On an April morning at Dodge, a group is gathered and ready to learn. They’re dressed for the outdoors in hiking boots and hats. Pen and paper are poised, ready for notetaking. Hands raise, followed by questions about sticks, insects, and turtles.
These learners aren’t children, but adult educators. They’re here for Dodge Nature Preschool’s annual Learning Conference.
Conference attendees head into the preschool building for classroom tours, interactive stations, and breakout sessions.
The day-long conference brings more than 50 people from across Minnesota to Dodge, all eager to incorporate nature into their early education settings at childcare centers, elementary schools, nature centers, and homeschools.
“Our preschool has its capacity—we can’t serve every child here,” says Preschool Director Amy Warzybok. “This conference helps inspire more places to do outdoor learning. The more places, the better for children.”
An attendee holds Zelda, the classroom chicken, during the Animal Encounters breakout session.
The first conference was held in 2010 with just 20 attendees, ten years after the preschool opened as the first of its kind in Minnesota. Now in its 15th year (2020 put the conference on pause), the conference has drawn people from as far as Arizona and Canada.
“People know Dodge is the place to learn how to do nature preschool,” Amy says.
Attendees experimenting with sticks and branches during the Playful Gardening breakout session.
The day focuses on immersive activities that teachers and preschoolers experience throughout the year. Guided hikes, activity stations with hands-on materials, and breakout sessions (with topics like puppets and playful gardening) give participants real-life ideas they can bring into their practice.
Amy says the conference isn’t just about learning—it’s about caring for educators, too. “This field can have a lot of burnout. This day is for them to feel cared for, mentally and physically.”
Included in the conference is a light breakfast, catered lunch, and hydration bar. Small details like tablecloths, centerpieces with natural cuttings from the nature center, and real plates (instead of single use) all create a cozy and relaxing vibe for participants.
Attendees walking through the woods during a tour of nature center grounds.
Built-in outdoor time helps participants naturally destress and connect to nature and one another.
“I can feel my blood pressure going down just being outside,” one participant remarked during a guided hike of Dodge.
“One thing I don’t think people realize is early childhood nature education is so good for adults, too,” Amy shares. “I hope they leave feeling nourished and refreshed.”
An attendee practicing puppetry with a spider puppet, one activity during the Puppets! Tools for a Supportive Classroom breakout session.
With lots of positive feedback every year, Amy and her expert team of teachers are making a real impact on educators.
One participant remarked: “This day helped me find my focus and passion again.”
This article was originally published in the Nourish Your Need for Nature Newsletter, Spring/Summer 2026.