June & July, 2021 | Virtual & In-Person Workshops
As part of a larger initiative to increase equitable access to nature in Baltimore City, our Cities Connecting Children to Nature team is hosting a workshop series designed for formal and informal educators, childcare providers, and health professionals. This series is the second iteration of our Nature Nurtures Symposium, adapted for our “new normal.” Our hope is to foster cross-sector communication and share the wealth of information that educators, childcare providers, and health experts each bring to the table in helping Baltimore’s children thrive.
We are growing increasingly aware of the benefits of spending time in nature, some of which include improvements in mental and physical health, social-emotional development, stress reduction, and higher academic achievement. Unfortunately, most children in low-income families and communities of color grow up with less access to nature than their peers, and additionally face persistent inequities in health, income, and quality of life. Limited access to nature means that our children find themselves less able to reap the benefits of regular access to the outdoors.
Through various workshops, attendees will:
- Receive Trauma-informed care training
- Receive hands-on sessions led by environmental educators, outdoor recreation experts, and health care professionals
- Hear from Baltimore’s youth about their experiences with healing and the outdoors
This year, rather than a full-day symposium, we are holding a series of FREE workshops throughout June and July. Please see below for a list of our workshops and descriptions!
All workshops are FREE, but donations are welcome!
Workshops
1. Youth and Mental Health: A Conversation
Led By: Nia Jones | The Black Mental Health Alliance
Target Audience: Early Childcare Providers; Formal Educators (K-8 and HS); Environmental Program Providers; Out of School Time Program Providers; Mental Health Care Providers; Other Health Care Providers; Youth; Anyone!
Location: In-Person; Whitelock Farm, 930 Whitelock St, Baltimore, MD 21217
When: June 18, 2021 | 10 am – 11 am
Registration fee: Free
2. It’s all connected! Re-connecting Nature, Academics, The Arts, and SEL
Led By: Gabriel Pickus | InDiGO (Inward Discovery Grows Outdoors)
Target Audience: Formal Educators (K-8 and HS); Out of School Time Program Providers; Parents; Homeschool Collectives
Location: Virtual [link will be emailed]
When: June 18, 2021 | 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm
Registration fee: Free
3. Forest Bathing
Led By: Ted Martello | TreeBaltimore of BCRP, Association for Nature and Forest Therapy
Target Audience: Early Childcare Providers; Formal Educators (K-8 and HS); Environmental Program Providers; Out of School Time Program Providers; Mental Health Care Providers; Other Health Care Providers; Youth; Anyone!
Location: In-Person; [June 19] Stillmeadow PeacePark, 5110 Frederick Ave. Baltimore, MD 21229
[June 23] Fairwood Forest, Across from 5921 Fairwood Ave. Baltimore, MD 21206
When: June 19, 2021 & June 23, 2021 | 6 pm – 7:30 pm
Registration fee: Free
4. Take It Outside! Working with Students in Outdoor Spaces
Led by: Baltimore City Public Schools’ Great Kids Farm
Target Audience: City Schools Teachers
Location: In-Person; Great Kids Farm, 6601 Baltimore National Pike, Catonsville, MD 21228
When: June 22, 2021 | 10 am – 11:30 am [followed by optional 30 min. farm tour]
Registration fee: Free for BCPSS teachers*; $5 for general public (need-based fee waivers available**)
Note: This session is primarily intended for teachers. They will be given priority for registration, and if additional spots are available after June 8, we will open registration to the general public!
*City Schools teachers are eligible to receive a $60 stipend for attending this Professional Development. You must indicate interest in receiving the stipend when registering via Eventbrite.
