Upcoming events

Switch to Calendar View

• Fall Nature-Based Teacher Certification (online)

  • Start
    Tuesday, September 23, 2025
  •  
    7:00 PM
  • End
    Thursday, October 30, 2025
  •  
    9:00 PM
  • Location
    Online!

  

  We are thrilled to offer our Nature-Based Teacher Certification as an online option! You will gain a deeper understanding of nature pedagogy and practices as you earn this introductory credential. To date, we have certified more than one thousand teachers from all 50 states and 25 countries, each gaining strategies and tools for unique nature-based settings. Now it's your turn!

  Our 36-hour course provides in-depth study of best practices in nature-based early childhood education to prepare you for meaningful outdoor learning experiences. We draw from experienced educators with diverse perspectives to help you hone your own approaches to nature-based ECE. Whether you are in a formal school or childcare setting or working in a nature or forest preschool, this course is designed to meet the needs of early childhood educators working in any setting. 
  
  SCHEDULE
  Tuesdays/Thursdays: Facilitated discussions on key topics
  Wednesdays: Cohort meetings and/or Guest Presenters

  Course meets live from 4PM - 6PM (PST)/ 6PM - 8PM (CST)/ 7PM - 9PM (EST) on Tuesdays and Thursdays with additional time built in for on-demand content. Wednesdays are reserved for guest presenters and group meeting support. There are a total of six consecutive weeks of online sessions with presenters and within small cohorts. Additional clock hours include a variety of presenters and one-on-one Mentor Meetings. Flexible, self-directed learning will take place centered on outdoor skills and experiences, which you must provide documentation of.  Upon registration, we will provide you with a complete list of materials needed for the course.

  We are delighted to share this course with our international friends and those who cannot travel for training at this time. Please take a look at this FAQ page and feel free to email programs@anbe.org with questions!

  Show details
• Outdoor Teachers Read Series

  • Start
    Monday, September 29, 2025
  •  
  • End
    Monday, December 08, 2025
  •  
  • Schedule
    4 sessions
  • Location
    Online!

  Register

  
  This four-part series features authors of Nature-Based Books to bring into your classroom! Each week meet a new author, experience their book read aloud, discuss themes and content, and hear how it can be used for activities within the classroom. Attend live and you will be apart of a drawing to win a free copy of the book featured that week! The book talks will meet on September 29th, October 27th, November 17th, and December 1st. Read on for detailed descriptions of each session! 

  A four (4) clock-hour certificate of completion will be issued at the conclusion of the course to any participants who attend all three sessions live. Check with your department of education to confirm if this course can be used toward continuing education hours in your state! 

  SESSION DESCRIPTIONS

  “I Love Nature School!” with Kyla Saphir

  Monday, September 29th from 7-8 PM (EST) [1hr]

  The shelves are full of "Back to School" books that take place in a traditional brick-and-mortar classroom, but what do you read to help transition your child into the new school year when their classroom is the great outdoors? Enter nature-educator and author, Kyla Saphir, with her book "I Love Nature School!" to provide a solution to this exact dilemma!

  Join us for this webinar in which you will enjoy an exclusive interview with the author about how her experience as a nature educator inspired the book, get practical advice for helping children navigate start of the school year jitters, hear a read-aloud of "I Love Nature School!", engage in an open Q&A, and even have the opportunity to win a free*, signed copy of "I Love Nature School" for your own home or classroom library!

  “Me and My Sit Spot” with Lauren MacLean

  Monday, October 27th from 7-8 PM (EST) [1hr]
  

  Join author and educator Lauren MacLean for an engaging online webinar: Me and My Sit Spot. In this author talk, Lauren will read her book and share the story behind it, highlighting the importance of Sit Spots in fostering self-regulation, inclusion, and social-emotional learning. She’ll offer practical strategies for introducing and scaffolding Sit Spots in the classroom, with a focus on comfort, respect, and accessibility for all learners. The session will also explore how to weave curriculum connections and nature journaling into outdoor routines, helping students build deeper relationships with nature and with themselves.

