Call for Proposals

The Manitoba Nature Summit Inc. has developed a strategy to train potential young environmental stewards who work with young children in a variety of capacities.

Manitoba Nature Summit 2010 & 2012

The Manitoba Nature Summit Inc. is a volunteer-run, non-profit organization invested in incorporating nature into children’s lives. Research shows that children have become alienated from nature and its curative and inspiring effects.

Children spend 93% of their time indoors — resulting in symptoms of epidemic obesity, depression, attention-deficit, stress dysfunction and plug-in obsession. The health and wellness benefits of outdoor play and activity are both immediate and significant: increased fitness, better physical and mental health, sharper concentration, lower aggression and higher creativity.  Wilderness Awareness School, Nature Summit 2010 presenters.

The date of the next Conference will be September 14 – 16^th, 2012.

The Nature Summit will bring together 150 delegates – early childhood educators, teachers, nature enthusiasts, health professionals, landscape architects and others – for three days of skill development and developing strategic relationships. Delegates will be offered opportunities to explore nature and develop skills that they can share with the children in their lives.

The Nature Summit will be held outside at Camp Manitou just outside of Winnipeg Manitoba off Highway #1. The Camp consists of 28 wooded acres next to the Assiniboine River. Buildings on-site include main lodge, sleeping cabins, large group meeting room/gymnasium, and rustic camp cabins.

 Call for Proposals:

M-NACC is looking for proposals of hands-on, interactive workshops pertaining to Nature Education. The bulk of the workshops will happen Friday, September 14 and Saturday, September 15, 2012 between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm but we will accept proposals for additional activities outside of those hours, such as; early morning bird watching hike or group games in the evening.

Proposals should be not more than 2 pages or 500 words in length and should include: Name of individual and/or group presenting, Title of the workshop, a brief description of workshop content and format, venue requirements,  size of group that the workshop is intended for, and any other relevant material.

Your proposal should indicate if you require access to any special equipment (audio visual, sporting, survival etc.) and if you will be providing this equipment or if you require the assistance of the committee to acquire it.  Please include an estimate of any expected additional expenditures such as photocopies or activity supplies.

Attach a bio (70 words) and a current CV.

Workshops should be between 40 minutes and 2 hours in length.

Submit Proposals by email to mnaccnaturesummit@gmail.com, or fax to:  1-204-694-7462   Attn: Jamie no later than: February 29^th, 2012.

Selection Criteria:

In keeping with the goals of Manitoba Nature Summit Inc. and the fact that the group is a volunteer run, non-profit organization without consistent funding preference may be given to workshops that will be facilitated out-of–doors and facilitators who are willing to accept free registration at the Summit in lieu of an honorarium.

Resource Fair:

We are also accepting proposals for individuals, organizations and businesses, who are involved in nature education, and would be interested in setting up a display Friday afternoon to demonstrate their product or program to the delegates. For more information or to submit a proposal please email Ruth at mnaccnaturesummit@gmail.com.