Events

THE ANCA ANNUAL SUMMIT is the premier professional development opportunity for leaders of nature centers and related environmental organizations. With a focus on leadership and management practices for our unique profession, the Summit provides participants with a wealth of strategies and resources to help them excel in their work.

Join us for the 2026 Summit, August 24–28 at Chippewa Nature Center (CNC) in Midland, Michigan. Located within Michigan's Great Lakes Bay region, CNC offers a vibrant backdrop for connection and learning.

The Summit theme, Confluence, reflects the coming together of knowledge and perspectives within the ANCA community. CNC sits at the confluence of the Pine and Chippewa Rivers, and Midland lies at the meeting point of two rivers as well. This confluence shapes the region’s ecology and sense of place, where distinct currents meet and move forward together. The Summit invites that same spirit, bringing together diverse experiences to foster shared learning across our field.

Whether you're just starting out in the field or you're a seasoned professional, this event offers a chance to step back from day-to-day responsibilities, gain new perspectives, and build meaningful connections with colleagues who understand your work. You’ll leave the Summit with fresh ideas and a reliable network that will strengthen your organization and expand your impact.

Note: The Summit has sold out, and registration has closed. To join the waitlist, email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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“Each year, this is the week I look forward to most! Being relatively new to the profession, ANCA has served as my go-to for information regarding the direction of my center.”

— 2025 Summit Participant

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“This was quite literally the best conference I have ever attended."

— 2025 Summit Participant

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“Everything I learn and experience during the Summit helps me to strengthen my nature center's capacity to fulfill its mission.”

— 2025 Summit Participant

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“One of the best conferences I've ever attended, in particular because of the opportunity to network and build meaningful connections with so many direct peers.”

— 2025 Summit Participant

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“The ANCA Summit is such a wonderfully encapsulating experience ... I've continued to build relationships and started forming new ones, and I have a list of things I want to continue to ponder and think about implementing at my site. This has been an amazing experience.”

— 2025 Summit Participant

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“It was an amazing week of professional growth and interesting experiences … This was a highlight of the year for me.”

— 2025 Summit Participant

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“The best professional development in our field!”

— 2025 Summit Participant

The ANCA Outdoor School Summit brings together directors and management staff from overnight outdoor schools, residential environmental learning centers, and nature-based camps across North America. These organizations share the unique opportunities and challenges of operating multi-day residential programs. By connecting professionals who share responsibilities such as providing lodging and food for participants, the Summit creates a collaborative environment for solving common challenges and building lasting professional relationships.

This Summit is relevant to any organization that offers overnight, multi-day programs that are based in environmental education, and we welcome all professionals in leadership or management positions at these organizations. ANCA holds the Outdoor School Summit in person every two years.

The next Outdoor School Summit will take place January 15-19, 2027 at Camp McDowell in Nauvoo, Alabama. Registration will open in early September.

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“I love this conference! Continuously the best conference I have ever been to. I leave every time feeling energized and full of ideas.”

— 2025 Summit Participant

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“It's wonderful to feel that you are part of a larger movement and that this type of work is being done all over the country. These people are inspiring and extremely open and sharing.”

— 2025 Summit Participant

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“Lots of great discussion, and I left with actionable knowledge and new connections.”

— 2025 Summit Participant

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“This was my first conference so I didn't know what to expect. It didn't disappoint! Amazing time and I learned a lot.”

— 2025 Summit Participant

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“This experience was transformative.”

— 2025 Summit Participant

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“I found this experience enriching and inspiring. I am excited to bring what I have learned back to my team.”

— 2025 Summit Participant

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“Most impactful conference I've ever attended.”

— 2025 Summit Participant

The ANCA Virtual Summit brings together professionals from nature centers and related organizations to share knowledge, exchange resources, and build networks in support of our shared missions, all in an accessible online format.

The next ANCA Virtual Summit will take place in January 2028. Please check back closer to the event for details and registration.

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"ANCA gives the best conferences, hands-down. Relevant, impactful content, and even in a virtual format, plenty of opportunities for intimate small-group work."

— 2026 Virtual Summit Participant

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“It was absolutely worth attending and I will look forward to the next Virtual Summit. I appreciated a virtual opportunity during the slow season. I learned a lot and enjoyed the chance to network with others in a similar field."

— 2026 Virtual Summit Participant

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"The virtual format was accessible and allowed me to take everything in at my own pace. I left every single session with action steps that I am excited about."

— 2026 Virtual Summit Participant

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"I was so energized after the conference! It was a fantastic experience as a first time attendee. I enjoyed the digital format because the space between sessions allowed for action to take place with some ideas that came out of the sessions."

— 2026 Virtual Summit Participant

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"The ANCA Virtual Summit was amazing! It was reassuring and rejuvenating hearing the shared experiences of other experts in the field. Not only are my staff members excited by the information I've shared, but we are already looking forward to investigating resources and implementing strategies learned through the sessions."

— 2026 Virtual Summit Participant

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"The format and flow of this summit was fantastic. The conference page and the way it all worked … was very smooth and user friendly."

— 2026 Virtual Summit Participant

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"It was my first experience with ANCA and I felt so welcomed! It was nice to be surrounded by like minded people and everyone seemed so genuine and willing to share ideas and collaborate."

— 2026 Virtual Summit Participant