Events Archive
Free 60-min Virtual Workshop: Developing a Sense of Place by Sparking Curiosity and Wonder
Join our three fantastic educators and authors of ‘A Walking Curriculum for the Early Years’ for a beautiful walk into early years education that sparks curiosity and wonder. They will share their new innovative, interdisciplinary resource designed specifically for Early Years Educators that outlines an imaginative and ecological approach to taking student learning outside school walls. All registrants will be entered into a draw to win some great prizes! Following the workshop, you will receive a discount code to access the resources shared, the recording, and a link to access your Certificate of Attendance.Dodge Nature Preschool Learning Conference
1715 Charlton Street
West St. Paul, MN 55118
Join Dodge Nature Preschool on Friday, April 26, 2024 from 8:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m. for a one-day conference designed to inspire and encourage outdoor learning in early childhood. Find inspiration, engage in dialogue with colleagues, and learn practical ideas to help incorporate nature-based education into your classroom and school environment.
Join us at the Learning Conference to:
-Hike with a guide through Dodge Nature Center and Preschool grounds
-Observe in preschool outdoor classrooms
-Engage with materials in the resource room
-Participate in two breakout sessions:
1. Habitat Hike – With the guidance of a Dodge Nature Center naturalist, learn about local habitats and ecosystems. Find out what natural resources you can use to go deeper in your own setting.
2. Nature’s Curriculum – Hear from Dodge Nature Preschool teachers how nature is used to guide their curriculum in all domains. Get hands-on with inquiry experiences, wild edibles, animal encounters, and more.
The cost is $85/participant—this includes a light breakfast, lunch, and materials. Please come prepared to spend time outdoors.
Dodge Nature Preschool is a licensed child care center in Minnesota and is accredited by NAEYC. Conference is Develop approved. Wholly Wild Retreat/Workshop
Johnston Woods Retreat Center and Woodsong Forest School
McDonald, TN 37353
Wholly Wild is an invitation to an embodied, experiential retreat that is designed to transform the inner landscape of the teacher. It is a holistic, nature-based retreat for the nourishment of the hearts, minds, and bodies of those who work with children.
We invite you to join us at Johnston Woods Retreat Center (the home of Woodsong Forest School) in the beautiful foothills of southeast Appalachia, April 25-38th, 2024, for this inspirational time together.
The art of teaching flows from the inner landscape of the teacher. The greatest gift we can offer students, and the most transformational learning tool, is a healthy, whole, wonder-filled human as their teacher. Nature invites us into the fullness of our true selves. The life and beauty of our wholly wild, authentic selves.
Come, join us, and experience this rich time together to cultivate a posture of wholeness and to expansively develop your nature-based programming!
Check out last year's gallery of photos at www.whollywild.org
Feel free to reach out to us with any questions: whollywild@woodsongschool.org, or on Instagram: @whollywild.woodsong
Starting a New Nature-Based School: Plans, Partnerships, & the Devilish Details (Live Webinar)
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Midland, MI 48640
Dreaming of starting a school? Confident in early childhood education, but less confident about the business side of things? If you can handle young children but aren’t so sure about some adults–like architects, attorneys, licensing authorities, potential landlords, and prospective partners – this webinar is for you!
This 1-hour webinar led by Dr. Rachel Larimore and David Catlin is intended to make it easier for you to be successful in opening a new nature-based school or program. In this session we’ll discuss:
→ Key questions to ask before embarking on writing a business plan
→ Components of a business plan
→ Tasks to complete between business planning and opening your doors. The Wonders of Water: Practical Ideas and Resources for Educators
Join us for this collaborative workshop where we will discuss all things water education, from our place in the cycle, to the other beings we share the water with as well as how to study it and how we are linked to the oceans! This workshop comes complete with ideas, inspiration, prizes, and a certificate of attendance! All registrants will be entered into a draw to win some great prizes! Following the workshop, you will receive a discount code to access the resources shared, the recording, and a link to access your Certificate of Attendance.Free Spring Outdoor Learning Virtual Workshops!