5. Introduction to the Outdoor Classroom
Led by: Claire Cambardella | Chesapeake Bay Foundation
Target Audience: Formal Educators (K-8 and HS); Environmental Program Providers
Location: Virtual [link will be emailed]
When: June 24, 2021 | 10 am – 11:30 am
Registration fee: Free
6. Mindfulness for Improved Community
Led By: The Holistic Life Foundation
Target Audience: Early Childcare Providers; Formal Educators (K-8 and HS); Environmental Program Providers; Out of School Time Program Providers; Mental Health Care Providers; Other Health Care Providers; Youth
Location: In-Person; Cherry Hill Urban Garden, 806 Cherry Hill Road, Baltimore, MD 21225
When: **Postponed due to rain, new date TBD**
Registration fee: Free
NOTE: There are limited numbers of yoga mats available to borrow. Mats are first come first serve. Participants are encouraged to bring their own, but a mat is not required to participate!
7. An Introduction to the Trauma Informed Approach
Led By: Raguel Broy | Baltimore City Health Department
Target Audience: Early Childcare Providers; Formal Educators (K-8 and HS); Environmental Program Providers; Out of School Time Program Providers; Mental Health Care Providers; Other Health Care Providers; Youth; Anyone!
Location: Virtual [link will be emailed]
When: June 26, 2021 | 9 am – 10:30 am
Registration fee: Free
8. Emergent Curriculum: Learning Outdoors in Nature
Led By: Sarah Lank & Monica French | Carrie Murray Nature Center / Baltimore City Recreation and Parks
Target Audience: Early Childcare Providers; Formal Educators (K-8 and HS); Environmental Program Providers; Out of School Time Program Providers
Location: In-Person; Carrie Murray Nature Center, 1901 Ridgetop Road, Baltimore, MD 21207
When: June 29, 2021 | 2 pm – 4 pm
Registration fee: Free
9. Trauma-Informed Care Training 201
Led By: Raguel Broy | Baltimore City Health Department
Target Audience: Early Childcare Providers; Formal Educators (K-8 and HS); Environmental Program Providers; Out of School Time Program Providers; Mental Health Care Providers; Other Health Care Providers; Youth; Anyone!
Location: In-Person; Cylburn Arboretum, Vollmer Center, 4915 Greenspring Ave, Baltimore, MD 21209
When: June 30, 2021 | 10 am – 12 am
Registration fee: Free
10. “How to:” Designing and Building Outdoor Learning Spaces Panel
Led By: Joanna Pi-Sunyer (Baltimore City Public Schools) with Heidi Thomas & Cherisse Otis (EnviroCollab), Scott Hartman (City Schools), & Kim Munchel (County Schools)
Target Audience: Early Childcare Providers; Formal Educators (K-8 and HS); Environmental Program Providers; Out of School Time Program Providers
Location: Virtual [link will be emailed]
When: July 1, 2021 | 10 am – 11 am
Registration fee: Free
11. Healing in Nature – Perspectives from City Youth
Led By: Healing Youth Alliance
Target Audience: Early Childcare Providers; Formal Educators (K-8 and HS); Environmental Program Providers; Out of School Time Program Providers; Mental Health Care Providers; Other Health Care Providers; Youth; Anyone!
Location: Virtual [link will be emailed]
When: July 6, 2021 | 5 pm – 6 pm
Registration fee: Free
12. Healing the Earth & Community Through Urban Agriculture
Led By: Ausar-Mesh Amen | Malcolm House
Target Audience: Formal Educators (K-8 and HS); Environmental Program Providers; Out of School Time Program Providers
Location: In-Person; Malcolm House, 1301 Moreland Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21216
When: July 6, 2021 | 12 pm – 1:30 pm
Registration fee: Free
13. Guide to Nature-Based Recreation in Baltimore City
Led By: Mary Hardcastle & Jamison Holtz | Baltimore City Recreation and Parks
Target Audience: Anyone!
Location: Virtual [link will be emailed]
When: July 8, 2021 | 10 am – 11 am
Registration fee: Free
14. Take a Bike Ride!
Led By: Jamison Holtz | Baltimore City Recreation and Parks
Target Audience: Anyone!
Location: In-Person; Druid Hill Park, 900 Druid Park Lake Dr., Baltimore, MD 21217
When: July 8, 2021 | 12 pm – 1 pm
Registration fee: Free
Questions about Nature Nurtures? Please contact Anika Richter at anika.richter@baltimorecity.gov or 443-984-2725.