  "Seeing Ourselves in Nature" with Jessica Fong 

  Monday, November 17th from 7PM - 8PM (EST) [1hr]

  In Seeing Ourselves in Nature, editor Jessica Fong asks how Black and Brown educators in the United States create space for predominantly Black and Brown children and families to reconnect to nature. Recognizing the scarcity of stories from people of the global majority in the predominately white literature surrounding nature education in the United States, Fong sought out thirteen other educators of color to share their rich and profound experiences with young children in nature. Sharing these stories is a first step in the long road to making nature education equitable for all children.

  Featuring chapters by:

  • Ashley Brailsford, Nashville, TN
  • Kameeka Shirley, Dade City, FL
  • Lotus Chaney, Atlanta, GA
  • Ron Grady, New Orleans, LA
  • Vanessa Miot, Atlanta, GA
  • Alicia Garcia, Hillsborough, FL
  • Pilar Carmina Gonzalez, Los Angeles, CA
  • Ranita Anderson Dawkins, Durham, NC
  • Courtney Newby, Seekonk, MA
  • Deja L. Jones, Newark, NJ
  • Suzette Salmon, Chicago, IL
  • Jasmin Field, Edgewood, MD
  • Jessica Fong, Chicago, IL
  • Flor Villanueva-Winter, Chicago, IL

  **Attending authors to this webinar to be announced soon!

  
  

  “Inside of Me” with Jen Comeau

  Monday, December 8th from 7-8 PM (EST) [1 hr]

  Jennifer Comeau leads an interactive presentation that highlights the awe, wonder, and mental health magic that happen on the inside when we go outside. Incorporating a shared song with the lyrics from "The Inside of ME" and story-reading, participants then learn how to use this book in the classroom, and ways to present the important concepts of Exploring and Watching (The Explorer, The Observer) -- how both are important when connecting with the rest of the natural world (we are nature too) and the character traits required for each.

  
  

  WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
  This course is ideal for anyone who facilitates nature-based education and outdoor learning, which may include: teachers and administrators in preschool, childcare, or elementary school settings; naturalists, environmental educators, or outdoor educators; wilderness survival enthusiasts; and parents.

  MEET YOUR PRESENTERS

  
  

  Author of "I Love Nature School!" Kyla Saphir

  Kyla Saphir is an avid nature lover, early childhood educator, yoga instructor, and postpartum doula. This is her second children’s book after On Brighter Days. She lives with her husband, daughter, and their crazy dog in Milwaukee, WI. When not busy writing children’s books, Kyla loves to travel the world with her family, ride her bike, and splash in Lake Michigan.

  
  

  
  

  Author of "Me and My Sit Spot" - Lauren MacLean

  Lauren MacLean is a primary teacher, author, and outdoor learning consultant. Her books—Me and My Sit Spot, Finding Common Ground, Risky Play Gone Away, and Sitting With Nature—celebrate curiosity, inclusion, and play in nature. She hosts the Teach Outdoors podcast, sharing practical tips and ideas to help educators take learning outside, build confidence, and inspire connection, wonder, and stewardship in children and adults.

  
  

  
  

  Author of "Inside of Me" - Jennifer Comeau

  Jennifer Comeau inspires humans to restore our sacred partnership with the rest of the natural world. Her Nautilus Gold-winning children’s book, “The Inside of ME” is a profound reminder of the magic that happens on the inside when we go outside. Her debut novel, A Moon in All Things, has been called “atmospheric and beguiling” by Kirkus Reviews, and her poems and essays are published in four anthologies. She has produced two albums of original music available on all streaming platforms. This former engineer now partners with OzGREEN, an award-winning non-profit bringing YOUth LEADing The World programs to Australia, Africa, and India. She resides in Kennebunkport, Maine, where she holds climate buoyancy workshops, hosts sacred circles, and runs a Wild Wonder Forest Bathing business.

  
  

  *If you are unable to make a session, don't worry! We will record each session to share with all registered individuals. 

  Show details
• Monthly Member Connection Call - October

  • When
    Wednesday, October 15, 2025
  •  
    7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
  • Location
    Online!

  Register

  
  

  EVENT DESCRIPTION

  Cozy up at home and connect online with other nature-based educators all over the world! Register today to let us know what's on your mind, then join us live to hear from your fellow teachers, homeschool parents, naturalists and more!

