Schedule

THURSDAY, 6 PM - 9 PM

Welcome to Nature Teacher Camp! Join us for networking, a Solstice Sunset nature walk, and orientation to the program. Lite fare with drinks included.

FRIDAY, 8:30 AM - 4 PM

Optional yoga to start the day followed by a full day of workshops with hike, kayaking, and nature journaling workshops. Breakfast and lunch are included.

SATURDAY, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Optional yoga to start the day followed by a full day of workshops with leatherworking, medicinal salves, and painting workshops. Breakfast and lunch are included.

SUNDAY, 8:30 AM - 12 PM
Optional yoga to start the day. Forest bathing session with tea ceremony followed by closing activities; breakfast is included.

Workshop Descriptions

Gentle Yoga (optional, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday mornings)
Presenter: Jeanne Garletts, Discovery Wilderness School

Start the day with morning outdoor yoga practice. Perfect for beginners and seasoned yogis alike, we hope you'll enjoy this opportunity for centering your time in nature. If you have a mat, please bring it. We have extras, too, so please let us know if you need one.

Solstice Sunset Opening Meditation (Thursday)
Forest Bathing (Sunday)
Presenter: Katie Venechuk, ANFT Certified Forest Therapy Guide, In Your Element

Unwind and arrive in your camp experience with a guided forest bathing session, hosted at sunset in the beauty of the Michigan woods. Deeply focused on relaxation and connection to the natural world, this experience includes a grounding nature meditation, forest bathing invitations for personal exploration, sharing circles for community connection, and a closing wild foraged tea ceremony among the trees.

Little Pine Island Nature Hike & Canoeing
Presenter: Chelsea Eerkes, Discovery Wilderness School
Discover beautiful Little Pine Island and get oriented to the grounds during this gentle hike. We will learn more about the Discovery Wilderness School's programs as we also become acquainted with local flora and fauna. Next, we paddle on the open water with a canoeing session. No experience needed - we will show you what to do!

Nature Journaling
Presenter: Taylor Scamehorn, Saugatuck Center for the Arts 

This session will introduce you to several styles of nature journaling and explore the practice's effects on mindfulness, increased physical and mental health, and improved relationship with nature. Participants will have firsthand opportunities to try a fun drawing technique, great for adults or children, that strengthens observation skills. Participants will experience the workshop as students for full-immersion of its effects, and will learn how to offer a similar nature journaling workshop in the future.

Leatherwork
Presenter: Ezra and Ruth Nellis, Discovery Wilderness School

Learn the fundamentals of leather working skills, including basic stitching, tooling, dyeing, and riveting. You will create a mason jar holder and a book cover during this session. This craft is versatile and can be tailored to suit different age groups with a range of customizable projects. 

Medicinal Herbs and Salves
Presenter: Discovery Wilderness School

Through interactive sessions, we'll delve into the therapeutic qualities of a variety of locally sourced, fresh, and dried herbs. Each participant will have the opportunity to craft their own personalized tinctures, soothing salves, and aromatic herbal infusions. 

 

Accommodations

Accommodations are not included in your registration, but there are plenty of wonderful places to stay nearby in Grand Rapids, MI. We suggest Tru by Hilton in Comstock Park Grand Rapids if you'd like to organize a carpool with other participants to Little Pine Island Camp each day.