Hello! My name is Abby (she/her) and I’m currently in my second year of occupational therapy at the University of Toronto. As a new student for Davis OT, you’ll find me participating in our exciting weekend Nature OT groups in Toronto, posting on the Davis OT and Larchwood social media pages, and working on projects behind-the-scenes with my student peer, Anna. One of the projects I will be contributing to is revamping the Larchwood Summer Camp curriculum to include as many nature-based activities as possible!
When I saw the opportunity to complete my fieldwork placement for Davis OT and assist with developing content for the Larchwood Farm Nature Camp, I couldn’t resist! The Larchwood Farm Nature Camp is such a unique summer day camp that provides the perfect setting for children with various physical, cognitive, social, and emotional abilities to build many types of skills through nature therapy. It is so meaningful for me to be able to research and design activities that are inclusive and support the campers’ learning and development while also fostering their appreciation for nature. I can’t wait to hear all about the fun experiences they have this year once camp is in session!
I’m thankful to have the opportunity to support such a talented and creative team of OTs and volunteers at Davis OT for this placement. I’ve always loved being in nature and am a strong supporter of the benefits that time outdoors has on mental health and wellbeing. As a kid, I spent much of my summers outdoors with my family on camping trips, going on hikes, playing sports, and exploring the local flora and fauna. As an adult, you’ll still find me spending most of my summer outdoors with family and friends!
I moved to Toronto in 2021 for school after spending several years living in Waterloo while completing a degree in Psychology. Prior to Waterloo and Toronto, I lived in a small town in southern Ontario where I spent a lot of my time swimming in my backyard, climbing trees, making campfires, catching tadpoles, and skating on nearby creeks. While growing up, I participated in, volunteered for, and worked at various summer camps where I was able to share my passion for the outdoors with other like-minded kids and adults. I’m thrilled to be spending the next couple of months learning more about the intersection between nature and occupational therapy while working with such a great community of kids, parents, and adults!