Calendar of events
Upcoming public Samara events, workshops, & speaking engagements
Interested in scheduling Dr. Rachel A. Larimore for an event? Learn more here.
The Grove Evening Connection Call
This monthly evening call offers nature-based educators an opportunity to discuss challenges specific to our work. Connect with peers in similar situations and receive support tailored to the unique and evolving needs in nature- and home-based settings.
Using NABERS to Create Professional Development Goals
This online workshop on October 1, 2026 (4-6pm ET/1-3pm PT) will address how to use the NAture-Based Education Rating Scale (NABERS) for ongoing program assessment and then how to create professional development plans based on that assessment. We’ll discuss how to use NABERS individually, as classroom teaching teams, or as a school-wide team to review practices related to:
Program goals and curriculum practices
Staffing
Environment
Community partnerships
Family engagement
We’ll then focus on establishing PD goals and address questions such as “What do we do after we complete the assessment?”; “How do I know which areas are priorities for PD goals?”; and “How do I create an individualized professional development plan?” This online workshop is $27 (free for members of The Grove) and includes a 2-hour certificate of participation. Yes, a recording will be available!
Grounded & Growing: An Online Retreat for Nature-Based Leaders (Save the date!)
This online retreat invites nature-based early childhood administrators to pause, reflect, and reimagine their 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.
This event is part of our M.A.P.L.E. administrator’s mastermind, but we’re opening the session up for any nature-based administrator who would like to join us.
If you’re looking for a space to breathe and focus on what is important rather than urgent, this is the retreat for you!
Starting a Nature-based School Online Workshop
A 2-hour workshop to help your move your nature-based school dream closer to reality!
Grounded & Growing: An Online Retreat for Nature-Based Leaders (Save the date!)
This online retreat invites nature-based early childhood administrators to pause, reflect, and reimagine their 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.
This event is part of our M.A.P.L.E. administrator’s mastermind, but we’re opening the session up for any nature-based administrator who would like to join us.
If you’re looking for a space to breathe and focus on what is important rather than urgent, this is the retreat for you!
Rooted Connections: A Retreat for Nature-Based Leaders
An in-person treat for administrators of nature-based early childhood programs. This is two days to pause the daily grind to reflect on how to be the best leader you can be in your role.
NAEYC Annual Conference 2026
Samara’s founder, Dr. Rachel Larimore, will be presenting a session at the National Association for the Education of Young Children’s (NAEYC) 2026 Annual Conference. The conference will be held December 5-8 in Washington, D.C. We hope to see you there!
Conference registration is required to attend. Click here for more information.
The Grove Drop-in Community Conversation
The Drop-in Community Conversation is a one hour session where Rachel (and some of your peers!) are available on Zoom. This is your opportunity to exchange ideas, ask questions, and engage in casual discussions with colleagues and Rachel at a time that suits you!
In Bloom in Ohio
Save the Date!
Mark your calendars for the In Bloom in Ohio hosted by Antioch University. Samara’s Dr. Rachel Larimore will be the keynote speaker presenting a talk titled, “Wow! Thanks! Cultivating Wonder, Joy, and Gratitude in Nature-based Education”
Natural Start Alliance's Nature-based Early Learning Conference
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.
The Grove Drop-in Community Conversation
The Drop-in Community Conversation is a one hour session where Rachel (and some of your peers!) are available on Zoom. This is your opportunity to exchange ideas, ask questions, and engage in casual discussions with colleagues and Rachel at a time that suits you!
The Grove Evening Connection Call
This monthly evening call offers nature-based educators an opportunity to discuss challenges specific to our work. Connect with peers in similar situations and receive support tailored to the unique and evolving needs in nature- and home-based settings.
The Grove Drop-in Community Conversation
The Drop-in Community Conversation is a one hour session where Rachel (and some of your peers!) are available on Zoom. This is your opportunity to exchange ideas, ask questions, and engage in casual discussions with colleagues and Rachel at a time that suits you!
The Grove Focused Call: A Reflective Conversation on Living & Teaching Kindness with Dr. Ginna Husting
Some of the greatest outcomes of nature-based learning are the hardest to measure. In this focused call presented by Dr. Rachel Larimore, we’ll explore how nature-based programs cultivate wonder, joy, and gratitude. We’ll discuss how to embody “Wow!” and “Thanks!” as teachers to model and facilitate joy and gratitude with children.
The Grove Evening Connection Call
This monthly evening call offers nature-based educators an opportunity to discuss challenges specific to our work. Connect with peers in similar situations and receive support tailored to the unique and evolving needs in nature- and home-based settings.
Inspired by Nature: Beyond the Fence Retreat
Join Samara’s founder Dr. Rachel Larimore, Dr. Sandra Duncan, and other special guests for this weekend retreat in the north woods of Wisconsin.
The Grove Focused Call: Wow! Thanks! Cultivating Wonder, Joy, and Gratitude
Some of the greatest outcomes of nature-based learning are the hardest to measure. In this focused call presented by Dr. Rachel Larimore, we’ll explore how nature-based programs cultivate wonder, joy, and gratitude. We’ll discuss how to embody “Wow!” and “Thanks!” as teachers to model and facilitate joy and gratitude with children.
Reimagining Early Childhood Education to Embrace Nature-based Learning
In this free webinar, Dr. Larimore will explore different ways to consider a nature-based approach in your teaching—from the structure of the day and the physical environment to planning and teacher-child interactions. She’ll share a wide range of possibilities for imagining—or reimagining—the ways we support young children through nature-based learning.
