Nature's Kennel Sled Dog Racing & Adventures

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Friday, July 30th, 2010

Nature's Kennel

PO Box 5
McMillan, MI 49853
Tel: 1-906-748-0513
Email: info@natureskennel.com

Educational Programs

Educational Programs

Midwest Iditarod Teacher's Conference--September 24, 2010
Erickson Center for the Arts, Curtis, Michigan (located 90 minutes northwest of the Mackinac Bridge)
Mark your calendar for the 1st Annual Midwest Iditarod Teacher’s Conference this fall! The conference will take place on Friday, September 24th at the Erickson Center for the Arts in Michigan’s Eastern Upper Peninsula.
Announcing Keynote Speaker:
Trent Herbst--2010 Iditarod Musher
Trent is a 4th grade teacher from Ketchum, Idaho. He is running his 4th Iditarod race in 2010 and will share his Iditarod experiences from the perspectives of both teacher and musher.
Additional topics and presentations include:
• Presentations from Diane Johnson, Iditarod Education Director and several participants from the Target Iditarod Teacher on the Trail program
• Iditarod Technology--incorporating virtual mushing and Iditarod technology into the classroom
• Favorite Classroom Activites from Experienced Teachers
• Connecting music to sled dogs, winter and fun with Jamie-Sue Seal, owner of Smokin' Sled Dog Records and Herb Brambley, 2010 Target Iditarod Teacher on the Trail

Earn CEU credits through Northern Michigan University by participating in the Iditarod Teacher's Conference!! Click here for more information!!!

The 2nd Annual Midwest Mushing Symposium will take place at the same location on Saturday, September 25th, with the keynote speaker, Yukon Quest Champion Sebastian Schunelle, so make plans to stay for and entire weekend of sled dog fun.
Cost: $20 advanced registration ($30 day of event) for Teacher’s Conference ONLY. $30 advanced registration for both Friday’s Iditarod Teacher’s Conference and Saturday’s Midwest Mushing Symposium. Teacher scholarships are available for event or travel reimbursement. www.midwestsleddog.com or www.natureskennel.com

Click here for the up to date schedule of events!
Click here for advanced registration and scholarship information.
Please contact Tasha Stielstra, info@natureskennel.com for more information.

Pulling Together--Classroom Presentations
Musher and educator Tasha Stielstra teaches students the important lessons of teamwork and respect from the viewpoints of sled dogs. Pulling Together is designed to compliment any core value curriculum.
Pulling Together offers:

Full or half day programs

Hands-on, minds-on activities

Age appropriate interactive slide show

Mushing equipment for students to handle

Free teacher/classroom activity packet

Small or large group presentations

Students will:

Learn the important core values of being safe, kind, and responsible.

See why working together and respecting others makes a successful team.

Learn the true meaning of teamwork from a dog team.

Meet the incredible athletes up close.

Cost:

$500 for a full-day program, plus mileage (a full day program includes 3-4 mini assemblies)

$400 for a ½ day program, plus mileage (a 1/2 day program includes 1-2 mini assemblies)

*We try to schedule as many presentations as possible within in the same geographical area to greatly reduce travel costs.

Even though sled dog racing takes place in the winter, sled dog training and team building takes place all year. Our programs are structured so that students can learn from us regardless of the season. Due to our racing schedule, we present the majority of our programs in the fall and spring.
Tasha speaks to nearly 10,000 students and teachers each year. For information on how to book a presentation, contact Tasha at 906-748-0513 oremail at info@natureskennel.com
Here is what some of them had to say about the program:

It was nice to have an interactive assembly.

The presenter did a great job connecting sled dog racing with school.

I think it was neat for the kids to be exposed to activities and job opportunities that are not common around here.

The students were really interested in this topic. Great emphasis on TEAMWORK!
--Teachers at Betheim Elementary School, Hamilton Michigan

I was personally able to sit in for the entire program with the students...I feel that your presentations-slides, dog, sled, and equipment, along with the `hands on` opportunities given our students, was very age and grade appropriate to each group!
--Maryalice Boone, Administrator Autrain-Onota Public School

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