Ricardo
Sierra
Forest Educator Training
We help teachers and leaders deliver transformational nature experiences for students of all ages.
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Online Training
For Educators & Program Directors
The Forest Entrepreneur
Business Skills Bootcamp
Course Begins Tuesday, February 6, 2024
Registration Opens Wednesday, January 24, 2024
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Sixteen Comprehensive Online Sessions
(Seven Topic-based, Seven 'Online Workshopping'
and Two 'Ask Me Anything' Individual Support & Strategy)
Crystal Clear Mission: Your Goals/Outcomes & Results
Form & Structure: Program Models/Program Design & Flow
The Numbers: Program Valuation & Cost, Expenses & Financials
Systems Check: Staff/Student Orientation, Logistics & Evaluation
The Back End: Canva, Logo Design & Brand Building
Optimized Marketing: Website/ Social Media & Local Networking
Community Building: Seasonal Celebrations & Nature Infusion
(click the photo for more details)
In-Person, On-Site Training
For Educators & Program Directors
Mythology, Poetry & Nature Intensive for Educators:
Using the Elements & Imagination to Inspire Creative Writing and Language Arts for Children
Led by Jonny Walker, Adisa the Verbalizer & Ricardo Sierra
April 26-28, 2024
Registration is open, space is extremely limited.
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The retreat utilizes twin themes of Greek myth and the four elements of earth, water, fireand air, to shape a lively, practical learning experience for educators.
It will galvanize your own creative practice and empower you to bring transformative child-centered practices into your school settings. Participants gain a rich spread of arts and creative writing activities & ideas that you can immediately build into your own lessons and activities.
In-Person, On-Site Training
For Educators & Program Directors
Forest Educator Skills
for Middle Schoolers
Wild Foods, Nature Crafts, Awareness Games,
Wilderness Skills Challenges, Rites of Passage & Storytelling
with Ricardo Sierra
June 14-16, 2024
Registration is open, space is limited.
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This program gives you skills and activities that you can use, right away, to engage, inspire and excite your students!
This program takes place at Hawk Circle Wilderness Education Retreat Center in Cherry Valley, New York
Online Training
For Educators & Program Directors
Becoming a Forest Educator
Next Course Begins July 11, 2024
Registration is now open.
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Eight Online Sessions
(Six Topic-based and Two "Ask Me Anything" Individual Support & Strategy)
Nature Journals, Video Skills & Crafts, Audio Stories & More...
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Now Streaming!
Apple Podcasts, Audible, Google, Amazon Music, Spotifiy & Pandora
The
Forest Educator Podcast
Join us for in-depth interviews, forest 'spotlights' on new crafts, skills, program development and stories each Monday and Thursday on all of your favorite podcast apps and platforms!
Over sixty episodes of interviews & 'forest topics' available now....
"Humanity has never been more disconnected from nature than it is right now. The need for compassionate leaders who are wise to the ways of the forest, has never been more important. Our children depend on us to prepare them for an uncertain future, and imagining life without nature is bleak. This is our time to plant the seeds that will grow a future for all life on this planet."
-Ricardo Sierra
Your Forest Guide:
Some of my experience includes:
Ricardo Sierra
Hawk Circle Wilderness Education Director
Ricardo's journey into nature education began in 1985 as a summer camp counselor, augmenting his own wilderness skills training that continues today. Over the last 35 years, he has led, taught, directed and facilitated programs in summer camps, day long workshops, intensive trainings, after school programs and festivals, to name a few.
He's been an advocate for getting our youth connected to nature and he has also trained staff every year for his own programs and camps as well.
He brings a wealth of knowledge hard won from decades of experience, and he enjoys helping others to get the benefits and build their own uniquely inspired programs. He enjoys building positive mentoring relationships with anyone who is passionate about helping the world be a better place. For more details about his background, click HERE.
Listen to Ricardo's TEDx Talk on Saving the iGeneration from Nature Deficit Disorder
Ricardo shares the concept of the 'Natural Advantage' , which is so important to help all of us mitigate the residual effects of the Digital Age and what we can do to help ensure that future generations can build a lasting connection to the natural world. Click HERE to watch!
Schools & Organizations
Ricardo Sierra has designed and delivered programs for the following:
Waldorf School
Class Trips & Programs
Aurora Waldorf School
Brooklyn Waldorf School
Waldorf School of Baltimore
River Valley Waldorf School
Kimberton Waldorf School
Waldorf School of Cape Cod
City of Lakes Waldorf School
Green Meadow Waldorf School
Summerfield Waldorf School
Susquehanna Waldorf School
Tamarack Waldorf School
Emerson Waldorf School
Waldorf School of Lexington
Washington Waldorf School
Waldorf School of Garden City
Rudolf Steiner School New York City
Willowood Waldorf School
Nature Programs & Trainings
Catskill Outdoor Education Corps-Americorps
Otsego Land Trust
Omega Institute-Rhinebeck NY
Earth Kinship Conference
Alabama Family Retreat
Warren-Wilson College
Sienna College
Syracuse University
SUNY ESF
Paul Smith's College
Baltimore Rites of Passage
Unitarian Universalist
Coming of Age
Long Island Homeschool
Hartwick College
Pine Lake Environmental Campus
Alcohol & Drug Abuse Council of Delaware County
Leaf Council on Alcoholism & Addictions
Berkshire Mountain
Search & Rescue
Madrone Audubon Society
Rancho Santa Fe Survival Camp
Berkshire Farm for Youth
TLC Child & Family Services
Caritas Creek Environmental Ed
In-School Field Trips, Youth Workshops &
After School Programs
Midtown West Public School
Margaretville Central School
Andes Central School
Stamford Central School
Schenevus Central School
Worcester Central School
Cherry Valley Central School
Laurens Central School
Gilboa Central School
Roxbury Central School
Cooperstown Central School
Morris Central School
Edmeston Central School
Hunter Central School
Windham Central School
Downsville Central School
Charlotte Valley Central School
South Kortright Central School
Milford Central School
Riverside Elementary School
Jefferson Central School
Poughkeepsie Middle School
Hawk Circle Camps, Expeditions & Programs
Morning Star Camp
East Wind Camp
Southwind Camp
North Wind Winter Camp
Coyote's Quest Expedition
Scout Awareness Camp
Yellowknife Camp
Cedar Moon Camp
Adirondack Expedition
Firefox Camp
Hatchet Camp
Juniper Retreat
Earth Skills Correspondence Course
Eagle's Gift
Red Deer Camp
Wolverine Survival Camp
Artemis' Journey
Hawk's Hearth Camp
Walkabout Camp
Cottonwood Camp
Riverwillow Camp
Earth Skills Semester Program
Circle of the Seasons Program
Harvest Hope Festival