The Grove Drop-in Community Conversation
The Drop-in Community Conversation is a one hour session where Rachel (and some of your peers!) are available on Zoom. This is your opportunity to exchange ideas, ask questions, and engage in casual discussions with colleagues and Rachel at a time that suits you!
The Grove Evening Connection Call
This monthly evening call offers nature-based educators an opportunity to discuss challenges specific to our work. Connect with peers in similar situations and receive support tailored to the unique and evolving needs in nature- and home-based settings.
Grounded & Growing: An Online Retreat for Nature-Based Leaders
This online retreat invites nature-based early childhood administrators to pause, reflect, and reimagine their 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.
This event is part of our M.A.P.L.E. administrator’s mastermind, but we’re opening the session up for any nature-based administrator who would like to join us.
If you’re looking for a space to breathe and focus on what is important rather than urgent, this is the retreat for you!
Nature-based Emergent Curriculum Focused Discussion/Live Q&A with Dr. Rachel Larimore
This is a free, one-hour live call to discuss how to implement a nature-based emergent curriculum.
Facilitated by Dr. Rachel Larimore, we’re likely to discuss questions like “What’s the difference between a nature-based theme and emergent curriculum?” and “How do I convince my co-workers to embrace emergent curriculum?” Bring any other questions you have with you to the call!
The Grove Drop-in Community Conversation
The Drop-in Community Conversation is a one hour session where Rachel (and some of your peers!) are available on Zoom. This is your opportunity to exchange ideas, ask questions, and engage in casual discussions with colleagues and Rachel at a time that suits you!
The Grove Evening Connection Call
This monthly evening call offers nature-based educators an opportunity to discuss challenges specific to our work. Connect with peers in similar situations and receive support tailored to the unique and evolving needs in nature- and home-based settings.
The Grove Drop-in Community Conversation
The Drop-in Community Conversation is a one hour session where Rachel (and some of your peers!) are available on Zoom. This is your opportunity to exchange ideas, ask questions, and engage in casual discussions with colleagues and Rachel at a time that suits you!
The Grove Family Provider Connection Call
This monthly call offers family providers an opportunity to discuss challenges specific to home-based settings. Connect with peers in similar situations and receive support tailored to the unique and evolving needs in nature- and home-based settings.
The Grove Drop-in Community Conversation
The Drop-in Community Conversation is a one hour session where Rachel (and some of your peers!) are available on Zoom. This is your opportunity to exchange ideas, ask questions, and engage in casual discussions with colleagues and Rachel at a time that suits you!
The Grove Family Provider Connection Call
This monthly call offers family providers an opportunity to discuss challenges specific to home-based settings. Connect with peers in similar situations and receive support tailored to the unique and evolving needs in nature- and home-based settings.
NAEYC Annual Conference 2025
Samara’s founder, Dr. Rachel Larimore, will be presenting a session at the National Association for the Education of Young Children’s (NAEYC) 2025 Annual Conference. The conference will be held November 19-22 in Orlando, Florida. We hope to see you there!
Conference registration is required to attend. Click here for more information.
The Grove Drop-in Community Conversation
The Drop-in Community Conversation is a one hour session where Rachel (and some of your peers!) are available on Zoom. This is your opportunity to exchange ideas, ask questions, and engage in casual discussions with colleagues and Rachel at a time that suits you!
The Grove Family Provider Connection Call
This monthly call offers family providers an opportunity to discuss challenges specific to home-based settings. Connect with peers in similar situations and receive support tailored to the unique and evolving needs in nature- and home-based settings.
2025 IPA-USA Conference
Join us for the 2025 IPA conference in Louisville, KY! Continuing the quest to celebrate and promote child’s play, the 2025 conference will consist of 4 full days of learning, exploring, connection, and inspiration.
Wander, Wonder, Wait: The Power of Time in Nature-Based Teaching & Learning (Live webinar)
Nature-based emergent curriculum celebrates the beauty of individuality, the wisdom of nature, and the empowerment of every child. Enroll now in Fabulous Fall! and intentionally transform your teaching and the impact that it has on children as they learn in and with the natural world.
Beyond the Fence: Navigating Risk and Safety in Nature-Based Early Learning by Dr. Rachel Larimore
Talk of social-emotional health of children is common in early childhood, but we rarely stop to consider how adult relationships, with ourselves and others, influence our professional roles in early childhood. In this session, Dr. Larimore will guide you to explore the many social-emotional factors that impact your ability to lead change toward a nature-based teaching approach.
The Grove Drop-in Community Conversation
The Drop-in Community Conversation is a one hour session where Rachel (and some of your peers!) are available on Zoom. This is your opportunity to exchange ideas, ask questions, and engage in casual discussions with colleagues and Rachel at a time that suits you!
The Grove Family Provider Connection Call
This monthly call offers family providers an opportunity to discuss challenges specific to home-based settings. Connect with peers in similar situations and receive support tailored to the unique and evolving needs in nature- and home-based settings.
The Grove Drop-in Community Conversation
The Drop-in Community Conversation is a one hour session where Rachel (and some of your peers!) are available on Zoom. This is your opportunity to exchange ideas, ask questions, and engage in casual discussions with colleagues and Rachel at a time that suits you!