Exploring Education Through Nature at Banff Elementary School

At Banff Elementary School (BES), learning goes far beyond desks and whiteboards - it spills out into the wild landscapes of Banff National Park. Through the Mountain Living Program, generously supported by the Wim and Nancy Pauw Foundation, BES students engage with nature as their classroom. This unique program offers them the chance to explore, experience, and grow - both academically and personally - through outdoor adventures that bring learning to life in ways traditional methods never could.

At the heart of the Mountain Living Program is “Nature Explorers,” led by Cristin “Lynx” Geestman, the owner of Natural Journey, who has spent the last 13 years weaving her passion for nature into the school’s learning model. As Lynx explains, the year-round program immerses K to Gr. 6 students in hands-on learning, taking them outside the classroom to explore Banff’s diverse natural environments. “Across a student’s learning journey, they will have taken part in 70 outdoor field trips - a number that brings the full scope of the school’s commitment to experiential learning into focus.”

Each trip, whether it’s exploring the unique plant life or investigating the geological history of Banff National Park, is designed to build on what students are learning in class. For example, students might study the water cycle in science class, and then go out to see it in action, activities, games, or observing different weather patterns. "The beauty of the Nature Explorers program is that it aligns seamlessly with Alberta’s curriculum," Lynx says. "It’s not a separate entity; it’s a living, breathing extension of what students are learning in school."

One of the most rewarding aspects of the program is how it helps students who might struggle in traditional classroom settings. In an environment where students are encouraged to explore, fail, and try again, their sense of achievement grows, and so does their enthusiasm for learning. “Over the years, I’ve seen students who find it hard to focus in class really excel during the outdoor activities,” Lynx shares. “For some, this is where they develop confidence and a deeper connection to learning.” 

But it’s not just academic growth that the program fosters. Nature Explorers help students tap into creativity, critical thinking, and emotional well-being. “We ask students to design and build miniature shelters out of natural materials or create intricate dioramas showing the water cycle in action. It requires both right and left-brain thinking - problem-solving, trial and error, and a lot of collaboration,” Lynx explains.  The fresh air and open spaces, interacting with nature, and being physically active helps students learn in a way that engages their whole selves, not just their intellect.

The program’s impact doesn’t stop at individual growth, either. Nature Explorers nurtures a deep connection to the community. As students experience the land around them, they also learn about the importance of community. Field trips and projects tie them to the people of Banff, with students engaging in partnerships with local organizations like Parks Canada, the Banff Centre, and the Town of Banff. Through these collaborations, students are not only learning about their natural surroundings but they’re also actively shaping their communities.

Alongside Nature Explorers, a second stream to the Mountain Living Program is “Outdoor Pursuits,” which offers a variety of physical activities for K to Gr. 8 students, from swimming and skating to skiing, snowboarding, mountain biking, and canoeing. These activities are designed to complement students' academic learning while promoting physical health, wellness, and outdoor exploration. Each grade level has the opportunity to participate in different outdoor pursuits that connect them with the diverse environments of the Bow Valley. Kindergarten students, for example, enjoy swimming, while Gr. 8 students get to experience canoeing. By engaging in these activities, students develop not only physical fitness but also resilience, teamwork, and a love for outdoor adventure.

Jason Billings, Principal of Banff Elementary, reflects on how both streams are shaping students into well-rounded individuals: “We’re not just teaching academic subjects. We’re fostering the whole child - physically, cognitively, emotionally, socially, and spiritually.

“It’s clear that these outdoor lessons and pursuits aren’t just about learning in the moment; they’re about setting up a lifelong journey,” said Billings. “Students leave the program with a profound understanding of self, the world around them, and have a genuine desire to make the world a better place.”

Billings added that many BES students go on to study environmental science, ecology, or even environmental law, citing that over the years many students have returned to tell staff that the experiences they had through the Mountain Living Program were instrumental in their career choices.

In the end, the true beauty of the program is that it weaves together academic knowledge with a sense of personal responsibility for the world around us. It doesn’t just teach students what they need to know for the future - it inspires them to think about what kind of world they want to help create.