ANCA CONNECTS: Squam Lakes Natural Science Center in Holderness, New Hampshire

Date: May 10 2024

Description

Friday, May 10 — 9am-4:30pm ET

Join us for an enriching day of professional development and networking at Squam Lakes Natural Science Center in Holderness, New Hampshire. This CONNECTS program offers you the opportunity to connect with professional peers while learning about the operations of nature centers, outdoor schools, and related organizations.

A pontoon boat in water. To the left and right are shrubs and trees in green foliage. In the distance, forested hills with blue sky above. Through spectacular live animal exhibits, natural science education programs, guided Squam Lake Cruises, an informal public garden, and a nature-based Montessori early learning center, the Science Center has educated and enlightened visitors since 1966 about the importance of our natural world. During this program, you can explore the Science Center and learn about its operations firsthand.

This program includes discussion-based sessions about operations at nature centers and outdoor schools. These sessions invite all participants to contribute to the discussion, so that you can hear a variety of perspectives from professionals at other organizations. Program participants will be able to suggest session topics — this allows you to bring any question where you'd like insights from professional peers.

Throughout the program you will have opportunities to connect with peers and build your professional network. As such you will not only have new ideas and resources to implement at your organization following this CONNECTS, but you will also gain professional connections that can support your work throughout the year.

This ANCA CONNECTS program is for any professional at a nature center, outdoor school, or related organization. We welcome both ANCA members and non-members along with professionals from outside the region to attend.

Registration

Registration includes the cost of a light breakfast, snack, and a boxed lunch.

ANCA Members and staff & board of ANCA Organization Members: $31
Non-members: $46

Registration closes at the end of May 3.

Schedule

All times are ET. Activities on Thursday are optional.

Thursday, May 9

2-5pm	Walk the live animal exhibit trail. Please check in at Admissions upon arrival.
6pm	Dutch treat dinner at Walter’s Basin in Holderness. The address is 859 US-3, Holderness, NH 03245. Walter's Basin is within walking distance (about a third of a mile) of the Science Center.

Friday, May 10

9-9:30am	Check-in and Coffee
9:30-10am	Welcome
10-11:30am	Science Center Exploration Walk the Science Center exhibit trail and see all the live animal exhibits (Mountain Lions, Bobcats, Coyote, Red Fox, Gray Fox, River Otters, Black Bears, White-tailed Deer, and several raptors). Visit the Water Matters Pavilion and the Gordon Interactive Playscape.
12-1pm	Lunch & Networking We will also offer a quick tour of the Blue Heron School, Squam Lakes' nature-based Montessori preschool and kindergarten.
1-1:30pm	Open Space Planning
1:30-3pm	Open Space Sessions
3:15-4:30pm	Squam Lake Tour Join us on a covered pontoon boat to see Loons, Bald Eagles and spectacular scenery.
4:30pm	Adjourn

Sessions

This CONNECTS will use an Open Space format where any participant can suggest a session topic; all participants then collectively decide which session topics will be held.

Sessions are discussion-based, where participants contribute to the conversation and a facilitator guides the dialogue to keep the discussions on track and ensure that everyone has the opportunity to participate. These discussions allow you to share with your peers, learn new ideas, and work together to find solutions.

If you suggest a topic and it is chosen as a session, you will be asked to introduce the topic and facilitate the discussion among the participants. Because all participants contribute to the conversation, as the facilitator you do not need to be perceived as the expert in the room; you can simply start the conversation and engage accordingly.

This system allows you to collaboratively create your experience, and provides the opportunity for you to be an active participant rather than a passive listener.

Session Topics

Topics may include any subject pertaining to the management of nature centers and related organizations, as well as trends in our profession.

Examples of topics include:

Advocacy and civic engagement
Capital campaigns
Database management
Diversity, equity, and inclusion
Endowments and investing

Exhibit planning
Marketing and communications
Membership programs
Nature playscape construction
Nature preschool management

Program management
Risk management
Strategic and master planning
Working with a board of directors
Workplace environments

About Squam Lakes Natural Science Center

The mission of Squam Lakes Natural Science Center is to advance understanding of ecology by exploring New Hampshire’s natural world. Through spectacular live animal exhibits, natural science education programs, guided Squam Lake Cruises, an informal public garden, and Blue Heron School, a nature-based Montessori early learning center, the Science Center has educated and enlightened visitors since 1966 about the importance of our natural world. The Science Center is Sensory Inclusive Certified by KultureCity.

The Science Center's Live Animal Exhibits Trail includes Mountain Lions, Bobcats, Coyote, Red Fox, Gray Fox, River Otters, Black Bears, White-tailed Deer, and several raptors including a Great Horned Owl, Bald Eagle, Red-tailed Hawk, two Red-shouldered Hawks, and two Broad-winged Hawks.