SUMMER INSTITUTE

Generate! Solutions for Curriculum, Climate, and Community

June 22-26, 2026

Location: Rockywold-Deephaven Camps, Squam Lake, Holderness NH

About the institute:

How can we integrate climate learning that’s accessible, hands-on, and solutions-focused? Can we use problem-based learning to define what needs doing in the local community, and then empower students to investigate, design and do the work needed to realize the changes they envision? Come work and play with us as we approach these questions together. This year’s partnerships include Institute for Humane Education, who will help us integrate Solutionary Frameworks into our curriculum, and several of our Youth Climate Leaders who will share their valuable perspectives. You will plan a curriculum that cultivates hope and brings students meaningful learning opportunities to tackle relevant climate solutions for their community. Open to all educators, any grade, any subject.

What past participants have to say:

“This is an excellent workshop that feels like teacher’s summer camp! The instructors are engaging, knowledgeable, incredibly supportive, and fun. There was time for learning, planning, and play. I am coming away from this week feeling connected to facilitators and the other participants, empowered to guide students in effecting change, and more knowledgeable about climate change, problems from it, and ways to go about solving problems in my community”

“Being with a cohort of skilled educators was incredibly helpful in developing ideas for phenomena as well as making connections with local experts and resources to support my students’ research and hands-on activities to help them gain a deeper understanding of raging river and possible solutions. “

Feeling more confident

I am feeling much more confident about what we’ll do and how we’ll do it. On top of that, what we’re doing is now connected to the standards, feels joyful, and is part of what needs doing in the world. – A teacher attending the 2023 Summer Institute

All teachers need STEAM

“This is a week of learning how to help the earth through the children and it was something I needed and it was well done. Teachers of all subjects need this to really understand STEAM.” – A teacher attending Summer Insitute

Feeling empowered

“Thank you so much for all the time and effort you all put into this workshop. It is great to spend downtime together as well. I felt very cared for, listened to, encouraged, and empowered this week.” – Teacher attending Summer Institute

One new idea

“All of the figuring out a problem and deciding a project to work on to solve it were great for this. Wonder Wander, Envisioning, Climate Connect, Iceberg Model, Systems Mapping, Ranking, etc. So many ways to engage with youth and what they care about. Thank you!” – A teacher’s response to: ‘what is one new idea you gained from this training?’

Community and schools working together

“There are places where the community is reaching out to schools to solve problems! I hope this becomes a model for all schools going forward.” – A teacher in response to ‘one new idea you gained’ from our training

Serving an important role

“VEEP/NHEEP is serving a very important role in enriching and supporting educators with climate education. Their facilitators are experts and very helpful in bringing the workshops to young people to understand the energy and environment in a more hands on way, which may be not the case for many.” – A VT teacher

Participants will:

Driving Question: How will we integrate real-world learning, joy and action into curriculum to GENERATE meaningful engagement, agency and climate solutions in our schools & communities?

Figure out how to make climate learning problem-based, purposeful, hands-on and accessible to all students.
Become comfortable using student-driven, interdisciplinary learning practices as modeled through the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS).
Identify learning opportunities and solutions related to climate and energy that are locally relevant and cultivate student joy and agency.
Use systems and critical thinking, as modeled through the Solutionary Framework, to evaluate and prioritize solutions and equip students for a changing world.
Plan curricular pathways that lead to action, maintain academic rigor and navigate the specific standards, constraints, and circumstances of your learning environment.

Our data and case studies are generally specific to Vermont and New Hampshire, but the content should be universally applicable.

COST: $1100. Early Bird pricing (save $100!) through May 1, 2026.

We have full Scholarships available for VT & NH teachers! Make a note in your registration form requesting a scholarship.

This low cost for teachers is made possible through support from Efficiency Vermont, the Kettering Family Foundation, George W. Mergens Foundation, Glenn W. Bailey Foundation, Generac Foundation, Sunflower Fund, Hypertherm Hope Foundation, and Rockywold-Deephaven Camps.

CREDIT: All participants will receive professional development certificates.

Graduate credit is available through Vermont State University or Antioch University New England for an additional fee ($600 for a 3 credit course) and some continuing coursework.

We hope to make Summer Institute accessible to all Vermont and New Hampshire educators interested in participating in the program. Please contact us at [email protected] if you have any questions about the program cost. Out of state educators are welcome to join, but at this time our funding can only subsidize the costs for Vermont and New Hampshire teachers.
Looking to sponsor? Learn more here.