  
  

  This monthly 1-hour Zoom call is included with ANBE membership of all levels. The schedule for the session is as follows: 

  
  

  • Welcome! Opening with a beat of gratitude
  • Reflection/discussion questions on topics curated by our community
  • Break out rooms with time to discuss
  • Closing with a song you can use with your students!
  • Heads-up on upcoming ANBE events to best support your professional practices

  
  

  Settle in for a rejuvenating time to pause, reflect, connect, and be inspired. 

  
  

  **Discussion calls will not be recorded, live attendance is required for this interactive experience**

  
  

  MEET YOUR HOST!

  

  Kirsten Mize (she/her), ANBE Program Coordinator

  Goucher College graduate, Kirsten Mize, is delighted to serve the ANBE community as Program Coordinator, curating high-quality training for nature-based educators of all different walks. With a Masters in Education (Focus: At-Risk and Diverse Students) and a Bachelors in Music (Focus: Vocal Performance), Kirsten brings over a decade of diverse teaching experience and pedagogical knowledge to ANBE. She has always had a deep connection with nature and believes strongly in holistic teaching methods, the power of play, and cultivating wonder. When she is not at ANBE, Kirsten works as a voice actor independently from her home studio in Baltimore, Maryland and has lent her voice to musicals, operas, stage plays, podcasts, video games, and radio plays. She also works as a music teacher at The Music Space in Towson, Maryland running a program for infants to 5 year-olds and their caregivers called "Little Rockers". But probably her most important job is that of mother to one sweet little boy who has inherited his mother's love for music and the outdoors. 

  Show details
• Michigan Outdoor Teacher Retreat

  • When
    Saturday, October 18, 2025
  •  
    8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
  • Location
    Boardman Nature Center 1450 Cass Rd, #B Traverse City, MI 49685

  Register

  
  

  As the leaves fall and the air turns crisp, we turn again to the natural world to learn, reflect, and be rejuvenated. Dive into the wonder of the shifting seasons through our Outdoor Teacher Retreat, hosted by Grand Traverse Conservation District! This special event brings together experts in the field of nature-based early learning to share ideas and practices with a variety of hands-on sessions to choose from. 

  
  

  On Saturday we will dive into a full day of nature-based workshops sure to inspire! 
  

  
  

  Pending Michigan State Continuing Education clock hours. ANBE will provide a professional development certificate at the conclusion of the event. Please dress for the weather, as most of this training takes place outdoors, rain or shine. Coffee/tea with lite breakfast and lunch is included, but remember your canteen for drinks throughout the day. 

  
  

  Note: We strive for zero waste during our events; please bring your canteen for drinks.

  
  

  Who Should Attend?

  This training is ideal for educators, caregivers, and others working with children in programs that prioritize nature-based experiences. Our participants work in all kinds of settings, from nature-based schools and forest kindergartens to public schools, traditional preschools, HeadStart programs, child care settings, and more.

  
  

  Lodging 

  The following locations are recommended for lodging should you be travelling from outside the area: 

  • Courtyard Traverse City (2.2 miles away) 
  • Baymont (1.9 miles away) 
  • Tru by Hilton (3.3 miles away) 
  • Fairfield Inn and Suites (3.3 miles away)

  
  

  Workshop Descriptions

  
  

  Learning Through the Seasons

  With Alexa Cherup of  Teddy Bear Daycare

  Join us for an inspiring training session designed for educators and caregivers who are eager to harness the beauty of the natural world in their teaching. Dive into the transformative benefits of nature-based education and learn how to use the changing seasons to ignite curiosity, foster resilience, and strengthen children's connection to their environment.

  Each season—from the reflective hues of fall to the quiet stillness of winter, the vibrant renewal of spring, and the lively energy of summer—offers its own unique learning experiences. You'll leave this workshop equipped with practical tools, creative seasonal activity ideas, and the confidence to seamlessly integrate nature into your teaching throughout the year.

  Embrace the wonders of nature and enrich your educational practice!

