A national initiative to align and strengthen Canada’s outdoor community
The Canadian Outdoor Summit was a multi-year initiative (2018–2022) led by the Outdoor Council of Canada. More than 70 organizations contributed to the process through working groups, consultations, or resource sharing.
The Summit’s goal was to surface sector-wide tools —definitions, frameworks, and shared language—that could help outdoor programs operate with greater clarity, consistency, and recognition.
The collaborative process produced a suite of resources and frameworks.
What the Summit Produced
- Definition of Led Outdoor Activities
- Benefit Statement for Led Outdoor Activity
- Meta-Review: Health benefits of Outdoor Activity (Priest & Ritchie, 2024)
- Model of Accepted Practices, Structures, and Systems for Outdoor Programs
- Accessibility Planning Guide
- LGBTQ2S+ Inclusiveness Guide
- Working Paper on National Training Standards
These materials were developed by working groups composed of subject matter experts and were intended to be formally endorsed by the outdoor community at an in-person Summit event. That event was ultimately cancelled due to COVID-19, and the sector never completed a formal ratification process. However, the frameworks produced through this national collaboration continue to inform the OCC’s advocacy, resource development, and initiatives such as Project Elevation.
Whether you are leading groups outside, developing a program, or shaping policy, these materials offer a foundation to align your work with broader sector goals.
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