Denmark
Forest School Study Tour
Join us for our annual exciting and inspiring residential course, where we will visit some of the most interesting nature and forest schools of central Jutland.
Where
The courses are based in and around Viborg, in the north western part of the Jutland peninsula.
Draft programme
Day 1: Registration and course briefing seminar. . Tour of Viborg and meal.
Day 2: Visit to kindergarten. Reflections and discussion. Seminar.
Day 3: Visit to kindergarten. Reflections and discussion.
Day 4: Visit to kindergarten. Closing reflections and discussion.
Language of Instruction: English
Candidate Limit: This course is restricted to a small number of participants in order to ensure non-intrusive observation in the kindergartens and to allow for meaningful discussions with pedagogues and amongst the group. Therefore, early booking is recommended.
Approximate course fee: 1.350 euros/participant
*Please note that the course fee is subject to change based on current prices for accommodation, transportation, and related services, which may vary over time. We strive to provide the most cost-effective options for our participants. Any price adjustments will be communicated transparently before registration.
Included:
- 3 nights’ accommodation in a motel in single on-suite rooms
- Evening meal on the Sunday
- Breakfast and packed lunches for the Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday
- Seminars, discussions and guided visits to nature kindergartens
- Inside-out-Nature Certificate
- A culture tour of Viborg
- Transport to and from institution visits and motel
Not included:
- Travel to and from Viborg
- Evening meals on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday
- Out of pocket expenses
- Travel insurance
- Personal insurance in case of an accident
The study course aims to:
- Demonstrate examples of how the outdoor environment is used as part of the learning processes and early year’s curriculum in Denmark.
- Offer participants an insight into the pedagogical principles underpinning Scandinavian practice.
- Enable participants to understand the ‘why’ and ‘how’ of children’s learning and development in nature.
- Inspire and empower participants to reflect upon, and develop, their own outdoor practice.
This is achieved through:
- Visits to different nature/ forest based preschool settings that illustrate a diversity of outdoor provision. In each kindergarten participants, will have the opportunity to observe play, to explore the setting and to talk with school leaders and pedagogues.
- Reflections, discussions following each visit, to share observations, thoughts and answer questions.
- Seminars covering the pedagogical theories, practice and culture of using the outdoors as an integrated part of the child’s learning environment.
This training is designed for:
- Early Years, Primary, and Lower Secondary teachers
- Pedagogical coordinators and school leaders
- University teaching staff and policy makers
- Pedagogues working with children in schools, NGOs, and other organisations
The course is suitable for those who are looking for practical pedagogical tools, not just inspiration.
Jane Williams-Siegfredsen is a former primary school teacher and early years lecturer. She is the founder of Inside-out-Nature, and author of the book “Understanding the Danish Forest School Approach”. She spends her time supervising training around the world, giving conference presentations, writing about children and nature, leading residential study trips in Denmark, and playing in the forest with children and pedagogues from the surrounding nature kindergartens.
Markos Zangas-Tsakiris holds an MA in Environment from the University of Melbourne (Australia) and a Diploma in Education for Sustainable Development from the University of the Aegean (Greece).
Since 2004, he has worked in environmental education with various NGOs and as a kayak instructor, leading children on outdoor learning adventures. He currently runs the Forest and Nature School program at Paichnidagogeio Elementary School in Athens, Greece.
From 2018 to 2021, he participated in the Erasmus+ project “Exploring the Curriculum Through Nature Programs.” He is also a guest speaker at the University of Geneva, where he teaches the course “Forest School and Outdoor Nature Programs.”
Markos joined Inside Out Nature in 2014 and has since facilitated more than 30 training courses worldwide.