  Compost Petting Zoo Tour

  With SEEDS Ecology & Education Centers

  Attendees will explore a fascinating installation of compost exhibits at the Compost Petting Zoo located within the SEEDS Farm at Historic Barns Park. Participants will be introduced to effective composting practices that can be implemented in schools and educational centers. You'll receive valuable insights on how to integrate composting into your curriculum and gain a deeper understanding of the circular nature of the zoo, along with its connections to the various community partnerships that SEEDS has cultivated. Join us for an engaging experience that combines hands-on learning with community collaboration!

  
  

  Site Tour of Boardman River Nature Center

  With Grand Traverse Conservation District

  Join us for an engaging guided tour of the Boardman River Nature Center! This workshop offers a unique opportunity to explore the diverse flora and fauna of the area while learning about the vital conservation efforts aimed at protecting the Boardman River ecosystem. Our knowledgeable guides will share insights into the river's history and its importance to the community, as well as highlight the educational programs available at the Nature Center. Whether you're an educator, a nature lover, or simply curious about the local environment, this tour promises to inspire and deepen your connection to nature!

  
  

  Cultivating Connections: Sharing Ideas and Building Networks

  With Meghan Halsey - Education Specialist for The Association of Nature Based Education

  Join us for an engaging and interactive session designed to foster collaboration and idea-sharing among educators passionate about outdoor learning and nature-based education. Participants will share successful strategies, lesson plans, and activities that incorporate outdoor learning, providing inspiration and practical resources for all attendees. Participants will also build meaningful connections with educators from diverse backgrounds, creating a supportive community dedicated to outdoor education and engaging in group discussions to tackle common challenges faced in implementing outdoor education, brainstorming solutions, and support systems together.

  
  

  Show details
• Director's Circle - October

  • When
    Monday, October 20, 2025
  •  
    5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
  • Location
    Online!

  Register

  
  

  EVENT DESCRIPTION

  Are you the leader of a Nature-Based program looking to connect and learn with others like you? Then join us to gather (virtually) with fellow nature-based program Directors for a ANBE members only monthly networking circle. Each month will feature a guiding question or two, resources to support your work leading a nature-based program, and plenty of time to connect with peers. We hope you can join us!

  
  

  **Director's Circles will not be recorded, live attendance is required for this interactive experience**

  
  

  MEET YOUR HOST!

  
  

  Emily Woodmansee (she/her), Bluestone Village and Nature Programs

  Emily Woodmansee is the Founding Executive Director of Bluestone Village, a nature-based community initiative. Bluestone offers nature-based youth programming, as well as community gatherings to bring young families together outside. Emily lives in NE Pennsylvania with her husband and two young daughters.

  Show details
• New Jersey Outdoor Teacher Retreat

  • When
    Saturday, October 25, 2025
  •  
    8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
  • Location
    Johnsonburg Camp and Retreat Center: 822 County Road 519 Johnsonburg, NJ 07825

  Register

  
  

  As the leaves fall and the air turns crisp, we turn again to the natural world to learn, reflect, and be rejuvenated. Dive into the wonder of the shifting seasons through our Outdoor Teacher Retreat, hosted by Flourish Nature School! This special event brings together experts in the field of nature-based early learning to share ideas and practices with a variety of hands-on sessions in addition to a site tour of Flourish Nature School.  

  
  

  Pending New Jersey State Continuing Education clock hours. ANBE will provide a professional development certificate at the conclusion of the event. Please dress for the weather, as most of this training takes place outdoors, rain or shine. Coffee/tea with lite breakfast and lunch is included, but remember your canteen for drinks throughout the day. 

  
  

  Note: We strive for zero waste during our events; please bring your canteen for drinks.

  
  

  Who Should Attend?

  This training is ideal for educators, caregivers, and others working with young children ages 2 to 8. Our participants work in all kinds of settings, from nature-based schools and forest kindergartens to public schools, traditional preschools, HeadStart programs, child care settings, and more.

  
  

  Workshop Descriptions

  
  

  Breath Vitality

  with Jen Lewin of Flourish Nature

  Discover and share simple breath practices to support regulation, focus and connection in the classroom. This interactive workshop offers moments for reflection, discussion, and tools you can use with your students and beyond.

  
  

  Foraging and Medicinal Wander

  with Andrew Lovering of Wild Serenity Walks

  To educate on and connect with the land of Flourish Nature School. Recognizing the edible and medicinal properties of the plants and mushrooms we observe while wandering the property.

