Spring is in the air and we can't wait to celebrate with you! Join us for an event that brings together experts in the field of nature-based early learning to share ideas and practices with a variety of hands-on sessions to choose from. 

Friday will feature a gentle start to the retreat with sunset forest bathing and a campfire networking opportunity. On Saturday we will dive into a full day of nature-based workshops crafted to inspire, reset, and rejuvenate!

This event is for 8hrs Missouri State Early Childhood Continuing Education clock hours. ANBE will provide a professional development certificate at the conclusion of the event. Please dress for the weather, as most of this training takes place outdoors, rain or shine. Coffee/tea with lite breakfast and lunch is included, but remember your canteen for drinks throughout the day. 

Note: We strive for zero waste during our events; please bring your canteen for drinks.

Who Should Attend?

This training is ideal for educators, caregivers, and others working with young children ages 2 to 8. Our participants work in all kinds of settings, from nature-based schools and forest kindergartens to public schools, traditional preschools, HeadStart programs, child care settings, and more.

Lodging 

The following locations are recommended for lodging should you be travelling from outside the area: 

Drury Inn & Suites: Columbia Stadium Blvd.

(~11min away)

Holiday Inn Executive Center - Columbia Mall

(~10min away)

On-site lodging of many different types (tent camping, cabin, RV etc) at Camp Takimina is also available. Email friendsoftakamina@gmail.com or call (573) 445-7536 for inquiries. 

Workshop Descriptions

Guided Forest Bathing Experience

with Susie Van de Riet

During this forest bathing experience, we will spend approximately 2 hours connecting with our natural surroundings through bodyfulness and mindfulness invitations. It will not be a physically exerting activity. You'll want to dress comfortably for light movement and being outdoors in the evening. I invite you to bring a blanket, mat, or camping chair – whatever you feel most comfortable sitting on in the out of doors.

Spring Foraging: Tricks of the Trade

with Angela Wildermuth

Wild edible plants are all around us - in every season and every locale. The benefits of knowing what plants can be safely eaten are many - for us and for the children we serve. This workshop will serve as an introduction to Foraging for beginners - including how to forage safely, what are common wild edible plants to find in Spring, and what are best practices for educators looking to share the joys of foraging with children.

A hike will be included in order to enjoy nature together and gain real practice identifying plants in the wild. In particular, we will keep an eye out for spring greens and edible mushrooms - pulling from our collective knowledge - and, if we're lucky, cook up something tasty with our finds!

Slowing Down with Sit Spots

with Jenn Thrasher

Participants will learn the difference between sit spots and nature journaling, as well as, brainstorm ideas of how the two can work together. We will then spend some time discussing safety in outdoor experiences, role of the teacher, and curriculum integration. With a hands on opportunity to journal in nature, participants will feel more confident teaching a variety of ways to integrate sit spots into their school day.

Plant Identification

with Steve Buback

This will be a field-based session where we learn to identify native plants found at Camp Takimina. We will use field characters including texture, smell, sight, and occasionally taste to learn a few plant families, and explore the historic and contemporary relevance of these plants to people and ecosystems.

Mindfulness and Song: Practices that Calm and Connect

with Megan Fox

Mindfulness and singing have many benefits in common, like calming our nervous systems and connecting us with each other and the natural world. During this two hour session you will learn mindfulness practices for yourself and to share with children, and experience different mindfulness meditations. You will also join us in circle to learn nature songs for children and adults, and go home with a booklet of lyrics. All voices are welcome!

Roots of Inclusion: Therapeutic Tools for Children of All Abilities to Thrive in NaturePlay

with Tonya Gast and Stephanie Novacek

This interactive workshop offers an exploration of therapeutic ways to support whole child development in an inclusive, nature-based setting. Participants will be equipped with tools to foster social emotional intelligence, mindfulness skills and brain-body connections that nurture nervous system regulation for children of all abilities. Tips will also be provided on how to identify a child’s need for therapeutic resources. Come prepared in comfortable clothing to engage in mindful breathing and movement activities. Opportunity to brainstorm creative ideas & share resources among other professionals will also be a valuable part of this experience.

Meet Your Presenters!

Susie Van de Riet (she/her) - ANFT (Association of Nature & Forest Therapy) Certified Guide

Susie has a background in horticulture and arboriculture and is a native plant specialist. She founded St. Louis Native Plants LLC in 2014 to provide homeowners with native garden design/consulting/coaching. Acquiring an ANFT Guide certification in 2021 was a logical next step. Susie loves to provide the space for others to connect with the more-than-human world through guided forest bathing walks/experiences, and this practice goes hand-in-hand beautifully with native landscapes and ecosystems.

Angela Wildermuth - Founder of Wilderkids Urban Forest School

Angela Wildermuth is a Mom, Forager, and Outdoor Educator. She founded Wilderkids Urban Forest School in 2017 in order to share the wonders of nature with children and families in St. Louis. For the last 10+ years, Angela has helped children of all ages connect to nearby nature through outdoor play and emotionally sensitive guided exploration. She has a degree in Psychology and graduate work in Theological Studies. She has given teacher trainings and foraging workshops for the Missouri Botanical Garden, the Raintree Forest School, South City Community School, Brightpoint of Southern Illinois, and at the SIUC Rooted in Play Conference.

Jenn Thrasher (she/her) - Missouri Certified Teacher Trainer

Jenn has a degree in Early Care and Education and works as a Reggio teacher in Columbia, MO. Her passion for both loose parts and the great outdoors guided her towards the forest school pedagogy. Jenn founded Wild Tykes in 2019 and loves supporting the vision as it grows. In addition to President of the Board, Jenn is also a MO Certified Teacher Trainer.

Steve Buback (he/him) - Missouri Dept. of Conservation, Natural History Biologist

Steve works with rare plants, insects, animals, and ecosystems at the Missouri Department of Conservation. He has worked coast-to-coast but is a Missouri native. He has been active in the conservation field for 20 years, and currently lives in Columbia with his family.

Megan Fox - Director of Blue Fox Farm

Megan is the director of the forest kindergarten program at Blue Fox Farm. She has worked with children in outdoor settings for nearly two decades. Megan is also a farmer, artist, Missouri Master Naturalist, and Forest Therapy Guide.

Tonya Gast - Therapy Program Coordinator/Nature-Based Occupational Therapist

Tonya is an Occupational Therapist and mom of 5 children who is passionate about the outdoors at home and at work. Tonya is the Well Wilderness Kids Therapy Program Coordinator, a Lead Learning Ally, and provides 1-on-1 OT services for children and families. She has training in Sensory Integration, RMTi Reflex Integration, Sing.Play.Love., aquatic therapy, feeding skills, & the Safe and Sound Protocol Integrated Listening Program. Tonya loves to garden, cook, bike, and hike. Her family is involved in Scouts BSA and American Heritage Girls where they foster character development in youth and build community through outdoor adventures.

Stephanie Novacek - Director of NaturePlay/Nature-Based Physical Therapist

Stephanie is a pediatric Physical Therapist with over 20 years of experience working with children of all ages & abilities in various settings. She & her husband & 4 children live on a small 10-acre farm just outside of Kansas City where NaturePlay programs and therapies have been offered year round by an integrative therapy team since 2016. Stephanie is specialized in RMTi Reflex Integration, Safe & Sound Protocol Integrated Listening Program, Breathing & Airway and Craniosacral Fascial Therapy (CFT) bodywork for babies and children. In addition to spending time outdoors, Stephanie finds joy in reading,

Chiefs football, decorating spaces, raising animals & traveling.