Oklahoma Environmental Education Bootcamp

Oklahoma Environmental Education Bootcamp: A Comprehensive Professional Learning Experience

Step beyond individual lessons and into the foundations of environmental education during this immersive, multi-day professional learning experience. The Inaugural Oklahoma Environmental Education Bootcamp invites educators to build confidence, expand their toolkit, and explore nationally recognized environmental education frameworks and curricula in a supportive, hands-on setting. This bootcamp is a true one-stop professional learning experience—ideal for educators new to environmental education or outdoor learning, and equally valuable for seasoned professionals looking to strengthen and refine their practice. Participants gain both practical, classroom-ready resources and a deeper understanding of best practices that elevate the quality and impact of their programs.

Held at the Lake Arcadia Conservation Education Center, this three-day bootcamp uses the surrounding natural spaces as a learning laboratory while grounding participants in best practices for effective, high-quality environmental education. Educators will engage in interactive activities modeled exactly as they would be taught with students, while also stepping back to understand the “why” behind strong educational practices.

Participants will explore core concepts of environmental literacy, outdoor and place-based learning, and lesson-planning through hands-on lessons and guided discussion. Educators will engage with nationally recognized curricula and receive classroom-ready resources to take home, including:

• Project Learning Tree (PLT)
• Project WET
• Project WILD
• Oklahoma Green Schools
• NAAEE Guidelines for Excellence for K–12 Environmental Education

Throughout the bootcamp, facilitators will demonstrate how to adapt activities for different grade levels and settings, align lessons with Oklahoma Academic Standards and NGSS, and apply the NAAEE Guidelines for Excellence to lesson planning, program design, and evaluation. Whether you are a classroom teacher, nonformal educator, or program leader, this experience provides a strong foundation and practical tools you can use immediately.

Lodging will be the responsibility of participants. Edmond offers a variety of options to fit any budget.

Meals Provided: Lunch on each day + snacks & light refreshments

Workshop Details

• Dates: July 8–10 (participants must attend all three days for certificates of completion).
• Location: Lake Arcadia Conservation Education Center, Edmond, OK
• Cost: $50 per person, scholarships are available if this presents a barrier to you!
• Lodging: Participants are responsible for their own lodging arrangements

Come build your environmental education foundation, gather proven resources, and connect with a community of educators committed to meaningful, high-quality learning. This bootcamp is designed to equip you with the knowledge, confidence, and tools to bring environmental education to life—wherever you teach.

Jack Hilgert, [email protected], (405) 613-3835, Oklahoma Project WET and Project WILD

Tony Pascall, [email protected], (405)317-8322, Oklahoma Project Learning Tree

Sara Ivey, [email protected], (405)702-7122, Education Programs and Services Coordinator, Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality

What's the refund policy?

Full refunds will be offered until July 1st.

ABOUT THE CURRICULUM:

Project WET stands for Water Education Today. Water is a part of everything we are, everything we eat, and everything we use. Yet most people do not even know where their water comes from, let alone their larger water footprint. Project WET provides educators, natural resource professionals, and more real-world, relevant, and hands-on lessons, that create an interdisciplinary learning environment focused on the most essential aspect of life—water.

Project WILD's mission is to provide wildlife-based conservation and environmental education that fosters responsible actions toward wildlife and related natural resources. All curriculum materials are backed by sound educational practices and theory, and represent the work of many professionals within the fields of education and natural resource management from across the country.

Project Learning Tree® (PLT) provides educators with high-quality professional development, hands-on activities, and multi-disciplinary supplemental curriculum that can be easily integrated into lesson plans for all grades and subject areas to help teach youth about trees, forests, and the environment.

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