Coxheath Hills

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WILDERNESS CONNECTIONS

Outdoor Education Series (Spring 2025)

Event Details

  • Time: 9:00 am – 12:00 pm (May 17, May 31, June 14).
  • Location: Coxheath Hills Community Centre and Hiking Trail

These workshops can be taken individually (stand-alone) or as a series.

Experience Level: No previous outdoor experience is required. These sessions are beginner-friendly and designed for people of all experience levels and backgrounds, however participants must have the ability to hike sections of the trail that are steep.

To Register: Click here to complete the Registration Form

Each 3-hour workshop combines practical outdoor skills with guided reflection, building confidence and comfort in Cape Breton’s beautiful natural spaces. Whether you’re brand new to outdoor adventure or looking to deepen your connection with the land, you can join one session or all three to progressively grow your knowledge and confidence.

Led by local outdoor leaders, workshops include time outdoors and brief indoor learning in the Wilderness Cabin or Coxheath Hills Community Hall. Maximum number of participants per session is 12-15 so please register early to avoid disappointment. (We will start a waitlist as well).

What to Bring and Wear:

  • Sturdy, closed-toe footwear (hiking boots, running shoes – no sandals or Crocs)
  • Warm, layered clothing (weather dependent)
  • Waterproof outer layer
  • A filled water bottle
  • Snacks (optional)
  • A backpack to carry your belongings
  • Curiosity and a willingness to learn!

Supported by CBRM Municipality, Province of Nova Scotia CCTH via “Let’s Get Moving Action Plan”

Session 1: Getting Started – From Home to Trailhead

Date:  Saturday, May 17th     Time: 9:00 am – 12:00 pm

Workshop Description:
Curious about hiking but not sure where to start? From Home to Trailhead is a beginner-friendly workshop designed to build your confidence and readiness for day hikes in Cape Breton and beyond. Whether you’re new to Canada, new to outdoor recreation, or simply looking to feel more prepared, this hands-on session offers a warm welcome into the hiking world. Through a mix of indoor learning, practical demonstrations, and a short guided hike, you’ll learn how to prepare for a safe and enjoyable time on the trail.

What You’ll Learn:

  • Trip Planning: How to prepare for a hike from home to trailhead
  • Gear & Clothing Essentials: What to pack, what to wear, and how to layer for changing weather
  • Trail Etiquette: Safety tips, respect for nature, and being part of a shared outdoor space
  • Confidence on the Trail: Tips for navigating beginner-friendly trails with ease
  • Guided Hike Experience: Putting it all together with a supportive hike

Your Guides:

Dr. Doug Lionais, PhD is a professor in the MBA in Community Economic Development program at Cape Breton University and a board member of the Coxheath Hills Wilderness Recreation Association. As Chair of the Trail Committee, Doug leads the design, planning, fundraising, and hands-on development of the Association’s trail network. A passionate outdoorsperson, Doug spends his recreational time trail running, backcountry skiing, mountain biking, snowshoeing, backpacking, and hiking.

Nicole Cammaert is a community-builder and changemaker working at the intersection of gender equity, accessibility, active living, and belonging. As a Board member with Coxheath Hills Wilderness Recreation Association, she designs and leads Wilderness Connections, an inclusive land-based learning program. Nicole also consults nationally with Canadian Women & Sport, and on topics of equity in sport, accessibility, and social innovation.

Session 2: Getting Equipped - Skills for the Woods

Date:  Saturday, May 31st     Time: 9:00 am – 12:00 pm

Workshop Description:
Are you eager to get outside and feel more confident in the woods? Skills for the Woods is a hands-on, beginner-friendly workshop designed to help you build foundational outdoor skills in a welcoming and inclusive environment. Through interactive demonstrations and guided practice, you’ll learn how to stay safe, be prepared, and enjoy nature more fully—whether you’re hiking, camping, or just exploring.

What You’ll Learn:

  • Leave No Trace Principles: Respecting and protecting the land while exploring
  • Weather & Terrain Preparedness: How to dress appropriately and identify environmental hazards
  • Navigation Basics: Understanding trail maps, markers, and route planning
  • Wildlife Awareness & Safety: Recognizing local wildlife and avoiding unwanted encounters
  • Basic Survival Skills: Fire-starting, shelter-building, and must-carry items for the outdoors

Your Guides:

Jody MacLean is an experienced educator and outdoor enthusiast with a fondness for hiking, paddling, and camping.  Jody has always called Cape Breton home, and is happy to share what she’s learned in the way of outdoor skills, safety, and environmental stewardship. She can often be found lagging behind the group, hunched over some plant, mushroom or insect, and failing to conclusively identify it.

Mike Morrison is an experienced educator, rock drummer, and outdoor adventurer. He enjoys wilderness camping, hiking, paddling, fishing, and hunting. He has many years of experience travelling the woods and waterways of Cape Breton, and is pleased to share practical skills for enjoying the outdoors in all weather.

Session 3: Getting Grounded – How to BE in the Woods

Session 3: Getting Grounded – How to BE in the Woods

Date: Saturday, June 14th      Time: 9:00 am – 12:00 pm

Workshop Description:
Now that you’ve learned the basics of preparing for and safely enjoying time on the trails, this third workshop invites you to go deeper. How to BE in the Woods is a reflective, experiential session focused on how to truly be in the woods—not just as a visitor, but as part of the natural world. Together, we’ll explore practices that help us slow down, tune in, and reconnect with ourselves and the environment around us.

Through guided activities, quiet time in nature, and group conversation, this session encourages participants to build a personal relationship with the land, while honoring diverse cultural perspectives on nature, healing, and belonging.

What You’ll Learn/Experience:

  • Mindful walking, and nature-based reflection practices
  • Techniques to quiet the mind, engage our senses, and pay attention
  • Ways to feel more grounded, present, and at ease in natural spaces
  • Opportunities to explore how nature supports well-being and emotional regulation
  • Meaningful connection with others through shared stories, silence, and the land itself

Your Guides:

Nadine LeFort is an environmental educator whose work has always focused on deepening relationships with nature in culturally relevant ways. She grew up here in Cape Breton, with Acadian settler ancestry, and now works with Unama’ki Institute of Natural Resources and teaches Environmental Science at Cape Breton University. Nadine loves spending time outdoors, hiking, biking and adventuring with family and friends.