  
  

  An Artful Pause

  with Bryanna Waldron of The Windy Forest

  This workshop is an invitation to pause. Together we’ll gather what calls to us from the land and let it guide us into ephemeral works of wild art. In silence and in circle, we’ll create, reflect, and gently weave our small group pieces into one collective whole. Along the way, forms may quietly emerge such as spirals, fairy dwellings, or woodland creatures shaped by imagination and the materials at hand. This session offers teachers a chance to rest, reconnect with themselves, and carry home a renewed sense of calm and kinship with the land.
  

  
  

  Wet Felting

  with Melissa Sheppard of Star Child Nature School

  Wet felting is a beautiful art form that produces lovely results. Warm water, aromatic soap, and soft wool roving all make for a rich sensory experiences. Whether used to make decorative or purposeful items wet felting is a creative technique to add to your live arts repertoire
  

  
  

  
  

  Meet Your Presenters!

  
  

  
  

  Jen Lewin (she/her) - Director and Lead Teacher at Flourish Nature School

  Jen is the visionary, director and lead teacher at Flourish Nature School. Her personal journey with breath led her to complete a 200-hour yoga teacher training designed for educators, with a social emotional learning facilitator certification. She is passionate about taking mindful moments throughout the day with children, and she can't wait to share her "why" with you!

  
  

  Andrew Lovering (he/him) - Tour Guide and Owner of Wild Serenity Walks

  Andrew Lovering is an outdoor educator and professional forager. After gaining a degree in Environmental Science and Geology from Kutztown University he taught outdoor education for summer camps and outdoor programs in NJ, CT, and CA before returning to NJ and eventually starting his own business, Wild Serenity Walks, taking people on educational mushroom hikes, plant hikes, night hikes, child friendly hikes and soon mindful walking events.

  
  

  
  

  Bryanna Waldron (she/her) - Nature-Based Educator at The Windy Forest

  Bryanna is a mother, artist, and naturalist who never turns down the chance to bake a sweet treat, climb a tree, or lay in a stream. She carries a playful spirit into all she does, moving through the world with curiosity and care. As a Level 3 Certified Nature-Based Educator through ANBE and a newly certified herbalist, she delights in guiding others to slow down, notice the smallest details, and find joy in kinship with the earth. Her workshops and gatherings often weave together art, story, and unstructured play, creating space for both silliness and reverence. A lifelong learner at heart, she remains in awe of the everyday magic that surrounds us.

  
  

  
  

  Melissa Roth-Sheppard (she/her) - Founder of Star Child Nature School

  Melissa Roth Sheppard is the founder of Star Child Nature School a fully outdoor nature-based program in Burlington County NJ. Melissa is a Waldorf Early Childhood certified teacher and Level 3 certified through ANBE. Melissa loves to teach her 3-5 year old class, craft and be in any wooded area where worms or rolly pollies can be found.
  

  Show details
• Oklahoma Outdoor Teacher Retreat

  • When
    Saturday, November 01, 2025
  •  
    8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
  • Location
    Prairiewood Forest School, Coyle, Oklahoma

  Register

  Join us in Coyle, Oklahoma for an engaging day of nature-based training. This retreat brings together experts in the field of nature-based early learning to share ideas and practices with a variety of interactive workshops to choose from. 

  ANBE will provide a professional development certificate at the conclusion of the event. Please dress for the weather, as most of this training takes place outdoors, rain or shine. Coffee/tea with lite breakfast and lunch is included on Saturday, but remember your canteen for drinks throughout the day. 

  Note: We strive for zero waste during our training events; please bring your canteen for drinks.

  Who Should Attend?

  This training is ideal for educators, caregivers, and others working with children in programs that prioritize nature-based experiences. Our participants work in all kinds of settings, from nature-based schools and forest kindergartens to public schools, traditional preschools, HeadStart programs, child care settings, and more.

  Workshop Descriptions

  Prairiewood Forest School Site Tour

  Join us for an engaging guided tour of Prairiewood Forest School. This tour offers a unique opportunity to explore the diverse flora and fauna of the area while learning about the vital conservation efforts aimed at protecting the Prairiewood Forest School ecosystem. A knowledgeable guide will share insights into the river's history and its importance to the community, as well as highlight the educational programs available at the Nature Center. Whether you're an educator, a nature lover, or simply curious about the local environment, this tour promises to inspire and deepen your connection to nature!.

