Who We Are
Polaris Nature School offers deep/unique personal development and mentorship programs that are powered by connection to the natural world. Through carefully-chosen, time-honoured traditions and novel twists on ordinary outdoor activities, Polaris participants have the opportunity to rediscover a world full of wonder and excitement, to practice and integrate new practical and social skills, and grow beyond the limits placed on us by society. In our busy lives, we must keep the spark of the wild alive within us. At Polaris Nature School, you will learn ways to deeply connect with yourself and your surroundings, and stoke your inner truth to life.
Locations
Polaris Nature School runs nature connection programs on the unceded traditional, ancestral Indigenous territories, including those of many Coast Salish nations. We are grateful to have the opportunity to form deep relationships with this rich and important land. Our aim in all activities is to honour and caretake the land, and to appreciate its history while avoiding cultural appropriation. We welcome feedback in all areas of our use of the land.
The English name for our home base is Metro Vancouver, also known as the Lower Mainland, BC. Bespoke individual and group mentorship is also available in the Fraser Valley, Vancouver Island, and other locations by request.
PROGRAMS
Individual Mentorship
Transform yourself through Polaris Nature School’s original, flagship offering. With individual mentorship, you receive your mentor’s complete attention, with a program designed specially for you. Polaris’s unique approach to life coaching combines the use of practical outdoor skills and unique/quality/special experiences to build the skills you need to accomplish your unique goals. Our bespoke programming and mentorship has helped clients develop clarity on their life goals; discover their passions, strengths and values; increase their focus, energy, and commitment to projects; communicate more effectively with their families; set boundaries and develop their own leadership style; build confidence and trust in their own abilities; greater awareness and appreciation for the natural world; and more. Practical outcomes include better relationships with friends and family, fulfilling life decisions in career, education, and lifestyle; and a healthier and more active outdoor lifestyle. Choose your goals and Polaris will develop a tailor-made program to help you build the skills to achieve them. Don’t miss this one-of-a-kind opportunity to learn, play, and grow in the forest. Develop a deep connection to nature, your mentor, and yourself over three or more sessions in the forest. Multi-Day Programs starting at $1697
Custom Group Programs
Whether it’s a workplace, a club, a homeschool group or a family, community building is an integral part of who we are as people. Polaris Nature School offers custom programming to meet the needs of your group or organization. Topics may include: Personal and Professional Development: Leadership and Team building Effective Communication Creative Storytelling Outdoor Practices for Wellness Values, Goal-setting, and Creating a Vision for the Future Nature Connection for Educators Outdoor Education: Hands-on Learning for Families, Homeschool Groups, and Adults Introductory Birdwatching, Plant Identification, Ecology, Insect Biology, Navigation, Tracking, and other Topics of Interest Routines for Deep Nature Connection Accessible Programs for all Abilities Group programs start at $599 Would you like to ‘wow’ your group with an unforgettable learning experience? Contact us today for more information and to book your custom-made program.
Workshops
Routines for Deep Nature Connection (September 23-24, 2023)
In-Depth Programs and Courses
Routines for Deep Nature Connection
Do you love nature and want to connect with it on a deeper level, but you’re not sure how? Discover a world of impactful nature connection practices in this 2-day workshop. You’ll learn to:
- Take care of yourself outdoors so you can stay out longer with confidence
- Identify and befriend your local plants, fungi, birds, and insects
- Read the story of an animal’s tracks
- Deeply immerse your senses into the natural world
- Recognize five bird languages to understand your environment
Nature’s Tools for Mental Wellbeing (October 14, 2023)
Many studies have shown that spending time in nature is good for our mental and physical health. Learn how to let the power of nature boost your emotional and mental wellness.
Inner Compass: Finding Your Life’s Direction (25 hours)
Over the course of 5 sessions, the Inner Compass program will introduce you to many traditional and modern methods of connecting with nature and with yourself. Each session is full of outdoor exploration and guided exercises to help you develop a more acute awareness of the natural world. At the same time, personal growth is cultivated through a guided immersion into nature and your own intuition.
The 8 Shields model of nature connection developed by Jon Young is an integral part of the mentoring process. For 40 years, this model has been shown to help foster not only a deeper connection with nature, but naturally foster personal traits known as the Indicators of Aliveness.
