Register now for the second annual Preschool Naturally: An outdoor & nature-based learning campference*, June 5-7, 2024 in Little Rock, Arkansas! This two-day event for preschool educators will be a chance to dig deep into practice through theory and hands-on workshops. Workshops will be led by Dr. Rachel Larimore of Samara Early Learning, Ferncliff Nature Preschool staff, and A-State Childhood services staff.
A few other campference highlights include:
- Keynote by Dr. Rachel Larimore
- Multiple session tracks so that different experience levels
- Sessions exploring both theory & practical skills
- Exploration of Ferncliff Nature Preschool facilities
- On-site Housing & Meals
- Evening social events to connect with like-minded educators
- Small attendance capacity to maximize dialogue & professional learning
Shuttle service provided to/from airport if needed. Please note need in registration!
Click Here to Register Now!
Preschool Naturally will be held at the Ferncliff Camp and Conference Center with more than 1,200 acres of natural space in the Natural State itself–Arkansas! The hills, woods, creek, and lake are the perfect backdrop for nature-based professional learning, networking, and inspiration.
This is sure to be three days of professional learning that will leave you recharged and reinspired to connect young children with the natural world. Register now!
*Thanks to our Australian colleague Tania Moloney for this perfect term for the event–a professional conference with the feel of summer camp!
Schedule-at-a-Glance
- Wednesday:
- Dinner
- Keynote: “Playing Beyond Walls: Leveraging the Power of Outdoor Play in Early Childhood” by Dr. Rachel Larimore
- Porch & campfire social time
- Thursday:
- Breakfast
- Two 1.5-hour breakout sessions with multiple options for different experience levels
- Lunch
- Whole Group Session: “Doing the deep work: Exploring Another Layer of Inside, Outside, & Beyond” with Dr. Rachel Larimore
- Ice cream truck
- One 1.5-hour breakout session with multiple options for different experience levels
- One-hour natural history sessions
- Afternoon choose your own adventure (Hiking, kayaking, frisbee golf, creek walking, fishing, relaxing, etc.)
- Dinner
- Hootenanny–music & socializing in the summer air
- Friday:
- Breakfast
- Two 1.5-hour breakout sessions with multiple options for different experience levels
- Lunch
- Breakout small-group discussions on hot topics
- Closing event
About our Keynote & Keynote Speaker
Keynote: Playing Beyond Walls: Leveraging the Power of Outdoor Play in Early Childhood by Dr. Rachel A. Larimore
“Children learn through play!” “Children need to be outside more!” These are common phrases in early childhood education. But why does play and outdoor time matter? And how do we integrate play-based, nature-based, and developmentally appropriate practices in our teaching all at once? These can be overwhelming questions. This keynote with Dr. Rachel Larimore will address why play-based and nature-based approaches are critical for both children and our communities. Then, using a continuum of nature-based early childhood education (NbECE) she will provide the group with concrete ways, no matter your starting point, to better integrate nature into your program structure, physical environment, and teacher-child interactions. You’ll leave smiling, energized, and ready to change the world!
Dr. Rachel A. Larimore is an educator, speaker, consultant, author, and former nature-based preschool director. As the founder and Chief Visionary of Samara Early Learning her work focuses on helping early childhood educators start nature-based schools or add nature-based approaches into their existing program. She has written multiple books including Establishing a Nature-Based Preschool, Preschool Beyond Walls: Blending Early Childhood Education and Nature-Based Learning, and Evaluating Nature: Evaluating Natureness: Measuring the Quality of Nature-based Classrooms in Pre-k Through 3rd Grade.
Sessions to Look Forward To
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