  
  

  Tree Nets

  Discover the art of weaving a tree web for your outdoor space! Join us for an engaging workshop where you'll explore the fundamental techniques of tree web weaving. Gain practical experience as you collaborate with others to create and install a beautiful tree web at Prairiewood Forest School!

  
  

  Ignite Your Skills: Fire-Making Techniques

  Join us for a hands-on workshop designed for outdoor educators looking to enhance their fire-making skills. This session will cover various techniques, including the use of flint and steel, ferro rods, lighters, and magnifying lenses. The highlight will be focused practice on bowdrill fire-making using pre-made kits. Participants will engage in practical exercises, troubleshoot challenges, and collaborate with fellow educators to enhance their skills. Whether you’re new to outdoor education or a seasoned leader, this workshop will equip you with the confidence and skills to teach essential fire-making techniques to students..

  
  

  LODGING OPTIONS

  On-site Cabins, Lodge, & Tent Camping

  On-site accommodations are available for $50/person/night for fully furnished cabins, or $25/tent/night (bring your own tent; access to indoor restrooms with showers is available). A variety of beautiful cabins and lodges are spread throughout our scenic wooded property. For photos and details visit: stfrancisofthewoods.org/lodging. To book your visit call 405.466.3774 or email info@stfrancisofthewoods.org

  Cottages at Willow Pond

  Three cottages located on a lovely property just 10 miles away. See information or book your stay at https://cottagesatwillowpond.com/.

  Hotels

  The following hotels are a short 15-20 minute drive away:
  Hampton Inn & Suites
  Holiday Inn Express & Suites
  La Quinta Inn & Suites

  
  

  Show details
• Creating Your Forest or Nature School

  • Start
    Thursday, November 06, 2025
  •  
  • End
    Thursday, February 05, 2026
  •  
  • Schedule
    4 sessions
  • Location
    Online!

  Register

  
  If you are starting a new forest or nature-based program (including outdoor preschool, childcare and homeschool classes), this intensive 12-clock hour course can help you get started! We address a range of topics including:

  • Honing your vision, mission, and educational philosophy
  • Establishing program basics like daily rhythm, class sizes, schedules
  • Business planning/determining a business structure
  • Locations and partners 
  • Licensing considerations
  • How to set tuition, compensate staff, and create a program budget
  • Policies and practices for your parent handbook
  • Creating greater diversity, equity, and inclusion in your program
  • Safety and risk management, including liability insurance needs
  • Finding and hiring great staff
  • Marketing your program
  • Evaluation

  The format of this interactive course is a combination of facilitated discussion, small group work among participants, and asynchronous independent learning experiences. We provide many templates and resources to help you develop an authentic, placed-base approach to your program. As you might imagine, this is an intense course because we cover so much ground in a short span of time! Be sure to plan time between our sessions to reflect on what we discuss. Please note this is not a prerecorded, on-demand course. It is interactive so we can learn together! 

  Upon registration, we will provide you with a complete list of materials needed for the course. Are you ready to take the leap?

  SCHEDULE
  Online meeting includes facilitated discussion and topics during four consecutive Thursdays from 7-9 p.m. (EST), followed by self-directed reading/planning for at least one (1) hour between class meetings. This means you will engage in 12 clock hours of training during the course.  A professional development certificate is included following successful course completion.

  WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
  This course is ideal for anyone establishing a nature-based program, which could be in the form of outdoor preschool, forest school, child care, home school, or afterschool model. Whether your program is in a rural or urban setting, we offer essential information so you can get right to it! Feel free to reach out to Monica with questions.

  MEET YOUR COURSE FACILITATOR!

