Social Entrepreneur Feature: Jeff Barrett
By Jessica Flynn, Business & Innovation Design Team
In the heart of Southern Georgian Bay, amidst the natural splendor of the Beaver Valley, Jeff Barrett is the visionary force behind a transformative institution – Blue Mountain Wild School. As the Founder and Executive Director, Jeff’s life journey and experiences have not only shaped the school’s unique educational philosophy but also the lives of a growing number of students who are experiencing this fresh approach to the Ontario curriculum.
Through the lens of social entrepreneurship, Jeff has built an educational institution that goes beyond traditional paradigms, connecting students with the environment while creating a positive impact on society.
Blue Mountain Wild School is not just an educational institution; it’s a hub for reimagining education as a force for change, for fostering curiosity, and for nurturing the changemakers of tomorrow. In a world where creativity, adaptability, and a deep connection to the environment are becoming increasingly crucial, Blue Mountain Wild School stands as a beacon of innovation, igniting the passion for learning and empowering students to make the world a better place.
Jeff grew up near the ravines of the Don Valley river in Toronto, the traditional territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation. From an early age he had a passion for the outdoors and adventure that later took him on countless adventures to all 7 continents and across the Canadian Arctic.
Jeff has taught outdoor education at Upper Canada College, Outward Bound, Summit, and Alive Outdoors. He founded Routes Adventures Inc. (a wilderness adventure program for youth in transition), developed and ran a bear viewing lodge for the Kitasoo Xai Xais Nation in the Great Bear rainforest in BC, guided many expeditions to Antarctica and the Artic, founded a community ecotourism program in Arviat, Nunavut, built a tourism industry for the Carcross Tagish First Nation in the Yukon and has been involved in many other ecotourism and ecoresort programs and developments from Alaska to Oman.
He founded Blue Mountain WILD School in order to create a more meaningful education experience that would ignite his own children’s curiosity and love for learning, while also gaining important real-world life lessons and skills along the way. He is passionate about developing a new generation of changemakers that also have the passion, the drive and the education to make a meaningful impact in our future.
Blue Mountain Wild School, a registered private school, is dedicated to empowering the leaders of tomorrow through its Four Core Educational Streams (OE4): Ecological Education, Outdoor Education, Experiential Education, and Leadership Education. More than just an educational institution, it’s a beacon of hope for those seeking to reconnect with the natural world and themselves, redefining the concept of learning.
Blue Mountain Wild School’s mission is clear: to create a new model of education that nurtures the whole student. In doing so, it aims to ignite curiosity and a passion for learning, while developing qualities such as confidence, resilience, and courage. These attributes, in turn, empower the changemakers who will lead their peers and communities to make the world a better place.
At the core of this transformative philosophy is WILD, which stands for Wilderness Integrated Leadership Development. It embodies the belief that genuine learning is derived from real-life experiences. Blue Mountain Wild School focuses on teaching the individual and fostering “the changemaker” within each student. Here, the emphasis is on ‘re-wilding’ students’ thinking—encouraging them to be free thinkers, formulate new ideas, problem-solve creatively, and think beyond traditional educational standards.
Blue Mountain Wild School is about more than breaking the mold of conventional education; it’s about forging a new one. The curriculum goes beyond provincial standards, integrating core disciplines with the OE4 streams. This integration allows students to engage deeply with their learning, enhancing their awareness of the social and physical world around them. The result is students who retain information better, are more creative and dynamic thinkers, and are genuinely passionate about learning.
The OE4 approach is at the heart of Blue Mountain Wild School’s success. Let’s delve into these four core educational streams:
Ecological Education: Blue Mountain Wild School understands that a profound connection with the natural world is crucial for personal and societal well-being. Ecological Education equips students with the knowledge and skills to appreciate, protect, and harmonize with the environment. They learn about sustainable practices, conservation, and the interdependence of all living beings.
Outdoor Education: Through outdoor experiences, students at the school engage in physical activities that promote teamwork, resilience, and leadership. These hands-on experiences are an essential component of developing well-rounded, confident individuals.
Experiential Education: Learning through experience is at the core of Blue Mountain Wild School’s philosophy. This approach allows students to apply theoretical knowledge in real-world situations, fostering practical skills and a deep understanding of the subject matter.
Leadership Education: Leadership education is the cornerstone of preparing changemakers. Blue Mountain Wild School focuses on developing the leadership qualities required to bring about positive change in communities and beyond. This includes skills such as effective communication, problem-solving, and teamwork.
Integrating these educational streams with core competencies like math, writing, and science creates a holistic educational experience. The students not only excel academically but also learn to apply their knowledge practically, gaining a unique perspective on the world and their place in it.
Blue Mountain Wild School is not just an educational institution; it’s a hub for reimagining education as a force for change, for fostering curiosity, and for nurturing the changemakers of tomorrow. In a world where creativity, adaptability, and a deep connection to the environment are becoming increasingly crucial, Blue Mountain Wild School stands as a beacon of innovation, igniting the passion for learning and empowering students to make the world a better place.