Calendar of events

Upcoming Samara events, workshops, & speaking engagements

Interested in scheduling Dr. Rachel A. Larimore for an event? Learn more here.

The power of place for planning
Apr
5

The power of place for planning

This workshop, with a mix of presentation and small group work, will focus using the seasons and features of our place in the world to plan for children’s learning. We’ll discuss teacher-led activities as well as materials to include for children’s free play.

This is a private professional development workshop. If you’d like to experience a similar workshop, click here for our speaking services or check out our on-demand workshops.

View Event →
The Grove Focused Call: Adults with ADHD and Neurodiverse Characteristics: How Do I Support My Staff… and Myself?
Apr
17

The Grove Focused Call: Adults with ADHD and Neurodiverse Characteristics: How Do I Support My Staff… and Myself?

We know how to serve the children. How about the adults? After this call, you will be ready to clearly recognize and assist staff who have ADHD and neurodiverse characteristics. See how to approach ADHD and neurodiversity not as a problem but an invitation. Walk away with specific tools to enhance the learning environment for everyone! Join us as we gain valuable insights from “The ADHD Whisperer” Rachel B. Selig, M.Ed. Rachel is passionate about removing barriers and supporting inclusivity for adults with ADHD, and neurodiverse characteristics.

View Event →
The Grove Drop-in Office Hour with Rachel
Apr
23

The Grove Drop-in Office Hour with Rachel

Drop-in Office Hour with Dr. Rachel Larimore is a one-hour sessions where Rachel is available on Zoom for Grove members to drop-in for a conversation. This is a great chance to get answers to your questions about nature-based early childhood education. This is also a place to receive tailored feedback from Rachel specific to your situation. We offer these informal and relaxed sessions for Grove members so they can more easily join at time that suits them—and without the feeling of “oh, the call already started so I can’t join.” Rather, Rachel is present for 1 hour and she’d love to see you!

This event is for Grove members only. Click here to learn more about The Grove—a community of nature-based educators learning and growing together.

View Event →
Ohio’s Annual AEYC Conference (2024)
Apr
25
to Apr 27

Ohio’s Annual AEYC Conference (2024)

Join thousands of educators from Ohio, across the nation, and around the globe for an extraordinary experience at the foremost event tailored for early childhood educators, directors, and advocates! Samara’s Chief Visionary, Dr. Rachel A. Larimore, will be presenting two concurrent sessions at this year’s conference!

View Event →
The Grove Drop-in Office Hour with Rachel
May
15

The Grove Drop-in Office Hour with Rachel

Drop-in Office Hour with Dr. Rachel Larimore is a one-hour sessions where Rachel is available on Zoom for Grove members to drop-in for a conversation. This is a great chance to get answers to your questions about nature-based early childhood education. This is also a place to receive tailored feedback from Rachel specific to your situation. We offer these informal and relaxed sessions for Grove members so they can more easily join at time that suits them—and without the feeling of “oh, the call already started so I can’t join.” Rather, Rachel is present for 1 hour and she’d love to see you!

This event is for Grove members only. Click here to learn more about The Grove—a community of nature-based educators learning and growing together.

View Event →
Preschool Naturally: An outdoor & nature-based learning campference
Jun
5
to Jun 7

Preschool Naturally: An outdoor & nature-based learning campference

We are excited to co-host this event for preschool educators! This conference, in a camp-like setting, will be a chance to dig deep into practice through theory and hands-on workshops. Workshops will be led Dr. Rachel Larimore (Samara’s founder), Ferncliff Nature Preschool staff, and A-State Childhood Services staff.

View Event →
The Grove Drop-in Office Hour with Rachel
Jun
27

The Grove Drop-in Office Hour with Rachel

Drop-in Office Hour with Dr. Rachel Larimore is a one-hour sessions where Rachel is available on Zoom for Grove members to drop-in for a conversation. This is a great chance to get answers to your questions about nature-based early childhood education. This is also a place to receive tailored feedback from Rachel specific to your situation. We offer these informal and relaxed sessions for Grove members so they can more easily join at time that suits them—and without the feeling of “oh, the call already started so I can’t join.” Rather, Rachel is present for 1 hour and she’d love to see you!

This event is for Grove members only. Click here to learn more about The Grove—a community of nature-based educators learning and growing together.

