Calendar of events
Upcoming Samara events, workshops, & speaking engagements
Interested in scheduling Dr. Rachel A. Larimore for an event? Learn more here.
Evaluating Natureness: How to use the Nature-Based Education Rating Scale to improve nature-based early childhood teaching (Session 3)
Part 3 of 3 in a webinar series on using the Nature-Based Education Rating Scale (NABERS).
NABERS is a tool crafted specifically for early education practitioners, researchers, and policymakers to help them effortlessly gather standardized information, assessing education settings in crucial areas such as: program goals, curriculum practices, staffing, environment, community partnerships, and family engagement. Dive into the world of NABERS with Dr. Rachel A. Larimore in this value-packed, three-part webinar series, where she unveils the keys to excellence in nature-based pedagogy.
Evaluating Natureness: How to use the Nature-based Education Rating Scale (NABERS) to improve nature-based early childhood teaching
February 15, 22, & 29, 2024; 4-5pm Eastern/1-2pm Pacific
Presented by Dr. Rachel A. Larimore
*This event is FREE for members of The Grove. Click here to join today!
Planning Emergent Curriculum in the Nature-based Classroom
This workshop will explore what we can plan for in implementing nature-based emergent curriculum while also recognizing the parts of emergent curriculum for which we cannot plan.
This is a private professional learning workshop. If you’d like to experience a similar workshop, click here for our speaking services or check out our on-demand workshops.
Nature-Based Learning: Inspiring & Supporting Staff to Help Children Learn with Nature
Rachel Larimore, Samara Early Learning’s Chief Visionary, will be presenting a free webinar hosted by Early Childhood Investigations Webinars and sponsored by Samara Early Learning (that’s us!).
Here is the webinar description:
Early education program leaders around the world are becoming more enthusiastic about nature-based learning. Many leaders find themselves wanting to jump in wholeheartedly but find shifting the culture of their organization as well as the practices of individual teachers is incredibly challenging. But the reality is that change won’t happen unless staff are inspired and supported to make change.
First, it can be challenging to help staff truly believe why a nature-based approach is important for the organization and children. Then, once staff are onboard for the greater purpose, there can be challenges in supporting teachers to change the many day-to-day practices. Sometimes, for example, it can be difficult to adjust the daily schedule to align with our desire to be outdoors more frequently. Other times, implementing a nature-based approach may require a complete reimagining of how we operate day-to-day. This can be daunting and unnerving for teachers. Join experienced early childhood nature-based program leader and author Dr. Rachel Larimore to learn to address these various challenges.
This webinar, designed to support program leaders and administrators, will briefly share the core principles of a nature-based approach and a Trail Map for Leading Change toward that approach. With that common language established, Rachel will focus on the steps to support your team to make the shift to a nature-based approach—and keep them happy and inspired along the way. In this session, we’ll discuss how to:
Establish a clear vision for nature-based education.
Facilitate the identification of potential adjustments to current practice to be more nature-based.
Lead teachers in reimagining teaching practices to embrace nature-based pedagogy.
Support teachers in taking small actions to shift their day-to-day practice to include more nature.
Provide ongoing support for nature-based pedagogy, including onboarding of new staff.
Though the webinar is free, registration is required. Register today!
The Grove Drop-in Office Hour with Rachel
Drop-in Office Hour with Dr. Rachel Larimore is a one-hour sessions where Rachel is available on Zoom for Grove members to drop-in for a conversation. This is a great chance to get answers to your questions about nature-based early childhood education. This is also a place to receive tailored feedback from Rachel specific to your situation. We offer these informal and relaxed sessions for Grove members so they can more easily join at time that suits them—and without the feeling of “oh, the call already started so I can’t join.” Rather, Rachel is present for 1 hour and she’d love to see you!
This event is for Grove members only. Click here to learn more about The Grove—a community of nature-based educators learning and growing together.
The power of place for planning
This workshop, with a mix of presentation and small group work, will focus using the seasons and features of our place in the world to plan for children’s learning. We’ll discuss teacher-led activities as well as materials to include for children’s free play.
This is a private professional development workshop. If you’d like to experience a similar workshop, click here for our speaking services or check out our on-demand workshops.
