Montréal, September 3, 2024 – Les Amis de la montagne is proud to introduce Learning in the Open Air, a new immersive nature program designed for primary school students, made possible thanks to financing from the Government of Québec. The goal of this program is to offer students the opportunity to start learning about environmental science and technology at a young age, to raise their awareness about protecting natural spaces, and to experience the benefits of being in nature. This accessible and innovative program that explores environmental science will also support teachers’ pedagogical goals for their students.

Off to a great start!
The first year of Learning in the Open Air will focus on students in the 2nd cycle of primary school. The summer enrollment period was so successful that the program is already full for this upcoming school year. Starting September 11, 2024, between 12-18 groups—comprising more than 200 students in total—will begin participating in one of five (5) planned outings in the great outdoors of Mount Royal.

Learning in the Open Air unites the values of Les Amis’ Forest School (an established program that helps children 0-12 years connect with nature and the mountain) with those of the Quebec Education Program. Mount Royal is truly an open-air learning environment, with a rich ecological network that supports scientific learning.

Thanks to financing from our partners, Les Amis de la montagne is able to offer reduced enrollment fees and provide free schoolbus transportation, making our program even more accessible.

Program expansion in year two
Les Amis de la montagne can already announce that enrollment for the 2025-2026 school year will open in Summer 2025 for 2nd cycle students, but with the addition of 3rd cycle primary school students as well. This means a total of 36 groups, along with their teachers, will participate in five activities per year, for a total of +3,600 participants over two years.
This project is made possible through the financial support of the ministère de l’Économie, de l’Innovation et de l’Énergie and their NovaScience Program. However, Les Amis de la montagne is also collaborating with Campus de la transition écologique, an organization that shares its expertise in pedagogical methods with projects across the island of Montréal through research, awareness and experimental activities.

About Les Amis de la montagne 
Founded in 1986, Les Amis de la montagne is a non-profit organization with the mission to protect and enhance Mount Royal through community involvement, environmental education and advocacy for the mountain’s interests.

About the ministère de l’Économie, de l’Innovation et de l’Énergie and their NovaScience Program
The mission of the ministère de l'Économie, de l'Innovation et de l'Énergie is to support sustainable economic growth in Québec, to contribute to the development of research and innovation, and to ensure responsible governance of energy resources. Through the NovaScience program, the Ministry supports organizations and projects that promote scientific culture, integrate the next generation of scientists into the workforce, and develop a culture of innovation within companies.

- 30 – 

Photo credit: Les Amis de la montagne

Information:                                                                                                                   Media:
Clara Bich, Head of Communications & Marketing                                                Isabelle Bleau
Les Amis de la montagne                                                                            Isabelle Bleau Communications
cbich@lemontroyal.qc.ca                                                                            isabelle.bleau@bellnet.ca
514 843-8240, ext. 207                                                                           Off: 514 933-2523  Cell: 514 992-8319