Dragonflies

Dragonflies is a child-led Safe(r) space for forest school play, exclusively for participants identifying as Queer, from Queer families, and Queer allies. Dragonflies is designed with special care for all gender diversity by EFSS & Camp Dragonfly. This is a safer space for you if you are transgender, trans, Two-Spirit, a boy, a girl, gender creative, agender, intersex, non-binary, questioning your gender, genderfluid, or any other gender words you use for yourself. Educators are trained in 2SLGBTQIA+ allyship and work to ensure expertise around gender diversity and gender creativity in each space.

What happens at Dragonflies? 
Drop off starts with introductions to staff and peers, then Dragonflies navigate towards home base, nestled by the creek in Big Bear forest.
Dragonflies begin our time together with a transition into a guided experience centered around  belonging, community, and self-expression. Dragonflies share a time for snack and conversation to bridge between our guided experience and open-ended play. In all forest school spaces, learners are invited to take the lead, with educators supporting them to imagine and implement their ideas for forest play. Dragonflies close our day together with a time to reflect and connect with ourselves, each other, and the land.

After dropping off their children, adults are invited to stay at our welcome point to connect and build relationships with other Queer families and allies. 

Guided Experiences of this Season:
(subject to change without notice)

May 25: Paper Making
June 1: Pigment Painting
June 8: Flower Pressing (bring fabric you want to decorate!)
June 15: Iced Treat

Dragonflies are facilitated by three forest educators, bringing expertise in safe(r) spaces and forest school play, with activities guided by our Queer Forest School Educator. 

Day-of drop-ins are welcome to attend, provided there are spots open.

Age 6-12 years*
Sundays
1:30-4:30PM
May 25 - June 15: Register class by class ($15/class) or for all four sessions ($50)

*Age exceptions are possible. Email [email protected] for more information.

Is cost a barrier? Email [email protected] -- we'll get creative!

EFSS is a child led, play-based program where children can build a meaningful connection with the land, each others, and themselves.

Camp Dragonfly is an organization that runs programming for queer children and families, created specifically to be inclusive of youth under the age of 14. Camp Dragonfly hosts activities year round including a 2.5 day summer camp, family swims, dances, games and caregiver support meetings.

This spring pilot is subsidized in part by an Every Kid Can Play Program Community-Level Grant from Alberta’s Sports, Physical Activity and Recreation (SPAR) program.