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Rooted Connections: A Retreat for Nature-Based Leaders

Ferncliff Camp & Conference Center, Little Rock, Arkansas

November 18-19, 2026 


 Group size: 15-30 nature-based administrators

 

Cost: $795 all inclusive (registration, 3-night single occupancy* hotel-style lodging, & 8 meals)

*Double occupancy available for a reduced rate 



Place: The retreat will be held at the Ferncliff Camp & Conference Center, where you’ll be immersed in the outdoors, while also having a comfortable hotel-style lodging, three meals a day, and snacks.


In nature-based education, Inside, Outside, and Beyond is often viewed as physical space—but what if it’s also a powerful metaphor for how we connect with children, colleagues, families, and the natural world?


This retreat invites nature-based early childhood administrators to step into a deeper exploration of Inside, Outside, and Beyond—not just as places, but as layers of connection: to ourselves, to our colleagues, to the children and their families, and to the natural world. Together, we’ll reflect on how our own presence—our emotions, mindset, and roles—profoundly shape children’s learning experiences. We’ll also identify what we can and can’t control as program leaders and then share ideas and learn from one another’s experience to address what is within our control.


The two-day retreat will combine individual and whole-group activities led by Dr. Rachel Larimore, as well as crowdsourced breakout discussions in smaller groups. We’ll also have time for rest and recreation! Through personal reflection, thoughtful discussions, and collaborative activities, we’ll do the “deep work” of showing up with intention, authenticity, and care to foster stronger nature-based programs. 



This retreat is for you if you’re ready to pause, reflect, and reimagine your role—not just as an administrator of a nature-based program, but as a co-learner, teammate, and leader in a nature-based learning community.


RL+head+shot image

Dr. Rachel A. Larimore

Dr. Rachel A. Larimore is an educator, consultant, and former nature-based preschool director. For nearly 30 years her work has focused on the intentional integration of nature to support young children’s holistic development by learning with nature to expand their worlds and live rich, full lives. She has written multiple books, including Preschool Beyond Walls: Blending Early Childhood Education and Nature-Based Learning, Evaluating Natureness: Measuring the Quality of Nature-based Classrooms in Pre-k Through 3rd Grade, and her newest book, Reimagining the Role of Teachers in Nature-based Learning: Helping Children be Curious, Confident, and Caring.


Rachel is the founder and Chief Visionary of Samara Early Learning, an organization focused on helping early childhood educators start nature-based schools or add nature-based approaches into their existing program. Prior to founding Samara, she spent more than a decade starting and directing one of the first nature-based preschools in the United States.

Agenda

Wed. Nov. 18

  • Breakfast
  • Welcome & Crowdsourcing session kick-off
  • Crowdsourced Session 1
  • Lunch & rest
  • Knowing Ourselves 
  • Crowdsourced Session 2
  • When the Inside meets the Outside–working with staff & families
  • Dinner
  • Social time


Thurs. Nov. 19

  • Breakfast
  • Warm-up whole-group activity 
  • Leading Beyond: Working with regulators, community groups, & other stakeholders
  • Crowdsourced Session 3
  • Lunch & rest
  • Networking & Nature exploration time
  • Crowdsourced Session 4
  • Bringing it All Together
  • Dinner
  • Social time


How does crowdsourcing work at a conference?

Whether you’re new to nature-based education or have been doing it for a long time, we all have something to share, and we’re all leaders in this field! That’s why the agenda will include crowdsourced sessions facilitated by your fellow participants.

After an individual reflection activity, you will…

  • Generate a list of topics you’d like to discuss
  • Mark any sessions you’d be willing to facilitate (This involves a brief—10 minutes max— introduction to the topic based on your own experience and then facilitating discussion among the small group.)
  • Vote on the sessions you’d like to attend
  • Those with the most votes become the discussion topics for the afternoon session. The remaining topics will become the discussion topics for concurrent sessions during the main conference.