Our FREE Spring Virtual Workshops are now live, and ready for registration! https://outdoorlearningstore.com/workshops Each 60 min workshop comes complete with a certificate of attendance, access to the recording, discounts for outdoor learning tools & resources, and entry for some great prizes! These 6 free workshops bring together 19 amazing presenters & partners: 1. April 16: The Wonders of Water: Practical Ideas and Resources for Educators 2. April 23: Invasive Species Education and Action 3. April 30: Developing a Sense of Place by Sparking Curiosity and Wonder 4. May 21: Recursos en español para aprender al aire libre 5. May 28: Using Sit Spots and your Senses to Connect with Nature 6. June 4: Métis Learning for the Summer SolsticeWild Learning Spring Course
This course will include guided conversations, activities and discussion with the author, practical activities for you to try and get feedback on, and community building with other educators while discovering how to deliver your own ‘Wild Learning’.Forest School Teacher Training and Level I Naturalist Certificate
201 Methodist Camp Road
Jonesborough, TN 37659
FOREST SCHOOL TEACHER INSTITUTE
In Partnership with
THE DEPARTMENT OF EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION EAST TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY
Forest School Teacher Certificate plus Level I Naturalist Certificate Training
Academic Credit offered through East Tennessee State University
March 25-28, 2024
The Camp at Buffalo Mountain, Jonesborough, TN
Join Dr. Jean Lomino, Founder and President of Forest School Teacher Institute and ETSU professors of Early Childhood Education, Dr. Jane Broderick and Dr. Pam Evanshen at The Camp at Buffalo Mountain, home of Seedkeeper’s Forest School. This four-day training intensive will provide: observations of children, preschool through middle school, engaged in emergent learning at Seedkeepers Forest School and Fauna Forest Farm. Participants will gain FS skills, knowledge and inspiration by learning about: Observation and Assessment Strategies, Flow Learning, Child-directed Emergent Curriculum in nature-based programs; Introducing Cultural Themes in Forest School; Practicing Mindfulness and Nature Journaling. Participants will earn an additional certification in Level I Forest School Naturallist, with 12 hours of general ecology, hands-on practice developing observation skills and learning field identification of local flora and fauna. Guest instructors include Joe Pounds, Vice-President of Forest School Teacher Institute and Dr. Carl Swafford, Professor Emeritus at Southern Adventist University, MSED in Outdoor Education Program.
PARTICIPANT BENEFITS:
• Introduction to Forest School online course FREE WITH this REGISTRATION; should be completed before the March training.
• Practice observation and assessment strategies at Seedkeepers Forest School and Fauna Forest Farm
• Receive a FSTI Certificate of Completion for 24 hours of FS Teacher Training
• Receive FSTI Certficate of Completion for 12 hours of Level 1: Forest School Naturalist
• Purchase optional Training Supplies: FSTI Naturalist Tool Kit, $30 ($60 value) and FSTI Nature Journaler’s Kit, $20 ($40 value). Must be ordered at time of registration. (See details below)
• Network and gain inspiration during our EVENING MEAL with GUEST SPEAKER (TBA), March 25
Visit our website for more details regarding tuition and lodging. Forest School Teacher Certificate & Nature's Therapy for Children's Mental Well-Being Certificate
2220 County Road
Rio Medina, TX 78066
Join Dr. Jean Lomino, President and Founder of Forest School Teacher Institute and Sloyd & Croft for a one-of-a-kind, four-day intensive training and retreat designed for Forest School Facilitators thriving in unique environments like cactus-filled landscapes, caliche, and road runners. Embrace the beauty of nature even in arid settings!
Unique Environment, Unique Certification: Designed for Forest School in arid and alternative landscapes. Tailor-made for the Cactus School Teacher.
Beat the Heat with Siesta Sessions: Embrace the Texas sun and lifestyle. Courses run from 8 am to 8 pm daily, with built-in siesta time during the hottest part of the day. Learn how to adapt teaching strategies to hot, dry climates and create an enriching experience for you and your learners.
Paradise Found in Rio Medina: Nestled in the Paradise Canyon, on the far west side of San Antonio, enjoy the perfect backdrop for a transformative training experience. Immerse yourself in the stunning surroundings of the canyon and it’s distinctive semi-arid and desert landscape in one location. Explore the challenges and opportunities unique to these climates through field observations and hands-on activities.
ENROLLMENT DEADLINE: FEBRUARY 23, 2024
FEE: Forest School Teacher Institute Certificate Training Fee $1450.00 (Early discount $200, apply by 1/6/24.)
