Louti: A place and special meeting point for forest kindergarten enthusiasts from 16 countries

from Nadja Hillgruber Text also in German

The 15th summer school in Louti, Czech Republic, was a truly magical place, nestled in the heart of nature. Here, where the meadows and fields smell of aromatic herbs and the air is woody, smoky and flowery, a total of 179 participants came together from August 5 to 9, 2024. The rustling of the leaves merged with the gentle melody of learning, and the scent of moss and earth enveloped the senses. Enthusiasts from 16 countries came together, united in the vision of paving a path to the future for children – accompanied by the wisdom of nature.

Every tree whispered stories, every root carried the legacy of generations, and over all hovered an unshakeable bond of friendship and community. People from all over the world came together here, united by their passion and commitment. The International Summer School was more than just a meeting – it embodied a way of life, a symbolic compass into the future, nourished by experience, wisdom and the intensive exchange among like-minded people.

The week united people from different cultures and countries who are committed to a common goal

The promotion of the next generations through a close connection to nature. At this location, the forest became a learning environment in which participants could experience nature up close and learn from it. Far away from urban structures, there was space for an educational concept close to nature that focused on naturalness and freedom and brought people closer to the origins of education in a special way.

The meeting was hosted by the Czech forest kindergarten association “Asociace lesnich Materskych skol”, which organized the event in cooperation with the initiative “ Children of Nature Worldwide Hand in Hand” on the day of action “International Day of Forest Kindergartens on 3 May”.

The summer school always gave participants the feeling that they were not alone and that they were networking with like-minded people. This year, there was a particularly strong international network, which everyone found very enriching. The event took place for the fifteenth time and was completely international for the first time. It was open to foreign participants and organized in such a way that they could also take part in as many activities as possible. Besides Czech, English was the main language of the event. An important group was made up of German teachers, whose participation was supported by the German-Czech Future Fund.

The summer school participants gained valuable knowledge, peace, inspiration and confirmation that they are on the right path. They came to “rekindle the spark, make new friends and reassure themselves of the sustainability and power of nature”. Many appreciated the opportunity to take part as a team and attend several workshops together, the experiences of which they were able to share afterwards. The summer school therefore also contributed to team building.

“I think back on the wonderful conference in Louti with great pleasure – especially the long period of preparation that kept us busy for months beforehand. Nadja and I shared our anticipation and could hardly wait! After our last conference in Zurich in 2019, the annual activities for the Forest and Nature Kindergarten Day on May 3 and the work on the network, the desire for another conference with real encounters was enormous.

The opening ceremony was an impressive moment: people from different corners of the world stood together and introduced themselves in a heart-warming round. It was touching to see this diversity and to feel how nature education has developed in so many countries. When “I am a woodkid” was sung in different languages, the unity and solidarity in the room was palpable – a magical moment.

Thanks to the great program of the summer school in Louti and our dedicated hosts, the Asociace lesních mateřských škol, we were able to experience days full of learning, sharing, understanding and feeling. The picturesque landscape of Louti and the Ecozentrum gave us a sense of comfort, while the morning mist enveloped the fields and accompanied us during the singing circles with Olga Závadová. The variety of speakers and workshops reflected the diversity of the participants – each day brought new inspiration.

The farewell ceremony was the highlight that brought together everything we had already felt and perceived in the previous days: satisfied people working with the same passion and vision towards one goal – to firmly anchor children’s access to nature in the educational concept and thus create a positive future for us all.

When we lit the fire and shared the ashes, it was a powerful symbol of connection. Our song of fire carried this energy forward as we said our goodbyes – and yet it felt like a beginning, another step on the shared path of nature education full of confidence.

Countless new connections have emerged, like a strong root system that continues to branch out, grow and nourish over the years – across people, concepts and organizations, everywhere on this earth.

I am already looking forward to the next international conference – the location is yet to be announced – but no matter where we meet again, it will be a place in this shared world, with children who will feel our love and appreciation for nature. Our work will live on in them, in their free being and doing.”

Feedback from participants

„It was a time to unite people, regardless of culture, faith, gender and preferences. A pure unity.“

„The summer school gave me the experience of a balance between intensive work on scientific educational topics, getting to know and networking with each other, spiritual experiences and fun“.

A suitable newspaper headline could read: “A dozen forest kindergarten teachers hold a professionally organized conference”. We learned an incredible amount and were able to overcome numerous challenges that were previously unknown to us.

Special thanks go to Petra Jäger and Nadja Hillgruber for their constant support during the preparation and implementation. You have made a significant contribution to shaping the international meeting of the Summer School – and continue to do so. Through your commitment, you have not only raised the profile of the event itself, but also of our Czech association. The reports about the Summer School are still spreading in the virtual world, being commented on, shared and continuing to reach numerous people who are getting excited about the Summer School and forest kindergartens in the Czech Republic.

We very much hope to see our dear friends again soon and look forward to continuing our cooperation!”

International Summer School: A global team and comprehensive support for the 15th edition of the Forest Education Conference

The Summer School’s team of lecturers consisted of 35 people, while a further 25 people were responsible for the organization and smooth running of the event. In addition, 14 cooks and helpers took care of the catering for the participants. The lecturers came from various countries, including the Czech Republic, Germany, Switzerland, the USA, Finland/Turkey, Scotland, England, Spain and Patagonia. The 15th International Summer School for (not only) forest kindergarten teachers was supported by the Czech State Environmental Fund and was held under the patronage of the Minister of the Environment, Mr. Hladik. In addition, the Swiss cooperative Feuervogel für Naturpädagogik made a significant contribution to the preparation and implementation of the event. The summer school was livestreamed and watched by 58 people. Among the participants was the guest of honor Juliet Robertson, who was honored for her life’s work in the field of science education.