View Event →
Natural Start Alliance's Nature-based Early Learning Conference
Jul
31
to Aug 3

Natural Start Alliance's Nature-based Early Learning Conference

  • Portland Mariott Downtown Waterfront (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Join hundreds of professionals around the globe for the Nature-Based Early Learning Conference, hosted by the Natural Start Alliance. Explore the role of nature and education in promoting healing, addressing injustice, and helping children, families, communities, and the planet thrive.

View Event →

The Grove Drop-in Office Hour with Rachel
Mar
27

The Grove Drop-in Office Hour with Rachel

Drop-in Office Hour with Dr. Rachel Larimore is a one-hour sessions where Rachel is available on Zoom for Grove members to drop-in for a conversation. This is a great chance to get answers to your questions about nature-based early childhood education. This is also a place to receive tailored feedback from Rachel specific to your situation. We offer these informal and relaxed sessions for Grove members so they can more easily join at time that suits them—and without the feeling of “oh, the call already started so I can’t join.” Rather, Rachel is present for 1 hour and she’d love to see you!

This event is for Grove members only. Click here to learn more about The Grove—a community of nature-based educators learning and growing together.

View Event →
Nature-Based Learning: Inspiring & Supporting Staff to Help Children Learn with Nature
Mar
6

Nature-Based Learning: Inspiring & Supporting Staff to Help Children Learn with Nature

This webinar, designed to support program leaders and administrators, will briefly share the core principles of a nature-based approach and a Trail Map for Leading Change toward that approach. With that common language established, Rachel will focus on the steps to support your team to make the shift to a nature-based approach—and keep them happy and inspired along the way.

View Event →
Planning Emergent Curriculum in the Nature-based Classroom
Mar
4

Planning Emergent Curriculum in the Nature-based Classroom

This workshop will explore what we can plan for in implementing nature-based emergent curriculum while also recognizing the parts of emergent curriculum for which we cannot plan.

This is a private professional learning workshop. If you’d like to experience a similar workshop, click here for our speaking services or check out our on-demand workshops.

View Event →
Evaluating Natureness: How to use the Nature-Based Education Rating Scale to improve nature-based early childhood teaching (Session 3)
Feb
29

Evaluating Natureness: How to use the Nature-Based Education Rating Scale to improve nature-based early childhood teaching (Session 3)

Part 3 of 3 in a webinar series on using the Nature-Based Education Rating Scale (NABERS). NABERS is a tool crafted specifically for early education practitioners, researchers, and policymakers to help them effortlessly gather standardized information, assessing education settings in crucial areas such as: program goals, curriculum practices, staffing, environment, community partnerships, and family engagement.

*The recordings for all 3 installments in this webinar series are available to Grove Members. Click here to join today!

View Event →
Evaluating Natureness: How to use the Nature-Based Education Rating Scale to improve nature-based early childhood teaching (Session 2)
Feb
22

Evaluating Natureness: How to use the Nature-Based Education Rating Scale to improve nature-based early childhood teaching (Session 2)

Part 2 of 3 in a webinar series on using the Nature-Based Education Rating Scales system (NABERS). NABERS is a tool crafted specifically for early education practitioners, researchers, and policymakers to help them effortlessly gather standardized information, assessing education settings in crucial areas such as: program goals, curriculum practices, staffing, environment, community partnerships, and family engagement.

*The recordings for all 3 installments in this webinar series are available to Grove Members. Click here to join today!

View Event →
Non-Profit or For-Profit? Finding the Best Path for Your Program (A Natural Start Alliance webinar)
Feb
21

Non-Profit or For-Profit? Finding the Best Path for Your Program (A Natural Start Alliance webinar)

Join nature-based education consultants David Catlin and Samara’s founder Dr. Rachel Larimore to get answers to this and other questions about the pros and cons of each of these different pathways. Rachel and David have developed a new resource to help programs consider their options, and they'll provide an overview, and take your questions during this webinar.

View Event →
The Grove Drop-in Office Hour with Rachel
Feb
20

The Grove Drop-in Office Hour with Rachel

Drop-in Office Hour with Dr. Rachel Larimore is a one-hour sessions where Rachel is available on Zoom for Grove members to drop-in for a conversation. This is a great chance to get answers to your questions about nature-based early childhood education. This is also a place to receive tailored feedback from Rachel specific to your situation. We offer these informal and relaxed sessions for Grove members so they can more easily join at time that suits them—and without the feeling of “oh, the call already started so I can’t join.” Rather, Rachel is present for 1 hour and she’d love to see you!

Please note this event is only for members of The Grove. Not a member? You can join The Grove here to access this event & more.

