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The Montana Children and Nature Initiative (MCNI) is a state-wide collaboration of public and private partners working to promote healthy kids and families and build future leaders and stewards by connecting kids with nature, supporting place-based education and getting families outside. MCNI is working with Montana Office of Public Instruction, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, Montana Environmental Education Association and the National Wildlife Federation, among others, to identify, recognize and support efforts to get children outside in the schools. 

Please help in this simple but important effort by taking the time to fill out the following short survey, entitled the Nature & Scope of Outdoor and Nature Programming in MT.  Here's a link to the survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/MCNI

Click here for more information about this program and to apply

What:
The Forest for Every Classroom program provides 11 days of professional development that immerses teachers in Place Based Education and the inclusion of Service Learning projects in their classroom curriculum.  The workshop takes place through 5 overnight sessions around the Missoula area.  Teachers leave the program with stronger natural and cultural history understanding, connections to local professionals and educational organizations, new resources for classroom use, and memories of truly unique experiences.  Teachers will design a place based education curriculum and service learning project with guidance through the course. When:
April 26-27, 2013
June 20-21, 2013
June 24-26, 2013
September 20-21, 2013
January 24-25, 2014 
(Full day programs, see website for details) Where:
All programs start and end at the Montana Natural History Center
120 Hickory St.
Missoula, Mt 59801
Programs will take place in the Alberton Gorge area, the Blackfoot Valley, the Bitterroot Valley, on Seeley Lake and at Lubrecht Experimental Forest. Cost:
$100 refundable deposit.  All lodging, transportation from Missoula and most food is provided. Up to 88 hours OPI renewal and 5 UM Graduate credits

Click here to register for camp What:
Aqua Critters  August 6-10, 2012
Spend the week getting your feet wet! We'll explore a new, close by aquatic habitat every day. We'll wade, look for aquatic invertebrates, see if we can spot any osprey, and learn about how important water is to all living things. Creepy Crawlies  July 30-August 3, 2012
Who doesn't love learning about insects? We'll spend the week seeing what we can catch and learning about metamorphosis and other amazing insect facts. We'll even start our own (live) insect collection that we will release at the end of the week. A trip to the electron microscope at the university will let us see all sorts of neat critters up close and personal! Backcountry Explorers  July 30-August 3, 2012
Want to spend a week in the woods this summer that includes a fantastic overnight backpacking trip?  We'll hike some beautiful trails every day and explore the world around us using tools of a naturalist like field guides and compasses.  We'll also learn about plants and animals common to our region as we get out and explore, and practice Leave No Trace Principles. This camp will feature an overnight backpacking trip from August 2-3. Where:
Montana Natural History Center
120 Hickory St.
Missoula, MT  59801

For PRE-REGISTRATION contact Elsie Johnson at 406-282-7416 or email at elsie@thelearningoptions.com What:
This free seminar shines new light on how the natural Ability to see ideas in pictures when thinking can be a DISability in word thinking settings. Strategies to use your way of thinking to your advantage. When/Where:
Bozeman Public Library
East Main Street
Bozeman, MT
Nov 8, 2012
7pm Contact:
Elsie Johnson
www.TheLearningOptions.com
282-7416
Churchill, MT, USA  

Click here to register for this Webinar

What:
In this webinar, we will speak about:
Leo Kanner: The original outcome study Predictable changes: The Natural History of ASD IQ and Atypicality: Different, but both important IQ as a driver of outcome Time - the Third Dimension Beyond the DSM-V When:
November 28, 2012
4pm - 5pm MST For Questions or Concerns Click here

Click here to download the flyer for this event

What:
Feel more confident as a parent and more relaxed at the end of the day! Participants will learn about:
Developmental Stages from Birth through Age 4 How to build courage and character in your child Effective, non-violent discipline skills Why children misbehave and how to redirect them Natural and logical consequences When:
Wednesdays, March 27, April 3, 10, 2013
6:30 pm - 8:00 pm Mountain Where:
313 Valentine
Glendive, MT 59330 Cost:
$10.00 for book Contact:
(406) 939-5591 (MUST PHONE TO REGISTER)
families@midrivers.com

Register for this webinar What:
This free training will be presented by Jean Bosco Walsh, AT Consultant for Saltillo Corp. Saltillo Corporation is dedicated to making personal communication possible to individuals who are unable to use their natural voice. Jean will explore the TouchChat app that is a total communication application available for your iDevice. She will then discuss the latest communication devices from Saltillo that are based on the Android system. These communication devices are completely fundable through Medicaid and private health insurance companies.