The contributions of Gunter Grün-Oostinga and Gregory Sommer were particularly frequently praised, especially their scientific excursions and Gunter’s workshop on promoting natural intelligence through thematic projects, such as the example of the “Stone Age”. Gunter Grün-Oostinga also acted as coordinator of the German group. Elizabeth Henderson’s presentation “Can You See Me, Hear Me, Walk With Me and Let Me Sing My Song? Listening Deeply to Both Nature and Our Youngest Children, to Help Create Sustainable Futures for All” and her workshop on pedagogical work in the annual rhythm were met with great enthusiasm. Her talks awakened sensitivity and warmth of heart, which she said had been “closed for a long time”. She emphasized that sensitivity and a return to one’s roots are crucial to promoting sustainability and tackling environmental problems.

Gaye Amus spoke about the permaculture ethic “Earth Care, People Care and Fair Share in Nature Pedagogy”. Many took away from David Sobel’s presentation the confidence that “children simply need a bit of nature”. It has been scientifically proven that even a small amount of contact with nature has a major impact on a child’s future education. Katerina Čiháková’s workshop on climate adaptation also aimed to inspire hope. Petra Jäger’s workshop included how the principles of nature education can be used to create empathetic communication with parents. The cooking workshop over an open fire with Nadja Hillgruber taught participants how to prepare dumplings, because sharing a meal is the easiest way to engage in honest dialog with strangers.

The summer school aroused strong emotions and created new friendships. The closing ritual, in which a fire was lit by rubbing wood, was a special experience. The morning singing, which was particularly appreciated by the foreign participants, also contributed to the sense of community. In addition, the summer school offered the opportunity to discuss the situation of forest kindergartens in different countries and to make valuable contacts.

We all shared a passion for working outdoors with children, a love for Mother Earth, a deep respect for one another as practitioners, and a hopeful vision for the future through our practice.

The conference was a beautiful gift, and I have many happy memories and new friends to treasure. Huge thanks to all those responsible for creating such a fantastic conference in an unforgettable venue!“

The latest event, held on August 5-8, 2024, was organized in cooperation with the movement „Children of Nature Worldwide Hand in Hand“ and it has truly grown to be a global venue, with over 200 participants from twenty nations gathered to exchange knowledge, experiences, and feelings about nature, childhood, and education, with the presence of well-known educators, speakers and authors from Europe and the USA. The programme was filled to the brim with interesting presentations, lively group discussions, exciting workshops, parallel activities, and beautifully prepared halls and tents. Handcrafted products, cosmetics, clothes, books, and jewellery were offered for sale and the food and drinks provided by the organizers as well as other invited suppliers were of excellent quality. The morning singing and the evenings around the fire only added an extra dimension of warmth and coziness. Despite the high level of the activities offered, the atmosphere was relaxed, and everybody had the opportunity to meet, discuss, and enjoy together, regardless of age, status, or interests. Held in the Loutí Ekocentrum, not far from Prague, the venue could not be more appropriate for the task at hand. The estate is crowned by two towering oak trees that draw the attention of all and have hosted activities under their leaves. Participants could also join workshops in different forested areas and, weather permitting, swim in the Moldava River. The short week spent in Loutí felt almost like a retreat from the daily hustle and bustle and allowed me to meet old and new friends, learn new ideas and skills, and find like-minded people in a calm, creative, and heartwarming setting.”

Sylva Jürgensen from Germany describes the summer school in her own words: “For me, the week was light, beautiful, wonderful! We all felt connected and this magical moment was swept into the sky. In gratitude, we were able to experience a sacred moment that touched our hearts. A spiritual atmosphere developed at the meeting, in which we felt deeply connected to Mother Earth – this is definitely the right way! It was time to show ourselves and stop hiding. We approached people, asked where they felt connected and what stories they wanted to share with us. It was an experience to look into the faces of others and feel the commonality. Let’s celebrate this connection and continue to go out into the world to share our experiences and our love for nature and each other!*

It was simply incredible to experience this week and to feel what is in store for you, for me and for all of us – if only we have the courage to embark on this journey together and develop our full potential.

The possibilities of how we can shape the future of children of nature around the world together are so diverse and limitless. If we trust in the inner power that resides within each of us, just waiting to be sparked – for life itself and for all that is yet to come. The small flame that we lit in our hearts during our farewell ritual with the beautiful song by Thuja Nobody will become a shining symbol. It will nourish the vision and carry forward the loving commitment that binds us together.

This little flame reminds us how much we can achieve together if we focus on our dreams and work towards them together. Let’s use this energy to grow, shine and change the world together!”

Most of them said goodbye with the words “See you next year!”

The next 16th summer school will take place from 28 July to 1 August 2025 at the Loutí Ecocentre in the Czech Republic.

Redaktionelle Gestaltung und Umsetzung: Nadja Hillgruber

Editorial design and realisation: Nadja Hillgruber

Picture credits: © Asociace lesnich Materskych skol, Nadja Hillgruber, Harmonie Zvuku (making best kalimbas and portable harps), Gaye Amus, Peter Pan Forest Kids, Sam Victoria, Sylva Jürgensen, Cassie Amos and Dorota Zaniewska

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