June 4-6, 2025

Ferncliff Camp and Conference Center
Little Rock, Arkansas

What’s a Campference?

This is a professional conference for preschool educators 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.

Register Today

ABOUT THE CONFERENCE

• 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

A few campference highlights include:

• Keynote Playing Beyond Walls: Leveraging the Power of Outdoor Play in Early Childhood presented by Dr. Rachel Larimore
• Multiple session tracks for different experience levels including topics like:
  • What’s in your wagon?
  • Tea Time: Slow routines and connection
  • Fire in the classroom
  • Developing & documenting policies & procedures
  • Accessibility and the outdoors
  • Bringing nature into your outdoor play area
  • Supporting risky play in Real Time
  • Emergent curriculum: The power of children & place for planning
• A whole-group workshop on Doing the deep work: Exploring Another Layer of Inside, Outside, & Beyond facilitated by Dr. Rachel Larimore

Keynote by Dr. Rachel Larimore

Rachel Larimore is an educator, speaker, consultant, and author of three books, including Establishing a Nature-Based Preschool and Preschool Beyond Walls. She specializes in integrating nature into early childhood education for children’s holistic development.

Prior to establishing Samara Early Learning, Rachel founded one of the nation’s earliest nature-based preschools at Chippewa Nature Center (CNC) in Midland, MI, where she served as Director of Education for 15 years. She also led a $6 million expansion project at CNC, including a LEED Gold Certified preschool building, and established a nature-based kindergarten within a public school.

Rachel earned her Ph.D. from Michigan State University’s Department of Teacher Education; a M.A. in Park and Recreation Administration from Central Michigan University; and a B.S. in Natural Resource Recreation and Tourism, with an emphasis in interpretation, from Colorado State University. Rachel has been recognized for her work by various organizations including the National Association for Interpretation Region 4’s in 2012 with the “Master Interpretive Manager” recognition; First State Bank’s “RUBY Award” in 2013 for professionals under the age of 40; and Exchange Magazine in 2015 with the “Promising Early Care and Education Leader” award. For even more about Rachel, visit www.rachel-larimore.com.

• Embracing Fire as a Loose Part, Carla Gull
• Death, Decay, and Decomposition, Carla Gull

Registration Cost

Register Today

Registration Only: $320
Rate includes campference registration, all meals (6) served in our dining hall, snacks served during the event, and Free Shuttle to and from Airport.

Registration + Lodging Options

Rates listed below include:

• campference registration ($320 value),
• free shuttle to and from airport,
• all meals (6) served in our dining hall and snacks during 
the event
• lodging accommodations described

Hotel Style Room Options

Brown Center

Brown Center
The Brown Center offers modern, spacious hotel-style rooms. The rooms are designed to be comfortable and functional, featuring amenities like two double beds with Tempur-pedic mattresses, private bathrooms, WiFi, coffee pots. Large windows provide views of Ferncliff Lake.

• Single occupancy: $640
• Double* occupancy: $520

Group housing Options

• Group Housing*: $480

The Retreat House

Retreat House
The Retreat House is designed to accommodate groups up to 25 people. It features five bedrooms and three and a half bathrooms. Amenities include a full-service kitchen, a large dining area, two living rooms, a washer and dryer, WiFi, a wooden deck, Tempur-pedic mattresses on all lower bunks, patio furniture, grill, and fire pit.

Yurt Village

Yurt Village
The Yurt Village, situated in a wooded area close to Belden Pond, offers a unique glamping experience,combining rustic charm with modern comforts. Each yurt is equipped with electricity, air conditioning, heating, and bunk beds with Temper-pedic mattresses on bottom bunks. Guests staying in the yurts have exclusive access to the Yurt Village bathhouse, which includes hot showers and modern restroom facilities. Additionally, the yurt area features a communal fire pit and deck.

Campsites

• Campsites with Bath house access: $380

Campsites are available on the Ferncliff campus with access to the Ferncliff Bath Barn, which includes rustic restroom facilities and hot showers. Campsites have electricity access. Participants will need to provide their own camping gear.