Sharing Nature Together: A Family Experience

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Children learn to connect with nature by observing cues from role models and caregivers. Enjoy an afternoon bonding with each other and with nature as you practice new ways of learning in the outdoors. All ages welcome but geared toward ages 7 and up.

This three-hour workshop offers a chance to connect in new ways through experiences in nature. You will take time to talk about what you love and appreciate about each other and your time together outside. Offered by Christy and her 19-year-old son Jackson, this is a special bonding time in which you will learn skills to take with you into the wild and into your relationship. All levels of nature experience--from novice to expert--are welcome! Come enjoy beautiful Colorado and learn about each other along the South Platte River.  Participants should be prepared to walk outside for about 30 minutes on a dirt trail. 

We welcome all kinds of family pairs, including parents and children, grandparents and grandchildren, uncles/aunts with nieces and nephews, and special friends and loved ones. The workshop is geared toward paired- or trio-bonding, so please register accordingly.  If you have a family of four (two caregivers and two children), please register as two separate pairs--you will all still get to work together. Contact Christy with any questions at 720-849-5611 or awakeningwildness@gmail.com 

July 11, 2026

Noon to 3:00 PM

Carson Nature Center

3000 W Carson Drive
Littleton, CO 80120

Kingfisher Studio

$99 per caregiver/child pair ($45 to add one additional child or caregiver)

Taught by mother and son, Christy McConnell and Jackson Moroye

Parking is free and adjacent to the nature center. 

All materials, light snacks and water provided

Welcoming and Sharing Intentions--on the terrace

What do you appreciate about each other and your nature family?

Nature Walk: Joint attention and modeling care--on the trail

What resonates with you both as you walk together? What happens when you share awe and wonder?

Aesthetic Experience: Awakening our senses and imaginations--in the studio

How do our imaginations catch fire when we use all of our senses? What do we notice about ourselves and about our nature friends?

Collaborative Creation--in the studio

What do you both need to feel more prepared and comfortable during outdoor adventures? Prepare and decorate your Go Bag to make adventure easier and more fun! One tote bag will be provided for each pair/trio.

Christy is the author of the forthcoming book Awakening Wildness: Reconnecting with Nature and Ourselves. She has been a professor of education for 19 years and has offered international keynote addresses, presented workshops and retreats on ecological experience, and has published extensive research on cultivating meaningful educational experiences. Christy earned her PhD in Curriculum and Instruction and her MA in Professional Creative Writing from the University of Denver. As someone who connected deeply with her father while spending time together in nature, Christy hopes to offer opportunities for families to do the same.  She is grateful for the opportunity to teach this workshop with her incredible son, Jackson. 

Jackson is a freshman at Cornell College in Mt. Vernon, Iowa. He plays baseball for the Rams and serves as the freshman class president. Jackson completed his junior-year immersion experience for Regis Jesuit High School by serving as a first grade teaching assistant, and his senior immersion experience in Kansas City rebuilding houses for those in need. In Summer 2024 he completed an 8-day,  life-changing Outward Bound rafting trip and enjoys spending quiet time in nature away from technology. He also loves to ski, play hackey sack, and spend time with his dogs, Ryerson and Rugby.