-Risk Management Outdoors (Creating and Evaluating Safe and Healthy Risk-Taking Activities and Learning Environments)

-Social Emotional Learning and Nature Connection (a series of several workshops since we teach a 3-day summer course about this, or a stand alone primer)

-Sensory Integration and Nature Connection

-Literacy Outdoors (EC and Elementary)

-Math Outdoors (EC and Elementary)

-Place-based Studies (Science and Social Studies)

-Integrated Arts and Nature Connection (bookmaking, learning tools, and nature inspired curriculum)

-Routines and Rhythms of Nature Connection/Orienting to the Natural Cycle

-Designing Indoor and Outdoor Classrooms (creating a permeable wall between inside and outside)

-Nature Connected Gatherings--beginning and ending the day outdoors (designing class meetings to be rich in academic, social-emotional, and physical content

-Designing and Implementing Early Childhood Centers Outdoors (PreK/K)

-Assessing Outdoor Play for Learning/Understanding and for Use in Developing Meaningful Emergent Curriculum (Using Lens on Outdoor Learning "standards") PreK-3rd grade

-Teacher Wellness How do we take care of ourselves so we can take care of others? A two hour workshop filled with play, relaxation, and healthy snacks!

-Custom-designed professional development, coaching, or model teaching with supported reflection

-Or…something else! Please ask if there is something you want, but do not see listed here!

• Leadership and Nature Connection Leading with Nature I: Leadership and Nature Connection is a single-day professional learning workshop for school leaders, administrators, program directors, instructional coaches, and educators interested in fostering nature-connected learning communities. Participants will explore how leadership practices can support meaningful outdoor learning, cultivate a culture of nature connection, and strengthen relationships among children, educators, families, and place. Topics will include creating a shared vision for nature-based education, supporting teachers in outdoor and place-based learning, risk-benefit thinking, community partnerships, and strategies for sustaining nature-connected practices within schools and organizations. Through reflection, discussion, and hands-on experiences outdoors, participants will leave with practical tools, resources, and inspiration to lead with confidence and purpose. This workshop provides a strong foundation for leaders seeking to deepen outdoor and community-based learning opportunities for children and educators.

  Facilitated by Marie Robinson & Anne Stires

  Workshop Fee: $400*

• Teaching with Nature I: An Introduction to Nature Connection and Outdoor Learning is a single day education short course for teachers, childcare providers, therapists, and social workers, and school administrators. We will focus on culturally responsive nature connection and outdoor learning topics including: site and place awareness, safety and risk management, curriculum development, and natural history of local flora and fauna. Local naturalists and additional facilitators will be highlighted as needed for key activities and concepts. Participants will complete the hands-on, refreshing professional development workshop with a wealth of resources and information. The short course will provide participants with a strong baseline from which to delve deeper into outdoor- and community-based schooling for pre-K, kindergarten, and elementary-aged children (primarily for up to grade 5).

  facilitated by Seal Rossignol & Anne Stires

  Workshop Fee: $400*

  *scholarship may be available

• Teaching with Nature II: Social Emotional Learning and Nature Connection is a single day education course for teachers, childcare providers, therapists, and social workers, and school administrators. There is no better context to develop self awareness, practice relationship skills, engage in responsible decision making, and address the needs of the whole child, than when immersed in the natural world in a culturally responsive way. Nature connection provides the ideal structure for children to explore their interests, examine their emerging identities, and grow empathy for, and connection to, all living things. The course will provide participants will build on the concepts of Teaching with Nature I (not a prerequisite, but it is recommended) as a baseline from which to delve deeper into social emotional learning and nature connection topics for prekindergarten, kindergarten, and elementary and middle school-aged children (though grade 8).

  facilitated by Kate Ziminsky & Anne Stires

  Workshop Fee: $400*

  *scholarship may be available

• Teaching with Nature III: Arts Integration and Nature Connection is a single day workshop for all teachers, child care providers, therapists, and administrators. It will be facilitated by elementary educator and artist, Kate Cass and Anne Stires, outdoor learning and nature connection educational consultant. Teaching with Nature lends itself so beautifully to experimenting with visual art, music, and movement. In this one-day short course, participants will have the opportunity to play with many types of project-based, nature-based art and consider curricular connections. Participants will do art, sing songs, learn a variety of low stakes, fun movement possibilities to incorporate into curriculum and with their students. No doubt everyone will leave with a smile, some art they made, and a few new skills!

  facilitated by Kate Cass & Anne Stires

  Workshop Fee: $400*

  *scholarship may be available

• Teaching with Nature IV: Sensory Processing, Emotional Regulation, and Nature Connection is single day workshop facilitated by pediatric occupational therapist Sue Ford of Coorie Wellness, LLC and Anne Stires of Anne Stires Educational Consulting, LLC. During this interactive and collaborative event, educators will be introduced to concepts around nature connected sensory processing and what regulation looks like in the outdoor classroom. They will also learn about how students' hierarchy of needs helps to structure and adapt learning activities for success. Participants will be able to experience the benefits of incorporating daily practice of setting intentions, mindfulness, and self “check-ins” to promote self-regulation, transition tolerance, and flexibility in play, learning, and conceptual understanding. Educators will practice applying strategies, problem solve scenarios, and build their own “tool box” of activities for supporting regulation and individual sensory needs in the outdoor classroom. Participants will complete the fun-filled and refreshing professional development workshop with a wealth of resources and information. The workshop will provide participants with a strong baseline from which to delve deeper into nature connection and outdoor-/community-based schooling for prekindergarten, kindergarten, and elementary-aged children (primarily for up to grade 5).

  facilitated by Sue Ford & Anne Stires

  Workshop Fee: $400*

  *scholarship may be available

BE-ING IN NATURE: A WELLNESS RETREAT FOR EDUCATORS
Renewal Retreat for Teachers and Administrators from Schools and Childcare Programs, facilitated by several Maine-based wellness practitioners

If you are an educator or administrator who is dedicated to helping your students, school communities, and families during the school year, you are ready for one or two days (you choose!) of reflective retreat during the summer. Join us for a relaxing and immersive program of renewal in nature with your education colleagues!

A host of wellness practitioners will facilitate restorative and generative workshops in yoga/movement, visual art, breath, play, sound, immune system support, and nature connection — all sessions you can use with your students come fall.

You will also be treated to morning snacks and a beautiful, healthy lunch. After time in nature and experiencing connection, everyone is sure to leave calm, refreshed, with lots of nourishing wellness ideas for self and students, and revitalized for the upcoming school year.

The best part is that it is FREE to you as a hard-working educator or you can choose to support future retreats with a donation. Come join the joyful two days and let us give back to you!

This year dates/location: July 17 &/or 18, 2026 at Sweet Tree Arts & School in Hope, ME
$0-$100 on a sliding scale
FMI HERE