Valcartier Elementary School sits comfort- ably in a vast natural schoolyard in Saint-Gabriel- de-Valcartier. This year we welcome 92 students to our lovely little school every day. With the rise in popularity of outdoor education and the un- questionable benefits to our children of being outside, we want to take action on behalf of our students and staff and give them as many opportunities to take their learning outside as possible.

We got the idea to build a yurt on our school property which would provide extra space as well as a better connection to the outdoors. We know technology is important. We also know using our imagination and being outside promotes a healthy brain. Of course, living in Quebec, we do need some protection from the elements! The yurt will be our quiet place, with no technology, no plastic and only natural fibres for playing. It will be used by all of our classes for yoga, reading, art therapy and more. During the summer months, the local day camp will also use the space.

We are continually looking for different ways to raise money and have recently launched a GoFundMe campaign. We need $45,000 to make this happen. Please donate at gofund.me/c127b468 to help us learn outside the box.