View Event →
Evaluating Natureness: How to use the Nature-Based Education Rating Scale to improve nature-based early childhood teaching (Session 1)
Feb
15

Evaluating Natureness: How to use the Nature-Based Education Rating Scale to improve nature-based early childhood teaching (Session 1)

Part 2 of 3 in a webinar series on using the Nature-Based Education Rating Scales system (NABERS). NABERS is a tool crafted specifically for early education practitioners, researchers, and policymakers to help them effortlessly gather standardized information, assessing education settings in crucial areas such as: program goals, curriculum practices, staffing, environment, community partnerships, and family engagement.

*The recordings for all 3 installments in this webinar series are available to Grove Members. Click here to join today!

View Event →
The Grove Drop-in Office Hour with Rachel
Jan
9

The Grove Drop-in Office Hour with Rachel

Drop-in Office Hour with Dr. Rachel Larimore is a one-hour sessions where Rachel is available on Zoom for Grove members to drop-in for a conversation. This is a great chance to get answers to your questions about nature-based early childhood education. This is also a place to receive tailored feedback from Rachel specific to your situation. We offer these informal and relaxed sessions for Grove members so they can more easily join at time that suits them—and without the feeling of “oh, the call already started so I can’t join.” Rather, Rachel is present for 1 hour and she’d love to see you!

This event is for Grove members only. Click here to learn more about The Grove—a community of nature-based educators learning and growing together.

View Event →
The Grove Drop-in Office Hour with Rachel
Dec
7

The Grove Drop-in Office Hour with Rachel

Drop-in Office Hour with Dr. Rachel Larimore is a one-hour sessions where Rachel is available on Zoom for Grove members to drop-in for a conversation. This is a great chance to get answers to your questions about nature-based early childhood education. This is also a place to receive tailored feedback from Rachel specific to your situation. We offer these informal and relaxed sessions for Grove members so they can more easily join at time that suits them—and without the feeling of “oh, the call already started so I can’t join.” Rather, Rachel is present for 1 hour and she’d love to see you!

This event is for Grove members only. Click here to learn more about The Grove—a community of nature-based educators learning and growing together.

View Event →
The Grove Focus Call: InstaGrowth: Using Instagram to boost enrollment in nature-based schools
Dec
5

The Grove Focus Call: InstaGrowth: Using Instagram to boost enrollment in nature-based schools

Each month inside The Grove is a focused live video conference call on a particular topic. The format includes a brief presentation followed by open discussion among attendees.

From your profile to your posts, Instagram can help grow your audience and deepen a sense of community with your families. Learn how to easily engage and grow your enrollment with Lauren Litt, a social media coach and fractional Chief Marketing Officer. Join us as Lauren shares valuable tips and insights on how to leverage Instagram to attract perfect-fit families.

This event is for Grove members only. Click here to join The Grove, a community of nature-based educators learning and growing together, and attend this call. (Please note, members have access to recordings of all previous presentations.)

View Event →
The Grove Drop-in Office Hour with Rachel
Nov
14

The Grove Drop-in Office Hour with Rachel

Drop-in Office Hour with Dr. Rachel Larimore is a one-hour sessions where Rachel is available on Zoom for Grove members to drop-in for a conversation. This is a great chance to get answers to your questions about nature-based early childhood education. This is also a place to receive tailored feedback from Rachel specific to your situation. We offer these informal and relaxed sessions for Grove members so they can more easily join at time that suits them—and without the feeling of “oh, the call already started so I can’t join.” Rather, Rachel is present for 1 hour and she’d love to see you!

This event is for Grove members only. Click here to learn more about The Grove—a community of nature-based educators learning and growing together.

View Event →
Getting Started with Nature-based Early Childhood Education
Nov
10

Getting Started with Nature-based Early Childhood Education

This workshop, with a mix of presentation and small group work, will focus on the foundations of nature-based early childhood education. We’ll discuss the benefits of benefits of outdoor play, preparing the indoors, outdoor play area, and areas beyond the fence for learning. We’ll also discuss teacher-child interactions to support learning.

This is a private professional learning workshop. Please contact us if you’d like to schedule a similar workshop or check out our on-demand workshops here.

