Preserving Childhood Gala
Join us for the main event of the new year!
6:30 PM January 13th, 2023
Hickory Creek Church, Frankfort, IL
Be Our Guest!
Have a night out on the town with us at our first exclusive event. Featuring dinner, a silent auction, and speakers you won’t want to miss! All proceeds from our gala event will go towards land preservation and our school expansion.
Tickets
General Admission $150
Includes a seat at the table, dinner, dessert, and a Q+A Opportunity for the event speakers. Have date night in style and hear insights about preserving childhood from local experts.
VIP Corporate Sponsor
Sponsoring a table at our event is a great way to participate in our community and partner with us as we pave a way for the next generation to be life-long learners. Sponsorship will include your company name being featured on a banner at the event, and a shout-out during the event. Buy a table seating 8 or 10 guests and invite whoever you wish to join you at our special event!
Table for 8: $1,200 Table for 10: $1,500
Our Speakers
See the lineup!
Dr. Mark Zumhagen, MD
Founder, Fearfully and Wonderfully Made, Orland Park, IL.
“What Your Doctor Isn’t Telling you About Your Child’s Health”
During our event Dr. Zumhagen will discuss practical solutions to enhancing the health and development of your child.
More About Dr. Zumhagen
Dr. Zumhagen attended the University of Illinois School of Medicine at Peoria, where he graduated in 1985. He then went on to do his internship at McNeal Hospital Family Practice. He soon after started working at Homefirst Health Services, a Chicago-based physician homebirth practice until 2010. Dr. Zumhagen has been practicing family medicine for 36 years. He opened his own practice in 2009, where he now specializes in holistic healthcare for all ages.
Rachael Smedberg
Co-founder, Tulip Tree Gardens, Beecher, IL.
“Taking the Plunge”
Learn how Rachael and her family took a leap of faith and got off the treadmill of life in order to provide their kids with an impact driven purpose. Teaching her children that nature nurtures us, focusing on academics that embody nature, wonder, and creativity. Building confidence and resilience through free-range learning.
More About Rachael S
Rachael is a faithful wife, mother, and founder of Tulip Tree Gardens. Rachael, a first generation farmer, shares a deep connection to the land. She is passionate about developing high production, and sustainable ecosystems. A sitting board member of Journey Pregnancy and Life Hub, she has been able to develop a dialogue, and engage with people across all demographics.
Rachel Mikottis
Founder, Free Haven Forest School, Mokena, IL.
“Everything You Know About Schools is Wrong”
Growing up as a free-range homeschooler, Rachel shares about her unique career journey and experience in the education system. She compares stark differences between educational goals and outcomes within the traditional school system compared to alternative approaches, and discusses key strategies for instilling a life-long love of learning in childhood.
More About Rachel M
Rachel has been teaching since 2017. She co-founded her first nature-based program at age 20, found the forest school movement during the pandemic, and officially founded Free Haven Forest School in fall, 2021. Free Haven currently serves 150 students.
Can’t Attend?
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FAQs
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Each day is started with songs, letters, counting and calendar, followed by a child-led nature exploration & study. All subjects will be explored from a biblical worldview. Each month we will study a new interest topic chosen by the students. Students will have exposure to many hands-on art and science projects that will help them retain important concepts and information. By allowing children to construct their own learning, they have an opportunity to practice many skills that will equip them for a bright and successful future.
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Depending on the age group this can change, but our low-ratio classes are limited to 10 students with a ratio of at least 1:5 for Forest Preschool.
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This program will meet at our private forest school site in Mokena, IL with access to our heated schoolhouse building during inclement weather.
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1. Submit an application and fee.
2. You will be contacted within 2 weeks to schedule a tour and mini orientation.
3. If there is space on the day(s) you requested, you will start the registration process.
4. If there is not space, you will be added to the waitlist until a spot opens up for you.
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Due to our small class sizes and large demand, new students must submit an application to enroll. There is a non-refundable $25 fee associated with the application. Once an application is submitted, applicants will be invited to tour our facility and attend a mini orientation to make sure forest school is the best fit before committing to the school year. If there is no space, applicants will be placed on a waiting list for the remainder of the school year. Registration will be filled based on the date the application and fee are submitted.
