Nature-Based Pre-K Certification
Transform your teaching with hands-on nature-based education.
ODC Network is proud to offer a five-day Nature-Based PreK Certification designed for teachers, administrators, college students, and ISD professionals eager to learn more about the foundations of nature-based education and outdoor skill-building with students in a hands-on, innovative way. This unique program provides practical tools, outdoor skills, and a deep understanding of nature-based education to help you create transformative learning experiences for young children.
Preview of 2026 Schedule
Take a look at this sample schedule to help you plan ahead.
Day 1: Foundations of Nature-Based Early Learning
- Welcome, Introductions, & Reflection Activity
- Nature-Based Early Learning Principles: Understanding the philosophy, merging environmental and early childhood education goals, and embedding nature-based learning in mission and policy
- Leading Inquiry & Wonder: Supporting play, exploration, and wonder as a central feature of outdoor learning
- Reflection to Action: Drafting a nature-based mission statement and self-assessment of growth
Day 2: Nature-Based Curriculum & Teaching
- Emergent, Play-Based, Nature Curriculum: Inquiry-driven learning, child-led experiences, and process art integration
- Documentation of Outdoor Learning: Tools and techniques for assessment and storytelling in nature-based settings
- Naturalist Foundation & Curriculum Connections: Teaching in diverse ecosystems, including meadows, forests, and ponds
- Reflection to Action: Aligning curriculum with nature-based principles and setting professional development goals in environmental literacy
Day 3: Safety & Risk Management
- Stepping Into Risky Play: Understanding the benefits of risk, risk-benefit assessments, and inclusive approaches to risk-taking
- Weather Wise, Weather Safety in the Outdoors: Policies and practical strategies for safe, confident outdoor teaching in all weather conditions
- All Weather Teaching, Embracing Nature’s Classroom in Any Condition: Teachers will obtain practical strategies to make learning fun, engaging, and awe-filled in all weather conditions
- Hike Hacks: An overview of the different types of hike and safety considerations while leading a class of students on a hike
- Reflection to Action: Developing risk-benefit assessments and action plans for outdoor learning implementation
Day 4: Outdoor Learning Environments
- Nature-Based Discovery Preschool Site Tours: Visiting established nature-based programs for inspiration
- Setting Up Your Outdoor Classroom: Key components of outdoor learning environments, incorporating loose parts and natural materials
- Beyond Days, Teaching Outside All Day Long: Practical strategies to design and manage a full day of outdoor learning—integrating instruction, play, meals and rest—to make every moment engaging, balanced, and awe-filled in all weather
- Reflection to Action: Creating an implementation plan for improving outdoor learning spaces
Day 5: Outdoor Skills & Putting It Into Practice
- Outdoor Skills, Fire Building & Fishing: Hands-on experience with outdoor skills and risk assessment strategies
- Outdoor Skills, Animal Handling: Engaging children in wildlife education through safe, hands-on experiences
- Lunch & Learn Panel: Q & A with experienced educators from site visits
- A la Carte Sessions: Options include: Voices of the Land: Indigenous Knowledge, Nature Notes: Music, Chants and Transitions for Outdoor Learning, Cooking Outdoors With Students, and Creative Roots: Exploring Nature Through Process Art
- Reflection to Action: Participants finalize their Nature-Based Implementation Plan, identifying key focus areas and setting SMART goals
- Ending Reflection & Gratitude: Sharing takeaways, celebrating achievements, and receiving certification
Detail Information
Dates: June 15–19, 2026 (Monday–Friday)
Time: 8:30 AM–3:30 PM Central time, Daily
Location: Dragonflies Discovery Preschool—Holland, MI
Cost: $1050 Total
- $100 non-refundable fee due at registration
- $950 (not including registration fee) is due by May 1, 2026 to secure your spot.
- Failure to submit payment by this date will result in forfeiture of your $100 registration fee.
Registration Window: Registration Opens February 2, 2026.
Meals Included: Lunch provided Monday–Friday
Certification Requirements:
- To earn certification, participants must:
- complete an implementation plan that includes two SMART goals and
- attend all five training days and every session in full.
- Due to the hands-on immersive nature of these training, make-up options are not available. Failure to meet the attendance requirements will result in ineligibility for certification.
Accommodations and Transportation: Participants are responsible for their own lodging and transportation to and from the training location.
Continuing Education Units (CEUs): Participants will be eligible for 30 SCECHs and MI Registry training credit upon completion.
If PIC #’s or MI Registry numbers are not provided at the start of the training, credit will not be given.
Cancellation Policy: Cancellations made by April 1, 2026 will receive a full refund minus the $100 registration fee. Cancellations after this date are non-refundable.
What to Bring:
- weather-appropriate clothing suitable for outdoor activities in Michigan during June
- rain gear, such as a waterproof jacket and pants, as outdoor sessions will proceed rain or shine
- sturdy footwear to ensure comfort and safety while exploring various terrains