View Event →
The Grove Focus Call: Mind Full or Mindful— Exploring benefits, practices and possibilities for children and teachers
Nov
8

The Grove Focus Call: Mind Full or Mindful— Exploring benefits, practices and possibilities for children and teachers

Teaching young children is a joyful, and challenging endeavor. The most effective teachers are somehow able to maintain a mental calmness and stability (equanimity) as they go about the complex task of helping a diverse group of young children learn to navigate the intricate world that is an early childhood classroom. How is this possible?

View Event →
The Grove Focus Call: Nature Inspired Storytelling: Top Tips and Tools for Telling Terrific Tales
Oct
19

The Grove Focus Call: Nature Inspired Storytelling: Top Tips and Tools for Telling Terrific Tales

Join Tania Moloney from Nurture in Nature Australia as she shares the power of using books as springboards to enrich and engage nature play and outdoor learning opportunities. We’ll look at “who” is on your bookshelf and why that’s important, and Tania will dig into her 5 Top Storytelling Tools to help you grow your skills and confidence as a natural storyteller.

View Event →
The Grove Drop-in Office Hour with Rachel
Oct
3

The Grove Drop-in Office Hour with Rachel

Drop-in Office Hour with Dr. Rachel Larimore is a one-hour sessions where Rachel is available on Zoom for Grove members to drop-in for a conversation. This is a great chance to get answers to your questions about nature-based early childhood education. This is also a place to receive tailored feedback from Rachel specific to your situation. We offer these informal and relaxed sessions for Grove members so they can more easily join at time that suits them—and without the feeling of “oh, the call already started so I can’t join.” Rather, Rachel is present for 1 hour and she’d love to see you!

This event is for Grove members only. Click here to learn more about The Grove—a community of nature-based educators learning and growing together.

View Event →
The Grove Focus Call: The NbECE Change Trail Map
Sep
21

The Grove Focus Call: The NbECE Change Trail Map

Each month inside The Grove is a focused live video conference call on a particular topic. The format includes a brief presentation followed by open discussion among attendees.

Leading change among a program is difficult under any circumstance, but nature-based education can bring its own set of challenges. This focused call will provide a trail map for shifting progress toward nature-based education. It will discuss the questions we need to ask and answer before we can lead teams to the next steps.

This event is for Grove members only. Click here to join The Grove, a community of nature-based educators learning and growing together, and attend this call. (Please note, members have access to recordings of all previous presentations.)

View Event →
The Grove Drop-in Office Hour with Rachel
Sep
19

The Grove Drop-in Office Hour with Rachel

Drop-in Office Hour with Dr. Rachel Larimore is a one-hour sessions where Rachel is available on Zoom for Grove members to drop-in for a conversation. This is a great chance to get answers to your questions about nature-based early childhood education. This is also a place to receive tailored feedback from Rachel specific to your situation. We offer these informal and relaxed sessions for Grove members so they can more easily join at time that suits them—and without the feeling of “oh, the call already started so I can’t join.” Rather, Rachel is present for 1 hour and she’d love to see you!

This event is for Grove members only. Click here to learn more about The Grove—a community of nature-based educators learning and growing together.

View Event →
Integration of Nature: Okay sure, but how?!
Aug
24

Integration of Nature: Okay sure, but how?!

Integration of nature is being talked about more and more and now one of Little Sprout’s pillars. But how does that fit with everything else that happens in an early childhood classroom? This session will explore the core principles of nature-based education and meaningful ways to integrate those principles into practice. While addressing the common concerns and challenges, this session will provide concrete steps to integrate nature into the daily schedule, the indoor and outdoor classrooms, and into curriculum planning.

This is a private professional learning workshop. Please contact us if you’d like to schedule a similar workshop or check out our on-demand workshops here.

View Event →
The Grove Drop-in Office Hour with Rachel
Aug
1

The Grove Drop-in Office Hour with Rachel

Drop-in Office Hour with Dr. Rachel Larimore is a one-hour sessions where Rachel is available on Zoom for Grove members to drop-in for a conversation. This is a great chance to get answers to your questions about nature-based early childhood education. This is also a place to receive tailored feedback from Rachel specific to your situation. We offer these informal and relaxed sessions for Grove members so they can more easily join at time that suits them—and without the feeling of “oh, the call already started so I can’t join.” Rather, Rachel is present for 1 hour and she’d love to see you!

This event is for Grove members only. Click here to learn more about The Grove—a community of nature-based educators learning and growing together.