  
  

  Monica Wiedel-Lubinski, Executive Director of ANBE

  Founder/cofounder of three nature preschool programs in Maryland and consultant to countless others starting forest and nature schools in the U.S. and abroad, Monica brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to help you jump-start your own nature-based program! She is the coauthor of award-winning Nature Play Workshop for Families (Quarto, 2020) and recently released Nature-Based Early Childhood Education (NAEYC, 2025). Monica earned a Bachelor’s degree in Art Educ. (K-12) and Master’s degree in Early Childhood Ed. from Towson University, Baltimore, MD and completed year-long graduate fellowship with UMBC/UMASS in 2024. Monica is deeply engaged in the Outdoor Preschool Licensing pilot, enacted in 2023 in Maryland as she advocates for more equitable access to nature-based education. She is a wife and mother of two and enjoys spending time in nature with her family. 
  

  Show details
• Pennsylvania Outdoor Teacher Retreat

  • When
    Saturday, November 08, 2025
  •  
    8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
  • Location
    304 Pocono Plateau Rd, Cresco, PA 18326

  Register

  
  

  As the leaves fall and the air turns crisp, we turn again to the natural world to learn, reflect, and be rejuvenated. Dive into the wonder of the shifting seasons through our Outdoor Teacher Retreat, hosted by Poconos Plateau! This special event brings together experts in the field of nature-based early learning to share ideas and practices with a variety of hands-on sessions to choose from. 

  
  

  Pending Pennsylvania State Continuing Education clock hours. ANBE will provide a professional development certificate at the conclusion of the event. Please dress for the weather, as most of this training takes place outdoors, rain or shine. Coffee/tea with lite breakfast and lunch is included, but remember your canteen for drinks throughout the day. 

  
  

  Note: We strive for zero waste during our events; please bring your canteen for drinks.

  
  

  Who Should Attend?

  This training is ideal for educators, caregivers, and others working with children in programs that prioritize nature-based experiences. Our participants work in all kinds of settings, from nature-based schools and forest kindergartens to public schools, traditional preschools, HeadStart programs, child care settings, and more.

  
  

  Lodging 

  The following location is recommended for lodging should you be travelling from outside the area: 

  Comfort Inn & Suites Mount Pocono,

  3189 Rte. 940, Mt. Pocono, PA (25 minutes away)
  

  
  

  Workshop Descriptions
  

  Edible and Medicinal Plant Walk

  with Heather Houskeeper The Botanical Hiker

  Discover the wild plants that inhabit our landscape. Learn how to identify, ethically harvest, and weave these plants into herbal teas, meals and home remedies. Many are easy to recognize, safe to work with, and inhabit your favorite trails, backyards, and even urban areas. Heather will share her tips and tricks from more than fifteen years of working with wild edible and medicinal plants. Our walk will be easy in nature with many stops to meet and discuss the plants.

  
  

  Keeping Nature Connection Alive...in the Cold, Cold Winter

  with Emily Woodmansee of Bluestone Village

  The outdoor classroom can be fun, engaging, and full of learning all year round - even in the coldest months! Using the adaptable grey squirrel as our guide, we'll explore ways to be playful and safe outside in the winter. You'll leave this workshop with new games to play, activity and safety ideas to bring back to your classroom, and feeling invigorated to take on the cold!

  
  

  Tracking and Shelter Building
  

  with Carmen O'Shea
  As we shift into colder months, let's explore ways to find evidence of the animals around us even if they have slowed down for the season. We will head out to our trails so be ready for some walking! We will also pause along the trail to build a shelter together, one from branches and one with a tarp and rope. Let's share our experiences and lessons on tracking and shelter building to help inspire each into a new season of nature play and exploration!

  
  

  Forest Bathing
  with Grayson Barnes
  While many of us might take a walk through the woods, we often do so with a goal in mind – to get to the top of the ridge, find a spot for a picnic, or maybe see some wildlife or seasonal color. Often this happens while we are strolling along, talking to our friends or chewing on a power bar. But have you ever walked into a forest to simply be PRESENT in that space in that moment? This session is designed to help you do just that. You will learn centering techniques, health benefits of spending time in the forest, how to incorporate the forest bathing experience into “big picture” life discussions, and useful pre- and post-activity journaling prompts. Afterwards, we will discuss ways to tailor these activities for groups of any age.      
  

  
  Meet Your Presenters!

