Photo submitted by: Shawn Hughes
Peterborough and the Kawarthas served as the perfect backdrop for the highly successful 2026 Ontario Association for Geographic and Environmental Education (OAGEE) Spring Conference, which brought together 38 educators from across Ontario for a full day of experiential and environmental learning.
Local educators Shawn Hughes and Roger Jenkins, teachers at Crestwood Secondary School, spent the past six months carefully planning an engaging itinerary designed to highlight the region’s unique geographic, cultural, and environmental features. The conference focused on experiential education, environmental sustainability, and professional collaboration while showcasing some of the outstanding educational opportunities available throughout Peterborough and the Kawarthas.
Educators attended from communities spanning Chatham and Port Lambton in southwestern Ontario all the way to Kingston and Ottawa in the east, creating a diverse gathering of geography and environmental education professionals eager to learn from one another and explore the region.
The conference also welcomed several distinguished guests, including Anne Mansfield, President of the Ontario Association for Geographic and Environmental Education, and John Estabillo, Director of Education for the Royal Canadian Geographical Society.
The annual OAGEE Spring Conference is intentionally field-trip driven, with a new geographic region highlighted each year. Organizers noted that Peterborough and the Kawarthas exceeded expectations by offering participants a rich blend of history, sustainability, outdoor education, and community partnerships.
One of the highlights of the day was a visit to the Canadian Canoe Museum, where educators explored the museum’s world-class exhibits and participated in immersive hands-on activities. Participants praised the museum’s ability to connect Canadian history, Indigenous knowledge, waterways, and environmental stewardship through interactive learning experiences.
Another standout experience took place at Lakefield College School’s Northcote Campus. Participants toured the school’s innovative regenerative learning farm, where they produced 10,000 pounds of produce in 2025 and donated 6,000 pounds of the harvest to Kawartha Food Share. The Northcote Campus demonstrated how sustainability, wellness, food systems, and outdoor education can be integrated into meaningful student learning opportunities. Teachers participated in hands-on activities while exploring how experiential education can foster deeper engagement and environmental awareness in schools.
The conference concluded with educators reflecting on the importance of fieldwork and place-based learning in geography education. Organizers emphasized that experiences such as these help teachers bring authentic, real-world learning back to their classrooms and inspire students to better understand the environments and communities around them.
Shawn Hughes noted that while the conference showcased some incredible destinations, there is still so much more to explore throughout the region.
“We only scratched the surface of what Peterborough and the Kawarthas has to offer,” said Hughes. “I wish we had more time to explore the region and all that it has to offer. Hopefully this becomes a ‘Part 2’ conference experience in the future where we can explore places like Warsaw Caves, Petroglyphs Provincial Park, and Curve Lake.”
With overwhelmingly positive feedback from attendees, the 2026 OAGEE Spring Conference highlighted not only the strength of geography and environmental education in Ontario, but also the incredible educational and tourism opportunities available throughout Peterborough and the Kawarthas.
(Article submitted by: Shawn Hughes)