View Event →
The Grove Drop-in Office Hour with Rachel
Jul
18

The Grove Drop-in Office Hour with Rachel

Drop-in Office Hour with Dr. Rachel Larimore is a one-hour sessions where Rachel is available on Zoom for Grove members to drop-in for a conversation. This is a great chance to get answers to your questions about nature-based early childhood education. This is also a place to receive tailored feedback from Rachel specific to your situation. We offer these informal and relaxed sessions for Grove members so they can more easily join at time that suits them—and without the feeling of “oh, the call already started so I can’t join.” Rather, Rachel is present for 1 hour and she’d love to see you!

This event is for Grove members only. Click here to learn more about The Grove—a community of nature-based educators learning and growing together.

View Event →
The Grove Focused Q&A: hiring, training, & all things staff-related
Jun
22

The Grove Focused Q&A: hiring, training, & all things staff-related

Each month inside The Grove is a focused live video conference call on a particular topic. The format includes a brief presentation followed by open discussion among attendees.

This is an open Q&A time for anything related to personnel--hiring, onboarding, training, etc. If you haven't already, be sure to check out the Hiring Process focus call recording, Welcoming Staff, and Individual PD plans.

This event is for Grove members only. Click here to join The Grove, a community of nature-based educators learning and growing together, and attend this call. (Please note, members have access to recordings of all previous presentations.)

View Event →
The Grove Drop-in Office Hour with Rachel
Jun
20

The Grove Drop-in Office Hour with Rachel

Drop-in Office Hour with Dr. Rachel Larimore is a one-hour sessions where Rachel is available on Zoom for Grove members to drop-in for a conversation. This is a great chance to get answers to your questions about nature-based early childhood education. This is also a place to receive tailored feedback from Rachel specific to your situation. We offer these informal and relaxed sessions for Grove members so they can more easily join at time that suits them—and without the feeling of “oh, the call already started so I can’t join.” Rather, Rachel is present for 1 hour and she’d love to see you!

This event is for Grove members only. Click here to learn more about The Grove—a community of nature-based educators learning and growing together.

View Event →
Getting Started with Nature-based Early Childhood Education
Jun
8

Getting Started with Nature-based Early Childhood Education

This workshop, with a mix of presentation and small group work, will focus on the foundations of nature-based early childhood education. We’ll discuss the benefits of benefits of outdoor play, preparing the indoors, outdoor play area, and areas beyond the fence for learning. We’ll also discuss teacher-child interactions to support learning.

This is a private professional learning workshop. Please contact us if you’d like to schedule a similar workshop.

View Event →
Rooted in Play: The Power of Place Conference
Jun
1
to Jun 3

Rooted in Play: The Power of Place Conference

  • Touch of Nature Outdoor Education Center (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

This is an experiential conference focusing on a place-based approach inspired by educators in Reggio Emilia, Italy. This conference will provide information and hands on learning opportunities to support participants, whether you are a novice, an experimenter or an expert in your journey.

Dr. Rachel Larimore, Samara’s Chief Visionary, will be providing the Friday keynote as well as multiple conference sessions.

The conference is being held in a nature-based setting at Touch of Nature Outdoor Education Center in Carbondale, Illinois.

Please note this event requires conference registration.

View Event →
The Grove Drop-in Office Hours with Rachel
May
2

The Grove Drop-in Office Hours with Rachel

Drop-in Office Hours with Dr. Rachel Larimore are two-hour sessions where Rachel is available on Zoom for Grove members to drop-in for a conversation. This is a great chance to get answers to your questions about nature-based early childhood education. This is also a place to receive tailored feedback from Rachel specific to your situation. We offer these informal and relaxed sessions for Grove members so they can more easily join at time that suits them—and without the feeling of “oh, the call already started so I can’t join.” Rather, Rachel is present for 2 hours and she’d love to see you!

This event is for Grove members only. Click here to learn more about The Grove—a community of nature-based educators learning and growing together.

View Event →
The Grove Drop-in Office Hours with Rachel
Apr
13

The Grove Drop-in Office Hours with Rachel

Drop-in Office Hours with Dr. Rachel Larimore are two-hour sessions where Rachel is available on Zoom for Grove members to drop-in for a conversation. This is a great chance to get answers to your questions about nature-based early childhood education. This is also a place to receive tailored feedback from Rachel specific to your situation. We offer these informal and relaxed sessions for Grove members so they can more easily join at time that suits them—and without the feeling of “oh, the call already started so I can’t join.” Rather, Rachel is present for 2 hours and she’d love to see you!

This event is for Grove members only. Click here to learn more about The Grove—a community of nature-based educators learning and growing together.

View Event →