PROGRAM LEADERS RETREAT

AEOE convenes program leaders (managers, coordinators, and directors of EE providers) from around the state for a weekend of learning, connection, and fun. Combining both focused professional development and open space sessions, the weekend retreat is a time to connect with others in similar roles, gain help from your peers, and strengthen your program while relaxing on the grounds at Camp Ocean Pines on the beautiful California Coast. 

Join us for the 2026 Program Leader Retreat: January 30-February 1, 2026

Location: Camp Ocean Pines in Cambria, CA

Site accessibility: The communal meeting spaces are ADA accessible, as are several restrooms on site. One cabin is ADA accessible, but please note that the path from the meeting area to the lodging area is uphill, on uneven terrain (we recommend driving if you plan to stay overnight). Please contact us at aeoe@aeoe.org if you have additional questions or specific needs.

 

Registration is open now! Options include Saturday night only, the full weekend with lodging, or the full weekend without lodging for locals and those who prefer to stay offsite. Meals are included. 

	Full weekend (2 nights)	Full weekend (no lodging)	Saturday night only
AEOE Member	$235	$170	$175
Organizational Member Staff*	$245	$180	$185
Guest	$250	$185	$190
Assisted **	$215	$155	$160

*If you are a staff member of one of our organizational members, contact us for a discount code at aeoe@aeoe.org. 

**Assisted level rates are self-selected and offered on an honor basis. Please select this rate if you needed financial assistance to attend and are not receiving support from your home organization. 

AGENDA

• Friday afternoon – check in and get settled into housing
• Friday dinner
• Friday evening social (optional)
• Saturday breakfast
• Saturday morning – nature journaling session with Wild Wonder Foundation
• Saturday late morning – optional field trip up the coast to see the elephant seals
• Saturday lunch 
  
• Saturday afternoon – professional development session on Conscious Leadership (see description below)
• Saturday dinner
• Saturday evening – statewide updates, networking, and prep for open space
• Sunday morning walk (optional) 
• Sunday breakfast
• Sunday morning – Open Space discussions
• Sunday late morning: departure

What are Open Space discussions? 

Open Space is an approach where the participants engage in peer learning by creating and managing the agenda themselves. Participants will brainstorm topics, agree on the areas of discussion that have importance for them, and then take responsibility for facilitating the sessions. 

Professional Development: Conscious Leadership

For Saturday afternoon's session, we're partnering with AEOE Board Member Amelia Rosenman from  Experience Institute, who will guide us through an Introduction to Conscious Leadership.

The more leadership responsibilities we take on, the greater chance there is of our "plates filling up" our "heads going underwater" or our "fuse running short." The practice of Conscious Leadership helps us develop self-awareness of our typical response to this stress. And, importantly, gives us concrete tactics for shifting from reactionary "below the line" behaviors to more empowering "above the line" leadership.

In this highly interactive, indoor & outdoor workshop, we'll work on recognizing our triggers, and expanding the space between stimulus and response. When we come from a more grounded and self-aware place, we can create an environment that begets creativity and wellbeing for our team as well. After trying out some of the practices ourselves, we'll spend time exploring how to spread these concepts and practices to the rest of our team or organization.

Facilitator bio: Amelia Rosenman (she/her) has built a career around helping people try new things—whether that’s a 10-year-old’s first night hike, a CEO mediating a team conflict, or a 70-year-old learning to swim. Her own willingness to try new things has led to some of her favorite pastimes, including dancing two-step, swimming in open water, and eating cantaloupe gelato. Amelia spent over a decade working in science and nature education, with stints at San Mateo Outdoor Education, the BEETLES project at the Lawrence Hall of Science, and the California Academy of Sciences. Now the Director of Programs at Experience Institute, Amelia brings her passion for learning and leadership to workplaces across the country. She remains deeply invested in educational equity and environmental justice and is excited to support AEOE’s mission. Amelia joined AEOE's board in 2025.

"The retreat was such an amazing experience. It helped me feel rejuvenated, connected, and part of a larger community...I really appreciated the amount of time allocated for just talking and connecting with others. The open space part was great too! I feel so fortunate to be part of this community."    - 2025 Participant