The Care Outdoors Companion Training is an experiential learning program that prepares participants to intentionally integrate Nature into everyday life, aging and care.
Through guided practices, current research, and reflective dialogue, participants deepen their relationships with Nature while developing practical skills that can be adapted across personal and professional contexts.
Whether you're supporting older adults, family members, clients, students, neighbors, or nurturing your wellbeing, you'll discover simple yet profound ways to recognize Nature as an essential Care Ally.
Sit Spots
Awe Walks
Bioregionalism
Forest Bathing
Breath Awareness
Nature Photography
Reflective Journaling
The Green Care Code, research, and practical applications
By the end of the program, participants will have the confidence, knowledge, and practical tools to thoughtfully bring the Nature Experience into everyday life and care.
Upon successful completion, participants earn the Certified Care Outdoors Companion credential and become part of a growing community of co-pioneers exploring new possibilities for connection, belonging, and Reciprocal-Shared Care.
Cultivate the knowledge, skills, and embodied practices needed to bring nature-connected companion care into aging services, home care, and community settings.
The Dire Need for Care Outdoors
Reimagining Care: Our Relationship with Nature
Green Care Approaches
The Emerging Field of Eco Gerontology
Sensory Engagement with Nature & Removing Barriers
Growing a Nature-Based Care Practice & Career Pathways
Care Outdoors Companion Guide & Practice Journal
Connect with a growing community of caregivers, educators, practitioners, advocates, and changemakers exploring Nature-connected care. Share experiences, discoveries, ideas, and practical strategies while helping shape the future of Care Outdoors and Eco Gerontology.
Stay engaged and inspired through weekly live sessions, embodied Nature practices, reflective learning, and meaningful connections with fellow participants.
Learn at your own pace through online modules, experiential Nature practices, and real-world application that fits your schedule. Enjoy six months of access to the learning modules, beginning with your first login.
Live Community Sessions
Gather with fellow learners for ten one-hour live sessions featuring brief presentations, interactive discussions, reflection, and opportunities to share stories, insights, and discoveries from your Nature Experiences.
Winter 2027 | January 14 – March 25
10 Live Sessions | Thursdays | 10:00 AM PT / 1:00 PM ET
Session Dates:
January 14, 21, 28
February 4, 11, 18, 25
March 4, 18, 25
No session March 11.
Additional live session times may be offered based on cohort needs and availability.
Continue the conversation through the Care Outdoors Community, where participants share stories, photographs, reflections, resources, ideas, and inspiration while learning from one another.
Explore evidence-based Green Care approaches, Eco Gerontology, and Reciprocal-Shared Care while deepening your own relationship with Nature. Through embodied practices and reflective learning, discover meaningful ways to cultivate connection, belonging, wellbeing, and opportunities to give, receive, and share care.
The Care Outdoors Companion Approach
The word Companion reflects the heart of Care Outdoors. Companionship is more than providing care. Care Outdoors Companions offer presence, nurture relationships, and inspire curiosity through shared experiences with Nature.
Rooted in EGI's philosophy of Reciprocal-Shared Care, we recognize that care is relational and reciprocal. We all have opportunities to give, receive, and share care with one another and the more-than-human world.
Questions? Contact [email protected].
"My wish is to stay always like this, living quietly in a corner of Nature." –Claude Monet
Being indoors for extended periods can negatively impact mood, potentially leading to depression and stress, which can, in turn, disrupt sleep patterns.
Research shows lack of exposure to natural sunlight, which helps regulate the body's sleep-wake rhythms, can further exacerbate sleep issues.
Prolonged lack of natural sunlight can lead to various health effects, including weakened immune system, low energy levels, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), weaker bones, and weight gain, due to reduced production of vitamin D and serotonin, disruption of circadian rhythm, and slowed metabolism.
Decreased outdoor activity leads to reduced physical movement compared to being outdoors, where activities like walking are more common, potentially contributing to a sedentary lifestyle with associated health risks.
Reduces Feelings of Loneliness and Isolation
Inspires Awe and Gratitude
Increases Physical Activity
Fosters Connectedness & Promotes Social Inclusion
Improves Cognitive Function & Reduces Stress
Strengthens Immunity & Bolsters Digestion
Improves Sleep and Hydration
Generates Joy, Calm, Gratitude, Pain Reduction, Wellbeing
1.5 Years Later...
After 1.5 years of using Care Outdoors at Adult Enrichment Centers, what has been the greatest benefit for your organization, your team, and the people you support?