Ohio’s Annual AEYC Conference (2024)
Samara’s Chief Visionary, Dr. Rachel A. Larimore, will be presenting two concurrent sessions at this year’s conference!
Join thousands of educators from Ohio, across the nation, and around the globe for an extraordinary experience at the foremost event tailored for early childhood educators, directors, and advocates!
Immerse yourself in a thriving community of dedicated professionals committed to fostering young minds with passion and care.
This event requires registration to attend. Check out the conference details and register here.
Planning Emergent Curriculum in the Nature-based Classroom
This workshop will explore what we can plan for in implementing nature-based emergent curriculum while also recognizing the parts of emergent curriculum for which we cannot plan.
This is a private professional learning workshop. Please contact us if you’d like to schedule a similar workshop.
Preschool Naturally: An outdoor & nature-based learning campference
We are excited to co-host this event for preschool educators! This conference, in a camp-like setting, will be a chance to dig deep into practice through theory and hands-on workshops. Workshops will be led Dr. Rachel Larimore (Samara’s founder), Ferncliff Nature Preschool staff, and A-State Childhood Services staff.
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
Plus, participants will be able to…
Explore the Ferncliff Nature Preschool facilities
Enjoy on-site housing & meals
Connect with like-minded educators during evening social events
Deeply connect with colleagues because of the limited attendance
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 two days of professional learning that will leave you recharged and re-inspired to connect young children with the natural world. Mark your calendar now!
*Thanks to our Australian colleague Tania Moloney for this perfect term for the event–a professional conference with the feel of summer camp. If you’re in Australia we encourage you to check out her CAMPference event here.
Natural Start Alliance's Nature-based Early Learning Conference
Join hundreds of professionals around the globe for the Nature-Based Early Learning Conference, hosted by the Natural Start Alliance. Explore the role of nature and education in promoting healing, addressing injustice, and helping children, families, communities, and the planet thrive.
Evaluating Natureness: How to use the Nature-Based Education Rating Scale to improve nature-based early childhood teaching (Session 2)
Part 2 of 3 in a webinar series on using the Nature-Based Education Rating Scales system (NABERS).
NABERS is a tool crafted specifically for early education practitioners, researchers, and policymakers to help them effortlessly gather standardized information, assessing education settings in crucial areas such as: program goals, curriculum practices, staffing, environment, community partnerships, and family engagement. Dive into the world of NABERS with Dr. Rachel A. Larimore in this value-packed, three-part webinar series, where she unveils the keys to excellence in nature-based pedagogy.
Evaluating Natureness: How to use the Nature-based Education Rating Scale (NABERS) to improve nature-based early childhood teaching
February 15, 22, & 29, 2024; 4-5pm Eastern/1-2pm Pacific
Presented by Dr. Rachel A. Larimore
*This event is FREE for members of The Grove. Click here to join today!
Non-Profit or For-Profit? Finding the Best Path for Your Program (A Natural Start Alliance webinar)
As programs navigate all of the varied considerations in operating a nature-based education program, an important question is: Should my program operate as a non-profit or for-profit venture?
Join nature-based education consultants David Catlin and Samara’s founder Dr. Rachel Larimore to get answers to this and other questions about the pros and cons of each of these different pathways. Rachel and David have developed a new resource to help programs consider their options, and they'll provide an overview, and take your questions during this webinar.
To register for this free webinar click here!
The Grove Drop-in Office Hour with Rachel
Drop-in Office Hour with Dr. Rachel Larimore is a one-hour sessions where Rachel is available on Zoom for Grove members to drop-in for a conversation. This is a great chance to get answers to your questions about nature-based early childhood education. This is also a place to receive tailored feedback from Rachel specific to your situation. We offer these informal and relaxed sessions for Grove members so they can more easily join at time that suits them—and without the feeling of “oh, the call already started so I can’t join.” Rather, Rachel is present for 1 hour and she’d love to see you!
Please note this event is only for members of The Grove. Not a member? You can join The Grove here to access this event & more.
Evaluating Natureness: How to use the Nature-Based Education Rating Scale to improve nature-based early childhood teaching (Session 1)
Part 1 of 3 in a webinar series on using the Nature-Based Education Rating Scale (NABERS).
