Where Nature Meets Story
Where Nature Meets Story
Experience all of the fantastic learning, play and connection (and get Professional Development Certificates) from our online Campference: Where Nature Meets Story with an Extended Access Package of the Recordings + More!
You’ll learn new skills, gather practical resources and grow in confidence to bring more nature and stories into your classroom and home.
You're invited...
to LEARN, PLAY and CONNECT with us in the special place where nature meets story!
Campference is an immersive and interactive online conference where together we’ll explore how nature and story can come together to deepen and enhance your teaching and learning practice (and your life!)
Think of Campference as being like a warm campfire where we’ll gather together with like-minded friends [ be they new faces or old favourites ] and where there’s a welcoming spot for everyone!
You will...
Grow your Nature and Storytelling Skills and Confidence
Turn Inspiration into Action
Nurture Connections and Community
Give yourself Permission to Play
“The most important part of a place is its story. By telling its story, you respect the country and you take care of it. And you take care of its wagoi, which is its spirit. We believe the wagoi is made strong by telling the story.” - Shaun Davies, Yugambeh man and language researcher (Back To Nature)
Educators and parents...
know that stories are a powerful and engaging learning tool for children.
Stories connect us with each other and help us better understand ourselves, others and the world around us. They are an incredible tool to help children grow and thrive in the world.
And, when children have regular and meaningful opportunities to connect with the natural world, it powerfully helps them grow and thrive too - physically, mentally, socially and academically.
It also nurtures our future environmental stewards, which is vital for the health of our planet too.
Now, more than ever, our children need to feel the power of nature in their lives and to hear, and believe in good stories … us big kids do too.
The special place where story and nature intersect is a powerful place - for our children and our planet.
Come with us … we’ll take you there.
What you'll learn
Campference will help to enrich your teaching and learning practice and nurture strong and meaningful relationships with your children and nature by:
- showing you how to more easily and more confidently bring nature into stories and stories into nature across the curriculum
- deepening your knowledge and practice of many different ways you can share stories with children (with and without amazing story books beside you!)
- helping you harness the power of story to authentically embed diversity and inclusion into your nature programs
- supporting you with ideas to develop children's imagination and storytelling skills
- showing you practical strategies to enhance early literacy skills and support language development
and so much more!
What is Campference
Campference is an immersive and interactive online conference where together we will explore many ways that stories and nature can combine to provide you with practical ideas, resources, tools and inspiration and powerfully enrich your teaching and learning practice.
My goal with this event is to contribute to the incredible work that is already being done around the world in nurturing a deeper and more meaningful connection between children and the natural world.
Plus we’ll wrap it up in some engaging research, some very interesting bits of neuroscience, and some really fun LIVE Virtual Campfires, all aimed at helping you become a more confident ‘natural storyteller’ (in every sense of the word) for and with children.
“Stories cultivate empathy and the opportunity for understanding; nature offers us a shared experience of what it is to be alive. Being in nature, and connecting to nature through story, is how we come home to ourselves and each other.” - Holly Ringland, Author
Who should join us:
- Early Childhood Educators / Teachers
- Primary / Elementary School Teachers
- Educators and carers supporting children and young people with disability
- Homeschoolers, Worldschoolers and Unschoolers
- Allied Health Professionals
- Nature play and nature pedagogy practitioners
- Librarians
- Camp leaders
- Outside School Hours Care teams
… and other wonderful people who want to grow their skills, confidence and impact in connecting children and nature.
Campference topics include...
Be it through oral storytelling, the written word, visual arts, drama, song, poetry, puppetry, yoga, dance, growing a garden, on a nature hike, sharing a meal and the many other ways that story can be shared, we’ll help you to awaken a love of nature and nurture a sense of belonging for the children in your care, within their imaginations and in their hearts.
Your experience with us at Campference will guide you to help stories and nature come alive in your practice in a more meaningful way, through a rich variety of mediums and in a way that includes, celebrates and amplifies diverse and inclusive voices.
