Teacher Workshops
- 205-387-1806, ext. 109
- MECDIRECTOR@campmcdowell.org
Teacher Workshops Overview
Join McDowell Educational Programs for a day or a weekend throughout the year at one of our many teacher workshops. Many of our teacher workshops meet the criteria and are approved for AMSTI & Powerschool Credits and are TEAMS approved. These high quality PD opportunities are a great way to visit McDowell, connect with other educators, and earn your continuing education credits. Whether you need the credits, or you just want to expand your curriculum by picking up some new and fun ideas for your classroom, you will find what you need at a McDowell Teacher Workshop! Check out the sessions below. Email Meredith at mecdirector@campmcdowell.org with questions.
Nature Journaling: Learning to Observe, Wonder, and Connect
October 12 & 13, 2026 | $50 per day + lodging costs
This hands-on introductory workshop prepares educators and others to use nature journaling as a tool for close observation, inquiry, and scientific thinking. Through guided outdoor experiences, participants will practice using words, pictures, numbers, measurements, comparisons, and questions to observe and document natural phenomena. No previous drawing or nature-journaling experience is required. 6-12 PowerSchool Hours (depending on day attendance).
Day 1 — Nature Journaling: Learning to Observe, Wonder, and Connect
Day 2 — Teaching Through Nature Journaling
Teacher's Day Out: Fall 2026
November 10, 2026 | $45 with lunch provided
Teacher's Day Out will give you a glimpse of McDowell educational programs and inspire ideas for outdoor activities with students, all while earning 6 AMSTI credit hours.
Half of the day will be spent with McDowell Environmental Center staff hiking through the beautiful forest and canyons, also giving an outdoor, exploratory learning experience that you can take back to use with students. The other half will be spent with McDowell Farm School meeting the animals and exploring the farm, exemplifying ways students can learn through gardening.
Wild About Water Workshop
November 11-13, 2026 | $100 includes lodging & meals!
Please join us for our Fall Teacher Workshop and get Wild About Water. On this three day workshop, we will explore the waterways of Alabama in as many ways as possible, and give tools and activities for you to bring back to your classrooms.
Highlights of this workshop include: Chemical Water Testing and Macro-invertebrate search with author, Dr. Bill Deutsch, Canoeing on Clear Creek, Hikes to Waterfalls, and more!