Growing Up WILD: Exploring Nature with Young Children
Growing Up WILD is a new supplementary educational program for young a learner that is designed to connect children ages 3 – 7 with nature and wildlife. Workshop participants will have an opportunity to sample Growing Up WILD activities that foster critical early childhood skill development, while tapping into a children’s sense of wonder about the outdoors.
Presenter: Mary Goodyear, NH Project WILD coordinator, New Hampshire Fish and Game Department
Trust in our Children: School and Land Trust Partnerships
This is a program founded by the Kennebunkport Conservation Trust in 2008. It connects children to the land, enhancing their current curriculum to teach science, history and related subjects while giving them a greater knowledge of their home town and thus a greater "sense of place."
Presenter: Tom Bradbury, Executive Director, Kennebunkport Conservation Trust
New Hampshire Natural Leaders-Getting Teenagers Involved
This session will focus on the NH Natural Leaders program. You will hear from at least two youth about their summer experience and what it means to them and why it makes a difference. The session will also include a discussion on how to get teenagers involved with getting others outdoors.
Presenters: Lillian Zimmerman, high school junior, Contoocook Valley Regional High School; Tim Zimmerman, high school junior, Gilford High School; and Judy Silverberg, convener of the Natural Leaders Sub-Committee, NH Children in Nature Coalition.
School Gardens: Growing Understanding of Our Food
School gardens help children understand where their food comes from. They are a way to get students outside and can be used for teaching math, social studies, science, and many other topics. They also provide links for parents and community members to volunteer and learn. This session will explore how to establish a school garden, integrate it into the curriculum, and engage the community.
Presenter: Ruth Smith, Outreach Coordinator, Concord Cooperative Market
Connecting Children, Nature & Communities through QUESTING
Over 10 years, Valley Quest has worked with thousands of children to map and share special places in Vermont & New Hampshire. This approach has been successfully adapted in several states, with new Quest programs underway across the country. A low-cost, grassroots and effective program, this session will explore the why, what and how to of Questing.
Presenter: Steve Glazer, Poetics of Place
Making Our Towns and Cities More Livable and Walkable for Our Children
Livable, Walkable Communities provide supportive and safe environments for children to be outdoors and active, right in their own back yards. Learn how to identify community priorities and promising interventions for improving conditions for biking, walking, recreation, and access to parks and open spaces.
Presenter: Terry Johnson, Director, Healthy Eating Active Living Initiative for New Hampshire
Creating a Nature Club for Families
In this interactive workshop Chip and Ashley will walk participants through the Nature Clubs for Families Tool kits. This tool Kit created by the Children and Nature Network provides inspiration, information, tips and resources for those who are—or who might be—interested in creating a Nature Club for Families (this workshop will be presented in both workshop sessions).
Presenters: Chip and Ashley Donohue, KIVA
Staying Safe and Found
Join the AMC Director of Education for this interactive workshop. Come see how this program can be given within your community or to your group. This workshop talks to kids and their parents about the principles of preparation and safe travel in the woods, as well as what kids can do if they get lost. The workshop includes a video and hands on activities for parents and kids, as well as a demonstration of what every kid should carry into the woods so they can stay Safe and Found. Learn about where you can find these materials for free for your use.
Presenter: Pam Hess, Director of Education, Appalachian Mountain Club
Hiking as a Family
Join AMC Director of Education for this interactive workshop. Come see how this program can be given within your community or to your group. See how to address fears about the idea of their kids in the woods - bugs, sun, strangers, and getting lost are a few common fears. Learn to plan for and manage those fears so that you and your family can get outside together and start reaping those many benefits. Learn about where you can find these materials for free for your use.
Presenter: Pam Hess, Director of Education, Appalachian Mountain Club
Creating Natural Playgrounds: A Hands on Workshop
This fun, model-making workshop helps you understand natural playgrounds, what they look like, and how to create them in your back yard, school, and community. We’ll use natural materials to explore numerous play options in small scale, and leave you with a working model to take home and further explore.
Presenter: Ron King, Architect, President, Natural Playgrounds Company
NH Common Ground Garden Project: Connecting Under-served, Urban Communities with the Outdoors
Whether for the immigrant/refugee family, or established three-generation American family, our urban communities face many challenges relative to financial uncertainty: hunger, family stress, lack of connection to the outdoors, and yes, obesity as well. Gardens and gardening rise in priority when times are tough. Join this conversation as we share with you the workings of the NH Common Ground Garden project and its initiatives for youth, families, elders and the community, which also serve as stepping stones to learning about (and loving) the natural world.
Presenter: Julia Steed Mawson, Educator, UNH Cooperative Extension