NABERS is a tool crafted specifically for early education practitioners, researchers, and policymakers to help them effortlessly gather standardized information, assessing education settings in crucial areas such as: program goals, curriculum practices, staffing, environment, community partnerships, and family engagement. Dive into the world of NABERS with Dr. Rachel A. Larimore in this value-packed, three-part webinar series, where she unveils the keys to excellence in nature-based pedagogy.
Evaluating Natureness: How to use the Nature-based Education Rating Scale (NABERS) to improve nature-based early childhood teaching
February 15, 22, & 29, 2024; 4-5pm Eastern/1-2pm Pacific
Presented by Dr. Rachel A. Larimore
*This event is FREE for members of The Grove. Click here to join today!
Why do we do THAT?!: Making Intentional Decisions in the Nature-based Early Childhood Classroom
Nature-based educators make thousands of decisions every day that influence children’s learning. It’s important to consider the overall goals of nature-based programs and whether or not our teaching and administrative practices reflect those goals. Rachel will challenge attendees to consider how well program structures, physical spaces, and teacher-child interactions align with the “Why?” of nature-based early childhood education.
For more information and to grab your seat CLICK HERE!
This event is free to Grove members. Want to be a member? Click here to join The Grove, a community of nature-based educators learning and growing together. (Please note: members have access to recordings of all previous presentations.)
The Grove Drop-in Office Hour with Rachel
Drop-in Office Hour with Dr. Rachel Larimore is a one-hour sessions where Rachel is available on Zoom for Grove members to drop-in for a conversation. This is a great chance to get answers to your questions about nature-based early childhood education. This is also a place to receive tailored feedback from Rachel specific to your situation. We offer these informal and relaxed sessions for Grove members so they can more easily join at time that suits them—and without the feeling of “oh, the call already started so I can’t join.” Rather, Rachel is present for 1 hour and she’d love to see you!
This event is for Grove members only. Click here to learn more about The Grove—a community of nature-based educators learning and growing together.
The Grove Drop-in Office Hour with Rachel
Drop-in Office Hour with Dr. Rachel Larimore is a one-hour sessions where Rachel is available on Zoom for Grove members to drop-in for a conversation. This is a great chance to get answers to your questions about nature-based early childhood education. This is also a place to receive tailored feedback from Rachel specific to your situation. We offer these informal and relaxed sessions for Grove members so they can more easily join at time that suits them—and without the feeling of “oh, the call already started so I can’t join.” Rather, Rachel is present for 1 hour and she’d love to see you!
This event is for Grove members only. Click here to learn more about The Grove—a community of nature-based educators learning and growing together.
The Grove Focus Call: InstaGrowth: Using Instagram to boost enrollment in nature-based schools
Each month inside The Grove is a focused live video conference call on a particular topic. The format includes a brief presentation followed by open discussion among attendees.
From your profile to your posts, Instagram can help grow your audience and deepen a sense of community with your families. Learn how to easily engage and grow your enrollment with Lauren Litt, a social media coach and fractional Chief Marketing Officer. Join us as Lauren shares valuable tips and insights on how to leverage Instagram to attract perfect-fit families.
This event is for Grove members only. Click here to join The Grove, a community of nature-based educators learning and growing together, and attend this call. (Please note, members have access to recordings of all previous presentations.)
The Grove Drop-in Office Hour with Rachel
Drop-in Office Hour with Dr. Rachel Larimore is a one-hour sessions where Rachel is available on Zoom for Grove members to drop-in for a conversation. This is a great chance to get answers to your questions about nature-based early childhood education. This is also a place to receive tailored feedback from Rachel specific to your situation. We offer these informal and relaxed sessions for Grove members so they can more easily join at time that suits them—and without the feeling of “oh, the call already started so I can’t join.” Rather, Rachel is present for 1 hour and she’d love to see you!
This event is for Grove members only. Click here to learn more about The Grove—a community of nature-based educators learning and growing together.
