Institute on Creating Sustainable Environments for Young Children

Kansas City,
Missouri June 11-12, 2009
Pre-Conference Day June 10, 2009

This Institute provides a place where early childhood practitioners and designers can learn about creating sustainable environments for young children, both indoors and outdoors.

Event Schedule

Pre-Conference Day
Wednesday, 10:00 AM-4:00 PM
The pre-conference day will include visits to Pembroke Hill Early Learning Center, a center that uses a Reggio-inspired approach, a children’s garden and other Kansas City locations.

Thursday, 8:30 AM-5:00 PM
Participants will learn the basic principles of planning child care, early education, Head Start and Early Head Start environments that meet children’s needs and protect our environment.  Topics include:

• Sustainable design practices
• Green building materials
• Choosing green suppliers
• Site and building assessment
• Resources on sustainable environments

Friday, 8:30 AM-2:30 PM
Participants will learn how to design and renovate the outdoor play environment using nature as the play element.  The emphasis will be on creating interesting and high quality outdoor environments.  Topics include:

• Why children need nature
• Resources for designing naturalized spaces
• CPSC, ADA and ASTM standards in naturalized spaces
• Involving teachers and children in the design process
• Resources on nature

Participants in the June 2007 Institute on Creating Sustainable Environments
ECE staff and designers from across the nation met for the first time for the Insttitue on Creating Sustainable
Environments for Young Children.  Click here to see what previous participants have said about the Institute.

Comments from Participants at Institute on Creating Sustainable Environments

"The information and resources I acquired at this training will be used to help our organization teach and inspire children to love and explore nature and natural materials.  I am bringing back ideas for our teachers, our sites and for our collaborative community projects"

Catherine Harp, Bates Technical College, PCAEYC, Tacoma Nature Center, 2007

"This conference was informative and packed with resources and facts on green sustainable products to use with children.  It offered a good beginning to those just starting to look at how to design a quality outdoor environment"

Anonymous Participant, 2007

"Lots of easy innovative ideas on how to simply get started on having sustainable environments as well as a wealth of good resource information.

Krista Mercier, Educator, Pembroke Hill School, 2007

"I learned so much!  I am energized to share what I have learned with the early childhood community in my state.  Excellent presenters!"

Penny Gildea, Trainer, Early Childhood Training Centre, 2007

"Wow, what a jump start to my knowledge.  We were shown so many great ideas and given tons of resources to help us help others.  I can't wait to get to work!"

Heather Burt, Owner, Play and Learning Toy Company

"It was very awe inspiring for me. I am really ready to push for more sustainable environments for children wherever I can."

Doug Pickert, Landscape Architect, Indigo Design, WHLLG Design Alliance Member

"I did not give birth to the current environment that I live in, but I do have the responsibility to take care of it, everyday that I am here using all it has to offer!"

Michael Grubbs, Meami-Dade County CAA Head Start

"Awe inspiring! Extremely informative.  The disk given out is such a great idea.  Thanks kindly for a fantastic conference-BRAVO"

Lindsay Scanlon, Happy Hallow Children's Center

"This conference has expanded my knowledge base to better serve the importance of play for children. I met many new friends who shared wonderful experiences and stories. I would recommend this conference to anyone who values the natural world and children's play."

Tony Malkusak, Landscape Architect, Boundless Playgrounds, 2007

Registration Information

Registration is $299 and includes two lunches.  Registration for the pre-conference site visits is $95. Deadline for registration is May 22, 2009.  Registration is limited to 75 participants on a first come first serve basis.  Registrations are only accepted by mail or fax. Cancellations will not be refunded after May 15, 2009.   Click here for registration form. 

Click here to fill out form on line, print and then fax or mail.

Platinum Sponsor

Mail or fax form to:

White Hutchinson Leisure & Learning Group
4036 Baltimore
Kansas City, MO  64111
Phone: 816-931-1040, Ext 102
Fax: 816-756-5058
Contact: Vicki L. Stoecklin, e-mail  

Registration Fees

Institute: $299
Pre-conference Site Visits: $95

Continuing Education Credit/Graduate Credit

One hour of graduate credit in Early Childhood Education is being offered for $304 from National Louis University in Wheeling, IL.  Course requirements can be discussed with Vicki Stoecklin, e-mail.

Presenters

Vicki Stoecklin (www.whitehutchison.com/aboutus/vicki.shtml) has a Master’s Degree and thirty years of experience in early childhood education.  She has been designing children’s environments for thirteen years.  Her design articles have been published in Early Childhood News, Child Care Information Exchange and School Age Notes.

Amy Nichols, ASID, IIDA, is an interior designer with Design Works Studio in Lawrence Kansas where she specializes in design work for children.  Amy also has extensive experience using green products in interior environments for children.

Event Location

The institute will be held at the Q Hotel (www.theqhotel.com) in Kansas City, MO.  Located in historic Westport and just a few blocks from the famous Country Club Plaza; the Q Hotel & Spa is Kansas City’s premier new boutique hotel.  As Kansas City’s nationally recognized ‘green’ hotel, the Q provides environmentally responsible practices like Green Seal cleaning products, in-room and office recycling programs, energy efficient lighting, devices to reduce water usage, food composting, exclusive organic bath amenities and alternative transportation options.

The institute’s special conference rate is $103 per night.  Reservations can be made directly with the Q Hotel at (800) 942-4233 no later than May 21, 2009.  When Making reservations please identify yourself as a White Hutchinson Institute attendee.  Shuttle service is available by Super Shuttle from the KC airport to and from the hotel.