The Outdoor Classrooms Summit: Gardens as Outdoor Learning Stations

The concept for the 2020 Outdoor Classrooms Summit is to bring The Seeds of Inspiration for Outdoor Learning Card Deck to life through conversations with early learning leaders from the nature-based movement. The deck offers options for teachers, parents, and communities who want to make an Outdoor Classroom on a shoestring budget, but don’t know where to start. 

The deck features photographs from The Four Types of Gardens: along with, design and nature-based curriculum prompt questions. The card deck works as an idea generator that has also inspired the Outdoor Classroom Summit.

Let’s bring the Gardens as Outdoor Learning Stations to life with our featured 2020 Leaders. 

Gardens as Outdoor Learning Stations are inspired by themes such as a Mud Kitchen, Rock Garden, Miniature Garden, Sensory Garden,  Alphabet Garden, Water Wall, and so many more. These gardens connect curriculum to the Outdoor Classroom.

FEATURED LEADERS: Juliet Robertson from Creative Star Learning and Rusty Keeler from Play Spaces. 

Juliet Robertson from Creative Star Learning is an educational consultant who specializes in outdoor learning and play. Juliet is based in Scotland (UK) and has worked at a national level since 2008 writing case studies, documents and doing behind the scenes works to help shape strategy and support for schools and preschool establishments. Juliet is the author of two award-winning books, Dirty Teaching: A Beginner’s Guide to Learning Outdoors (2014) and Messy Maths: A Playful, Outdoor, Approach for Early Years (2014). Come witness Juliet’s passion for Math Outdoors from our fascinating conversation. 

Sign me up Today for the Outdoor Classrooms Summit

Rusty Keeler is an author, designer, speaker and leader in the movement to reconnect children to nature through play. Rusty has traveled the world designing natural outdoor play environments and speaking about the benefits and beauty of saying “yes” to children’s play. Described as a cross between Mr Rogers and Jerry Garcia, Rusty is the author of multiple books on play and playscapes including the upcoming book Adventures in Risky Play: finding our way to yes. He is the co-founder of the social justice initiative called the “Just Play Project” in Ithaca, NY which works to support all children’s right to play. With Rusty’s support, last November the city of Ithaca declared itself America’s first “Free Range Kid” city. Rusty can also be found at EarthPlay. 

Learn more about Gardens for Art and Beauty HERE.