"Care Outdoors provided a platform and structure for our team, ensuring time Outdoors had more significance than just 'fresh air.' It taught us to think about how and why Nature-based programming benefitted us and our members, and seeing our members embrace it as something they could do to improve their physical and mental health was huge. No cost to go Outdoors and think, or meditate, or journal, and each individual can decide for themselves how to incorporate that."
Would you recommend Care Outdoors to other organizations? If so, why?
"Yes. Absolutely. We know Nature is good and we know it benefits us, but Care Outdoors provides a deeper level of knowledge around that and builds a structure to ensure it is used consistently to improve the quality of life of our members."
— Samantha Kriegshauser, CEO, Adult Enrichment Centers
Explore evidence-based Green Care and nature-connected care practices that support wellbeing, belonging, engagement, and quality of life across aging services, home care, and community settings.
Develop practical approaches for integrating Nature into everyday care and living experiences using insights from the Science of Awe and Nature Connectedness.
Explore the emerging field of Eco Gerontology and discover how Nature can enrich age-friendly, livable, and person-centered approaches to aging, care, and community wellbeing.
Apply creative, person-centered outdoor practices that foster Reciprocal-Shared Care, meaningful engagement, social inclusion, and community connection.
Green Care, Green Social Prescribing, and Nature-based approaches to health and wellbeing are gaining momentum around the world.
Care Outdoors moves beyond understanding the benefits of Nature, inviting participants to deepen their own relationships with the living world through embodied Nature practices, reflective learning, and meaningful experiences.
Care Outdoors Companion Training provides practical tools and an evidence-based foundation for bringing Nature-connected care into aging services, home care, adult day programs, healthcare, and community settings, as well as everyday life.
Participants discover opportunities to foster purpose, joy, meaningful engagement, belonging, and quality of life while exploring the possibilities of Reciprocal-Shared Care.
Through online learning, live community sessions, and experiential Nature practices, participants develop the knowledge, skills, and confidence to intentionally bring Care Outdoors into their personal and professional lives.
Certification & Recognition
Upon successful completion of the program, each participant receives a Care Outdoors Companion Certificate, recognizing their learning in evidence-based Green Care, Nature Connection Practices, and Eco Gerontology.
Together, we are advancing a future where Nature is recognized as our #1 Care Ally.
Care Outdoors Companion Training welcomes caregivers, activity professionals, home care providers, adult day services staff, healthcare professionals, students, educators, volunteers, community advocates, and anyone interested in deepening their relationship with Nature.
Whether you're exploring Nature-connected care professionally or seeking meaningful ways to bring Nature into your own life and community, you're welcome!
No. Care Outdoors welcomes newcomers and experienced practitioners alike. Curiosity, openness, and a willingness to explore your relationship with Nature are all you need to begin.
Care Outdoors Companion Training is a 10-week facilitated learning experience combining self-paced online learning, embodied Nature practices, reflective learning, and 10 weekly live community sessions.
Participants receive six months of access to the learning modules, beginning with their first login, providing additional time to revisit lessons, complete reflections, and bring their learning into everyday life and care.
Yes, with guided support! Participants progress through the online modules at their own pace while being invited to participate in weekly live community sessions, Nature Connection Practices, and reflective discussions throughout the program.
Participation includes:
Six months of access to all online learning modules, beginning with your first login
10 weekly, one-hour live community sessions
The Care Outdoors Companion Guide and Practice Journal, mailed directly to your home
Experiential Nature Connection Practices and reflective learning
Access to the Care Outdoors Community
Yes! Upon successful completion of the program, participants earn the Certified Care Outdoors Companion credential, recognizing their learning in evidence-based Green Care approaches, Eco Gerontology, and Nature-connected care.
No. Care Outdoors invites you to discover the wonders of Nature wherever you live, work, and receive care.
Practices can be adapted to gardens, patios, courtyards, neighborhoods, parks, care communities, and other accessible outdoor spaces.
Meaningful Nature Experiences can begin right outside your own door!
While we encourage participation in all 10 live community sessions, attendance at every session is not required to earn your Certified Care Outdoors Companion credential.
Live sessions are not recorded. Additional opportunities to attend make-up sessions may be offered, depending on availability.
Participants can continue progressing through their learning modules, Nature Connection Practices, and community discussions.
Yes! Care Outdoors welcomes groups of care professionals, residents, and interested family members to learn together as co-pioneers, discovering the wonders of their communities, bioregions, and beyond.
Group enrollment is available for up to 10 learners at $3,900.
Explore our Care Outdoors Community Training page for details, or contact [email protected] with questions.
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