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Ricardo

Raven
Sierra

Forest Educator Training

We help teachers and leaders deliver transformational nature experiences for students of all ages. 

Coming Up this Winter/Spring:
      Online Forest Educator Training      Next Course Begins  January 11
      Forest
Educator Middle Schoolers Skills Intensive      May 2024

      Mythology, Poetry & Forest Retreat w/Jonny Walker    April 2024
       
Lots more in person trainings coming soon for 2024!
 

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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!

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Check Out Our Upcoming Programs!

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Becoming a
Forest Educator

A Six Week Online Course

Starting:  January 11 2024!!

Thursdays 12-1:30 pm and 7-8:30 pm ET

This program focuses on giving participants the foundation they need to grow their own 'nature education' program and get powerful, positive results.   Ricardo shares the essential details that draw from his 35 years of working in nature with children, teens and adults, and he shines a spotlight on a new topic each session, on a live zoom call.    There is ample time for personal attention for each participant to get specific answers to their unique needs, and ensure that you get what you need to begin implementing this knowledge in your own program.

Content driven worksheets, skills resources, prerecorded video skills and crafts lessons and more will also be shared throughout the program to augment the live sessions.

For class teachers, youth leaders, after school program staff, summer camp counselors, program directors, adventure staff, homeschool group leaders, wilderness education instructors or anyone who works with youth.     

 

Click the button for details and registration!

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"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

Forest Educator
Skills Intensive:
Leadership, Creativity & Community

May TBA, 2024

A Three-Day Residential Course

at Hawk Circle Wilderness Education

 

This program is a deep dive into the practical activities, skills, games, exercises and practices that give participants the experiences they need to deliver outstanding nature experiences for youth in a variety of program settings.    Our focus this time involves activities that enhance leadership growth, creative expression and build community.

Participants will learn about nature journaling, wilderness/earth skills, sensory games, storytelling, woodcarving, tracking, campfire cooking and much more, with some content determined by the needs of the attendees.    We will get a real taste of what a transformative program 'feels like' to our students, from the inside.    Each person will take home examples of our crafts and skills, along with lesson plans, program assessment and be ready to start changing lives!

Click the Button for more info, and join our Newsletter/Email List to get future course info as soon as it becomes available! 

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Your Forest Guide:

Some of my experience includes:

Ricardo Sierra

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.

Ricardo Sierra Tedx Talk

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!

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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

Willoweood 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

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