When:
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
3:00 pm - 4:30 pm Mountain

Cost:
Free of Charge

Register for this event or volunteer to be a counselor

What:
The wonders of nature, friendship, and fun with a theme. Special times for special kids are what we are about. If you have or know of a physically challenged child who might enjoy a camp experience contact us. Physical disabilities including but not limited to; sight or hearing impairment, cerebral palsy, spina bifida, amputee, gross motor skill impairments, and other disabilities. They don't stop kids from enjoying their time at camp in the beautiful Beartooth Mountains. Charles Campbell Children's Camp campers enjoy fishing, hiking, swimming, games, dances, campfires, singing, family style living and dining, and the call of the great outdoors.

When:
July 14-19, 2013 (counselor training on July 13)

Where:
Lions Camp outside of Red Lodge, Montana

Cost:
Free of charge

Contact:
Gary Van Dyke - 406-860-2039 or Sue Hanson - 406-670-2496

Click here to download Butte-PAK-Meeting

What:
The purpose of Montana PAK is to develop a monthly forum for parents to collaborate and receive information about special education advocacy and the federal/state laws that protect their children. In addition, PAK aims to provide a public medium to discuss educational concerns and to raise awareness about the scope of services, as well as local resources, which are available for children. One of those services is an Individualized Education Plan (IEP). An IEP is meant to be a collaborative process between parents, teachers, officials of the school system, and sometimes others who have expertise in the nature of a child's disability or provision of particular services. Parents are often overwhelmed by the special education process as they seek to improve their child's programming during IEP meetings. As an essential member of the IEP team, parents must have an understanding of the legal requirements which guide a school district's practices. Parents can improve their advocacy skills by obtaining a solid understanding of their child's legal rights under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504), the American with Disabilities Act (ADA), and state laws. Although PAK is an organization for providing training and support program for parents, PAK invites parents, professionals and community members who are interested in improving their knowledge about special education advocacy. PAK meetings will be led by parent advocates who have considerable experience with the special education process with presentations by attorneys, special education advocates, and other professionals.

When/Where:
Nov. 10, 2012
Business Deve

Creating A Google Website
October 24th, 2012
5:30pm-8:00pm
MSUB College of Education Building, Room 122 In this series of classes Ronda McManus will explore how to create and maintain a workable website using Google Tools. Websites can be created for a personal digital portfolio, a classroom, or a business. Participants will learn how to use many Google tools such as calendar, documents, presentation, and forms and how to incorporate them into a workable website. Ronda will cover each Google tool and give participants an opportunity to develop content that will be utilized to develop a website at the end of the series. Click here to register for Google Docs
Google Docs
November 7, 2012
5:30pm-8:00pm
MSUB College of Education Building, Room 122 Google Docs is a suite of products that lets you create different kinds of online documents, work on them in real time with other people, and store your documents and your other files -- all online, and all for free. Learn how to create various documents, presentations, drawings, spreadsheets, and forms. In addition, learn how to use Google Docs professionally in teaching and in collaboration with colleagues, from making Digital Kits to using forms to survey parent and student interests.   Click here to register for Assistive Technology
Assistive Technology
December 5, 2012   5:30pm-8:00pm
MSUB College of Education Building, Room 122  Participants will have an opportunity to learn and use a variety of

Click here to register for this webinar What:
This webinar will explore the unique nature of dropout prevention and recovery in rural communities and feature two community mobilization strategies that that have resulted in increased support for this critical work. When:
Thursday, May 3, 2012 
11:30am - 1:00pm Mountain Contact:
Monica Melville at mmelville@mahernet.com if you need registration assistance.

