Nature Mentor Training

In this hands-on, engaging, and playful program, come develop your mentoring skills so you can help others connect with nature. Over four months, this training is designed for educators, youth workers, parents, and anyone interested in nature-based education.

Quick informations

Age

18 +

Frequency

2 days per month + 1 camping trip

Schedule

10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Location

Parc Angrignon

Period

March to June 2026

Number of sessions

6 Saturdays/Sundays + 1 camping weekend

Price

$850.00

Sliding-scale pricing: $850–$1,050

Program details

It draws inspiration from the Art of Mentoring education model, rooted in the practices of nature-connected communities around the world. This approach was developed by Jon Young, and you can learn more in the book Coyote’s Guide to Connecting With Nature.

The tools of a nature mentor are designed to cultivate each person’s gifts and passions. They help build supportive communities that respect the Earth.

This training will be a one-of-a-kind, exciting, and deeply enriching experience! Because these practices need to be integrated before they can be shared with others, be ready to:

Get your hands in the dirt
Take on surprise challenges
Sing
Practice the art of asking questions
Learn wilderness survival skills
Bring “missions” back home

Je m'inscris !

The 3 pillars of the program

Our approach is based on the 8 Shields model and the Coyote mentoring approach. Here's what you'll explore in depth during the training.

Survival and life in the forest (Self-sufficiency)

Être un guide, c’est d’abord être à l’aise dehors, peu importe les conditions.

Vous explorez les bases essentielles de la survie : abri, eau, feu (dont le feu par friction), ainsi que des arts traditionnels comme la vannerie (confection de paniers) et l’utilisation sécuritaire des outils (couteau, hache).

Ecology and knowledge of the land (Anchoring)

On ne protège bien que ce que l’on connaît.

Vous dépassez la simple identification pour aller vers la relation : langage des oiseaux (alarmes et comportements), pistage de la faune (lire les histoires dans la terre), plantes comestibles et médicinales, cartographie naturelle et compréhension des écosystèmes locaux.

The Art of Mentoring (Pedagogy)

Knowledge is not enough; you must know how to pass it down.

You'll practice the art of asking the right question at the right time, connection routines (Sit Spot), managing the energy cycles of a group, storytelling (tales, stories around the fire) and facilitating talking circles.

The Team

Sessions will be led by Steve Leckman and Muriel Bontemps, with support from the following guest mentors: Kawisente McGregor, David McComber, and others.

Schedule & Location

The program runs from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on the following dates:

March 21 – Sit Spot, Connection & Decolonization (Kahnawake)
March 29 – Wildlife Tracking & Mentoring (Parc-nature de l’Anse-à-l’Orme)
April 18 – Knife & Fire Skills (location to be confirmed)
May 2 – Working with Passion, Stories & Storytelling (location to be confirmed)
May 30 – Ecology, Plants & Bird Language (Parc Angrignon)
June 7 – Integration & Basketry (location to be confirmed)
June 12–14 – Camping Expedition & Integration (near Montebello)

Locations and content may change. Transportation is the responsibility of participants; carpooling will be organized together.Le programme aura lieu de 10h à 16h aux dates suivantes:

21 mars – Sit spot, connexion et décolonisation (Kahnawake)
29 mars – Pistage et mentorat (Parc-nature de l’Anse-à-l’Orme)
18 avril – Couteau et feu (lieu à confirmer)
2 mai – Passion au travail, contes et histoires (lieu à confirmer)
30 mai – Écologie, plantes, langage des oiseaux (parc Angrignon)
- 7 juin – Intégration et vannerie (lieu à confirmer)
12–14 juin – Excursion de camping et intégration (près de Montebello)

Lieux et contenus sujets à changement. Transport à la charge des participant·e·s; covoiturage à organiser ensemble.