Executive Summary

This three-day immersive professional development retreat brings together educators and school leaders from across the country to address one of education's most pressing challenges: navigating technology obsession while implementing meaningful hands-on learning experiences. Open to teachers and administrators working with 6th-12th grade students, as well as university educators, this retreat is set on the 7,600-acre certified organic Paicines Ranch. Participants will engage in a balanced program of expert-led think tank sessions and experiential learning activities that model the very practices they seek to implement in their schools.

• About the Facilitator

  Greg Morrissey, M.A. is the founder of Mountain Goat Movement and a 2024 Top 50 Trailblazing Educator. With over a decade of classroom teaching experience and expertise in designing transformative outdoor education programs, Greg has led thousands of students on domestic and international expeditions. He has raised over $200,000 to make outdoor experiences accessible to financially restricted students and has presented his work at The Explorers Club and the American Alpine Club. As an Arc'teryx NY ambassador, advisory board member for the Next Generation of Explorers, and contributing writer for KAVU, Greg brings both practical classroom experience and thought leadership in experiential education.

• Program Overview

  Learning Objectives

  By the end of this retreat, participants will:

  1. Develop actionable strategies for reducing screen dependency in their school communities

  2. Design hands-on learning frameworks appropriate for their specific educational contexts

  3. Build a network of like-minded educators committed to experiential education

  4. Experience firsthand the transformative power of nature-based learning

  5. Create implementation plans that satisfy professional development requirements

  Professional Development Credits

  This retreat qualifies for 18 contact hours of professional development credit, structured as:

  • 12 hours: Facilitated think tank sessions and workshops

  • 6 hours: Reflective practice and experiential learning activities

• Detailed Daily Schedule

  Day 1: Wednesday, June 24 - Foundations & Immersion

  2:00 PM - Arrival & Welcome

  • Check-in to on-site lodging

  • Welcome reception with refreshments featuring ranch-raised, grass-fed meats and local produce

  • Ranch orientation and safety briefing

  3:30 PM - Opening Session: "The State of Student Engagement" Location: Main Meeting Barn

  • Introduction to retreat objectives and participant introductions

  • Greg Morrissey keynote: "From Screens to Streams: A Decade of Getting Students Outside"

  • Data presentation on technology's impact on youth development and learning

  • Small group discussions: What challenges are you facing in your school?

  5:30 PM - Experiential Session: Sunset Ranch Walk

  • Guided 2-mile walk through the oak-studded hillsides

  • Introduction to regenerative agriculture principles

  • Observation of holistic land management practices

  • Discussion: Drawing parallels between ecosystem health and learning environments

  7:00 PM - Farm-to-Table Dinner Location: The Overlook Dining Hall

  • Dinner featuring ranch-raised meats and organic produce

  • Casual networking and relationship building

  8:30 PM - Evening Reflection

  • Journaling prompt: "What brought me here, and what do I hope to take back?"

  • Optional stargazing on the open ranch lands

  Day 2: Thursday, June 25 - Deep Dive & Design

  7:00 AM - Optional Morning Activities

  • Sunrise yoga on the vineyard hill

  • Bird watching walk (Paicines Ranch is Audubon Certified Bird-Friendly)

  • Coffee and light breakfast available

  8:00 AM - Breakfast Location: The Overlook

  9:00 AM - Think Tank Session 1: "Understanding the Tech Obsession" Location: Main Meeting Barn

  • Presentation on neurological impacts of excessive screen time

  • Case studies from schools successfully managing technology integration

  • Breakout groups by school level (Elementary, Middle, High School, Administration)

  • Discussion: Phone policies, classroom technology boundaries, and cultural shifts

  11:00 AM - Hands-On Learning Workshop: "Designing Experiential Curriculum"

  • Framework for integrating hands-on learning across disciplines

  • Examples from Mountain Goat Movement's programming

  • Collaborative curriculum design session

  • Tools and resources for implementation

  12:30 PM - Lunch Location: The Overlook

  1:30 PM - Afternoon Experiential Activities (Choose One Track)

  Track A: Regenerative Agriculture Immersion

  • Hands-on work with ranch manager Kelly Mulville

  • Sheep grazing in the polyculture vineyard

  • Soil health demonstrations and carbon sequestration discussion

  • Harvesting and food systems connection

  Track B: Mountain Biking Adventure

  • Guided ride on ranch trails (all skill levels accommodated)

  • Equipment provided

  • Focus on challenge, resilience, and embodied learning

  • Risk management discussion applicable to school programs

  Track C: Culinary Connection

  • Cooking class using ranch ingredients

  • Discussion of food systems and sustainability education

  • Preparing elements of tonight's dinner

  • Translating culinary education into school settings

  4:30 PM - Reconvene: Share & Reflect

  • Participants share insights from afternoon activities

  • Discussion: "How did it feel to be fully present and phone-free?"

