Jamie Black MA – A Behavioral Interventionist Specializing in Outdoor Play and Narrative Inquiry in the Comox Valley

Jamie Black is the founder of Wild Craft Play ‘sCool an insured private practice offering Behavior Intervention since 2004. Author of “The Hummingbird Approach: A Case Study of Guided Discovery Learning with Children in Nature” (2017). Jamie has been recognized as a worker with youth and adults as a guide, facilitators, mentor and teacher. Jamie’s youth-focused services offer a unique and playful platform in the Comox Valley and Globally online.

Jamie practices a narrative focused, adventurous, imaginative and creative approach – offering long-term healthy results. On average, and depending on the needs, the majority of clients that work with Jamie choose a long-lasting, weekly adventure. Jamie offers a minimum of 2 hours a week offering any of the following services to youth ages 8 to 30 of all walks of life.

Jamie’s Services for youth ages 8-30:

• Outdoor Play – 
  • Whether we maintain a walk in the park, or progress to more active adventures like mountain biking, kayaking, XCountry Skiing, Sailing, it’s the opportunity to have independence, practice risk taking and enhance inter-relational, social and emotional coping skills. 
• Outdoor Learning –
  • Meet some of your BC Curriculum through outdoor play, arts and music.  Creating your curriculum together.
• Outdoor Therapy –
  • How might curious questions elicit your transformative Narrative story that can shift how we show up in the world, while wandering in the woods?

Jamie’s Services for adults ages 19+:

• CLICK HERE to learn about transformative Humming Bard Journeys

Jamie’s Current Availability:

Minimum 2 hour session between 11am and 2:30pm on Tuesdays

Jamie’s Background:

• 2021 Foundations in Narrative Therapy VSNT – joined a community of practice
• Since 2010 trained in and volunteer coach in Leadership skills training with Excellence Seminars International
• During Covid-19 in 2020 Jamie moved to the unseeded Territory of the K’omoks First Nation to connect more deeply to the land, waters and mountains and discern what is most helpful to our youth.
• 2017 founded Wild Craft Play ‘sCool and offered across Vancouver Island and trained a License to Teach to 5 teachers across the Island.
• In 2017 Jamie defended a Masters of Arts in Environmental Education and Communication with a thesis called “The Hummingbird Approach: A Case Study of Guided Discovery Learning with Youth in Nature.” A video-ethnography studying the elements of facilitating an engaging program for youth through narrative play in nature using the platform of Wild Craft Play.
• 2013 TD Friends of the Environment sponsored $5000 Scholarship for Jamie’s Masters at Royal Roads in support of the illegal dumping clean-up and prevention efforts at Little Mountain in Errington.
• 2009-11 President of the Errington War Memoral Hall
• 2009-11 Co-Director of the Night at the Palace Community Fundraiser
• 2008 Jamie curated the Wild Craft Play program in the Coombs/Errington/Qualicum Beach/Parksville area
• 2004 Initiated SoLe Adventure in the Tri-Cities of Vancouver working with “youth at risk” ages 15-30 with S.U.C.C.E.S.S.
• 2004 Sport Science and Coaching – with a Major in Sailing and a Minor in Rock Climbing – with direct training in working with people who need support with physical, emotional and social needs.
• 2002 Diploma in Recreation and Sport Management with training in Inclusive Leisure
• Raised on an Equestrian Centre surrounded by youth who received the natural benefits of Equine and Nature-based Therapy.

Jamie Black holds a Masters of Arts in Environmental Education and Communication (MA), a Diploma in Recreation and Sport Management & a Diploma in Sport Science and Coaching.  Jamie also holds a Wilderness First Aid Certificate, with a Class 4 Driver’s License.  Jamie is a member of the following groups; Sea Kayak Guides Alliance of BC, Crimson Coast Dance Society, Fallen Alder’s Community Club, LGBTQ2+ community.  

Having been a certified guide in the following adventures; Caving, Rock Rappelling, Camping, Fire Building, Adventure Racing at Horne Lake Caves, Canoeing with BCAC, 

A past Certified Coach in Indoor Competitive Rock Climbing through ACMG, and Sailing through the CYA.

The Comox Valley families have needs that support youth of varying gender, race and identity, Jamie holds a safe and creative container for all of the above in all of the work that Jamie does.  

Jamie Black’s history of therapeutic experiences includes working as a program developer, facilitator, practitioner and guide. Different races and genders have found working with Jamie to be compelling, as a safe place to share, feel heard and find resolve through creative and dynamic practices. Supporting over 3000 youth and adults in personal and professional growth since 2004.

Jamie is the partner of an incredible human on this planet, and advocate for theatrical arts of archery, swordplay and theatrical play.

 

“Jamie has been working with my son for 7 months now and I am so impressed with what they have achieved. Jamie is so kind and gentle, and also has so much fun with him. He really enjoys their time together and looks forward to it! I highly recommend Jamie and this program for your family.” ~ Sandi Collette

Hello. My name is Donna and I’m originally from Belgium where I spent most of my childhood and young adulthood playing in the woods observing birds and climbing trees. I always loved being in nature and I spent lots of time with my grandparents gardening and harvesting wild plants. Since I can remember I’ve been sharing this passion with youngsters and I’m happy to support them in their own exploration of the world. I was a scout leader and I worked as a high school teacher.

My friend Bob will be joining us as well. He just moved in the valley from Salt Spring where he was involved with the Vision of the Earth school with the nature connection program for adults and kids. He also coordinates a summer camp with Thriving roots a couple summer ago. Bob loves celebrating life and sharing the celebration.

We are both really excited to be part of the summer camp and to share some time playing in nature with all of you.