Click here to download the full flyer for this event (PDF) What:
Children deserve the most effective intervention possible, provided in the most relevant places, at the most relevant times, by the most relevant people. In the Routines-Based approach, professionals work with the child's natural caregivers, who are generally parents and child care providers or teachers. Parents and other caregivers learn to make the most out of the learning opportunities that occur throughout the day, every day. This results in much more effective and meaningful intervention than, for example, weekly sessions in a therapy room. The child's best "interventionists" are those adults who are with the child throughout the day. Participants will learn the importance of: Understanding the family ecology and the usefulness of the ecomap Family-centered, functional assessment and the usefulness of the Routines-Based Interview Integrating services and the usefulness of the primary service provider Support-based home visits and the usefulness of family consultation Collaborative consultation to child care and the usefulness of consultation individualized within routines When/Where:
May 21, 2012
Red Lion Colonial Hotel (block of rooms are available)
Helena, MT
Registration by emailing Karen Cech at kcech@mt.gov | For questions, contact Erica Peterson (406)444-5647 or epeterson2@mt.gov AND May 23, 2012
MSUB College of Education Bldg - Room 427<br

Click here to download the flyer with registration information for this webinar (.pdf) What:
The "i" operating systems are used to promote, support, and connect individuals with intellectual disabilities. The iPad, iPod Touch, iPhone and other devices offer possibilities for video cueing and modeling, picture exchange systems, voice output, timers, schedulers, checklists, reminders, face-to-face coaching, portfolios, and more. Learn about special projects with transition programs and employment organizations, compare equipment, and learn about apps people are finding helpful. View devices and demos that help job seekers land a job, know what to do when, and optimize productivity and inclusion. Discuss the current need and the future promise. Washington State and Use of Apple Devices; inception, evolution and success stories. Working with Apple; their stores and engineers The equipment; built in features and comparisons High School Transition Programs A cohort of employment specialists using iPads Survey of interest and need Work with Voc Rehab's Assistive Technology Coordinators People First and the Technology Push When:
Part 1 (Click to register)
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
11:00am - 12:00pm Mountain Part 2 (Click to register)
Thursday, June 14, 2012
11:00am - 12:00pm Mountain

Click here to download the flyer with full information (PDF) What:
Alaina Buffalo Spirit began her journey as a self-taught artist in 2004. It was through the tragic loss of her only son that Alaina found solace in art. She was chosen as the 2010 Featured Artist of the Great Falls Indian Art Show in Great Falls, as well as a One-Woman Art Show at the Uprising Gallery in Bozeman in 2011. Most recently, Alaina was chosen to represent Montana by designing ornaments for the national Christmas tree in Washington, D.C. She chose the Chief Dull Knife College, representing the Northern Cheyenne nation, to work with the project. Ledger art derives from Plains Indian Biographic art, which recorded actual events important in the lives of individuals and groups, usually as naturalistic action scenes composed primarily of horses, humans, weapons, and tipis. When:
Tuesday, April 17, 2012 | 5:00 - 7:00pm Mountain
Ledger/Map Art from the 1870's
Based on a historical consciousness of awareness and the roles of Plains Indian warriors who were held as prisoners in Florida. Alaina, as a female artist, depicts images of women's roles in their daily lives during this same period. Thursday, May 3, 2012 | 5:00 - 7:00pm Mountain
Ledger/Map Art Enhanced with Storytelling
Many stories are handed down through storytelling, as told by elders in Alaina's family. Many of the stories her grandparents shared have never been recorded nor written. Oral history is the natural process of teaching the young about the culture and traditions of the Cheyenne. Where:
MSUB, College of Education Building, Room 122
Billings, MT Contact:
John Keener
406- 657-1743
mailto:john.keener@msub

What:
The camp is free, and open to all young women finishing 7th or 8th grade in the Bozeman area.  The program will consist of a five-day summer camp (taught by K-12 teachers and faculty from MSU), followed by work on individual projects (with mentorship by undergraduate math majors and faculty members), culminating in a poster presentation in December of 2012. Math in the arts, nature, and in careers will be the themes for the camp. Where:
MSU Campus
Bozeman, MT 59717 When:
June 11 - 15, 2012 Contact:
Brian Lindaman at lindaman@math.montana.edu to receive an information sheet and application. Spots are limited to 15 participants, so register soon!