Call for Workshops

Workshop Title: Maximum 8 words. Please choose a concise title that clearly reflects the workshop’s content.

Workshop Description: Briefly and clearly describe the purpose, content, and goals of the workshop. Please include what participants will experience and why the workshop would be valuable to trail professionals and practitioners.

Educational Objectives: What will attendees learn, practice, or take away from the workshop? Please provide 2-4 specific learning objectives.

Target Audience: Who is the intended audience for your workshop? Will participants need any specific knowledge, skills, equipment, or experience to fully participate? If so, please describe.

Workshop Presenters: For the individual responsible for coordinating the workshop, provide their name, title, affiliation, email, phone number, and a 3-4 sentence biography establishing their relevant experience and expertise.

Please provide the name, title, affiliation, and brief biography of each additional presenter, instructor, facilitator, or other individual who will have a role in the workshop.

Workshop Format: Please describe the proposed format of your workshop. Examples may include:

• Field-based learning or site visits
• Hands-on trail work or demonstrations
• Technical training
• Guided hikes, rides, or tours
• Interactive activities or exercises
• Facilitated discussions
• Case studies
• Other interactive or experiential formats

Minimum and Maximum Attendance: What is the minimum and maximum number of participants your workshop can accommodate? Please consider any factors that may limit participation, accessibility considerations, field conditions, or the instructor-to-participant ratio. Account for presenters, facilitators, drivers, and other individuals who will participate in the workshop when determining your capacity.

Itinerary: Provide a preliminary workshop itinerary, including estimated start and end times, tour or activity locations, arrival and departure times, presenters/instructors and their affiliations, and the purpose and educational value of each activity or stop. Workshops should be designed to accommodate the CT&G schedule and transportation logistics. Please identify any special transportation, parking, site access, equipment, permits, or other logistical requirements associated with your workshop.

Half-day workshops are generally expected to begin between 8:00-9:00 am and conclude between noon-1:00 pm. Full-day workshops are generally expected to begin at approximately 8:00 am and conclude no later than 4:00 pm. Shorter workshops and workshops taking place at or near the event venue will be considered.

Participation Preparation: What should participants know or bring to fully participate in the workshop? Please identify any required or recommended clothing, footwear, personal protective equipment, supplies, physical activity, or other considerations. Participants will receive this information in advance of the workshop.

Accessibility & Participant Needs: Please identify any accessibility considerations, physical requirements, specialized equipment, or other participant needs associated with your workshop. Proposers should consider how the workshop can accommodate participants with a range of abilities and experience levels.

Safety & Risk Considerations: Please identify any anticipated safety considerations or risks associated with your workshop, including field conditions, weather, terrain, water crossings, tools or equipment, wildlife, traffic, or other hazards.

Equipment & Materials: Please identify any equipment, tools, materials, or supplies that participants will need that the workshop organizers will need to provide. If participants are expected to bring personal equipment, please specify what is required.

Technology: If your workshop will include a presentation or other technology-based component, please identify your anticipated technology needs. CT&G will provide presentation equipment for sessions at the event; workshop technology needs should be identified in advance so appropriate arrangements can be considered.

Transportation: For touring or offsite workshops, please describe your anticipated transportation needs and arrangements. Indicate whether transportation will be provided through a van, bus, shuttle, carpool, walking, cycling, or other means, and whether transportation will be donated, provided by a partner, or rented. Please also identify any transportation considerations that may affect the workshop, including vehicle capacity, parking, accessibility, loading/unloading, or travel time between locations. When possible, proposers are encouraged to consider efficient and sustainable transportation options.

Cost Estimate: Provide an estimated budget for expenses that you anticipate will require reimbursement. Potential expenses may include transportation, facility or site fees, equipment, materials, permits, food and beverages, or other workshop-related costs. Workshop fees will be based on the approved workshop budget and anticipated costs, including lunch where applicable, as well as a nominal administrative fee.

Weather & Contingency Planning: Is your workshop dependent on favorable weather or specific field conditions? If yes, briefly describe your backup plan, including any anticipated changes to the itinerary, location activities, or learning objectives. Please also describe how these changes may affect the participant experience or educational value of the workshop.

1. Create a Strong Learning Experience
   • Set clear, specific learning objectives and design the workshop around them.
   • Focus on practical skills, tools, knowledge, or lessons that participants can take back to their own work.
   • Use project sites, demonstrations, case studies, and field experiences to reinforce the learning objectives.
   • Build in opportunities for questions, discussion, and participant interaction.
2. Make it Engaging and Accessible
   • Provide participants with advance information about clothing, footwear, equipment, physical requirements, and other items they may need.
   • Consider participants with different abilities, experience levels, and comfort levels in outdoor environments.
   • Minimize time spent traveling between locations and maximize meaningful opportunities to experience and learn from each site.
   • Include reasonable breaks for water, restrooms, food, and rest, particularly for full-day workshops.
   • Keep the experience welcoming, informative, and professional.
3. Choose Meaningful Locations
   • Select locations that provide both an interesting experience and a clear educational purpose.
   • Make sure each stop or activity directly supports the workshop’s learning objectives.
   • If the workshop includes a classroom component, incorporate engaging visuals, demonstrations, or hands-on activities whenever possible.
   • Consider how the location contributes to the overall story and learning experience.
4. Build a Realistic Itinerary
   • Develop a realistic schedule that accounts for travel time, parking, loading and unloading, group movement, breaks, questions, and unexpected delays.
   • Clearly identify the purpose and learning objectives for each stop or activity.
   • Allow enough time for participants to meaningfully engage with each location rather than rushing from site to site.
   • Plan for potential traffic, route changes, weather, or other unforeseen circumstances.
   • Make sure all presenters and facilitators understand their roles, responsibilities, speaking times, and the amount of time available at each stop.
   • Whenever possible, preview the route and workshop activities in advance and plan for the needs of a full group rather than an individual traveler.
5. Keep the Workshop Focused
   • Include only presenters who contribute directly to the workshop’s educational objectives.
   • Limit the number of speakers to what is necessary to effectively cover the topic.
   • Prioritize practical knowledge, lessons learned, challenges, solutions, and takeaways over promotional presentations.
   • Give participants something useful they can apply to their own work.