  6:00 PM - Think Tank Session 2: "Building Support for Change"

  • Strategies for gaining parent buy-in

  • Working with administration and school boards

  • Funding and resource development for hands-on programs

  • Addressing equity and access concerns

  7:30 PM - Dinner Under the Stars Location: Vineyard Setting

  • Dinner prepared partially by Track C participants

  • Guest speaker: Local educator who successfully transformed their program

  • Campfire conversation and s'mores

  9:00 PM - Evening Option

  • Stargazing with astronomy introduction

  • Acoustic music gathering

  • Personal reflection time

  Day 3: Friday, June 26 - Integration & Action Planning

  7:00 AM - Sunrise Hike (Optional)

  • Moderate 3-mile hike to viewpoint overlooking the ranch

  • Guided reflection on the retreat experience

  • Coffee and breakfast available upon return

  8:30 AM - Breakfast Location: The Overlook

  9:30 AM - Think Tank Session 3: "Creating Your Action Plan" Location: Main Meeting Barn

  • Review of key learnings from the retreat

  • Structured time for individual action planning

  • SMART goal development for fall implementation

  • Peer feedback and accountability partnerships

  11:00 AM - Panel Discussion: "Voices from the Field"

  • Mountain Goat Movement alumni (students) share their experiences

  • Former participants in hands-on learning programs

  • Discussion of long-term impact and student outcomes

  12:00 PM - Lunch & Resource Fair Location: The Overlook

  • Curriculum materials and program resources available

  • Organizations and vendors supporting experiential education

  • Networking and information exchange

  1:30 PM - Final Experiential Activity: Group Challenge Course

  • Collaborative team-building exercises on ranch grounds

  • Reflection on leadership and community building

  • Discussion: Applying these principles in school culture

  3:00 PM - Closing Circle: Commitments & Community

  • Participants share one commitment they're making

  • Exchange contact information for ongoing support

  • Presentation of completion certificates

  • Group photo and final reflections

  4:00 PM - Departure

  • Optional ranch store visit for grass-fed meats and products

  • Safe travels and continued connection

• Lodging & Facilities

  Accommodations:

  • Restored historic ranch buildings with modern amenities

  • Private and shared room options available

  • All meals included, featuring ranch-raised meats and organic ingredients

  • Common spaces for informal gathering and collaboration

  Meeting Spaces:

  • Main Meeting Barn: Climate-controlled space for 50+ participants

  • The Overlook: Dining hall with panoramic ranch views

  • Outdoor gathering spaces throughout the 7,600-acre property

  Activities & Amenities:

  • Mountain biking trails and equipment

  • Hiking trails through diverse ecosystems

  • 25-acre organic polyculture vineyard

  • Working regenerative agriculture operations

  • San Benito River access

  • Bird-friendly certified landscape

• Investment & Registration

  Pricing Structure

  Early Bird (Before March 1, 2026): $1,895 per person
  Standard Registration (After March 1): $2,195 per person
  Group Rate (3+ from same school): $1,695 per person

  Includes:

  • All meals from Wednesday dinner through Friday lunch

  • Lodging for two nights

  • All workshop materials and resources

  • Guided activities and equipment

  • 18 PD contact hours and certificate of completion

  • Access to ongoing Mountain Goat Movement educator network

  Not Included:

  • Flights to/from California

  • Ground transportation to/from Paicines Ranch

  • Personal snacks and beverages outside of scheduled meals

  • Travel insurance

  • Personal equipment or gear

  Why Schools Will Pay

  This retreat meets professional development requirements through:

  1. Aligned Standards: Addresses 21st-century learning skills, student engagement, and wellness initiatives

  2. Transferable Learning: Immediately applicable strategies for any subject or grade level

  3. Documentation: Detailed PD hours, certificates, and follow-up implementation support

  4. Measurable Outcomes: Action plans with clear goals and assessment strategies

  5. Cost Effectiveness: Comprehensive multi-day experience comparable to conference attendance

  6. Research-Based: Grounded in current educational research on student engagement and learning

  Scholarship Opportunities

  Limited scholarships available for educators from under-resourced schools. Applications reviewed on a rolling basis.

• What Participants Will Take Home

  Tangible Resources:

  • Comprehensive curriculum design templates

  • Technology management policy examples

  • Risk management frameworks for outdoor programs

  • Funding and grant resource guide

  • Network of 30-50 committed educators

  • Digital resource library access

  Intangible Growth:

  • Renewed passion and purpose in teaching

  • Embodied understanding of experiential learning

  • Confidence to advocate for program changes

  • Connection to nature and self

  • Community of practice for ongoing support

• Testimonials

  "This retreat transformed not just my teaching practice, but my entire approach to education. I returned to my school with concrete plans and the confidence to implement them." - Previous Mountain Goat Movement Program Participant

  "The balance of expert input and experiential learning was perfect. I felt renewed, inspired, and equipped with practical tools." - Educator Retreat Attendee

• Registration & Contact Information

  To Register:
  Email: greg@mtngoatmvmnt.com
  Phone: 908-400-1807

  Questions?
  Schedule a call with Greg Morrissey to discuss how this retreat can support your school's professional development goals.

  Follow Mountain Goat Movement:
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• Why This Matters Now

  In an era of increasing student disconnection, mental health challenges, and screen dependency, educators need more than theory—they need embodied experiences and practical tools. This retreat offers both. By stepping away from our own devices and into the natural world, we model the change we wish to see in our students.

  The future of education requires leaders willing to think differently, act boldly, and prioritize authentic human connection and hands-on learning. This retreat is where that transformation begins.

  Join us at Paicines Ranch this June. Your students—and your own well-being—deserve it.

Mountain Goat Movement is dedicated to fostering adventure, leadership, and resilience in young people through transformative outdoor experiences. We believe everyone deserves the right to venture beyond, and we're committed to making meaningful education accessible to all.