Getting Started with Nature-based Early Childhood Education
This workshop, with a mix of presentation and small group work, will focus on the foundations of nature-based early childhood education. We’ll discuss the benefits of benefits of outdoor play, preparing the indoors, outdoor play area, and areas beyond the fence for learning. We’ll also discuss teacher-child interactions to support learning.
This is a private professional learning workshop. Please contact us if you’d like to schedule a similar workshop or check out our on-demand workshops here.
The Grove Focus Call: Mind Full or Mindful— Exploring benefits, practices and possibilities for children and teachers
Each month inside The Grove is a focused live video conference call on a particular topic. The format includes a brief presentation followed by open discussion among attendees.
Teaching young children is a joyful, and challenging endeavor. The most effective teachers are somehow able to maintain a mental calmness and stability (equanimity) as they go about the complex task of helping a diverse group of young children learn to navigate the intricate world that is an early childhood classroom. How is this possible?
This live presentation and Q&A will explore the benefits and possibilities when nature and mindfulness come together in the early childhood classroom.
This event is for Grove members only. Click here to join The Grove, a community of nature-based educators learning and growing together, and attend this call. (Please note, members have access to recordings of all previous presentations.)
The Grove Focus Call: Nature Inspired Storytelling: Top Tips and Tools for Telling Terrific Tales
Each month inside The Grove is a focused live video conference call on a particular topic. The format includes a brief presentation followed by open discussion among attendees.
Join Tania Moloney from Nurture in Nature Australia as she shares the power of using books as springboards to enrich and engage nature play and outdoor learning opportunities. We’ll look at “who” is on your bookshelf and why that’s important, and Tania will dig into her 5 Top Storytelling Tools to help you grow your skills and confidence as a natural storyteller.
This event is for Grove members only. Click here to join The Grove, a community of nature-based educators learning and growing together, and attend this call. (Please note, members have access to recordings of all previous presentations.)
The Grove Drop-in Office Hour with Rachel
Drop-in Office Hour with Dr. Rachel Larimore is a one-hour sessions where Rachel is available on Zoom for Grove members to drop-in for a conversation. This is a great chance to get answers to your questions about nature-based early childhood education. This is also a place to receive tailored feedback from Rachel specific to your situation. We offer these informal and relaxed sessions for Grove members so they can more easily join at time that suits them—and without the feeling of “oh, the call already started so I can’t join.” Rather, Rachel is present for 1 hour and she’d love to see you!
This event is for Grove members only. Click here to learn more about The Grove—a community of nature-based educators learning and growing together.
The Grove Focus Call: The NbECE Change Trail Map
Each month inside The Grove is a focused live video conference call on a particular topic. The format includes a brief presentation followed by open discussion among attendees.
Leading change among a program is difficult under any circumstance, but nature-based education can bring its own set of challenges. This focused call will provide a trail map for shifting progress toward nature-based education. It will discuss the questions we need to ask and answer before we can lead teams to the next steps.
This event is for Grove members only. Click here to join The Grove, a community of nature-based educators learning and growing together, and attend this call. (Please note, members have access to recordings of all previous presentations.)
The Grove Drop-in Office Hour with Rachel
Drop-in Office Hour with Dr. Rachel Larimore is a one-hour sessions where Rachel is available on Zoom for Grove members to drop-in for a conversation. This is a great chance to get answers to your questions about nature-based early childhood education. This is also a place to receive tailored feedback from Rachel specific to your situation. We offer these informal and relaxed sessions for Grove members so they can more easily join at time that suits them—and without the feeling of “oh, the call already started so I can’t join.” Rather, Rachel is present for 1 hour and she’d love to see you!
This event is for Grove members only. Click here to learn more about The Grove—a community of nature-based educators learning and growing together.
Nature-based Team Orientation
This is a private professional learning workshop. Please contact us if you’d like to schedule a similar workshop or check out our on-demand workshops here.
Integration of Nature: Okay sure, but how?!
Integration of nature is being talked about more and more and now one of Little Sprout’s pillars. But how does that fit with everything else that happens in an early childhood classroom? This session will explore the core principles of nature-based education and meaningful ways to integrate those principles into practice. While addressing the common concerns and challenges, this session will provide concrete steps to integrate nature into the daily schedule, the indoor and outdoor classrooms, and into curriculum planning.
