In Bloom in Ohio

Description

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Registration Price Categories and Discounts:

Standard Rate: $125 per person
Antioch alumni and students: $75 per person
Use the discount code IBANTIOCH26 when you check out.
Group Registration: We offer a discounted group rate of $100 per person for schools or organizations sending a team of three or more.
If you are part of a school group, you must still register as an individual.
Use the discount code IBGROUP26 when you check out.

If you cannot pay by credit card, email Jen Zakrzewski at [email protected] to arrange for payment by check.

For questions or troubleshooting, email [email protected].

Dr. Rachel A. Larimore is an educator, consultant, and former director of one of the first nature-based preschools in the US. 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. Her books include 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 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. 

Afternoon Panel

From Founding to Flourishing

Facilitated by Julie Biddle
Professor Emerita, Antioch University

Panelists  
Christin Butler, Executive Director and Co-Founder, Solid Ground School
Sherri Dauer, Founder, Forest Time Kindergarten
Meredith Florkey, Weaver, Wildflower Child and Family Center 
Lee Hamzy, Co-Teacher and Executive Director, Little Schoolhouse in the Woods

Starting a nature-based program can be a dream come true.  It is also a significant undertaking!  Learn about the joys and challenges from a panel of Ohio educators who have established unique programs.  Their experiences will inform and inspire.

Dr. Julie K. Biddle served on Antioch’s Education faculty from 2009 – 2024.  Prior, she taught in pre-k to grade 5 classrooms in both public and private schools, and worked with school leadership in organizational improvement efforts. Julie is the author of The 3Rs of Leadership and numerous articles focused on early childhood, leadership and Reggio- inspired practices. 

Morning Workshops

Workshop sign-ups will be at the Registration Check-In on the morning of the conference.
Come prepared with your chosen selections and come early enough to have options.

Milkweed Menagerie
Rania Fowler, Preschool Teacher and Early Childhood Nature Programming, Old Trail School, Akron, Ohio

Join this hands-on workshop and take a closer look at life in a milkweed patch. When adults and children slow down and notice what’s happening in this unique habitat, it deepens our appreciation, encourages constructive learning, and sparks a sense of wonder. We will take a little jaunt to investigate this critical ecosystem, and you will leave with inspiration and practice advice to start your own milkweed patch to benefit our native fauna as well as the children in your care.  

Gathering in Circle: Seasonal Rhythms for Young Children
Lee & Jason Hamzy, Lead Teachers, Little Schoolhouse in the Woods, Cincinnati, OH

In this experiential workshop, participants will step into a living circle of song, verse, and movement drawn from our work with young children. We will share practices in oral storytelling and puppetry, while exploring how deep knowledge of students and the seasons guides our choices. Together, we’ll consider how circles shift throughout the year—inviting more movement in winter, gentler rhythms in warmer months—and why these embodied traditions nurture connection, imagination, and meaningful learning.  

The Science of Reading
Eppie Miller, Learning Specialist, Fuchs Mizrachi Jewish Day School and Owner of Insight Learning, LLC, Cleveland, OH  

The Science of Reading represents five decades of interdisciplinary, scientifically-based research that demonstrates how the human brain most effectively learns how to read and write.  It also explains why some individuals have difficulty with reading and written expression, as well as how to most effectively assess and instruct students who need different kinds of instruction.  This interactive learning session will take a dive deep into the best practices for teaching reading and writing in ANY outdoor learning environment.  We will explore how proficient reading and writing develops in Early Childhood and brainstorm ways to implement these ideologies outdoors.  

Stick Play: The Power of Imagination
Anne Stires, Educational Consultant, Lincolnville, ME and Senior Lecturer, Antioch University, Keene, NH

Sticks are quite possibly the world’s oldest toys. They invite expansive imagination, the telling of story, engineering skills, and social safety awareness. Children use sticks as tools, utensils, machines, magical people, armor, animals and for building, for making pretend fires, and creating music or art. This workshop explores the many benefits of stick play, increases our collective comfort in using sticks with young children, and expands understanding of mitigating and managing the risks. 

Bird Language
Emily Foubert, Director, Wander Out

In this all-outdoors workshop, Emily will lead the group through teachings on bird communication, a group observational meditation out on the land, and a mapping process that tells the story of the morning through the eyes of the birds. This process is easily replicable with any age, especially tapping into childhood passions of mapping, hide and seek, and storytelling.  

Afternoon Workshops

Workshop sign-ups will be at the Registration Check-In on the morning of the conference.
Come prepared with your chosen selections and come early enough to have options.

Little Explorers: Facilitating Family Playgroups
Liza Serenqua, Director, Inside-Outside, Antioch University; Early Intervention Educator, Rise for Baby and Family, Keene, NH

Discover how to use the seasons as a guide and all that Mother Nature has to offer for nature-based explorations for the youngest learners (age 2-4 years) and their caregivers. We’ll explore ways to create a predictable, reassuring rhythm that includes songs and simple activities, which are engaging and fun. Learn how to offer nature-based activities and opportunities to discover the wonders of nature, rain or shine or snow.  

Nature Mandalas: Engaging Storied Kincentric Relationships
Christine Widrig, Ed.D., Teacher, Writer, Coordinator for Nature-based Education, Welsh Hills School, Granville, Ohio

Noticing and witnessing the multitude of relationships within the natural world calls for patient, steadfast ways of observing nature and processes of living, dying and rebirth over time.  This can be nurtured and supported in young children by intertwining environmental concepts and Indigenous story, while honoring complexities within the natural world. In this workshop, we will explore nature as kin using storied witnessing. Walking, noticing, listening to the land; tapping voices of Indigenous story; gathering remnants, participants will explore aspects of kincentric relationality.  A nature mandala will be created as storied witness of our time together. 

Climb Higher: Risky Play, Forest School, and the Movement Transforming Families & Communities
Sherri Dauer, Founder, Forest Time Kindergarten and Homeschool, Perrysburg, OH

Discover how nature-based learning through forest school supports children’s social-emotional growth, resilience, and overall well-being, with a special focus on the power of risky play. This interactive workshop explores how climbing, tool use, and child-led challenges build confidence, independence, and critical thinking. Learn how one program grew beyond early childhood to support families with babies, teens, and even adults—creating a thriving, connected community. Through hands-on experiences, real-life stories, and reflection, participants will gain practical tools to meet the needs of today’s children while fostering connection, curiosity, and lifelong learning through nature. 

Bringing the MetroParks Birding Challenge to Early Learners
Pam Lyons Gromen, Education Coordinator, Five Rivers MetroParks
Meredith Florkey, Director, Wildflower Child & Family Center, Dayton, OH

The Five Rivers MetroParks Birding Challenge for the Classroom encourages students to build meaningful connections to nature through birdwatching. Birding supports physical activity, focus, and sensory development as children observe bird colors, patterns, behaviors, and songs. The challenge provides resources and inspiration for schools to take learning outdoors and explore local birds. Wildflower Child & Family Center was an early adopter, creating an early childhood version of the challenge. In this session, Pam and Meredith will introduce the 2026 challenge, discuss ways to create community partnerships, and demonstrate engaging hands-on activities educators can use with children. 

Staff Training, Wellbeing, and Burnout Prevention
Rachel Larimore, Samara Early Learning

Are you a program director, school administrator, or professional development provider?  Are staff training, teacher wellbeing, and preventing burnout top of mind as you head toward the new school year?  If so, this session is for you.  Rachel will facilitate a collegial conversation for leaders who strive to support nature-based early childhood educators in their meaningful and challenging work.

Continuing Education Terms and Conditions