Ricardo
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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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!
Check Out Our Upcoming Programs!
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!
"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!
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
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