This is a private professional learning workshop. Please contact us if you’d like to schedule a similar workshop or check out our on-demand workshops here.
The Grove Drop-in Office Hour with Rachel
Drop-in Office Hour with Dr. Rachel Larimore is a one-hour sessions where Rachel is available on Zoom for Grove members to drop-in for a conversation. This is a great chance to get answers to your questions about nature-based early childhood education. This is also a place to receive tailored feedback from Rachel specific to your situation. We offer these informal and relaxed sessions for Grove members so they can more easily join at time that suits them—and without the feeling of “oh, the call already started so I can’t join.” Rather, Rachel is present for 1 hour and she’d love to see you!
This event is for Grove members only. Click here to learn more about The Grove—a community of nature-based educators learning and growing together.
Developing Purposeful Outdoor Learning Environments (Copy)
This workshop will focus on developing purposeful, engaging outdoor learning spaces to support nature-based early childhood education.
This is a private professional learning workshop. Please contact us if you’d like to schedule a similar workshop.
The Grove Drop-in Office Hour with Rachel
Drop-in Office Hour with Dr. Rachel Larimore is a one-hour sessions where Rachel is available on Zoom for Grove members to drop-in for a conversation. This is a great chance to get answers to your questions about nature-based early childhood education. This is also a place to receive tailored feedback from Rachel specific to your situation. We offer these informal and relaxed sessions for Grove members so they can more easily join at time that suits them—and without the feeling of “oh, the call already started so I can’t join.” Rather, Rachel is present for 1 hour and she’d love to see you!
This event is for Grove members only. Click here to learn more about The Grove—a community of nature-based educators learning and growing together.
The Grove Focused Q&A: hiring, training, & all things staff-related
Each month inside The Grove is a focused live video conference call on a particular topic. The format includes a brief presentation followed by open discussion among attendees.
This is an open Q&A time for anything related to personnel--hiring, onboarding, training, etc. If you haven't already, be sure to check out the Hiring Process focus call recording, Welcoming Staff, and Individual PD plans.
This event is for Grove members only. Click here to join The Grove, a community of nature-based educators learning and growing together, and attend this call. (Please note, members have access to recordings of all previous presentations.)
The Grove Drop-in Office Hour with Rachel
Drop-in Office Hour with Dr. Rachel Larimore is a one-hour sessions where Rachel is available on Zoom for Grove members to drop-in for a conversation. This is a great chance to get answers to your questions about nature-based early childhood education. This is also a place to receive tailored feedback from Rachel specific to your situation. We offer these informal and relaxed sessions for Grove members so they can more easily join at time that suits them—and without the feeling of “oh, the call already started so I can’t join.” Rather, Rachel is present for 1 hour and she’d love to see you!
This event is for Grove members only. Click here to learn more about The Grove—a community of nature-based educators learning and growing together.
Getting Started with Nature-based Early Childhood Education
This workshop, with a mix of presentation and small group work, will focus on the foundations of nature-based early childhood education. We’ll discuss the benefits of benefits of outdoor play, preparing the indoors, outdoor play area, and areas beyond the fence for learning. We’ll also discuss teacher-child interactions to support learning.
This is a private professional learning workshop. Please contact us if you’d like to schedule a similar workshop.
Rooted in Play: The Power of Place Conference
This is an experiential conference focusing on a place-based approach inspired by educators in Reggio Emilia, Italy. This conference will provide information and hands on learning opportunities to support participants, whether you are a novice, an experimenter or an expert in your journey.
Dr. Rachel Larimore, Samara’s Chief Visionary, will be providing the Friday keynote as well as multiple conference sessions.
The conference is being held in a nature-based setting at Touch of Nature Outdoor Education Center in Carbondale, Illinois.
Please note this event requires conference registration. You can register here.
The Grove Drop-in Office Hours with Rachel
Drop-in Office Hours with Dr. Rachel Larimore are two-hour sessions where Rachel is available on Zoom for Grove members to drop-in for a conversation. This is a great chance to get answers to your questions about nature-based early childhood education. This is also a place to receive tailored feedback from Rachel specific to your situation. We offer these informal and relaxed sessions for Grove members so they can more easily join at time that suits them—and without the feeling of “oh, the call already started so I can’t join.” Rather, Rachel is present for 2 hours and she’d love to see you!
