ICAN Workshop

Tuesday, November 19, 2019
10 a.m. – 3 p.m. at  Conner Prairie
 
Spending time outdoors in nature is one of the strongest ways people develop a sense of place and begin to care for the world around them. This nature-connection is especially important for young people and how they learn and develop. Join us for a day long workshop that addresses the importance of connecting people to nature, especially in an urban setting. There will be activities and practical ideas for getting people connected outside, opportunities to network with other environmental educators, naturalists and teachers, and presentations sharing resources and success stories.
 
Workshop presentations include:
 
Opportunities Present Possibilities: The Story of Camp OPP
Fifteen years ago, IPS Teacher Julie Beaty was able to take the 4th graders in her school on a three-day camping trip by raising funds through private donations. This initial endeavor eventually led to the formation of the non-profit Camp OPP that now provides camping experiences to students in other schools as well. Find out more as Julie shares her story and describes the impact such experiences have.
 
Nature for Those in the Yellow
Of the 6.7 million people living in Indiana, more than half reside in a yellow area on the state map (areas of higher population density). For most of these folks, outdoor experiences are framed in concrete and asphalt. But they can still develop an appreciation for our natural environment and reap the benefits of going outdoors. Sam Carman, Education Director, IDNR-Division of Forestry (retired), will focus on why it’s more important than ever to integrate outdoor experiences in urban and suburban areas, and provide some hands-on examples of how to get it done.
 
Path of the Shikari
Join Matt Shull, founder of White Pine Wilderness Academy, for a discussion about the school's approach to nature connection in an urban wilderness setting. Matt's presentation will include the story of how his grandfather's experiences as a Shikari tracker in India during the 1950s have influenced the school, lessons learned from six years of growing White Pine, and exciting opportunities for educators to receive training as nature mentors in 2020.
 
Nature Play 10 Minutes a Day
Sometimes all you need is a fun 10 minute activity to nurture your nature play. During this session you will participate in activities you can accomplish with a group of students in 10 minutes or less.