Fee Includes: Tuition, meals, certificates, and all training materials. Northeast Indiana Workshop: Exploring the Nature of Forest Schools
2152 S 425 W Albion
Merry Lea Farmstead
Albion, IN 46701
Join Merry Lea Environmental Learning Center and the Forest School Teacher Institute (FSTI) for a two-day immersion into nature-based learning. At the core of this professional development opportunity will be multiple nature-based site visits to observe preschool and elementary children along with their teachers. Stories in the Wild: Animal Tracks & Traces
Join Wildsight educators Patty Kolesnichenko and Jill Jennings as they dive into a world of mystery and intrigue, of tracks and traces, of clues left behind by creatures you often do not see – a world of animal signs. Animal tracks and signs create the perfect scaffolding to storytelling, investigation, imagination, and FUN – all found in nearby nature. Patty and Jill will share Wildsight’s “Stories in the Wild: Animal Tracks and Traces”, a resource that will bring the stories of the snow (or mud) to life! A track sheet with life-size tracks and accompanying lesson plan, activities, and natural history cards will help educators to teach their learners how to become nature detectives and solve the mysteries left behind by our wild neighbors.Breathing with the World
How can our understanding of empathy be deepened through respectful engagement with the wisdom, perspectives, and traditions of Indigenous peoples? This is the question a community of practice (CoP) of early childhood professionals engaged with over the course of 7 months, utilizing Natural Curiosity 2nd Edition as a guiding text. Led by the CoP co-facilitators, Dr. Thelma Nayquonabe and Claire Underwood, this webinar shares a deepened understanding of empathy, affirms the role of all our relatives in the empathy cycle, and offers concrete strategies to support the empathy development of children and teachers alike. This hands-on workshop will offer space for reflection and action within each of our empathy journeys to support equitable and inclusive nature-based learning in your unique context. This webinar will take place on Tuesday, February 20, 4:00-5:30PM EST.Indigenous Resources for Outdoor Learning
Join Qultultun and Seabacola to learn about authentic Indigenous Learning Resources that connect educators with the Land from across Turtle Island. From traditional to modern stories, educational books and resources, this workshop will connect you with the wealth of authentic Indigenous resources available on The Outdoor Learning Store in partnership with Strong Nations – an Indigenous owned and operated publishing house.Outdoor Learning Astronomy
When we think of astronomy, we usually think of the night sky and that doesn’t work too well with regular classroom schedules. But there are many ways to teach astronomy, and bringing the students outdoors is a great way to start! Whether you’re starting to observe the daytime sky (yes, there’s plenty to see and do during the day!), or using the great outdoors to create scale models, we’ll show you many activities for different grade levels.Managing Eco-Anxiety through Outdoor Learning
When kids are worried about the environment, they can feel scared, overwhelmed and even hopeless. This is called eco-anxiety. But what can we do about it? How about turning Eco-Anxiety into Eco-Action? Eco-anxiety is a valid response to the real challenges our kids see around them. As adults, our job isn’t to make their concerns go away; it’s to help channel them into positive action. Join Stephanie and Nicole who will share research and practical ways on how Outdoor Learning and Environmental Action can help to manage Eco-Anxiety.Winter Outdoor Learning Virtual Workshops (free - 60mins)
6 FREE Winter Outdoor Learning Virtual Workshops: Jan 16: Managing Eco-Anxiety through Outdoor Learning Jan 23: Outdoor Learning Astronomy Feb 6: Indigenous Resources for Outdoor Learning Feb 13: Apprentissage de l'astronomie en plein air Feb 20: Stories in the Wild: Animal Tracks & Traces Feb 27: Enhancing Climate Education through Active Learning2024 Outdoor Learning Seasonal Courses
Join us for a 4-part course each season to dive into a topic or resource with a skilled group of facilitators. For 2024, we are pleased to offer these Seasonal Courses: Winter: Nature Activities for Educators Spring: Wild Learning Summer: Connecting to the Land, the Métis Way Fall: Naturally Inclusive – Engaging Children of All Abilities OutdoorsWinter Solstice Outdoor Teacher Retreat
Robinson Nature Center
6692 Cedar Lane
Columbia, MD 21044
Join ERAFANS at Robinson Nature Center in Columbia, MD for this 6-clock hour Professional Development Institute (MSDE-approved). With a focus on nature-based learning, we will spend the day immersed activities centered on the Winter Solstice. ERAFANS will provide a professional development certificate at the conclusion of the event. Please dress for the weather, as 100% of this training takes place outdoors, rain or shine.
Note: We strive to make our training events zero waste, so please bring your canteen for drinks. Light breakfast and lunch are provided. Visit www.erafans.org/MD-2023 to learn more! A Walking Curriculum for the Early Years
Join us for a short and sweet launch party to learn from the authors about this exciting new Outdoor Learning resource 'A Walking Curriculum for the Early Years': https://outdoorlearningstore.com/product/a-walking-curriculum-for-the-early-years/ There will be activities shared, plenty of prizes, and time for Q&A with the authors!Reaching Nature Connection - Fields of Play
Big Oak Canyon
Silverado Canyon, CA 92678
Reaching Nature Connection
Fields Of Play
November 4-5, 2023
Silverado Canyon, California
cosponsored by Earthroots Field School
with Lia Grippo + Erin Boehme
Academy of Forest Kindergarten Teachers
Friday evening option + Saturday, November 4 + Sunday, November 5
camping and meals included, sliding scale fee
Learn more + Register here
Join us at Earthroots Field School, as we travel together through the stages of play, deepening our understanding of why and how we humans play, when we’re young and when we’re not. Deepen your capacity for mentoring children and explore our role in supporting, nourishing, and protecting healthy play, a state of kinship, reciprocity, and learning.
With this year’s theme, Fields of Play, presenters Lia Grippo and Erin Boehme will immerse participants in an experiential process that will reveal how humans learn best through play and by building relationships with one another and to the natural world. Since play is the brain’s favorite way to learn, joyful singing, games, and humor will be woven throughout our weekend in the spirit of the young child and young at heart.
This annual conference is a program of The Academy of Forest Kindergarten Teachers, co-sponsored by Earthroots Field School.
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