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 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!
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!
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!
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.
Going to the Great Beyond—An In-person Workshop to Rediscover Our Why
This in-person workshop, facilitated by Dr. Rachel Larimore, will be a day of connection and conversation with fellow nature-based educators to explore our current practices and how we can move toward more learning with nature. This won’t be a sit and get kind of workshop. Instead it will be a day of thoughtful connection and reflection to reinspire and reinvigorate us.
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.
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.
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.
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”
Program details and registration information will be available in February. Stay tuned!
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!
The Grove Focused Call: Hiring, Onboarding, & Supporting Substitute Teachers in Nature-based Settings
A common challenge in NbECE is finding and retaining substitute teachers. September’s focused call will dig into these challenge and provide possible solutions and considerations. This 1-hour session will include a brief presentation by Dr. Rachel Larimore with time for discussion among the group of live attendees.
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!
Fabulous Fall! Session 2 of 2
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.
Fabulous Fall! Session 1 of 2
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.
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 Drop-in Community Conversation with Rachel
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.
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.
The Grove Drop-in Community Conversation with Rachel
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 Focused Call: A conversation with Dr. Carla Gull
A conversation with Dr. Carla Gull, director of Goshen College's Environmental Education program. Carla will share insights from her 20-year career in nature education, drawing from her podcast "Loose Parts Nature Play" and co-authored books. She will challenge us to rethink what counts as a 'loose part' and how we can use them in our nature-based teaching.
The Grove Drop-in Community Conversation with Rachel
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 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.
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.