Early Bird Registrations close in 5 days!!!

A not to be missed opportunity for Nature Education enthusiasts in New Zealand.
If you are a Primary School Teacher, an Early Childhood Educator, a keen parent, local councillor, landscape designer or simply someone with passion for connecting children with the outdoors
The Natural Phenomena 2014 is for you.

Early bird registrations are closing on August 31st 

We take you on a journey of childhood memories, legs caked in mud, hot pebbles on a riverbank, secret huts at the end of the garden and splashing in puddles on the way home from school.
With a vast array of workshops and keynote speakers we seek to explore how we can engage the 21st century child in nature as we delve into the issues of risk adversity in our society today.

If you are a student or have a student at your centre remember to apply for one of our Scholarships.  Simply let us know why you would like to come.

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Our Keynote Speakers for 2014 International speaker: Steve Gurney Steve Gurney is an adventurer, inventor and motivation expert. Amongst world-wide racing success, he won the Coast to Coast a record 9 times, has an engineering degree, and was awarded the MNZM for services to endurance sport. He has now turned professional motivational speaker and trainer and has written 2 books, Lucky Legs and Eating Dirt. They contain stories and yarns of his racing and adventures, but are inter-twined with research and strategies on success, resilience and mental excellence. From edited extracts of Eating Dirt: Steve reckons Kiwi kids are increasingly bubble-wrapped in an over-regulated society. In his new book (Eating Dirt) Gurney argues that children need to learn about risk-taking and our super-cautious approach is dumbing down ..... New Zealand used to be a fantastic country to grow up in as an outdoors kid. Nature, the wilderness, the hills and the beaches are so easily accessible. Consequently, Kiwi kids have typically grown up confident and at ease in the wilderness because we've spent so much of our childhood playing in and exploring the nooks and crannies of Godzone. Let kids go back to being kids... Get rid of the unwieldy burden of control. Nature already has a system that automatically works. Richard Louv Renowned International Speaker, Author of "Last Child in the Woods" and "The Nature Principle".  The man that sparked the debate that lead to an international movement on reconnecting children with nature. Richard Louv has challenged the world with a powerful call to action to rectify the disengagement that is developing with children, adults and their relationship with the outdoor environment.  Richard is a distinguished international speaker and will bring current research, anecdotal evidence and personal experience to share with us. Dr Rangimarie Turuki Rose Pere Returning for a second year is the beautiful Dr Rangimarie Turuki Rose Pere, she will come with her wisdom, enthusiasm and wit, and no doubt some powerful words and messages for us to return home with to share with our families and tamariki. David Spraggs  David Spraggs brings his passion for provoking teachers to do more and be more when it comes to our children, doing more sometimes means "doing less". David will share his experience of both New Zealand practice in the Education Sector and his experiences in playing in the woods in Europe. Adam Bienenstock Inspirational, thought provoking, (and a little crazy) the CEO of Bienenstock Playgrounds, Adam Bienenstock, from Canada is joining us at The Natural Phenomena this year.  "If you care about your children’s safety, mental health, physical development, community engagement, and the future sustainability of our planet - natural playgrounds are the most important and intelligent choice you can make. Is there Art, Music, and Nature in your playground?"

See more about our other Workshop Presenters

2014 Conference registration fees (all incl GST) - Early bird - $450 - Cut off for early bird registrations will be 31st August.  - Standard Registration - $490  - $100 discount off any of the above options for Student - Proof of student ID required - Group discount: Four or more from the same centre – 7% further discount to above prices!!  - Scholarships:  Once again we are delighted to announce two student scholarships for 2014. If you are a student please e-mail us your story and tell us why you would like to come to The Natural Phenomena 2014, don't be shy! Your registration fee includes Friday night dinner, Saturday night dinner and entertainment and all meals except breakfasts. Here is our 2014 flyer to download for your work notice boards or to pass around your networks. Also, printable version link.

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Warm wishes from The Natural Phenomena Team


PS Click here if you'd like to get in touch. We'd love to hear from you.