What the Project Is
Momenta stands for “Experience Discover Grow” and creates experiences that discover strengths. This organization teaches through experiential learning which fosters growth through meaningful connections to oneself, each other, and the surrounding place. Established with a vision to offer transformative outdoor education, forest and nature school experiences, professional development workshops, and strengths-based activity counseling, Momenta operates on the belief that learning happens beyond the classroom. With programs based out of Winnipeg and across Manitoba, just imagine the thrill of connecting with nature while learning essential life skills… all around, every season!
Main Benefit
Key figures and facts highlighting the impact of the project include:
- Year-round outdoor education and leadership programs across Winnipeg and Manitoba.
- Forest and Nature School sessions designed by carefully observing children’s playful interactions with nature.
- Professional development workshops and keynote presentations for professionals working with youth across Canada.
- Strengths-based, activity-based counseling for children, adolescents, and adults, delivered with an anti-oppressive lens.
- A commitment to social work and reconciliation, standing by Calls to Action and published accountability reports.
- BCorp score of 103, highlighting a strong commitment to sustainable and ethical practices in the Non-residential social work industry.
Outdoor Education and Leadership Programs
Momenta’s outdoor education programs provide a dynamic, experiential learning environment where participants develop essential skills for navigating nature and life. The programs blend technical outdoor skills like canoeing, biking, and hiking with the development of pro-social, communication, and interpersonal skills. These experiences are not only about mastering the outdoors; they are about overcoming challenges within a group, understanding oneself, and forming strong bonds with others and the land. The language of discovery and growth is palpable as each expedition encourages participants to explore their capabilities in a natural setting.
Forest and Nature School Programs
The Forest and Nature School programs are crafted to reconnect children with nature in a safe and thoughtful way. The curriculum is not rigid; instead, it evolves through careful observation of children’s play. Themes arise naturally through inquiry-based learning, prompting young minds to build knowledge and solutions in a relaxed yet structured manner. This approach helps children explore nature with all their senses, encourages physical activity, builds social skills, and instills a sense of stewardship toward the land. It’s a subtle reminder that learning can be as gentle and natural as a walk in the woods…
Professional Development & Counseling
Since 2006, Momenta has been on a journey of continuous listening, learning, and leading. By offering professional development workshops and keynote sessions, the organization shares its expertise with professionals working with youth throughout Canada. Additionally, the clinical team provides strengths-based, activity-based counseling sessions for individuals, families, and groups. With a strong anti-oppressive lens, the counselors serve as providers under Jordan’s Principle and NIHB, ensuring that the support is comprehensive and culturally attuned. This blend of professional growth and compassionate counseling brings a fresh, effective approach to social work and youth development.
Community Engagement and Cultural Commitment
Momenta firmly grounds its work in the values of community, cultural respect, and reconciliation. The organization teaches and leads in Wînipêk, within Treaty One Territory, acknowledging the rich history and the living heritage of the original peoples – the Anishinaabe, the Nehiyaw, and the Red River Métis. Honoring this deep connection, the project remains engaged with the ongoing calls to action from the Indian Residential School survivors, continually setting goals and taking responsibility for reconciliation. It is an approach that is as much about learning from the past as it is about paving the way for an inclusive future.
Project Impact
- SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being – Enhancing physical, mental, and social aspects through experiential outdoor activities.
- SDG 4: Quality Education – Providing adaptive learning experiences that extend beyond traditional classroom teaching.
- SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities – Offering inclusive programs designed with an anti-oppressive lens, ensuring equitable access to resources and support.
- SDG 15: Life on Land – Instilling stewardship and respect for nature, encouraging sustainable practices.
- SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals – Demonstrating collaboration across community, professional, and cultural landscapes to achieve shared objectives.
Commitment to Reconciliation and Indigenous Accord
The commitment to reconciliation is woven into the fabric of Momenta’s operations, reflecting a dynamic blend of respectful tradition and forward-thinking community service. The organization’s Reconciliation reports are part of the annual Winnipeg Indigenous Accord, which has been accessible to the public from 2020 onward. This transparency in setting goals and taking action on Calls to Action 90, 83, 11, and 13 serves as a continuous reminder of the importance of truth and accountability. A nod to Murray Sinclair and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada encapsulates the spirit of the project—a genuine embrace of history that guides a responsible and optimistic future.
