Institute on Creating Sustainable Environments for Young Children

NEBRASKA CITY, NEBRASKA
June 12-13, 2008

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

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 information is $299 and includes two lunches.  Deadline for registration is May 8, 2008.  Registration is limited to 60 participants on a first come basis.  Registrations are only accepted by mail or fax. 

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

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

Continuing Education Credit/Graduate Credit

One hour of graduate credit in Early Childhood Education is being offered for $289 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.

Ania Shapiro (invited), AIA, ASID, LEED, is an architect with General Services Administration (GSA).  GSA has been a leader in the United States in creating sustainable childcare buildings and interior environments across the country.

Mary Gabriel, M.P.S., is an Instructor and a Master Teacher at the University of Nebraska Ruth Staples Child Development Center.  The center uses the Reggio approach with children and involved the center community in renovating the outdoor environment into naturalized spaces.

Nancy Rosenow, PhD, has been Director of Dimensions Educational Research Foundation for 18 years.  Nancy will share information on her research and training project that looks at the role of nature in young children.  She will also brief the group on the collaborative relationship between Dimensions, the Arbor Day Foundation, the Nebraska Department of Education and the Early Childhood Training Center to provide statewide leadership, training and support of early childhood professionals in exploring nature with young children.

Event Location

The Institute will be held at the Lied Lodge and Conference Center (www.liedlodge.org) in Nebraska City, Nebraska.  Lied Lodge and Conference Center is a sustainable hotel surrounded by 260 acres.  In addition to the 144 cozy guest rooms, guests can enjoy the pool and spa. The grounds include working orchards, a model naturalized outdoor classroom and the Tree Adventure.  The Tree Adventure is a one of a kind nature focuses experience designed to educate and inspire appreciation for trees and the outdoor world.

The Lied Lodge special rate for the Sustainable Institute for Young Children is $89 per night for single and $99 per nights for doubles.  Reservations should be made at the hotel as soon as possible by calling 800-546-5433.  Rooms in the Lodge will be held until May 21, 2008. Identify yourself as a member of the group attending the Institute on Creating Sustainable Environments for Young Children.  Shuttle service is available from the Omaha airport for a fee with the Lied Lodge.  Consider extending your stay to  enjoy the beauty of the surrounding area.  The Omaha/Lincoln area has many family focused attractions.

Lied Lodge and Conference Center
A Sustainable Project in Collaboration with the Arbor Day Foundation