This event is for Grove members only. Click here to learn more about The Grove—a community of nature-based educators learning and growing together.
The Grove Drop-in Office Hours with Rachel
Drop-in Office Hours with Dr. Rachel Larimore are two-hour sessions where Rachel is available on Zoom for Grove members to drop-in for a conversation. This is a great chance to get answers to your questions about nature-based early childhood education. This is also a place to receive tailored feedback from Rachel specific to your situation. We offer these informal and relaxed sessions for Grove members so they can more easily join at time that suits them—and without the feeling of “oh, the call already started so I can’t join.” Rather, Rachel is present for 2 hours and she’d love to see you!
This event is for Grove members only. Click here to learn more about The Grove—a community of nature-based educators learning and growing together.
Measuring the Quality of Nature-based Classrooms Using the NABERS Tool
Presented by Rachel Larimore, Ph.D., Chief Visionary, Samara Early Learning; Patti Bailie, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Early Childhood Education, University of Maine at Farmington; and Arianna Pikus, M.S., Doctoral Candidate, Department of Human Development and Family Studies, Michigan State University; Moderated by Jennifer Lewis, President, Gryphon House, Inc.
This FREE edWebinar will explore the Nature-Based Education Rating Scale (NABERS) tool. NABERS was developed to help identify the quality and level of “natureness” for those PreK and K-3 programs adding nature to their curricula. This edWebinar will first identify the core principles of Nature-based Early Childhood Education (NbECE) and then discuss tangible measures of quality. Attendees will leave the session able to identify nature-based practices in the program structure, staffing, physical environment, community partnerships, and family engagement.
While other measures of quality exist in early childhood education (e.g., ECERS, CLASS) this is the first tool to specifically address the features of nature-based education. NbECE is considered the blending of early childhood and environmental education and the NABERS tool focuses specifically on the overlap between these two disciplines. That is, NABERS does not address measures of quality related to early childhood in general, but rather those practices specific to the nature-based approach. For example, family engagement is important whether a program is nature based or not. Thus, NABERS only addresses aspects specific to family engagement such as family education related to the benefits of nature-based learning.
Attend this edWebinar to learn how to:
Identify the core principles of a nature-based early childhood approach
Describe quality nature-based practices related to program structure, staffing, physical environment setup, and family engagement
This edWebinar will be of interest to PreK-3 teachers and school and district leaders. There will be time for questions at the end of the presentation.
Click here for more information or to register.
To get your copy of Evaluating Natureness, visit the Samara Shop.
The Grove Focused Call: Measuring Program Natureness
Each month inside The Grove is a focused live video conference call on a particular topic. The format includes a brief presentation followed by open discussion among attendees.
With the release of Rachel's new book "Evaluating Natureness" (written with Patti Bailie & Arianna Pikus) it seems a good time to talk about key features of high-quality nature-based programs. This call will explore the tools, but primarily the key characteristics of nature-based programs.
This event is for Grove members only. Click here to join The Grove, a community of nature-based educators learning and growing together, and attend this call. (Please note, members have access to recordings of all previous presentations.)
The Grove Drop-in Office Hours with Rachel
Drop-in Office Hours with Dr. Rachel Larimore are two-hour sessions where Rachel is available on Zoom for Grove members to drop-in for a conversation. This is a great chance to get answers to your questions about nature-based early childhood education. This is also a place to receive tailored feedback from Rachel specific to your situation. We offer these informal and relaxed sessions for Grove members so they can more easily join at time that suits them—and without the feeling of “oh, the call already started so I can’t join.” Rather, Rachel is present for 2 hours and she’d love to see you!
This event is for Grove members only. Click here to learn more about The Grove—a community of nature-based educators learning and growing together.
Developing Purposeful Outdoor Learning Environments
This workshop will focus on developing purposeful, engaging outdoor learning spaces to support nature-based early childhood education.
This is a private professional learning workshop. Please contact us if you’d like to schedule a similar workshop.