About the Instructor(s)

Jenna Plouffe is the Lead Teacher of Forest Preschool. She has 14 years of experience with nature based education in public education and at NBNC. Ken Benton is the Director of Education with North Branch Nature Center, where he has been working for 10 years. Other members of NBNC’s highly skilled staff will join us throughout the week. More about Jenna and Ken.

North Branch Nature Center is a nationally recognized leader in nature-based education for children and adults. Our place-based and inquiry-based philosophy recognizes nature as our most dynamic, enriching, rigorous, and inclusive classroom. Healthy, inspired learning and development depends on immersive, curiosity-driven nature exploration, cultivated by expert teaching and mentorship. From our acclaimed Forest Preschool and Educating Children Outdoors (ECO) flagship programs, to our summer camps, community workshops, and professional institutes, NBNC offers a lifetime of learning and growth through deepened connections with the environment.

Recommended Readings

• Butler, Amy. Educating Children Outdoors: Lessons in Nature-Based Learning. Order for Shipping or Pickup at NBNC.
• Sara Knight. Risk and Adventure in Early Years Outdoor Play (A good accompaniment for site assessment projects)

• David Sobel. Nature Preschools and Forest Kindergartens (this is a handbook for beginning your own program or school) 
• Rachel A. Larimore. Preschool Beyond Walls: Blending Early Childhood Education and Nature-Based Learning

• Juliette Robertson. Dirty Teaching or Messy Maths (Examples of lessons and experiences happening outdoors)
• North American Association for Environmental Education. Nature-Based Preschool Professional Practice Guidebook

• Hanscomb, Angela. Barefoot & Balanced.
• Claire Warden. Learning with Nature: Embedding Outdoor Practice.
• Louv, Richard. Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature Deficit Disorder.

Lodging & Meals

Meals and beverages will not be provided. We ask that you please bring your own lunch and snacks. There are many hotels and AirBnB options within 20 minutes of North Branch Nature Center. Camping onsite at NBNC is available by permission.

Timing

Course runs Monday-Friday from roughly 8 am until 4 pm each day. Exact timing will be communicated as the course approaches. The course will be located at North Branch Nature Center.

Academic Credit / Professional Development Options

This course qualifies for 3 graduate-level education or science credits for an additional $450 course fee. Course is accredited by Vermont State University Center for Schools.

For students transferring credit to another institution, it is each student’s responsibility to ensure that their home institution will accept the credit.

Participants pursuing academic credit will be required to complete a final project additional assignment focused on curriculum development. The final day of the course will include time for beginning this project.

All participants qualify for 40 hours of professional development hours and continuing education units. Certificates of completion are provided at the conclusion of the course.

Cancellation Policy

While we realize that unexpected circumstances arise that are out of our control, North Branch Nature Center cannot guarantee refunds for registrations cancelled within 30 days of the course.  If a cancellation occurs within this window, NBNC will, if possible, attempt to fill the space from our wait list and provide a full refund.

School Purchase Orders

It is the participant’s responsibility to submit a purchase order request to their school immediately upon registration, and to provide a purchase order number and invoicing contact information to NBNC in a timely manner. Participants must have either provided NBNC a purchase order number, or made arrangements to do so, within 14 days of registration.

Financial Support

Vermont residents are encouraged to apply for a VSAC Advancement Grant. Please contact us ([email protected]) to inquire about other financial aid options.