  
  

  
  

  Heather Houskeeper (she/her) - The Botanical Hiker

  Heather Houskeeper "The Botanical Hiker" is an herbalist and forest therapy guide, long-distance hiker, and author. Heather has professionally guided others into the natural world through seminars, workshops, and walks since 2010 and is the founder of the School of Plant and Place Connection, an in-person herbal medicine school located in Milford, Pa. Heather has hiked thousands of miles, including the Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Maine, studying and working with the plants for food and medicine. She is the author of three trail-inspired books about wild edible and medicinal plants and the Wild Food columnist for Dirt Magazine.

  
  

  
  

  
  

  Emily Woodmansee - Director of Bluestone Village 

  Emily Woodmansee is an outdoor play advocate, rotting log investigator, stream explorer, and owl caller. After years of working for non-profit nature centers and in the field of nature-based early learning, she founded Bluestone Village: A Nature-Based Community Initiative in Highland Lake, NY (previously in Shohola, PA). Bluestone Village brings young families together outside through community events, seasonal celebrations, and our high-quality nature-based early learning programs. Her most important role, however, is Mama to two young mud-loving girls and wife to a supportive husband.
  

  
  

  

  Grayson Barnes - Poconos Plateau
  

  Grayson Barnes, the facilitator for this Forest Bathing session, is a retired professor of humanities. Besides the art wrought by human hands, Mr. Barnes enjoys the awe-inspiring creation that is the natural world.
  

  Show details
• Winter Solstice Outdoor Teacher Retreat

  • When
    Saturday, December 06, 2025
  •  
    8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
  • Location
    Robinson Nature Center, Columbia, MD

  Register

  
  

  Winter is on the way - how will you celebrate the season? Join us for a special retreat that focuses on ways to explore nature in winter. This retreat brings together experts in the field of nature-based early learning to share ideas and practices with a variety of hands-on sessions to choose from. 

  
  

  ANBE will provide a professional development certificate at the conclusion of the event. Please dress for the weather, as most of this training takes place outdoors, rain or shine. Coffee/tea with lite breakfast and lunch is included, but remember your canteen for drinks throughout the day. *Pending MSDE-approval for clock hours.

  
  

  Note: We strive for zero waste during our events; please bring your canteen for drinks.

  
  

  Who Should Attend?

  This training is ideal for educators, caregivers, and others working with young children ages 2 to 8. Our participants work in all kinds of settings, from nature-based schools and forest kindergartens to public schools, traditional preschools, HeadStart programs, child care settings, and more.

  
  

  Workshop Descriptions

  Coming soon!

  Show details
• Winter Nature-Based Teacher Certification (online)

  • Start
    Tuesday, January 13, 2026
  •  
    7:00 PM
  • End
    Thursday, February 19, 2026
  •  
    9:00 PM
  • Location
    Online!

  Register

  

  We are thrilled to offer our Nature-Based Teacher Certification as an online option! You will gain a deeper understanding of nature pedagogy and practices as you earn this introductory credential. To date, we have certified more than one thousand teachers from all 50 states and 25 countries, each gaining strategies and tools for unique nature-based settings. Now it's your turn!

  Our 36-hour course provides in-depth study of best practices in nature-based early childhood education to prepare you for meaningful outdoor learning experiences. We draw from experienced educators with diverse perspectives to help you hone your own approaches to nature-based ECE. Whether you are in a formal school or childcare setting or working in a nature or forest preschool, this course is designed to meet the needs of early childhood educators working in any setting. 
  
  SCHEDULE
  

  Tuesdays/Thursdays: Facilitated discussions on key topics
  Wednesdays: Cohort meetings and/or Guest Presenters

  Course meets live from 4PM - 6PM (PST)/ 6PM - 8PM (CST)/ 7PM - 9PM (EST) on Tuesdays and Thursdays with additional time built in for on-demand content. Wednesdays are reserved for guest presenters and group meeting support. There are a total of six consecutive weeks of online sessions with presenters and within small cohorts. Additional clock hours include a variety of presenters and one-on-one Mentor Meetings. Flexible, self-directed learning will take place centered on outdoor skills and experiences, which you must provide documentation of.  Upon registration, we will provide you with a complete list of materials needed for the course.

  We are delighted to share this course with our international friends and those who cannot travel for training at this time. Please take a look at this FAQ page and feel free to email programs@anbe.org with questions!

  Show details