Here’s just a taste of all the goodness that we’ll be digging into together to bring nature and story together across curriculum, practice and pedagogy:
Storytelling through nature art
Growing natural storytellers and natural musicians
Yoga, dance, mindfulness and movement in igniting children's imaginations and creativity
Nature songs to make your heart sing, dance and help nurture nature
Puppets and props to nurture nature connections and the stories that emerge
Where Reggio, nature and stories connect
First Nations stories and reclaiming and celebrating Indigenous language and culture
Enhancing diversity, access and inclusion through nature and storytelling across culture, gender and ability
Creating and sharing stories and books that are representative of diverse children and sharing perspectives from which they see and experience the world
Nurturing the powerful bond between culture, nature and stories
Ecological Storytelling in nurturing connections to local natural spaces and their changing environments
Finding stories in the stars across the globe
Storytelling and STEM through the wonderful worlds of nature and play
Natural stories and our deep connection to animals
The importance and how of nurturing our own nature connectedness as adults
Why stories connect us and the neuroscience behind it
Sensory stories for children of all abilities
Nature stories for calm, positive affirmation and a good nights’ sleep (for you and your children)
Nurturing Ecological Identity and changing the narrative for deeper understanding and connection
How nature stories and games can help children (and adults!) reduce anxiety and harness connection
Bringing people, plants and food together for stories and nature connection
How stories improve memory, comprehension, attention and listening skills
We also go on an adventure to dig into how nature and risky play meet to create incredible opportunities for stories to emerge (and the stories we tell ourselves about risky play!)
And at the heart of it all is good, old-fashioned outdoor PLAY and nature and human connection.
“Light a campfire and everyone’s a storyteller”.
- John Geddes
Who You’ll Meet Around Our Campference Campfire
Campference is bringing together 40+ incredible speakers and facilitators for this immersive and interactive virtual conference experience.
They come from all corners of the globe, bringing diverse voices, abilities, genders and cultural backgrounds to these important conversations.
They have all excitedly jumped in with us around our Campference campfire to share their knowledge, their methodologies, their experiences and their stories with YOU.
Here’s who you’ll meet around the Campference campfire:
Ben Mali
Drama Artist -
Eco Drama; Artist, Educator, Activist and Community Facilitator
Beth Knoedelseder
Reading Specialist, Elementary School Teacher, Education Consultant, Environmental Educator
Dr Carla Gull
Loose Parts Play Expert, Researcher, Author, Early Years Educator, Teacher Trainer, Tinkergarten Facilitator
Chris Holland
Founder -
Wholeland Nature Connection;
Storyteller, Natural Musician, Forest School Leader
Emily Reid
Artistic Director and Founder - Eco Drama
Evelyn Davis
Founder - Storytelling Threads;
Storyteller, Early Childhood Educator, Professional Development Facilitator
Professor Jan White
Co-Director - Early Childhood Outdoors, Researcher, Author, Thinker & Advocate for Nature Rich Experiences for Children, Mudologist
Jennifer McCormack
Director - Birdwings Forest School; Storyteller, Teacher Trainer, Avid Felter
Joanna Grace
Founder - The Sensory Projects; Sensory Engagement & Inclusion Specialist, Trainer, Author & TEDx speaker
Joseph Sarosy
Author - How to Tell Stories to Children;
Outdoor Teacher, Storyteller
Lauren MacLean
Founder - Mentoring Nature Connections; Mentoring Support Teacher (Mathematics and Outdoor Learning)
Lynsey Robinson
Inclusive Designer - Sensory Trust
Mandy dos Santos
Founder- Little People Nutrition; Nutritionist and Food Scientist, Foodie Music Maker at Musical Kitchen
Maya Gonzalez
Artist, Author, Progressive Educator, Activist, Publisher, River Lover
Mel Steffensen
Peek Whurrong Woman, Indigenous Language Facilitator, Wayapa Wuurrk Practitioner
Nic Russell
Founder - South East Yoga and Wellbeing; Wellbeing Consultant for the Early Childhood Sector, Storyteller, Wayapa Wuurrk Practitioner
Dr Nina Ockendon-Powell
Founder - Wild Happy Well; Nature Connectedness Researcher and Practitioner, Scientist
Dr Phil Waters
Co-Founder & Creative Director - I Love Nature; Researcher, aka Fungus Hedge
Priya Muthukumar
Founder - Storipur; Environmental Storyteller, Story Educator & Coach
Richard Louv
Author, Co-Founder - Children & Nature Network
Rusty Keeler
Play Designer, Artist, Speaker, Author - “Adventures in Risky Play”
Samsudin
School Teacher, Wildlife Conservation Storyteller and Puppeteer
Silke Rose West
Author - How to Tell Stories to Children; Co-founder - Taos Waldorf School, Forest Kindergarten Teacher
Timothy Turner
Library Associate Sun Ray Nature Library, Youth Mentor
Dr Vicki Couzens
Artist, Designer, Curator, Consultant, Indigenous Research Fellow, Senior Knowledge Custodian for Possum Skin Cloak Story and Language Reclamation and Revival in her Keerray Woorroong Mother Tongue
PLUS During our LIVE Virtual Campfires sessions, you’ll meet many more wonderful storytellers, children’s book authors, yogi’s, nature play practitioners, educators and other nature inspired, story loving friends!
