BOOKINGS NOW OPEN!
June 8th & 9th 2024
IFSA Summer Gathering & AGM
We are delighted to welcome you to the 6th IFSA Annual Gathering and AGM at the Slieve Aughty Centre, Loughrea, Co. Galway, H62 DX77 on Saturday and Sunday 8th & 9th June 2024.
We hope to use this opportunity to gather in community with each other and with nature to deepen our awareness of the powerfulness of the Forest School approach to making our world a better place for all sentient beings. We extend a special welcome to new members, trainees and to those of you joining us for the first time.
We also extend our thanks to all of the conference ACORN committee, to Slieve Aughty and the staff and to nature for her abundant beauty and constant inspiration to us all.
OUR AGM
The IFSA AGM will take place on Saturday 8th June 2024 at 5pm as part of the Annual Gathering.
INTERESTED IN JOINING THE IFSA ACORN COMMITTEE?
If you are interested in joining the IFSA ACORN (committee), please email info@irishforestschoolassociation.ie with your name, IFSA membership number and a short paragraph about you and what you think you can contribute to the ACORN before Friday 25th May.
We really encourage you to consider joining the IFSA ACORN. There are 10 positions on the ACORN, so if we have more nominees than that, a paper ballot will be held on the day and those with the greatest number of votes elected.
It is really important for IFSA going forward that we have a strong committee to represent us, so while being on the ACORN does require a substantial time commitment, it is also an opportunity to be at the heart of the development of Forest School in Ireland.
At this year’s gathering:
- Keynote speaker is Catherine Cleary, an award-winning journalist, author and nature activist.
- 4 CPD workshops which will run twice concurrently (attendees select 2 of 4 options).
- IFSA AGM
- Saturday Evening options include Roundhouse Walk and Talk with the cousins who build it and shared the process on YouTube (https://youtube.com/c/SmoothGefixt), legendary storyteller Eddie Lenihan and community campfire.
- Speaker, Bob Wilson of CELT, Trees and woodlands in the Irish landscape
- Regional and National Conversations
- Tree Planting with Niamh Ni Dhuill, Natural Wild Gardens
Calling all Musicians!
Please bring your instruments and tunes for around the campfire. If you would like to join the Ceol 2024 WhatsApp to arrange some music for the event please email Mary Cronin at colmanwalsh086@gmail.com
Decor: Want to help bring wild decor to our lovely venue? We welcome you adding any willow decorations, garlands, bunting, fabrics and natural decorations to enhance the beauty of our indoor and outdoor spaces for our visit.
Early bird closes: 25th May
Bookings close: 4th June
Cost: (includes conference, vegetarian lunch on Saturday and Sunday, vegetarian dinner on Saturday evening, tea and coffee throughout, evening activity, storytelling and campfire, and IFSA membership until May 2025)
– Current IFSA members €160 (Early bird €135 until 25th May)
– Non-members: €190; (Early Bird €160 until 25th May)
– Current FS trainees/ third level students (on presentation of card) €145 (Early bird €125 until 25th May) .