Every year at Durham Forest Outdoor Education center in Uxbridge they hold an Earth Day event designed to teach students to love and respect the earth by having them complete a number of challenges throughout the day. The event is open to students in grade 7 in all the schools in Durham Region. In the morning the students learn how to do a number of things like; first aid, portaging a canoe, building a fire and identifying some plants and animals. In the afternoon they are sent out on their own with their new skills to complete a timed challenge with their group. this event not only teaches them some very valuable skills needed to enjoy the outdoors but it also teaches them teamwork and we hope a love and respect for the outdoor environment. In the words of one of the instructors (Cathy) we want them to love the earth because when you love something, you want to protect it.