Agenda

Monday, July 21, 2008

3:30 - 6:00 P.M. Facilitators, analysts and presenters meet

6:30 - 8:00 p.m. The Forum begins with Opening Ceremonies featuring stories of transformations as a result of the last Forum, and a performance of Native American music

8:00 p.m. Dinner for all attendees featuring international fare (This meal is included in the conference registration fee.)

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Breakfast (This meal is included in the conference registration fee.)

8:45 a.m. Welcome presentation

9:00 - 10:00 a.m. First session: Stories of transformation
Three international presenters will show examples of effective efforts at helping children re-connect with nature.

10:00 - 10:30 a.m. Break

10:30 - 11:45 a.m. A video presentation featuring examples of projects accomplished since the last Forum will be shown.

Second session: New ideas
Three international presenters from fields such as health care and green building and design will speak bout new ideas for collaborative ways to re-connect children with nature

11:45 a.m. - 12:45 p.m. Attendees meet in groups for facilitated discussions.

1:00 - 2:30 p.m. Lunch at Steinhart Lodge, featuring locally-grown fare (This meal is included in the conference registration fee.)

2:30 - 3:30 p.m. Third session: New ideas
Three international presenters from fields such as psychology, therapeutic gardening and public policy will speak on collaborative ways to re-connect children with nature

3:30 - 4:15 p.m. Facilitated group discussions

4:15 - 7:00 Choice of outdoor sessions and time to explore Arbor Day Farm trails:
Instrument-making (from natural materials)
Nature art experience
Nature photography experience (bring your own cameras)

7:00 Barbecue at the historic barns complex, followed by a barn dance (The cost for this meal is included in the conference registration fee.)

Wednesday, July 23

Breakfast (The cost for this meal is included in the conference registration fee.)

8:30 Meet in groups to begin a facilitated outdoor experience.

8:45 - 11:45 Session Four: Tools for Advocacy - Personal Experiences
Each group will enjoy a facilitated outdoor experience in the beauty of nature, and will gain new ideas and tools for helping others understand the value of connecting with the natural world

11:45 - 1:45 Box lunches will be provided after the outdoor experience, and groups can meet for informal discussions over lunch (The cost for this meal is included in the conference registration fee.)

1:45 - 3:00 Session Five: Advocacy Tools for Reaching Wide Audiences
Three international presenters will provide ideas for using writing, public forums and other creative tools for encouraging others to take steps to help children re-connect with nature

3:00 - 3:30 p.m. Closing Ceremonies

NOTE: Working Forum on Nature Education participants have the option of registering for the Nebraska Association for the Education of Young Children Pre-Conference Session Focused on Children and Nature

Go to nebraskaaeyc.org for registration information.