Collettville Elementary’s newest classroom has no walls, cubbies or carpet — it is all about teaching students in — and about — the natural world.
Students and staff at the school will soon be able to take their lessons outside thanks to an outdoor learning structure, made from local lumber, built right on the school’s grounds.
Construction on the project was well underway when the Herald stopped by on May 3, and is scheduled to be complete within the next two weeks. 
“We are creating an outdoor space to be in nature as we do our learning, and also to compliment our garden space right beside it,” said principal René Aubin as he watched the building come together piece by piece. “So we have some shelter from the elements, whether it be rain or sun, so we can have longer seasons to work outside — that is a big part of it. And just appreciating the outdoors.”
The concept of a outdoor learning area for his students was inspired by the traditional indigenous gathering places Aubin noticed while visiting B.C.’s coast.
“Last summer I was travelling in Bella Coola visiting a friend who lives there and works for the school district,” Aubin said. “He showed me a structure they had that they used as an outdoor space, so that was really the inspiration for this particular kind of structure as opposed to some of the ideas we had before.”
The project never would have taken off if it weren’t for the support from the community, Aubin said, noting Heather Yastremsky, an active Collettville parent, sought the community partnerships that turned the idea into action.
Aspen Planers donated the majority of the Douglas Fir logs for the structure, which were harvested in the Nicola Valley.
“The outdoor classroom will allow the students to observe firsthand how the theories translate in the field — in the real world!” said Neelam Sahota, spokesperson for Aspen Planers. “This is an invaluable experience, which deeply resonates with us.”
Nicola Logworks donated equipment, time and other materials for the project. President John Boys was attracted to the benefits of bringing the abstract nature of academic study into an arena of hands-on learning, a press release on the project reads. He was also keen to cut some of the wood using his log building robot, a new tool that incorporates high-tech artificial intelligence with traditional hand-cut log work.
Local contractor Jonathan Beach also donated plenty of hours building the foundation and roof of the structure.
“We couldn’t have done it without them,” Aubin said. “It’s probably about an $80,000 structure that we are putting up for probably around half the cost.”
The remaining funds needed to get the project off the ground came from proceeds from the the district’s sale of Nicola Lake School.
“Research shows a lot of benefits, and some things I have noticed myself over my career is that the more kids go outside, it seems to give them some focus and just an appreciation for the land we are on.” – Principal René Aubin
For the team behind the project, the benefits of the outdoor learning structure far outweigh the costs.
The news release outlining the project cites numerous benefits of outdoor classrooms and outdoor education programs for students, including better grades and better health, decreased stress and increased motivation, better attitudes about the environment, better behaviour, enhanced communication skills, an increase in outdoor skills, increased self-reliance, improved memory and more community awareness.
“Research shows a lot of benefits, and some things I have noticed myself over my career is that the more kids go outside, it seems to give them some focus and just an appreciation for the land we are on,” said Aubin. “It is just a really grounding and centering opportunity.”
Collettville Elementary school students check out the project’s progress during recess. (Dara Hill/Herald).
The outdoor classroom is key component of the school’s multi-phased outdoor learning program, which began last year with the planting of a community garden on the school grounds.
In addition to the outdoor learning area and the food garden, there are future plans to build an interactive adventure playground to further enhance students’ physical literacy.
As for the outdoor classroom, Aubin said he is excited for classes — and the wider community — to start using it soon.
“It’s really going to be a community resource because there is not really another structure like this in Merritt. I know parents have already been saying ‘I know where I’m having my next birthday party for my child,’” Aubin said with a chuckle. “The community helped us get it up, so it will part of our community.”
