Events
4 Seasons of Indigenous Learning Course
Early bird registration is now OPEN for the 2024-2025 4 Seasons of Indigenous Learning Course. https://outdoorlearningstore.com/4-seasons Offered in partnership with over 50 non-profit organizations, this serves to support participants in deepening their understanding of Indigenous knowledge and perspectives while strengthening connections with the local Land. Early Bird Registration is open until June 30, and includes: - Self-paced Learning Modules (30 mins/month) - Monthly Virtual Gatherings with Indigenous Presenters (60 mins/month) - Access to the Recordings (if you can’t make the live presentations) - $25 towards excellent Indigenous Learning Resources - A Certificate of Completion This year of learning, starting this Fall, features 12 incredible Indigenous Presenters from across Turtle Island (North America): 1) Dr. Robin Wall Kimmerer (Citizen Potawatomi Nation) 2) Richard Van Camp (Dogrib (Tłı̨chǫ) Nation) 3) Jo Chrona (Kitsumkalum First Nation) 4) Dr. Gregory Cajete (Tewa) 5) Christi Belcourt (Métis) 6) Shelly Boyd (Sn̓ʕay̓ckstx/Sinixt) 7) LaRae Wiley (Sn̓ʕay̓ckstx/Sinixt) 8) Sasha Eugene (Kinbasket, Secwépemc) 9) Launa Payne (Douglas First Nation) 10) Sherrelle Anderson (Saddle Lake First Nation) 11) Renée Chacon (Diné, Xicana) 12) Micaela Iron Shell-Dominguez (Sicangu Lakota, Apache, Xicana) We invite you to watch the 2 minute welcome videos offered by our Director of Indigenous Learning, Jenna Jasek (Secwépemc, Ktuanxa) and Indigenous Learning Facilitator, Alyson McMullen (Swampy Cree): https://outdoorlearningstore.com/4-seasons-welcome-videos/ Learn more and register: https://outdoorlearningstore.com/4-seasons/The Medicine of Stories in Educating Hearts, Minds and Spirits
Join us for four thought provoking, intimate, and wise visits as Monique and her Indigenous guests explore the ways stories are medicine, the ways to use stories and storytelling and to listen to the stories that have influenced our hearts and life journeys. Jan 30: Dr. Robin Wall Kimmerer March 27: Richard Van Camp April 24: Judy Halbert and Linda Kaser May 29: Leona PrinceFSTI Forest School Teacher Training is Coming to Boston!
Forest School Teacher Institute is delighted to announce that we are bringing our training to Boston, May 19-22, with support from Boston Outdoor Preschool Network! This opportunity is the right choice for educators and advocates from around the world who seek to provide nature-based preschool education in urban and suburban settings. During this four-day event, participants will complete 26 hours of observation, instruction and practice, to earn a Forest School Teacher Certificate of Completion. And of course, all of this happens amidst the beauty and energy of one of America’s most historic cities! TUITION INCLUDES *Prerequisite online Introduction to Forest School Course of Study (3 classes,1.5 hours each) *26 hours of class instruction and observations of children at nature preschools, led by FSTI founder, Dr. Jean Lomino, and others *Visits to a different BOPN location each day, observing a range of program models in diverse settings such as an arboretum, historic estate, and zoo *Certificate of Completion for Forest School Teacher Course of Study *Evening meal with Sarah Besse, Co-Founder & Executive Director of BOPN Tuition for four-day training: $875 LODGING AND MEALS ARE NOT INCLUDED IN TUITION, except for the meal with Sarah Besse ENROLLMENT DEADLINE: MAY 12 | MAXIMUM PARTICIPANTS: 20 Optional Friday Field Trips - at no additional costForest School Teacher Certificate Training
400 Garden Rd
Chattanooga, TN 37419
FOREST SCHOOL TEACHER TRAINING, In Partnership with Red Bank Elementary School
May 28-30, 2025
CALLING ALL PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHERS AND PRINCIPALS!
And everyone interested in Forest School
Join us in Chattanooga, Tennessee to discover how outdoor/nature-based education (Forest School) helps all children become healthier, physically and emotionally, and helps them experience the joy of learning—a significant factor in personal and academic success.
