Leadership Institute Agenda

Sunday, July 14, 2024

Registration 11 AM-2 PM Central Time
Opening Ceremonies 2 PM Central Time

Morning:

• Breakfast available in Timbers Restaurant for attendees that arrive on Saturday, July 13. We encourage you to make a reservation here.

Afternoon:

• Welcome
• Interactive session with Alice Cohen with the US Forest Service.
• Outdoor Classroom Sensory Exploration-This is an opportunity to have hands-on experiences in the Outdoor Classroom, touching, seeing, hearing, feeling. A true immersive experience you might even take your shoes off.

Evening

• Reception: Return to Lied Lodge and enjoy complimentary appetizers and beverages while meeting Institute participants and facilitators on Hazelnut Lawn.

Monday, July 15, 2024

Morning:

• Breakfast provided as part of the Institute registration fee
• The Flavors of Nature: Explore how sound, taste and texture can help children and adults feel more focused with Binta Dixon and Heather Fox
• The Power of Sensory-Rich Outdoor Play and Learning Spaces for All Children. Jena Jauchius will share how being in the moment (and observing with intent) can help us stay grounded and aware.

Afternoon:

• Lunch buffet provided as part of the Institute registration fee
• Citizen Science activity with Kirsten Haugen and Ellen Veselack
• Forest Bathing with Mark Canney

Evening:

• Dinner on your own OR take advantage of No-Host Dinner at Timbers Restaurant. This is a great way to meet new friends. Sign up for a group of your choice and enjoy dining together. Each participant pays for their own meal. Please reserve your spot HERE.
• Optional Social Evening Activity: Take a night hike with with Ellen Veselack and Kirsten Haugen as guides.

Tuesday, July 16, 2024

Morning:

• Breakfast provided as part of the Institute registration fee
• Wonders of Nature (walk) – Experience the beautiful grounds of the Arbor Day Farm through a facilitated walk through nature.
• Lunch buffet provided as part of the Institute registration fee

Afternoon:

• Explore the gifts of nature with hands-on activities
• Nature as a Connector- Mismiki Montgomery, Ellen Veselack, Allegra Inganni and LaRinda Hall will discuss how nature became such an integral part of their school community.

Evening:

• Tree Adventure Exhibits and the Apple House will be open just for Leadership Institute participants from 4:30-6:30 PM
• Dinner on your own 

Wednesday, July 17, 2024

Morning:

• Breakfast provided as part of the Institute registration fee
• Building a Grand Community! Tools and Techniques – How we plan to do it! Tara Schroder, Bob Barry, Erin Glenn and Mismiki Montgomery.
• Farewell Activity with Sandra Duncan
• Closing remarks followed by boxed lunch

Afternoon:

• Optional center tours in Lincoln, NE
• Take a tour of four very different and engaging Nature Explore Classrooms. Explore the possibilities with all your senses. This includes a box lunch for the 45 minute drive to Lincoln and a celebration snack at the end of the tour.

Dimensions Education Programs. Located at Dimensions Foundation’s headquarters, these three Nature Explore Outdoor Classrooms are the backbone of the national research and  home to our learning community serving infants, toddlers and preschoolers up to age five. 

Montessori School for Young Children. With a commitment to nurturing curious minds and empowering lifelong learners, MSYC proudly boasts one of the larger Nature Explore-designed outdoor classrooms in the state of Nebraska, offering children a unique and enriching Montessori learning environment.

Cathedral of the Risen Christ School. Tucked safely between buildings is our “hidden gem,” the Cathedral preschool outdoor classroom. This is a space where both children and adults are invited to play, explore, grow, and reflect on the beauty of God’s creations.

Southern Heights Food Forest. Rustic and open to the public, this space combines a community food forest with an outdoor classroom managed by community volunteers.