Allison Trethowan
RiverConnect Education Officer - Greater Shepparton City Council
Dannika Patterson
Author
Gayle Jeffrey
Early Childhood Educator, Nature Lover, Story Sharer
Max Webster
Author, Wildlife Carer, Joey Scout
Nicole Halton
Co-Founder - Inspired EC; Early Childhood Leader & Educational Consultant; Timbernook Newcastle
Stuart French
Founder - Ethicool Books; Author, Nature Lover
Teigan Margretts
Founder - Ethicool Books;
Journalist, Nature Lover, Traveller Ballerina, Yogi, Wife, And Mum
Becca Birnie
Nature Loving Librarian, Summer Camp Owner
Danny English
Founder - We Be Kids
Israel Cannan
Co-Founder & Creative Director - WonderUS Affirmations;
Visual Storyteller, Film Maker, Musician
Meg Petheridge
RiverConnect Project Officer – Greater Shepparton City Council
Peter Fletcher
Co-Founder - WonderUs Affirmations; Managing Director - World Challenge Expeditions, Atlantic Ocean Rower
Susan Wright
Founder - Nurtured Inspirations; Education Consultant, Reggio Inspired Early Childhood Teacher
Claudia Zanette
Founder - Go Green Yoga Lab
Environmental Educator, Early Childhood Educator, Yoga Teacher
Dr Diana Suskind
Founder - Stonework Play
Katie Jacobson
Early Childhood Teacher, Forest School Leader, Nature-Play Advocate, Environmental Scientist & Speake
Narell Neville
Co-Founder - Birdwings Forest School
Phoebe Cormack
Music Therapist, Ukelele Player and Foodie Music Maker at Musical Kitchen
Tash Treveton
Co-Founder - Inspired EC; Early Childhood Leader & Educational Consultant, Timbernook Newcastle
… with some super special surprise guests too!
'The universe is made of stories, not of atoms.'
- Muriel Rukeyser
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS & SUPPORTERS
Stories make us human. We connect more deeply and more personally with people and with brands and organisations whose stories pull at our heartstrings and get behind what really matters – to us and to the world.
So sponsorship for us isn’t just logo placement for faceless entities. These incredible organisations have partnered with us to help bring Campference to you and we are truly grateful for their support of us and the important conversations we’ll share together during this event.
We can’t wait to share with you the stories behind these organisations and the people who make them special, the impact they have in the world and why connecting children and nature matters so deeply to them.
Gold Sponsors
Green Sponsors
Sector Supporters
Sponsorship Opportunities Available: If you are interested in finding more about becoming a Campference Sponsor, please get in touch with Tania via email at tania@NurtureInNature.com.au. We would love to dig deep into the powerful place where nature meets story for your brand and to share your story and your impact with participants and collaborators!
Turn Inspiration Into Action Today
BUDGET PACKAGE
Regular price
$69 AUD
+10% GST (AU)
Everything in FREE ACCESS PASS plus:
ALL ACCESS PACKAGE
Regular price
$99 AUD
+10% GST (AU)
Everything in BUDGET PACKAGE plus:
- Exclusive access to 4 incredible ‘Extended’ Campference interviews
- Professor Jan White
- Dr Phil Waters
- Priya Muthukumar
- Joseph Sarosy & Silke Rose West
(These very special and oh- so-good ‘extended’ conversations will truly take you deeper into ‘Where Nature Meets Story’ in ways that will support you and expand your thinking and practice).
- 3 Treehouse Educators ‘Get it Growing’ Resources
(Done for you and ready to put into action right away, these nature activity plans (PDF) have been made exclusively for Treehouse Members and we’re making them available to you in the All Access Package!)
