Reaching Nature Connection: Singing Snails and Rainbow Tails
East Coast Outdoor Conference for Early Childhood Educators, Teachers, Counselors, Parents and Mentors
Registration is closed for 2021. Check back in the beginning of 2022 for next summer’s conference.
June 18-20, 2021
Earthaven Ecovillage
Near Asheville, NC
With this year’s theme, Singing Snails and Rainbow Tails, presenters Lia Grippo, Kelly Villarruel, and Erin Boehme will immerse participants in timeless crafting, joyful singing, and the freedom of play all in the spirit of the young child.
This annual conference is a program of The Academy of Forest Kindergarten Teachers, co-sponsored by SOIL.
Lia, Kelly, and Erin brought evidenced-based information, personal stories and a wealth of experience. The content felt relevant to both the brand-new forest kindergarten teacher, at the same time met the needs of an experienced facilitator. ~ Kathryn, Reaching Nature Connection Conference Participant 2018
The Reaching Nature Connection Conference at Earthaven was a soul-nourishing experience. I have been a nature and play-based early childhood teacher for 20 years and I left this gathering full of inspiration, new questions about my work, a deeper understanding of what can inform it and experiences of thrill, joy, and community. I will be looking for more opportunities to engage in these trainings. -Marie
About the Conference
Reaching Nature Connection is an annual outdoor conference based on forest schools, wilderness awareness, and early childhood education. The conference is designed for beginners and experienced educators alike, as well as therapists, administrators, homeschool families, camp counselors, grandparents, and parents who have an interest in developmentally appropriate nature mentoring for children.
Reaching Nature Connection invites you to join in an exciting weekend of hands-on, research-based, and anecdotal learning. As always, the conference will be infused with songs, games, stories, and deeper nature connection.
Reaching Nature Connection provides an opportunity to set your watch aside and allow the leaders of the conference to hold time for you. The rhythm of each day is designed to move between active and contemplative learning, with a thematic thread running throughout. We will flow between lecture and hands-on components, weaving together our learning through a variety of approaches, with each new component building on the next.
Collaboratively taught by Erin Boehme, Kelly Villarruel, and Lia Grippo with special guest Doug Elliott.
- Learn more about nature connection and the conference in this interview with the teaching team.
- Learn about and invite others to Wild Tales – Strange but True Adventures in the Natural World with Doug Elliott.
Learn more about nature connection and the conference in this interview with the teaching team.
Program
Friday, June 18 (Optional Add-on)
6:30pm Dinner
7:30pm An evening of stories and songs with Doug Elliott
Saturday, June 19
8:00am Breakfast
8:30–8:45am Conference check-in. Please arrive by 8:45am.
9:00am–5:00pm Conference begins promptly at 9:00 am (break for lunch)
6:30pm Dinner
7:30pm An evening of connection and peer-mentorship (optional)
Sunday, June 20
8:00am Breakfast
9:00am–4:00pm Conference begins promptly at 9:00am (break for lunch)
Sliding Scale Tuition
Because some people have more financial means than others, we have created a sliding scale fee system to accommodate a range of economic realities. The high-end of the scale reflects the value we believe the program holds, and the low-end offers a more accessible entry point.
By choosing a higher price point, you are helping make the program more accessible to others for whom the low-end may be cost-prohibitive. Please consider your needs and resources to determine what might be a stretch, but not a strain.
Cost
General
Tuition Sliding Scale: $370-$510
What’s Included
Tuition includes instruction, 2 nights camping, food (5 meals), and materials. Indoor lodging and transportation are available for an additional cost.
Current ECE Students
If you are a current ECE Student, please email us for a coupon code to use at checkout, at info@schoolofintegratedliving.org.
Scholarships
We offer partial scholarships (50% off) to black, indigenous and people of color (BIPOC) who otherwise would not be able to afford to attend. We understand that BIPOC experience more financial and institutional barriers to participation, and this is one way we are able to create more access. If you identify as BIPOC and would like to receive a scholarship, please contact us at info@schoolofintegratedliving.org.
Logistics
Food
Delicious, omnivorous meals are prepared by talented culinary artists from the Earthaven community. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options available. Snacks and beverages (tea, coffee) are provided. Participants are invited to help with meal clean-up. Many hands make light work.
As much food as possible is sourced from Earthaven and its surrounding farms and gardens, with some ingredients sourced from local grocery stores. Our meals are created with seasonal, local, fresh, wildcrafted, humanely-raised, and organic ingredients.
***If you have dietary needs beyond the ones listed here, please be prepared to bring supplemental food to support your nourishment and well-being. Our kitchen simply cannot accommodate all diets.
Program Specific Info
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included, Saturday breakfast through Sunday lunch.
About the Facilitation Team
Reaching Nature Connection Conference Faculty Lia spent many of her earliest years in Riga, Latvia, foraging and fishing the nearby woodlands with her family. Lia has taught in a variety of settings, including small and large preschools, a Waldorf kindergarten, a parent cooperative, and wilderness programs.
Lia Grippo
Reaching Nature Connection Conference Faculty Kelly has over two decades of experience in the field of early childhood education, working in preschool and home day care settings as well as wilderness and nature immersion programs. She uses her awareness, knowledge, and experience to guide scores of young ones into a deep and lasting relationship with the natural world, all while mentoring numerous staff and volunteers each year. 
Kelly Villarruel
Erin Boehme
Reaching Nature Connection Conference Faculty
Erin grew up freely exploring the pastures, creeks, and high deserts of California’s Eastern Sierra mountains. Erin is a co-founder of the annual Reaching Nature Connection Conference and a co-founder of The Academy of Forest Kindergarten Teachers. She is an artist and designer that seeks to fuel the creative spirit in herself and others everyday.