District PS
– **Pembroke Family**: Beachburg PS, Champlain Discovery PS, Highview PS, Rockwood PS
– **Petawawa Family**: Herman PS, Pine View PS, Valour JK-12 School
– **Renfrew Family**: Admaston PS, Central PS, Queen Elizabeth PS

The final selection of schools will depend on the success of grant applications and municipal support. The resolution from Whitewater Region to support the FCM grant application passed unanimously, with additional backing from 11 other municipalities in Renfrew County.

As Niemi concluded her presentation, she reinforced the benefits of outdoor classrooms, stating, “Being outside and in nature helps with focus, reduces stress, and supports overall well-being.” She highlighted that outdoor learning fosters environmental stewardship and enhances educational outcomes, aligning with RCDSB’s commitment to experiential and inquiry-based learning. By collaborating with the Re-Nature Foundation and utilizing available grant opportunities, RCDSB aims to enrich the learning experiences of both students and educators in Renfrew County.