The Inner Compass program is designed to help the participant with self-discovery and self-confidence. Through purposeful nature connection, reflection, and ongoing mentorship, your facilitator will help guide you towards important personal growth outcomes:
Inner development:
- Develop an intuitive inner knowledge and confidence in who you are
- Discover your personal passions, values, and comfort zones
- Find ways to push through the edges of your comfort zone to grow and experience new things
- Feel at ease with being who you are, whether you’re by yourself or in a group
Communication:
- Form meaningful connections with others in your communities
- Develop an authentic communication style that respects your personal boundaries
- Become skillfully aware of the subtleties of the nature world and your own inner world
- Communicate, lead, and perform under pressure
Building the Future:
- Develop a greater ability to envision a fulfilling future
- Trust your sense of intuition
- Have the confidence to adapt and overcome obstacles
- Feel greater energy and inspiration to accomplish your goals
Environmental Awareness and Communication (55 hours)
In the Environmental Awareness and Communication course, you will learn time-honoured methods of connecting with nature. Through playful routines, outdoor self-care, storytelling, deep observation, and research methods, you will interact with nature in novel ways. As your awareness grows, you will form deeper relationships with the living beings of the forest.
You will learn the names of plant and animal friends, reflect on the roles of the largest trees to the tiniest microbes, and investigative pathways to learn more. Through hands-on, active discovery, you will develop a strong connection to the natural world. You will learn to pass these essential tools onto others of all ages.
Finally, you will practice methods of environmental communication and leadership. You will hone your ability to tell the stories of the special creatures and ecosystems you’re a part of. In your own unique way, you will gain the skills to help others connect with and protect the natural world.
Join us in an unforgettable experience!
Monthly Adventure Club
First Sunday of each month. Register in advance.
Join us for easy to moderate hikes every month in the beautiful Lower Mainland. Meet new people, make fascinating discoveries, and switch things up with games and guided activities to build your unique connection to the natural world.
Alicia Drover
Owner and Operator, Polaris Nature School
Alicia Drover specializes in fostering personal growth through meaningful connections to the natural world. She is trained in using the 8 Shields mentoring model as a basis for connecting not only to nature, but to one’s inner passions and intuition.
As a facilitator, Alicia helps clients discover what they’re passionate about in nature, tap into their curiosity, grow their awareness of their surroundings, and appreciate their community and environment. Through playful and purposeful exploration of nature, there is a fostering of inspiration, motivation, commitment, belonging, community involvement, and integration of personal growth. Alicia’s additional interests include writing and storytelling, music, volunteering, board games, art, and learning new skills.
What to Expect - Getting the Most Out of Your Experience
Taking an outdoor learning or mentorship program with Polaris Nature School is a unique experience. Be prepared to go much further than looking at and talking about nature. Getting the most out of a day or program with Polaris means being present and embracing your inner child.
The Polaris Experience
Polaris Nature School participants get to know plants and places with all of their senses. Your program may include games that test your observation skills, get your heart pounding, and coax your body to move with fluidity and awareness. You may learn practical outdoor skills that build your focus and your confidence in your ability to survive and thrive outdoors. Guided opportunities to reflect, open your heart and mind, and receive guidance and mentorship, may be part of the experience. Come prepared to be a full participant in your experience.
If you have accessibility requirements, please contact us so we can best include you in your nature connection experience.
Preparing for a Day at Polaris Nature School
The first requirement for a great day in nature is to prepare appropriately. Please see the Recommended Gear List to ensure your comfort for a day outdoors.
Daily Supplies
- 1-2 full water bottles
- Snacks or meals depending on the length and timing of the program
Most participants may want to pack more food than they normally would eat. Being active and adapting to the elements requires more fuel.
- Backpack with a rain cover or liner (can be a garbage bag)
- Any medications or supplies you need for comfort throughout the day
- Rain Gear: Rain Jacket, Rain Pants, Rain Boots
Use your judgement based on the weather forecast, but it’s better to have a spare rain jacket and rain pants in your backpack in case you need them.
Warm Weather Supplies
- Sun Protection: Sunscreen, hat
Other supplies can include UV clothing and sunglasses
- Bug Protection: Bug spray or other
- Jacket or sweater
Remember, when we are sitting for breaks, reflection activities, lunch etc., your body temperature may feel colder
- Suitable closed-toe footwear: Runners, Hiking Boots, or Rain Boots
- Extra water
Cold Weather Supplies
- Thermal under-layers
- 2-4 fleece or wool sweaters depending on weather
- Rain Jacket (large enough to fit on top of your layers)
- Rain Pants
- Rain boots, hiking footwear or waterproof winter boots depending on weather
- Gloves
- Toque
- Scarf or Neck Warmer
- Hand Warmers (Optional)
- Hot drink/Hot meal (Optional)
Email us or request a callback
Find your natural passions, ignite your curiosity, and grow a deeper understanding of your surroundings and yourself.
Mail us 24/7
info@polarisnature.com
Our Location
Canada