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Summer Gathering 2025: Eco-Pedagogy Through Natural Dyes


Join fellow educators* for a transformative weekend immersed in natural dyeing and ecological teaching practices

*This retreat is open to all educators across all content areas, grade levels, and expertise.

As summer blooms around us, join fellow educators for a transformative weekend immersed in natural dyeing and ecological teaching practices. This retreat offers more than a break from routine—it's an opportunity to cultivate inspiration and connection before the new school year begins.

Through hands-on natural dye workshops, foraging hikes, and collaborative discussions, you'll discover how natural dyeing can serve as a gateway to broader concepts of sustainability, place-based learning, and ecological awareness.

By Weekend’s End, you’ll have:

  • Practical knowledge of summer plant dyeing processes and techniques

  • A beautiful collection of dyed swatches documenting your experiments with plants

  • Fresh ideas for integrating ecological concepts into your first weeks of school

  • Strategies for fostering belonging, flexibility, and authentic learning

  • A supportive network of educators to inspire you throughout the year

  • Renewed energy and purpose for the learning container you’re responsible for

Not into camping? No worries! Reach out to Emily for a list of hotels nearby!

Basic Agenda
Friday: 4pm: Get set up at camp (or in hotel if travelling), Yoga Nidra and dinner in town at a local studio, bonfire back at camp.
Saturday: Stretching and bagels/fruit on beach, then play with plants and color most of the day at Three Rivers Fiber Studio! We’ll make beautiful swatches & scarves, digging into discussion about ecology and how to help our students understand their genius here as a living being (despite everything pushing us towards a more mechanized existence). After the dying portion is over, we’ll have dinner in town (on your own or together!) and bonfire back at camp.
Sunday: Stretching and bagels/fruit on beach, indigo immersion, light lunch, closing circle around 1pm

Register for the workshop here!
Apply for a scholarship here!
Please note: The registration fee ($375.00) includes all dye materials, breakfast & snacks, one 7-day Indiana Dunes National Park pass, and campground accommodations at Indiana Dunes National Park (BYO Tent, etc.).

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September 22

Natural Dye Workshop (3 hrs, open to public)