- 3 RECORDINGS of Post Campference ‘Virtual Campfire’ sessions (with PD certificates)
(Continue the conversations and connections, ask your burning questions, get support, share your actions, and extend your learning from Campference)
- We’re putting some very special bonus resources inside our Story Bag of Tricks to share with you.
(Be prepared to be surprised AND excited by what’s inside! We’re not letting the ‘cat out of the bag’ on this one!)
VIP PACKAGE
Regular price
$499 AUD
+10% GST (AU)
Everything in ALL ACCESS PACKAGE plus:
- VIP Only Access to the Green Room for an Exclusive Speaker Virtual Campfire Q&A session
(The Green Room is where the Campference Speakers will be hanging out and as a VIP you’ll be invited to join us for an Exclusive LIVE Virtual Campfire Cocktail Hour) - Apply for one of our Campference HOT SEATS
(We’ll be giving 3 lucky VIP’s the opportunity to share with our whole Campference Community how nature meets story in your practice. Here’s your chance to showcase the great work you do and get suggestions and ideas on how to extend and enhance the fabulous things you’re already doing!).
Access details for your Extended Access Package inclusions and bonuses will be delivered to you via email in the week following the Campference (7 Days after the end of the event).
GROUP ACCESS PACKAGE
$69 per person with a 10 person minimum
+10% GST (AU)
ALL ACCESS PACKAGE: Package for 10+ people working for the same school / kindergarten / organisation / centre)
(You must purchase 10 or more ALL ACCESS PACKAGES to be eligible for the GROUP ACCESS PACKAGE Rate or you will be refunded and need to purchase a single ALL ACCESS PACKAGE. Simply enter the number of passes you require on the checkout page).
If you require an invoice to organise payment for a group, please email us at support@NurtureInNature.com.au and we will be in contact to organise this for you.
How Campference works...
When you purchase an Extended Access Package our system will automatically generate a fully paid invoice receipt. It will be generated and apply to the Name, Address and Email Address you entered at Checkout.
All sales for Digital Content or Services are Final. No refunds are permitted except with respect to any statutory warranties or guarantees that cannot be excluded or limited by law.
Please email us on support@NurtureInNature.com.au and we’ll respond within 24 hours to do our best to help.
Meet your host...
“In stories and in nature-immersed spaces and experiences, all children should be able to see themselves represented, have equitable opportunity to participate fully and feel empowered that their own story is a story worth sharing”.
- Tania Moloney, Founder of Nurture in Nature & Campference Host
Hi nature loving friends!
I’m Tania - Founder of Nurture in Nature. I’m also a Mum, Nature educator, The Nature Bus driver, Treehouse builder, Dairy Farm kid and passionate nature player!
I started Nurture in Nature in 2012 to help educators, parents and others who care deeply about kids and nature to grow their knowledge and skills, so they feel confident and supported in their nature-inspired teaching and learning practice.
But, actually the story of how and why I came to be inviting you to this amazing Campference began way back when I was a nature loving kid myself.
I belonged to the natural spaces and places I played in as a child, we were one - and oh the stories we created, imagined, lived and learnt together!
As an adult that deep feeling of belonging calms and connects me to myself and to the world around me.
I want to help nurture those feelings of deep connection and belonging for my own children, and for the children I work and play with. I want them to learn and grow and thrive with nature by their sides and in their hearts.
And I want that for you and the children in your care too.
I’m so grateful to have shared time, learnt from and enjoyed warm, enriching conversations with each of our Campference speakers and I am so excited to share their voices, hearts, and hands on knowledge and methodologies in connecting with nature through story with you.
Like the time Rusty Keeler and I took a storied hero's journey into risky play, complete with a call to risky adventure, pitfalls, allies, foes, self doubt transforming to self belief … what an adventure! Or when Jan White and I started digging into Ecological Identity only to discover that Australian children we’re not digging holes to get to the UK at all. Of course, it was about the journey, not the destination! Most good stories are.
Whoops, I had better not give away all the goodness here. Let’s just say, these Campference conversations and our LIVE Virtual Campfire’s aren’t your regular talking heads on zoom!
I hope you’ll journey with me to the special place where nature and story meet. I’ve scooted over and saved a spot for you next to our campfire - and I can promise you it’ll be a jolly good story!
Tania
The End … or is it?
Come and join us at Campference to discover the rest of the story …