About the Summit

We have re-envisioned this special gathering for Members in 2023...join us for a camp out in the beautiful Appalachian Mountains at the Evergreen Heritage Center in Mt. Savage, MD. We've heard your feedback asking for more time to meet others engaged in this work. This year's summit is designed to make space for networking, sharing, and learning in an organic way, leaving oodles of time to connect with others.

Did we mention this event is FREE for current Members? Yes, that's right. We need this time to connect and we don't want cost to be a barrier. There is a nominal cost for camping. Pending grant approval in May, this will also be a free training weekend for Allegany Public School teachers and childcare providers.

Because this is YOUR event, we hope some of you will let us know if you'd like to offer ideas during a workshop block. Based on the feedback we get from registrants, we'll group sessions around topics of interest. We can't wait to see what you'd like to share or learn more about! You can tell us if you'd like to: 

• Skills and workshop sessions: Share informal, hands-on topic with an active component (EX. nature arts, plant ID, tool use, etc.)
• Round Robin session: Hold space for dialogue around a topic or issue
• Offer a 'show and tell' of sorts around books, gear, artifacts or something similar

You'll see how we've blocked off times for workshops on Saturday and Sunday morning.  We will cook meals together, but read your confirmation email carefully, as we've asked you to bring a few food items to share.  

WEEKEND SCHEDULE

Friday, June 31 at 6:30 p.m. (Day 1)

6:30 p.m. Arrival, registration, camp site set-up

7-8:15 p.m. Opening gathering, intro with group games, remarks by director, Monica Wiedel-Lubinski 

8:15-9 p.m. S'mores and networking

9 p.m. Closing circle 

Saturday, July 1 (Day 2)

7-8 a.m. Yoga practice or morning hike with natural journaling

8 a.m. Arrival with camp site set-up (as applicable); breakfast

8:30 a.m. Arrival, registration (for those who did not camp the previous night)

9 a.m. Welcome, gratitude, orientation to the day

9:30 a.m. Opening Gathering with songs

9:45 - 11 a.m. Workshop Block 1

11:15-12:30 p.m. Workshop Block 2

12:30-1:30 p.m. Lunch (bring fruit or salad item to share)

1:30-3:30 p.m. Workshop Block 3

3:30-5:30 p.m. Workshop Block 4

5:30-7 p.m. Dinner (cook together with earth oven)

7-8 p.m. Evening Gathering with stories and song

8-9 p.m. S'mores and networking

Sunday, July 2 (Day 3)

8-9 a.m. Breakfast and Opening Gathering

9-10:30 a.m. Workshop Block

10:30-11 a.m. Reflection and Closing Gathering

Professional development certificates will be awarded at the end of the weekend. Know someone deserving of an award for their outstanding commitment to nature-based education? Nominate them for our annual Wonder Award!