Get ready for a joyful day of discovery outdoors! As Spring begins to bloom around us, we’ll gather to reconnect, recharge, and explore what this beautiful season of change can look like with young children. Spend the day learning from inspiring educators, swapping ideas, and diving into a variety of hands-on workshops.

Hosted in ANBE’s outdoor 'lab' forest school, Notchcliff Nature Programs is nestled on the beautiful grounds of Glen Meadows Retirement Community near Towson, MD and offers the perfect setting to play, learn, and grow together.

Come prepared to be fully immersed in nature all day long. It’s going to be fresh, fun, and full of inspiration!

This training is pending MSDE-approval for six (6) clock hours of professional development.

Who Should Attend?

This training is ideal for educators, caregivers, and others working with children of all ages 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

Let Creativity Bloom: Process Art Inspired by Nature

with Kayla Souza

Let's embrace spring's gifts and discover simple ways to use nature to support open-ended art experiences. Together, we’ll explore the value of focusing on the creative process rather than only the finished product. Through hands-on activities and discussion, attendees will leave with fresh ideas and creative renewal as they work with children of all ages!

STEM Therapy for Kids: Nature Activities that Help Process Emotions
with Jasmin Field
In this workshop, parents and Educators will learn how STEM activities with natural items can aid in emotional expression. The first portion of the workshop will focus on creating natural geoboards with nails, hammers, a color-coded "Emotions Chart" and matching rubber bands that represent/express specific feelings. Additionally, participants will witness and recreate a scientific mud explosion representing the danger of holding emotions inside.

...and more coming soon!     

Meet Your Presenters!

Kayla Souza - Owner and Teacher at Little Lilac Preschool

Kayla Souza has been in the education field for over 20 years with experience in center based care childcare, public education, private education & home education. She currently owns Little Lilac Preschool, a nature based preschool, which she runs from her home and backyard in Hagerstown, MD. She enjoys gardening, reading, and trying new art and creative hobbies!

Jamin Field - Founder & Program Coordinator: The Edgewood Outdoor Neighborhood Classroom

Jasmin Field is an ANBE certified Educator, Michigan State Graduate and former Pre-K Teacher that has been a contributor to the nature-based education world since 2021. Inspired by ANBE's work, she sought to highlight and expose her community to the benefits of nature-based learning in the lives of children. In addition to conducting workshops to various groups through her non-profit, Majestic Education Consulting, Inc., Jasmin founded and hosts an annual Summer Program in Edgewood, Maryland entitled: The Edgewood Outdoor Neighborhood Classroom. From STEM experiments to animal visitors and outdoor Public Speaking practice, this faith-based program seeks to help children understand the many advantages of interacting with nature for their own personal, spiritual, emotional and academic well-being. During Fall 2025, the Outdoor Classroom hosted its' first community literacy event, 'Read in the Breeze', which invited families in the community to gather for hot chocolate and family reading outdoors. Jasmin's recent nature journal was highlighted in the 2025 publication of: "Seeing Ourselves in Nature: Stories from Educators and Children of Indigenous, Black & Other People of the Global Majority." She is married to her best friend, Justin, and has three wonderful children!