In mid-April Nature Education Programs, Ltd. presented a very successful daylong workshop to an international conference in Sarasota, Florida. Over 90 people from South Africa, Australia, The Netherlands, Germany, France, and the U.S. were in attendance. The program (including a custom PowerPoint presentation) was designed by Tom, Ellen, Tim and Ron over a period of three months. The topic of the workshop was “Survival Skills” with an emphasis on the similarities between wilderness and urban survival.

Tim & Ron were the lucky ones who got to present the workshop at the bayside Hyatt Regency Sarasota. The completely enclosed, high-walled, un-windowed conference room was a far cry from our preferred natural-area venue. On top of that, when the guys checked into their room, they found that their balcony was totally enclosed in glass, while neighboring rooms had outdoor, open-air balconies. The desk clerk was asked, “Why the difference?” Her response? “You guys have a deluxe room!” Apparently for some in Sarasota fresh air is a downgrade. Go figure.

Though the venue was challenging, the enthusiasm and energy of the participants were genuine and consistent with what we have come to expect from folks taking our classes.