On the Road
GICEL has obtained the feature documentary “Play Again” which is an internationally acclaimed film on taking young “plugged in” teens on their first wilderness camping experience – no television, no cell coverage, no virtual reality. It is a wonderfully inspiring, thought-provoking and education exploration to find the balance between the digital and the natural worlds. The theme of this film is at the heart of what GICEL and its programs are striving to achieve and as such, Michael Dunn, Program Director, will be touring the southern Gulf Islands to showcase this film in these communities and to engage discussions on its implications to our young people.
The first showing of “Play Again” will be February 20, 2011 on Saturna Island. GICEL will also feature the film at the District Parent Advisory Committee’s Parent Retreat on February 25, 2011 on Salt Spring Island (more information: contact dpac64@telus.net). The theme this year is NATURE DEFICIT DISORDER: LINKING BEHAVIOUR, MENTAL HEALTH & PERSONALIZED LEARNING. Board members Michael Dunn and Cate McEwen will be facilitating the discussion following this showing of the film. In addition, GICEL has invited Bob Peart, co-founder of the Child and Nature Alliance as the Keynote Speaker for the retreat. GICEL secretary and School District Superintendent Jeff Hopkins is also presenting on School District 64’s move toward a personalized learning model.
Plans are in the works to hold showings of “Play Again” on Galiano, Mayne, and Pender Islands, and again on Salt Spring Island.
The Galiano Conservancy Association, one of GICEL’s partner organizations, has launched an initiative to purchase land to create a “Restorative Learning Centre” on Galiano Island. The Centre will provide multi-day outdoor education opportunities at a facility which models sustainability in all respects, and will protect over 290 acres of diverse ecosystems as well as connect existing protected areas. To complete the land purchase the Conservancy must raise $2 million by mid-February of 2011, which will be matched by the Nature Conservancy of Canada.