Day One: We will explore Reflection Riding Arboretum and Nature Center where Dr. Jean Lomino will lead a nature/history hike, with mindfulness activities and nature journaling. You will learn strategies and lessons for engaging children in nature at all grade levels. Jean was the Executive Director of Reflection Riding for nine years, and then in 2015 co-founded and directed Wauhatchie Forest School. She is the Founder and Director of Forest School Teacher Institute and has trained over 1000 teachers from around the world to provide nature-based education for children of all ages, in both private and public schools
Day Two: You will learn firsthand how to align outdoor/nature-based learning with learning standards and curriculum, as you visit Red Bank Elementary School and Lookout Valley Elementary School. These schools have established Forest Kindergarten, Forest First Grade and Forest Second Grade in their programs. Tours and instruction will be led by Kim Hakimian, Forest Program Coordinator and Kindergarten Forest Co-Teacher at RBE.
Day Three: You will engage in further training and practice by 1) learning observation and assessment strategies and then practicing these strategies while watching a group of children in a forest school setting, 2) engaging in a panel discussion with public school teachers and principals who have forest school programs, and 3) taking deeper dive into emergent learning, working in teams to develop seasonal learning frameworks.
Benefits: Teachers will leave the training--
Inspired and encouraged to provide outdoor/nature-based learning for their students
Empowered with knowledge and practical ideas and lessons to engage their students in outdoor/nature-based learning.
Invigorated with a new joy in teaching!
Prerequisite: Highly recommended--complete Introduction to Forest School Course of Study. Three 1.5-hour live Zoom sessions. Tuition $95. Next session: 4/21-23.
Tuition:
Days 1-2 | $150 (w/o certificate of completion from FSTI)
Days 1-3 | $400 (with certificate of completion from FSTI)
Enrollment Deadline: 5/17 | Maximum Participants: 25 Forest School Director Certificate Training
3408 Elder Mountain Rd
Chattanooga, TN 37419
FOREST SCHOOL DIRECTOR TRAINING
Join us in Chattanooga Tennessee, June 2-4, 2025 for the In-Person Director Certificate Training! Our journey will begin at Lookout Lake Farm, the birthplace of Wauhatchie Forest School. Each day we will explore forest schools in the region that were inspired by this small beginning. Training will provide firsthand knowledge and skills to help you plan, develop and manage FS programs, as we meet with founders, directors, and teachers and with community leaders who currently partner with Forest Schools in Chattanooga. And perhaps the greatest benefit will be sweet communion with a cohort of like-minded people from around the country.
Participant Benefits:
24 hours of Training: presentations, discussions, and individual consultations
Certificate of Completion for Forest School Director Course of Study
Follow-up Zoom Meeting to share Synthesis Projects
Online collection of templates for FS Management and other resources
FOREST SCHOOLS WE WILL VISIT:
Wauhatchie Forest School, Founder, Jean Lomino and Head of School, Amanda Martin
Red Bank Elementary School, Forest Kindergarten and Forest First
Nature Kin Farm & Forest School at Crabtree Farms
River Gorge Forest School
TUITION
$750 Includes all sessions. This event is limited to 12 participants
EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT $100 (if paid in full by 5/01/25)
Prerequisite: Completion of FSTI Forest School Teacher Course of Study or equivalent training, or a minimum of two years teaching in a forest school.
Meals and Lodging: Participants are responsible for all lodging and meals. Register Here!
1720 Ferncliff RD
Little Rock, AR 72122
This is a professional conference for outdoor preschool educators or those that aspire to be, that feels like a summer camp! It is held in a camp-like setting and will be a chance to dig deep into practice through theory and hands-on workshops, while also enjoying a retreat like atmosphere.
-Keynote: Rachel Larimore
-Multiple tracks for different experience levels
-Sessions for both program & classroom leaders
-Workshops exploring both theory & practical skills
-Exploration of Ferncliff Nature Preschool facilities
-On-site Housing & Meals Nature-Based Prek Certification
30 N. 152nd Ave.
Holland, MI 49424
Transform your teaching with hands-on nature-based education.
ODC Network is proud to offer a five-day Nature-Based PreK Certification designed for teachers, administrators, college students, and ISD professionals eager to learn more about the foundations of nature-based education and outdoor skill-building with students in a hands-on, innovative way. This unique program provides practical tools, outdoor skills, and a deep understanding of nature-based education to help you create transformative learning experiences for young children. IPA USA 2025 CONFERENCE
Kentucky Science Center W/TH/Sat
Bernheim Arboretum FR
Louisville, KY 40202
The IPA USA, Right 2 Play, RIGHT NOW October 22-25, 2025
The call for Proposals is now open.
Submit a proposal for the IPA USA 2025 Conference in Louisville, KY - deadline May 1st---
Copy and paste this link - https://ipausa.org/events/2025-ipa-usa-conference/2025-call-for-presentations/
Thursday sessions will take place at the Kentucky Science Center
Friday presentations at Bernheim Arboretum - 17 acre nature playground.